Hashish
Hashish, also known as charas or kief, is a potent drug derived from the resin, plant oils, or flowers of the Cannabis sativa plant, which is also the source of marijuana. Historically, hashish was first prepared in the Indo-Iranian regions of Asia, but its production has spread globally, including in home and laboratory settings. The term "hashish" originates from Arabic and refers to dried preparations of cannabis that can be smoked or ingested, often incorporated into food. This substance has a long history of use, initially for religious purposes in what is now Pakistan, before spreading through India and the Middle East.
Hashish contains various cannabinoids, with delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) being the most psychoactive. The effects of hashish can include euphoria and hallucinations at lower doses, while higher doses may lead to anxiety and paranoia. Chronic use can result in cognitive deficits and dependence, characterized by issues such as anxiety and insomnia when not using the drug. In contemporary society, hashish is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance in the United States but is legal for recreational use in twenty-four states, with increasing legalization trends worldwide. As the cannabis industry expands, projected to become a $300 billion market in the U.S. alone by the mid-2030s, it raises important discussions surrounding health and regulation.
Subject Terms
Hashish
ALSO KNOWN AS: Charas, hash, kief
DEFINITION: Hashish is a drug made from the resin, plant oils, or flowers of Cannabis sativa, also the source of marijuana.
STATUS: Legal in twenty-four states in the United States (US) for recreational use; becoming increasingly legalized on other countries
CLASSIFICATION: Schedule I controlled substance in the US; Schedule II in Canada
SOURCE: Historically, hashish was prepared in the Indo-Iranian regions of Asia, although it is now manufactured in many parts of the world; it is either smuggled into the US or made in homes or laboratories.
TRANSMISSION ROUTE: Inhaled and ingested
History of Use
According to some studies, people have been using cannabis for thousands of years. It is now the most commonly used illicit drug worldwide. Hashish, a potent substance derived from cannabis, has a long history of its own. The word hashish is of Arabic origin and refers to preparations made from strong resins, plant oils, and sometimes flowers, which are dried and shaped into various forms; these can then be smoked or, after being dissolved in a liquid, baked into foods.
Hashish was originally used for religious purposes in what is now Pakistan, but its use had spread throughout India and the Middle East by the Middle Ages. Marco Polo and other medieval writers thought the drug was used to motivate a particularly fierce group of warriors in northern Syria. Somewhat later, hashish was experimented with in Europe, most famously by French writers and doctors in the mid-nineteenth century. Several of these persons believed the hallucinations associated with the drug could be of use in psychotherapy.
Effects and Potential Risks
Like other forms of cannabis, hashish contains dozens of substances called "cannabinoids." The most psychoactive substance is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which binds to specific receptors in the human forebrain and cerebellar cortex. The flowering top and the resins and oils of cannabis are comparably richer in THC than the other parts of the plant. Once bound to receptors, THC affects motor activity, reward and reinforcement, memory, and the sensation of nausea.
In practical terms, the person consuming small amounts of hashish may experience hallucinations and euphoria. Larger doses may produce increased anxiety and paranoia. With chronic and heavy use, users can experience disorganized or scattered thinking, cognitive deficits, decreased motivation, social withdrawal, and decreased range of affect.
Like other psychoactive substances, THC use can induce dependence. Dependent users tend to experience anxiety, insomnia, and loss of appetite without the drug.
As cannabis products are increasingly legalized throughout the US and worldwide in the twenty-first century, the entire cannabis industry, including hashish, continues to grow. It is projected to be a $300 billion industry in the US alone by the mid-2030s. With this growth comes increasing concerns over regulations, policy, and health.
Bibliography
Benjamin, Walter. On Hashish. Edited by Howard Eiland. Cambridge: Harvard UP, 2006.
Breivogel, Chris, and Laura Sim-Selley. "Basic Neuroanatomy and Neuropharmacology of Cannabinoids." International Review of Psychiatry, vol. 21, no. 2, 2009, pp. 113–21.
"Cannabis (Marijuana) Drug Facts." National Institute on Drug Abuse, 24 Dec. 2019, nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/cannabis-marijuana. Accessed 21 Aug. 2024.
"Hashish: Effects, Hazards & Methods of Abuse." Drugs.com, www.drugs.com/illicit/hashish.html. Accessed 21 Aug. 2024.
Sewell, R. Andrew, Mohini Ranganathan, and Deepak Cyril D’Souza. "Cannabinoids and Psychosis." International Review of Psychiatry, vol. 21, no. 2, 2009, pp. 152–62.