The main effects of hashish in the short and long term.

A summary of the effects of hashish on the human body, emotionally and cognitively.

Hashish comes mostly from the flowers of the cannabis plant. As in marijuana, its main active component is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, however, its concentration is higher compared to marijuana, especially when talking about some derivative products, such as hashish oil.

Its psychotropic effects are similar to those produced by marijuana, producing emotions such as euphoria and satisfaction, but also affecting the cognitive sphere.

In this article we will see which are the main effects of hashishIn this article we will see what are the main effects of hashish, to what degree it is harmful and what it produces in the short and long term its consumption.

Is hashish harmful?

The product extracted from the cannabis plant is considered a drug that can induce a disorder by abuse of its consumption, therefore, its derivatives also receive this category.

Although in recent years there has been a powerful movement in favor of legalizing these substances, defending their medical and psychological benefits, the truth is that research points to the fact that it is a clearly harmful substance in most contexts. a clearly harmful substance in most contexts, the abuse of which can beThe abuse of which can be life-threatening and seriously damaging to the cognitive state.

Within the aforementioned movement, there are those who believe that this substance can be administered to minors; however, research on the subject has shown that giving hashish or other cannabis derivatives to children and adolescents can generate damage to the white matter of the brainaffecting learning and memory. Hashish use during pregnancy can lead to intellectual problems in the baby.

Hashish use has been linked to other substance abuse.. Although this does not mean that it is the cause of, for example, alcohol abuse, the fact is that in social contexts where cannabis-derived substances are consumed, other drugs are frequently found, and the environment favors trying them.

Long-term abuse of hashish has been linked to the development of mental disorders, such as paranoid schizophrenia and psychotic disorders in general.

Effects of hashish

We will now give an overview of the main effects that hashish produces in the organismwhether its consumption is occasional or abusive.

The aim of this article is to inform, not to demonize the consumption of this substance in all contexts and in any quantity and frequency. For this reason we will look at both the positive and negative effects of hashish.

1. Positive short-term effects

These are some of the short-term effects that can be considered positive in some contexts. can be considered positive in some contexts.

• Relaxation.
• Emotions experienced more vividly.
• Increased sensitivity of the senses: you hear better, you see more clearly...
• Positive feelings, such as happiness and satisfaction.
• Perception that time passes more slowly.
• Passivity.
• Greater assertiveness and sociability.
• Less fear.

2. Negative short-term effects

Next we review the effects of hashish, which are usually negative in tend to be negative in practically all contexts.

• Sensory distortions.
• Poorer coordination.
• Gastrointestinal problems: nausea, vomiting and stomach pains.
• Respiratory disturbance.
• Anxiety, panic attacks and confusion.
• Loss of control.
• Depression.
• Extreme drowsiness.
• Tachycardia.
• Heart problems and increased Blood pressure.
• Increased chances of suffering a traffic accident, due to loss of reflexes and coordination.

3. Long-term effects

These occur mainly when the person consumes hashish on a frequent basis, especially when he/she meets the criteria to be diagnosed with hashish.These occur especially when the person meets the criteria for being diagnosed with a cannabis abuse disorder.

• Lower resistance to common illnesses, such as colds and other respiratory problems.
• Developmental problems during adolescence.
• Reduced testosterone production and impaired sex life.
• Irregularities in cell structure and reproduction.
• Emotional problems, such as apathy, lack of motivation, sadness and outbursts of anger.
• Psychological disorders: schizophrenia, depression, psychosis...
• Changes in mood.
• Cognitive problems: memory lapses, learning problems, thinking difficulties.

Dependence to this substance

Prolonged consumption of hashish can lead to physiological changes. The body gets used to this substanceThe body becomes accustomed to this substance, so that abruptly abandoning consumption can cause what is colloquially called mono.

Cannabis and its derivatives are potentially addictive substances.. In addition, people who struggle with this addiction are frustrated, since no matter how hard they try to stop using hashish or any other substance of the same family, they may feel pressured by the circle of friends who initiated them in the consumption of this substance.

In many places cannabis derivatives are illegal, and their possession involves financial penalties or even imprisonment.

Also, because hashish abuse often causes emotional and cognitive impairment, aspects such as employment, family environment and studies can be significantly affected by drug dependence. significantly affected by drug dependence. The person may suffer anger control problems when he/she stops using, making him/her extremely irascible in front of family members or in the work environment, and situations involving the abandonment of loved ones or dismissal may arise.

As the consumption of this substance is prolonged, the tolerance process takes place. The greater the tolerance, the more severe the symptoms the more severe the symptoms that the addicted person manifests when he or she decides to stop using hashish. This can lead to a situation that can only get worse if professional help is not sought, such as a psychologist specializing in addictions or admission to a rehabilitation clinic.

Among the most common symptoms when hashish use is discontinued are irritability, anxiety, sleep problems, such as insomnia and extremely disturbing nightmares, eating problems, such as loss of appetite or binge eating and consequent weight gain, as well as having the constant feeling of needing to consume.

Bibliographical references:

• Russo, E. B. (2013). Cannabis and cannabinoids: pharmacology, toxicology, and therapeutic potential. New York: Routledge.
• National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2016). Drug facts: marijuana.
• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders - fifth edition. Washington, DC: Author.
• Vandrey, R., Smith, M. T., McCann, U. D., Budney, A. J., & Curran, E. M. (2011). Sleep disturbance and the effects of extended-release zolpidem during cannabis withdrawal. Drug and alcohol dependence, 117(1), 38-44.
• Cravatt, B. F., & Lichtman, A. H. (2003). Fatty acid amide hydrolase: an emerging therapeutic target in the endocannabinoid system. Current opinion in chemical biology, 7(4), 469-475.