Hashnish, aka “Hash,” is derived from the female cannabis plant – specifically the sativa plant. Hash itself is the resinous part of the plant and is the most potent and concentrated form of cannabis.

Other popular (street) names for Hash include:

• Dab or dabs
• Gangster
• Hemp
• Boom
• Keef

Centuries ago, people in India called the cannabis plant Charas. Its use and cultivation also spread across Egypt, the Middle East, Pakistan, North Africa, and Afghanistan.

The resin of this plant was first discovered when harvesters noticed the sticky substance remaining on their fingers. The harvesters would rub their hands together and create a ball of resin. In India, this clump of resin was informally called a “temple ball” and used as an offering of incense to their temple gods. It was not until the early 1600s that smoking the cannabis plant became more popular, and colonizers brought the substance back to Europe and the Americas.

Today, people widely use the cannabis plant for both recreational and medicinal purposes. Many prefer marijuana, which comes from the plant’s leaf and is less potent than hashish resin. However, hash continues to grow in popularity due to its higher potency and effects.

The plant’s surface has trichomes, glands from which the resin can be extracted and compressed into a dark green or brownish brick or ball. After processing, people can ingest the substance in various ways, though smoking remains the most common method.

Smoking the cannabis plant can have a variety of mental, emotional, and biological effects because of the presence and strength of THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol). THC is a mind-altering chemical that interacts with cannabinoid receptors in the brain and body.

Where You’d Be Staying

We strive to provide a comfortable, home-like environment during your recovery journey. Browse our facility images below to take a look at our upscale residential facilities.

Tour Our Facilities

What Does THC Do To The Brain?

Both Hash and Marijuana (commonly referred to as weed) come from the Cannabis plant. The plant has over 400 chemical compounds, but the most notable are THC and CBD. THC is the primary indicator of the potency and strength of the strain.

Effects of THC on the brain include:

• Suppresses attention
• Difficulty thinking and problem-solving
• Memory issues
• Anxious thoughts
• Affects brain development in those under 25

How Does Weed (Or Hash) Get You High?

We are all born with “cannabinoid receptors” and produce endogenous chemicals that interact with them. Receptors are like “parking spots” in the cells of your brain and body. A ligand (aka a naturally produced endogenous chemical in the body) will park in these spots and cause various biological effects. They can influence mood, hunger cues, perception, and more.

When the body ingests any form of THC (found in the Cannabis plant), the chemical will park in those cannabinoid receptors. The THC binds itself to those receptors and exerts a vastly more potent effect than the naturally occurring endogenous chemicals made in the body.

The consequence of this potent effect is that the endogenous (naturally occurring) chemicals are out-competed by the presence of these stronger chemicals (THC and CBD). This binding of THC to the receptors is what many loosely refer to as “the high” experienced when ingesting cannabis or hash. [pod]

The effect of THC and CBD on our receptors will have a variety of influences, both mentally and physically. Depending on the type, strain, dosage, and biological disposition, your experience of the cannabis plant could have a wide range of effects.

How Is Hashish Made?

To make Hash, people collect the resinous trichomes from cannabis plants through methods like hand-collection, mechanical beating, or submersing the plants in icy water and sieving out the trichomes (aka bubble hash).

The collected resin, or “Kief,” is then smoked, vaporized, or mixed with marijuana in joints or with tobacco. People also use hash to produce THC-rich hash oil, which they can “dab” or smoke. Unlike newer cannabis products, hash production typically doesn’t require solvents, though solvents can create more potent derivatives like hash oil or waxes. Though the methods of producing and using Hash are varied, the most widespread form of cannabis consumption is smoking.

Effects Of Smoking Hashish

Hashish (Cannabis) has a very fast onset of about 30 seconds. This means that within 30 seconds, the substance will enter the bloodstream and permeate throughout the brain and body. However, the full effect of the plant’s chemicals will reach peak concentration and peak biological effect about 30-60 minutes after ingestion.

Ingestion can include:

• Smoked in a pipe (most commonly combined with tobacco but not exclusively)
• Rolled into a joint or blunt
• Dabbed (ingested marijuana concentrate)
• Used in teas or other consumables (ex: Extracting the cannabinoids to make hash oil.

Hash, in particular, contains a higher dosage of THC than most strains of marijuana. However, depending on the source of cannabis, the effects may differ. As mentioned, people derive hash from the Sativa variety of the cannabis plant. Typically, Sativa is known to deliver the following effects:

• Elevated mood – feeling happier or laughing easily
• More alert and/or talkative
• More energetic
• More of a “head high” (meaning the effects may feel more mental as opposed to more physical, aka “a body high”)
• More creative and thoughtful with a desire to vocalize those ideas
• More singularly focused

The biological (mental and physical) effects of cannabis tend to last between 3-4 hours. This may vary based on metabolism, potency, and tolerance.

While some effects may appear desirable, hash and marijuana also present a wide range of health concerns and adverse effects.

We Accept Most Major Insurance

View our wide selection of accepted providers.
Don’t see yours? Call our admissions team for help.

View our wide selection of accepted providers. Don’t see yours? Call our admissions team for help.

Call Now

Verify Insurance

Struggling with addiction? We can help.

Our insurance-covered rehab offers premier treatment for drug addiction, alcohol addiction, & mental health disorders. Call our friendly team today to get started.

Call Now

Negative Side Effects Of Hash Drug

In some cases, cannabis users “may experience hallucinations, delusions, paranoia or psychosis—particularly when higher doses of these substances are used”. Along with these possible effects, there are many potential short and long-term ramifications for Hash use, including:

Short-term effects of Hash use:

• Anxiety
• Tachycardia (increased heart rate)
• Hypertension (increased blood pressure)
• Ataxia (poor muscle control affecting balance and coordination)
• Attention and motivation problems
• Panic episodes
• Delusions and hallucinations
• Paranoia

Hash may also cause long-term damage to the brain and heart. These are some of the potential long-term effects:

• Increased respiratory-health issues
• Suppressed immune system
• Risk of cardiovascular problems
• Changed brain functions (examples: trouble with concentrating, attention, memory, learning, problem-solving, cognition)
• Escalated risk of mental health issues (examples: anxiety and depression)

A common misconception is that plant-based substances are less harmful. This is not always true — high-potency hash can create serious risks.

Hash vs Marijuana: What’s The Difference?

Although both come from the same cannabis plant, several key differences distinguish Hash from Marijuana. Hash is the most potent and concentrated form, made from resinous trichomes with the highest THC concentration.

Can You OD On Hash?

While a lethal overdose is rare, severe overdose-related injuries can occur due to high THC levels, especially from dabbing.

Hash Addiction, Dependence, And Abuse Risk

A 2020 survey found that 49.6 million people used cannabis in the previous year, and 5.1% (14.2 million) reported having a cannabis use disorder.

Signs of addiction may include:

• Using marijuana regularly and in larger quantities than planned
• Having constant cravings
• Being unable to quit
• Relationship problems
• Failing responsibilities
• Risky behaviors
• Using despite problems
• Needing more to get high
• Withdrawal symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Irritability
• Sleep difficulties
• Restlessness
• Cravings
• Decreased appetite
• Cognitive impairment
• Mood disturbances

If you or a loved one shows signs of addiction, seeking support is essential.

Get Drug Addiction Treatment At A World-Class Facility: Gratitude Lodge

Hash is a concentrated cannabis product with high THC levels. While often viewed as “natural,” it can pose serious health risks.

Our treatment programs provide:

• Talk therapy
• Medication-assisted treatment
• Counseling
• Group therapy
• Family therapy
• Holistic therapy
• Aftercare

Find effective treatment today by calling (844) 576-0144.

Sources

1. https://archives.nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/marijuana-addictive