Katrina Rosales
Smoking incense sticks is not recommended due to the potential harm it can cause to your respiratory system. However, some people have reported feeling mildly high or stoned from burning incense, which may be due to the inhalation of smoke reducing oxygen intake, the medicinal effects of certain ingredients, or a psychosomatic response to the ritual of burning incense. In some cases, incense products have been found to contain synthetic chemicals that can induce a marijuana-like high, with law enforcement issuing warnings about this so-called legal weed. While the practice of burning incense has a long history in rituals and meditation, it is important to prioritise safety and choose high-quality organic or all-natural incense products that are burned in a safe and well-ventilated space.
Can I smoke incense sticks and get high?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Smoking incense like a cigarette | Bad idea, harmful to the lungs |
| Burning incense | Increases particulate matter in the air, can be diluted across a large space |
| Incense smoke | Similar toxicity to tobacco smoke |
| Incense ingredients | Plant-based, resins, barks, seeds, roots, flowers, charcoal, wood powders, herbs, spices |
| Incense effects | Medicinal, calming, psychoactive, placebo |
| Herbal incense | Can produce a marijuana-like high |
| Herbal incense names | Mojo, spice, vampire blood |
| Herbal incense regulation | Outlawed in Kansas, some European countries, included in DEA's list of controlled substances |
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What You'll Learn
Herbal incense: A new way to get high
Burning incense is an ancient practice, with historians tracing its use back to classical Egypt and Asia. Typically, incense is made from aromatic, plant-based materials, such as resins, barks, seeds, roots, and flowers, and is burned to produce a pleasant aroma. However, in recent years, a new type of incense has emerged: herbal incense, also known as "mojo" or "spice". This variety is not intended to be burned for its scent but rather smoked to induce a marijuana-like high.
Herbal incense is typically sold in herb shops, also known as 'Ra' or 'head' shops, and has become a popular way to get high, particularly in areas where marijuana is illegal. The appeal of herbal incense lies in its reputation as a "legal weed," as it offers a similar experience to marijuana without the same legal repercussions. However, it is important to note that smoking herbal incense comes with its own set of risks and is not a safe alternative to marijuana.
The marijuana-like effects of herbal incense are produced by a combination of synthetic chemicals, including the compound jw8-018. While this specific combination has been included in the DEA's list of controlled substances, manufacturers continuously change the chemicals used to mimic THC, making enforcement challenging. As a result, the lack of regulation and ever-changing chemical composition of herbal incense pose potential health risks to users, who may unknowingly ingest harmful substances.
Furthermore, smoking incense in the form of a cigarette or joint can be harmful to your respiratory health. Burning incense increases the levels of particulate matter in the air, and smoking it concentrates these particles, allowing them to travel deep into your respiratory tract, lungs, and even bloodstream. This can lead to similar toxicities and mutagenic reactions in your body as those caused by tobacco smoke. Therefore, it is strongly advised against smoking incense like a cigarette, as it can be detrimental to your health.
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Incense and marijuana: A similar high?
Incense is an ancient practice, with historians tracing its use back to classical Egypt and Asia. It is derived from the Latin word 'incendere', which means 'to burn'. It typically refers to an aromatic arrangement of natural fibres like resins, wood, and herbs, shaped into sticks, spirals, and cones.
While incense is not meant to be smoked, some people have reported feelings of mild intoxication or lightheadedness after inhaling its smoke. This has led to the belief that burning incense can provide a similar high to that of marijuana. In fact, in some places, certain types of incense are being sold and smoked as a legal alternative to marijuana. These products, often referred to as "mojo" or "spice," contain synthetic chemicals that mimic the euphoric effects of THC, the primary psychoactive compound in marijuana.
The practice of smoking incense in this manner has raised concerns among law enforcement and health professionals. The lack of regulations and constant changes in the chemicals used make it challenging to enforce and control their sale and consumption. Additionally, smoking incense can be harmful to one's health. A 2015 study found that incense smoke and tobacco smoke have similar toxicities and can produce comparable mutagenic reactions in exposed cells.
It is important to note that incense is intended to be used differently from cigarettes or marijuana. Burning incense increases the levels of particulate matter in the air, and while this may be relatively harmless when diluted in a well-ventilated space, smoking incense concentrates these particles, allowing them to travel deep into the respiratory tract and even the bloodstream. Therefore, trying to smoke incense like a cigarette is strongly discouraged.
While the aroma of incense can be enjoyable and offer various benefits, such as improving mood, aiding sleep, and producing serotonin, it is crucial to prioritize safety and use it as intended.
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Incense and its psychoactive effects
Incense is a product that is burned to emit smoke with a sweet, pleasant smell. It is usually made from natural materials such as sage, resins, oils, and wood. While incense has been used for thousands of years, with a variety of benefits, studies have also suggested that it can pose certain health risks. One of the most notable risks is the presence of toxic and irritant compounds in the smoke, which can lead to respiratory issues and increase the risk of certain cancers, particularly of the upper respiratory tract and lungs.
However, beyond these negative health effects, incense has also been found to possess psychoactive properties, which can induce a high similar to that of marijuana. This effect has been observed in New Orleans, where a product sold as incense, often under the names "mojo" or "spice," is being smoked by individuals seeking a marijuana-like experience. While the specific chemicals responsible for this effect are not always known, a combination of three synthetic chemicals, including the compound jw8-018, has been identified by the DEA as providing the high. These synthetic forms of THC are added to the incense, making it illegal in certain places.
The psychoactive effects of incense have also been observed in religious ceremonies, where the officiants burning the incense may experience reduced anxiety and elevated moods. This effect has been attributed to the presence of incensole acetate, a component of the resin of the Boswellia plant, also known as frankincense. Research has shown that this chemical can alleviate anxiety and depressive symptoms, potentially leading to new treatments for these mental health issues.
While the health risks of incense cannot be overlooked, its potential benefits to mental health are significant and warrant further investigation. With its ability to induce a state of calm and reduce anxiety, incense may play a role in the development of new antidepressant medications. However, it is important to note that the specific mechanisms behind these effects are still not fully understood, and further research is necessary to fully grasp the impact of incense on the brain.
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Is smoking incense harmful?
Burning incense is a popular practice across the world, with billions of people using it for thousands of years. While it is commonly used to freshen the scent of indoor areas, it is also burned for spiritual and hygienic purposes.
However, there have been growing concerns about the adverse effects of incense smoke on human health. Incense smoke contains a complex mixture of suspended particulates and harmful gases, which, when inhaled, can result in a wide variety of conditions, including irritation, allergic reactions, respiratory problems, and even cancer. A 2020 study also found that burning incense may cause issues with brain health in adults over the age of 65, including delays in cognitive performance and a decrease in brain connectivity.
The type of incense and the method of burning can also affect the level of harm. For example, punk sticks with incense clumped around a wooden stick, charcoal blanks infused with perfume, and ropes infused with incense tend to produce too much smoke. On the other hand, pure pressed powdered ingredients, such as those found in many Japanese sticks, tend to be safer and produce less smoke.
While the precise mechanisms behind the health risks of incense burning are still being investigated, it is important to note that incense smoke is considered comparable to or even more harmful than passive smoking. Therefore, it is recommended to enjoy the fragrance from a distance rather than inhaling the smoke directly.
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History of incense
The use of incense dates back to biblical times and is believed to have originated in ancient Egypt, where it was used in religious ceremonies. Incense was made from aromatic trees imported from Arabia and Somalia to Egypt, where it was burnt to counteract or mask unpleasant odours, drive away demons, and please the gods. Resin balls were discovered in several prehistoric Egyptian tombs in El Mahasna, and one of the oldest known incense burners dates back to the 5th dynasty. The Temple of Deir-el-Bahari in Egypt is adorned with carvings that depict an expedition for incense.
The Babylonians employed incense while offering prayers to divine oracles, and its use spread to Greece and Rome. Evidence of incense burners has also been discovered in the Indus Valley Civilisation. The oldest textual source on incense is the Vedas, specifically the Atharvaveda and the Rigveda.
Incense is mentioned in the Book of Exodus as a mixture of stacte, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense, which was offered in the Temple in Jerusalem. In the 4th century AD, the early Christian church adopted the use of incense in eucharistic ceremonies, where it symbolised the ascent of the prayers of the faithful and the merits of the saints.
Incense spread to ancient China around 2000 BC, where it was used for worship and prayer and made from blends of herbs and plants such as cinnamon and sandalwood. Ganjin, a Buddhist priest from Tang China, introduced a thriving incense culture to Japan in 754 AD. Agarwood and sandalwood are the two most important ingredients in Japanese incense.
Incense has been a fundamental part of Hinduism for thousands of years, and India is now the world's largest producer of incense. Palo santo wood was burned during the height of the Inca Empire to clear negative energy, and it has recently been embraced by a growing community of energy-aware individuals.
Incense is composed of aromatic plant materials, often combined with essential oils. It can be separated into two main types: indirect-burning and direct-burning. Direct-burning incense, also known as combustible incense, is lit directly by a flame and then fanned or blown out, leaving a glowing ember that smoulders and releases a smoky fragrance.
Today, incense is used for aesthetic reasons, religious worship, aromatherapy, meditation, and ceremonial purposes. It is also used as a natural deodorant and an insect repellent. However, it is important to note that incense smoke can be harmful to health in concentrated amounts, and it is advised to ensure proper ventilation and never leave burning incense unattended.
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Frequently asked questions
Smoking incense like a cigarette is not recommended as it may be harmful to your lungs. However, some people have reported feeling mildly stoned or lightheaded after inhaling incense smoke, which may be due to reduced oxygen intake or the medicinal effects of certain ingredients.
The aromatic materials used in incense production vary by region and manufacturer but commonly include plant-based ingredients such as resins, barks, seeds, roots, flowers, and herbs. Some incense products may contain synthetic chemicals that can induce a marijuana-like high.
Yes, burning incense can increase the levels of particulate matter in the air, which can be harmful if inhaled in concentrated amounts. Additionally, there may be a risk of fire if incense is not burned properly.
Some people smoke incense to achieve a marijuana-like high, especially in places where marijuana is illegal. Others may smoke it for the aroma, believing it to have medicinal or spiritual benefits.
A 2015 study found that incense and tobacco smoke have similar toxicities and produce similar mutagenic reactions in exposed cells, so they may have comparable harmful effects.
