Hashish may also be referred to as hash, shish, or a variety of other names based on the location or color of the drug. Hash is made from a part of the cannabis plant though it is classified separately. Hashish THC is retrieved from the crystals on the outer edges of the plant. It can be compressed into bricks, balls, or oils. The THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol) found in hashish ranges anywhere from 20-70 percent. It is the hashish THC that gives users the desired high. The spectrum of the effects hashish has depends on the potency of the THC. Hashish can have many side effects including dependency.
What Hashish THC Is Made From
Hashish is made from the hairs of the cannabis flower, called trichomes. The resin is separated from the flower of the female plant which contains the most trichomes. The most popular ways to do this is through removing them from the plant through a screen by hand. The powder, referred to as kief, is compressed with heat into blocks called hashish. Another popular method is through ice-water separation. Hashish is consumed in many ways, most of which involve vaporized cannabinoids from small pipes, bongs, or smoking. Hashish THC can be ingested through food, such as brownies, cookies, and other baked goods.
Short-Term Effects of Hashish THC
The short-term effects of hashish THC are mostly physical. The symptoms can range from increased heart rate, dry mouth, dilated pupils, to decreased coordination and increased appetite. Users may also experience a sense of heightened arousal, and relaxation. Short-term memory and concentration are also affected by the use of hashish. Some users can experience more psychological reactions such as paranoia, anxiety, and altered perception. Higher doses of hashish THC can lead to stronger reactions of fear, and frightening visual and auditory hallucinations. These chances are greater when the user has a predisposition to psychological problems.
Long-Term Effects of Hashish THC
Frequent hashish users may suffer from long-term effects. Hash damages the lungs and increases the risks of attracting respiratory illnesses. Users can experience decreased cognitive thinking abilities, hormonal changes, and physical or psychological addiction. Although hashish is proven to be less addictive than alcohol or nicotine, one can become dependent since it affects the pleasure parts of the brain. In accordance with the addiction, users can experience loss of motivation. Addicts can become depressed, agitated, or anxious when experiencing withdrawals. Sleep deficiency and appetite loss can be attributed to a user going through withdrawals.
Traits of Hashish
While most drugs fall into a depressant, stimulant, or hallucinogen, Hashish has traits of all three categories. Hashish THC is absorbed through the lungs, or stomach and intestines into the bloodstream. The THC is taken to the brain which produces the effects of the drug. The effects of any drug vary from each individual. The effects depend on the size of the person, how much hashish THC is taken, and the tolerance of the individual.