Is Hash Oil Bad For You?
Also Known As: wax, shatter, bho, crumble
Short answer
Hash oil is concentrated marijuana: you can't overdose, but be careful about the context you're smoking it in, the things you do while high, and the method by which you smoke it.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Hash oil is a concentrated form of marijuana. It's similar but more intense than marijuana in plant form. Although you can't overdose on hash oil, be aware that the increased intensity of the high can be disorienting and sometimes unpleasant. This may be true even for experienced smokers.
You should never drive or operate heavy machinery after smoking hash oil. Doing so can place both yourself and others at risk of injury or death. Driving while high from hash oil can also bring onerous legal penalties such as fines or jail time. Using hash oil in combination with alcohol or other drugs increases the risk of harm or legal trouble.
If you're smoking hash oil in a place where marijuana is legalized, regulated, and sold as a recreational product for adults, there are likely systems in place to ensure the safety and the quality of the product that you're smoking. If you're smoking somewhere where marijuana is illegal, there's a chance that different impurities have been introduced into the hash through the production process that may have unpredictable negative impacts on your health. Learn what you can about the production process of hash oil if this is the case and use your best judgment before deciding to smoke it.
The smoke from hash oil can be harsh. If you have emphysema, asthma, or another respiratory condition, it could irritate your lungs and cause problems with your breathing.
You should always smoke hash oil out of a product specifically designed and sold for smoking it. Never smoke out of a DIY or homemade device that involves aluminum or plastic. Doing so can introduce plastic or aluminum into your lungs, which increases your risk for different cancers and can eventually lead to problems like aluminum toxicity.
The human brain is developing until individuals reach their twenties. Some studies have shown that consuming marijuana products during childhood and adolescence can have a negative impact on different measures of intelligence, memory, and brain development. Exercise caution and moderation if you're under the age of 21 and thinking about using hash oil.
Certain methods of hash oil production involve large amounts of butane. Butane is highly flammable and can be dangerously explosive if exposed to an open flame. Be extremely careful if you're producing hash oil using butane; put rigorous safety measures in place, remove flammable materials from your production space, wear fire resistant clothing and be careful never to mix butane and fire.
Potential concerns
- Don’t drive or operate heavy machinery
- Never smoke out of aluminum or plastic
- Use caution if you’re younger than 21
- Only smoke hash oil from a legal, regulated source
Possible short-term side effects
- anxiety in high doses
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poor coordination
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decreased reaction time
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immune system suppression
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increased heartbeat
Possible long-term side effects
- personality change
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may affect brain development
Ingredients to be aware of
Benefits
- treats nausea
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slows alzheimer’s progression
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alleviates pain
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treats epilepsy
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treats glaucoma
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treats parkinson’s disease
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anti-anxiety in small doses
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Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Sean McNulty
Published on: 09-18-2016
Last updated: 12-10-2016
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Sean McNulty
Published on: 09-18-2016
Last updated: 12-10-2016