Heidi Norton
Incense has been used for thousands of years, with ancient civilisations burning it for religious and spiritual purposes. Today, incense is commonly used to add fragrance to a home, but it can also be dangerous. Some people use incense to get high, with certain types of incense, such as 'mojo' or 'spice', being smoked to achieve a marijuana-like high. However, incense smoke contains harmful chemicals, and burning incense can increase your risk of respiratory problems and lung cancer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Incense type | Mojo, spice, spice gold |
| Incense composition | Aromatic plant material, combustible filler material, charcoal, wood ash |
| Incense effects | Mildly stoned, light-headed, euphoric, reduced anxiety |
| Incense use | Spiritual rituals, meditation, prayer, aromatherapy |
| Incense health risks | Increased risk of lung cancer, high blood pressure, respiratory problems |
| Incense safety precautions | Avoid inhalation, ingestion, use in well-ventilated areas, keep away from children |
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What You'll Learn
Incense contains herbal ingredients with psychoactive effects
Incense has been used for thousands of years in spiritual rituals and religious ceremonies. The word “incense” stems from the Latin word “incendere”, meaning “to burn''. The ancient Egyptians employed incense during mystical rituals and meditation, while the practice also has ties to ancient China, Korean Buddhism, and the samurai warrior culture of Japan.
Incense sticks are made from aromatic plant material and combustible filler material. The plant material gives off a particular scent when burned, and the filler material binds the ingredients together and helps the incense burn slowly and keep its structure.
Some incense sticks contain herbal ingredients with psychoactive effects. For example, frankincense, also known as the resin from the Boswellia plant, has been proven to reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms. In one study, mice injected with incensole acetate, a component of frankincense, exhibited less fear of open spaces compared to mice given a placebo. Incensole acetate activates TRPV3 channels in the brain, which are involved in emotions and nerve circuits affected by anxiety and depression drugs.
Other herbal ingredients in incense with potential psychoactive effects include the branch tips of Fabiana imbricata, various resins like olibanum, and plants like betel nut, ipadú, and tobacco. However, it's important to note that burning incense creates carcinogenic compounds and other harmful substances like carbon monoxide, and long-term exposure has been linked to increased risks of lung cancer and high blood pressure.
In recent years, there have been reports of people smoking herbal incense products like "mojo" or "spice" to achieve a marijuana-like high. These products are often sold as incense but are not intended for their aroma. While they do not contain THC, the chemical in marijuana that is federally illegal, they do contain a combination of synthetic chemicals that produce similar euphoric effects.
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Incense smoke may enter your bloodstream and cause a high
Incense has been used for thousands of years in spiritual rituals and religious practices. The word “incense” stems from the Latin word “incendere”, meaning “to burn''. The act of lighting incense involves burning various plant materials to release their pleasant aromas into the air.
Incense sticks are composed of aromatic plant material that gives off a particular scent, along with a combustible filler material that binds all the ingredients together and helps them retain their shape. Some common herbs and plant-derived materials used in incense include charcoal or wood ash, sage, resins, oils, and powders.
While watching the smoke rise from the tip of a stick or cone of incense, some of it will inevitably be inhaled and enter your airways and, eventually, your bloodstream. The smoke released has a sweet, pleasant smell and can contain particulate matter that you can easily inhale, which can have negative health outcomes. The routes by which the constituents of incense smoke enter the bloodstream and affect the vasculature are not yet fully understood. However, incense smoke has been associated with an increased risk of heart disease and stroke, with up to 7% of coronary heart disease deaths and 12% of stroke deaths attributed to long-term incense use in one study.
In addition to the health risks, some people use incense to get high. This is especially true of certain varieties of herbal incense sold in places like New Orleans, where it is known as "mojo" or "spice." These products are often smoked to achieve a marijuana-like high, and they are sometimes marketed as "legal weed." While the specific combination of chemicals that produce this high is controlled, manufacturers continually change the formula, making it difficult to regulate.
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Incense is smoked to get high, like marijuana
Incense has been used for thousands of years in spiritual rituals and religious ceremonies. The word “incense” stems from the Latin word “incendere”, meaning “to burn''. However, in recent times, some people have started smoking incense to get high, similar to the high induced by marijuana. This practice is especially common in the metro New Orleans area, where varieties of incense such as 'mojo' and 'spice' are sold and smoked to achieve a marijuana-like high. These varieties are also easily available in some convenience stores, gas stations, and on the internet.
While the ingredients in some types of incense can have a calming effect, with certain types of incense proven to be slightly anxiolytic and improve depression, the act of burning and smoking incense involves combustion, which creates harmful compounds and carcinogens such as carbon monoxide. Long-term exposure to incense burning has been linked to an increased risk of lung cancer and high blood pressure.
The smoke from incense contains phytochemicals, including terpenes, that produce subtle shifts in human consciousness. However, it is important to note that the effects of incense are not as strong as those of marijuana. The practice of burning incense can also be dangerous due to the highly flammable materials used in incense sticks, which can easily start fires if not carefully handled and monitored.
Additionally, the smoke from incense contains harmful chemicals that can be dangerous to respiratory health, especially when burned in an enclosed space or during sleep. It is recommended to burn incense in a well-ventilated area and to avoid leaving it unattended.
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Incense contains harmful chemicals, which can cause respiratory issues
Incense has been used for thousands of years in spiritual rituals and religious practices. The word “incense” stems from the Latin word “incendere”, meaning “to burn''. However, burning incense releases harmful chemicals, which can cause respiratory issues.
Incense smoke contains particulate matter, gas products, and many organic compounds. The particulate matter can be inhaled and can possibly have negative health outcomes. The particulate matter in incense smoke has been found to be greater than 45 mg/g burned, compared to 10 mg/g burned for cigarettes. The organic compounds in incense smoke include formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, and a mixture of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). These compounds are released into the air during the burning of incense and can be absorbed into particulate matter particles.
The gas products from burning incense include carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and sulfur dioxide (SO2). Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas that is formed during the incomplete combustion of organic substances. Inhalation of carbon monoxide can lead to headaches, dizziness, weakness, and nausea, while high concentrations can be fatal. Sulfur dioxide is a respiratory irritant and bronchial constrictor and has been associated with respiratory illnesses, lung irritation, and alterations in the lung's defense system.
In addition to the harmful chemicals released during the burning of incense, the practice of burning incense itself can also create an increased risk of indoor air pollution. This can be especially harmful to individuals with respiratory issues or allergies. Furthermore, the smoke released during the burning of incense can trigger chronic inflammation in the body, which can lead to an increased risk of heart disease.
While the effects of incense smoke on human health are still being studied, the evidence suggests that it can cause respiratory issues and other negative health outcomes. It is important to use incense in well-ventilated areas and to explore alternative options if you are concerned about the potential health risks.
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Incense smoke contains a mild drug, incensole acetate
Incense has been used for thousands of years in spiritual rituals and ceremonies. The word “incense” stems from the Latin word “incendere”, meaning “to burn'''. The ancient Egyptians, for example, employed incense during mystical rituals and meditation, while the Babylonians burned aromatic plants while offering prayers.
Today, incense is still used for spiritual purposes, but it has also become a way for people to get high. In places like New Orleans, for instance, some people smoke "herbal incense" called "mojo" or "spice" to achieve a marijuana-like high. However, it is important to note that burning incense creates carcinogenic compounds and other potentially harmful substances, such as carbon monoxide. Research has linked long-term exposure to incense burning to an increased risk of lung cancer and high blood pressure.
While the specific compounds in "mojo" or "spice" that cause the high are synthetic and remain unregulated, natural incense does contain a mild drug called incensole acetate. This compound is isolated from Boswellia resin, a type of frankincense, and has been found to produce psychoactive effects by activating TRPV3 channels in the brain. These channels are responsible for regulating wound healing, the perception of pain and itching, and may also play a role in emotional regulation.
Incensole acetate is also known to have anti-inflammatory properties and has been studied for its potential therapeutic benefits. In ancient texts, Boswellia resin is mentioned as a highly precious commodity, used in ceremonies and as a medicine. Modern analysis has revealed that incensole and incensole acetate are major contributors to the therapeutic efficacy of frankincense.
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Frequently asked questions
Incense is a popular way to add fragrance to your home. It is made from aromatic plant material and a combustible filler material that binds the ingredients together and helps them burn slowly.
Some incense products, such as "mojo" or "spice", are designed to get you high. These products contain synthetic chemicals that mimic the effects of THC, the chemical in marijuana. However, it is important to note that burning any type of incense involves combustion, which creates harmful compounds and carcinogens that can be dangerous to your health.
The process of lighting incense burns various plant materials to release their aromas into the air. The smoke from the incense contains molecules such as cannabinoids and terpenes, which can cause subtle or profound shifts in human consciousness.
Burning incense creates harmful compounds and carcinogens, such as carbon monoxide, which can increase your risk of respiratory problems and lung cancer with long-term exposure. It is also important to note that incense products are highly flammable and should be handled with caution, especially around children.
If you are looking for an alternative way to enjoy the scent of incense without the health risks, you can try using an oil diffuser. You can also add cannabis to homemade incense, although this may not be legal in your jurisdiction.
