Anisha Riggs
Incense is a combination of aromatic plant material and combustible filler material that is burned to give off a particular scent. While incense is not meant to be smoked, some people have reported feelings of mild euphoria or being high after inhaling incense smoke. This has been attributed to the release of dopamine triggered by pleasant aromas, the effects of phytochemicals, terpenes, and cannabinoids, or simply the deep inhalation of scent and reduction in oxygen intake. However, it is important to note that incense smoke contains particulate matter, gas products, and organic compounds that can be harmful to respiratory health, and attempting to smoke incense like a cigarette is strongly discouraged.
Can you get high off incense smoke?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Incense composition | 21% herbal and wood powder, 35% fragrance material, 11% adhesive powder, 33% bamboo stick |
| Incense smoke composition | Particulate matter, gas products, organic compounds, benzene, toluene, aldehydes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) |
| Health effects | Respiratory system dysfunction, increased risk of lung cancer, high blood pressure, altered liver metabolism, toxic liver injury |
| Psychoactive effects | Subtle shifts in consciousness, feelings of happiness, reduced anxiety and stress, altered emotions, lightheadedness |
| "Legal high" products | Mojo, spice, vampire blood |
| Regulation | No federal regulation, outlawed in some states and European countries, included in DEA's list of controlled substances |
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What You'll Learn
- Herbal incense, also known as 'mojo' or 'spice', can get you high
- Inhaling incense smoke can cause respiratory system dysfunction
- Incense smoke contains particulate matter, gas products, and organic compounds
- Burning incense produces benzene, toluene, and aldehydes, which are harmful to health
- Incense smoke may not get you high, but it can induce a meditative state
Herbal incense, also known as 'mojo' or 'spice', can get you high
Herbal incense, also known as mojo or spice, can get you high. It is often smoked as a legal alternative to marijuana, and it is sold in herb shops and even convenience stores and gas stations. Mojo creates a marijuana-like high, but it doesn't smell like marijuana and does not show up on standard drug tests. This has made it particularly appealing to teenagers. However, it is important to note that smoking herbal incense can be harmful to your health. The combustible binding material in incense, such as charcoal or wood powders, can catch alight and produce smoke. This smoke contains particulate matter, gas products, and organic compounds such as benzene, toluene, and xylenes, which are harmful to human health.
The high produced by herbal incense is caused by a combination of synthetic chemicals, including the compound jw8-018, which mimics the euphoria of THC. While this specific combination is included on the DEA's list of controlled substances, manufacturers continuously change the chemicals used, making enforcement difficult. The act of burning and smoking incense has been practised for thousands of years in various cultures, including ancient Egypt, Babylonian culture, ancient China, Korean Buddhism, and Japanese samurai warrior culture.
The process of smoking incense involves lighting the tip of a specially prepared bundle of plant matter and filler material. The user then gently blows out the flame, allowing a small and continuous plume of smoke to rise from the stick. This smoke contains phytochemicals, including terpenes and cannabinoids, which are known to cause shifts in human consciousness. While the aroma of incense can enhance meditation and relaxation, the smoke produced can be harmful when concentrated in a small space.
It is important to note that smoking incense like a cigarette is not recommended due to the increased risk of particulate matter entering the respiratory tract and bloodstream. Studies have linked long-term exposure to incense burning with an increased risk of lung cancer and high blood pressure. Additionally, the practice of burning incense produces air pollution, which has been documented to have harmful effects on health, particularly in enclosed spaces such as temples. Therefore, while herbal incense can get you high, it is important to be aware of the potential health risks associated with its use.
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Inhaling incense smoke can cause respiratory system dysfunction
Incense smoke contains particulate matter (PM), gas products, and organic compounds. The particulate matter in incense smoke contains carcinogens and irritants, which can cause respiratory system dysfunction when inhaled. The gas products from burning incense include CO, CO2, NO2, and SO2, among others. Incense burning also produces volatile organic compounds such as benzene, toluene, and xylenes, as well as aldehydes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). These compounds are released into the air as incense burns and can be inhaled, causing respiratory problems.
The adverse effects of incense burning on respiratory health have been evidenced by multiple epidemiological studies. For example, a prospective cohort study among more than 4000 school children in Hong Kong from 2012 to 2014 found that exposure to incense burning was associated with increased risks of bronchitis and bronchiolitis in both boys and girls, and pneumonia and wheezing in boys. Furthermore, studies have shown that incense smoke can trigger asthma and respiratory allergies, as well as cause chronic inflammation in the body. The specialized cancer agency of the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), has stated that exposure to PM causes lung cancer.
In addition to the health risks, the emission of smoke from incense burning contributes to indoor and outdoor air pollution. The concentration of harmful compounds in the air can be particularly high in enclosed spaces, such as temples and homes, where incense is burned regularly. For example, the mean value of particle-bound PAH concentrations inside a temple was twice as high as that found outside. Similarly, the indoor levels of PAHs in incense-burning homes were significantly greater than the outdoor concentrations.
While the correct use of incense to reduce risks has not been fully explored, it is recommended to reduce or limit exposure to incense smoke to lower the potential health risks. Opening windows during or after burning incense can help reduce exposure to the smoke and its pollutants. It is important to note that while some studies suggest a link between incense use and cancer, the largest study to date, which tracked the health of 61,000 people in Singapore, found that incense use is safe in normal amounts, and the risk of cancer is very small, if at all.
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Incense smoke contains particulate matter, gas products, and organic compounds
Incense is an aromatic biotic material that releases fragrant smoke when burnt. The smoke emitted by burning incense contains particulate matter, gas products, and organic compounds.
Particulate matter, or PM, is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air. Some particles are large enough to be seen by the naked eye, like dust, while others are so small that they can only be detected with an electron microscope. The solid particles in incense smoke range between around 10 and 500 nanometres (4×10^-7–2×10^-5 inches). On average, incense burning produces particulates greater than 45 mg/g burned, compared to 10 mg/g burned for cigarettes.
The gas products from burning incense include carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NO2), sulfur oxides (SO2), and others. These gases can have harmful effects on human health, causing respiratory system dysfunction and even elevated cord blood IgE levels. In addition, incense smoke is a risk factor for allergic contact dermatitis and has been associated with neoplasm.
Incense burning also produces volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as benzene, toluene, and xylenes, as well as aldehydes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAHs are organic pollutants formed as a result of incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels, like wood, coal, oil, and tobacco. PAHs are adsorbed onto particulate matter and are found in high concentrations in incense smoke. The presence of these organic compounds in incense smoke has been documented to have harmful effects on health, especially in poorly ventilated environments.
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Burning incense produces benzene, toluene, and aldehydes, which are harmful to health
Burning incense produces smoke that contains particulate matter, gas products, and organic compounds. These organic compounds include benzene, toluene, and aldehydes, which are harmful to health.
Benzene and toluene are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are emitted during the burning of incense. Studies have found that the measured benzene and toluene concentrations of tested incense were significantly higher than the standard levels recommended by the Indoor Air Quality Objectives for Office Buildings in Hong Kong. These compounds can have detrimental effects on human health.
Aldehydes are also produced during the combustion of incense. They are typically characterized by their irritating properties, especially low-molecular-weight, halogenated aliphatic, and unsaturated aldehydes. Aldehydes are known to be toxic and can cause respiratory system dysfunction when inhaled.
In addition to benzene, toluene, and aldehydes, incense smoke contains other harmful substances such as carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and sulfur dioxide (SO2). These gases can have adverse effects on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, leading to reduced work capacity, aggravation of cardiovascular diseases, respiratory illnesses, and alterations in the lung's defense system.
The particulate matter in incense smoke has also been linked to carcinogenic effects, with a potential association between incense use and a higher risk of cancer. Furthermore, incense smoke has been associated with an increased risk of heart disease and the development of respiratory allergies.
While incense burning has been a popular practice in various cultures, the growing body of evidence highlights the negative effects of incense smoke on human health. It is important to be aware of these potential health risks and consider alternatives or measures to reduce exposure, such as improving ventilation during and after incense burning.
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Incense smoke may not get you high, but it can induce a meditative state
Incense has a long history, with ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, Babylonians, Chinese, Koreans, and Japanese incorporating it into their religious rituals and practices. The term "incense" comes from the Latin word "incendere," which means "to burn." The practice of burning incense has persisted to the present, with many people using incense during meditation or yoga.
While incense has a rich history and cultural significance, it's important to address the question of whether it can induce a high similar to marijuana. The short answer is no; however, this doesn't mean that incense has no effect on the human mind and spirit. Incense is made from a variety of herbal and plant-based ingredients, many of which contain phytochemicals, including terpenes and cannabinoids, that can produce subtle shifts in human consciousness. These molecules, when inhaled, can impact our mood and emotions, creating a sense of relaxation and reducing anxiety and stress.
It's worth noting that the act of burning incense does create smoke, which contains particulate matter, gas products, and organic compounds. Some of these compounds, such as benzene, toluene, and aldehydes, are known to be harmful to respiratory health and have been linked to an increased risk of lung cancer and high blood pressure. Therefore, it is not advisable to inhale incense smoke directly like a cigarette, as this can be harmful to your lungs and increase your exposure to these toxic compounds.
However, when used safely and responsibly, incense can still have a profound impact on our mental state. The aroma of incense, coupled with the ritual of burning it, can create a sense of calm and focus, making it an ideal companion for meditation or other mindfulness practices. The slow-burning nature of incense allows its aromatic smoke to linger for extended periods, enhancing the atmosphere and promoting a sense of relaxation.
While incense may not produce a marijuana-like high, its ability to induce a meditative state and positively influence our emotions and mental well-being is undeniable. As with any practice involving smoke inhalation, it's important to prioritize safety and be mindful of potential health risks associated with prolonged exposure to incense smoke.
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Frequently asked questions
Burning incense produces carcinogenic compounds and other potentially harmful substances, such as carbon monoxide, benzene, toluene, and formaldehyde. However, there is no clear evidence that incense smoke can get you high. Some people claim that certain types of incense, such as Vampire Blood, can cause a mild high or a feeling of being stoned, but this could be a placebo effect.
Incense sticks contain aromatic plant material and filler material that binds the ingredients together. The plants used in incense contain phytochemicals, including terpenes and cannabinoids, that can produce subtle shifts in human consciousness.
Burning incense increases the levels of particulate matter in the air, which can be harmful if inhaled in large quantities. Smoking incense like a cigarette is particularly dangerous as it increases the concentration of particulate matter that can enter your respiratory tract and bloodstream.
Yes, there are potential health risks associated with incense smoke. A 2015 study found that incense smoke and tobacco smoke have similar toxicities and can cause similar mutagenic reactions in exposed cells. Research has also linked long-term exposure to incense burning with an increased risk of lung cancer and high blood pressure.
While some types of incense, such as mojo or spice, are marketed as "legal weed" and can be purchased in some places, they are not regulated and may contain synthetic chemicals that are illegal. The specific combination of chemicals that produce a marijuana-like high is included in the DEA's list of controlled substances.
