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 products derived from it, 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 what are the main effects of hashish , to what degree it is harmful and what produces in the short and long term its consumption.

Is hashish harmful?

The product extracted from the cannabis plant is considered to be a drug which can induce an abuse disorder, therefore, its derivatives also receive this category.

Although in recent years a powerful movement has been generated in favour of legalising these substances, defending their medical and psychological benefits, the truth is that research points to the fact that they are a substance that is clearly harmful in most contexts , whose abuse can be truly life-threatening and seriously harmful to the cognitive state.

Within the movement mentioned, 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 brain , affecting learning and memory. The use of hashish during pregnancy can lead to intellectual problems in the baby.

The consumption of hashish has been related to the abuse of other substances . Although this does not mean that it is the cause of, for example, alcoholism, the truth is that in the social contexts where substances derived from cannabis are consumed, other drugs are frequently found, and the environment favours their testing.

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

Effects of hashish

Next we will give a review of the main effects that it produces in hashish in the organism , either its punctual consumption or of abusive form.

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

1. Positive short-term effects

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

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

2. Short-term negative effects

Below we review the effects of hashish which tend to be negative in practically all contexts .

  • Sensory distortions.
  • Worse coordination.
  • Gastrointestinal problems: nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain
  • Respiratory disturbance.
  • Anxiety, panic attacks and confusion.
  • Loss of control.
  • Depression.
  • Extreme sleepiness.
  • He’s tachycardic.
  • Heart problems and high blood pressure.
  • Greater chance of suffering a traffic accident, due to loss of reflexes and coordination

3. Long-term effects

These occur mostly when the person is a frequent user of hashish , especially when he or she meets the criteria for being diagnosed with a cannabis abuse disorder.

  • Reduced resistance to common illnesses, such as colds and other respiratory problems
  • Developmental problems during adolescence.
  • Reduced production of testosterone and affected 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 failures, learning problems, thinking difficulties.

Dependence on this substance

Prolonged consumption of hashish may imply changes at the physiological level. The body gets used to this substance , making it possible to stop using it abruptly, which can lead to what is colloquially called monkey.

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

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

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

As the consumption of this substance is prolonged, the tolerance process takes place. The greater the tolerance, the more severe the symptoms that the addicted person will show 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 is stopped 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 a constant feeling of needing to consume.

Bibliographic 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.