Hashish: Kief, Hash Oil, & How to Keep Yourself Safe

Hashish Overview

What Is Hash?

Hash, short for hashish, is a powerful, concentrated form of cannabis that is made from the resin of the cannabis plant.

Hash is used by smoking, vaporizing, dabbing, or by being made into an edible.

When used, it typically makes a person experience a euphoric-like high and heightened sense.

In some cases, people will experience a negative high and will feel anxious or paranoid.

Did you know that there is a common misconception that cannabis use and cannabis products can’t lead to addiction?

In reality, hashish use can lead to dependence and, eventually, addiction. It can also cause mental and physical health problems.

If you or someone you know is struggling with an addiction to hash, you’re not alone. Our team at Sandstone Care can help.

 

Is Hashish Weed?

Hash and weed both come from the cannabis plant but are different forms of the same substance.

Hash is a concentrated form of cannabis that is made by compressing a part of the cannabis plant known as the resinous trichomes.

Weed is made out of the dried flower and leaves of the cannabis plant.

Both hash and weed contain the active ingredient THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the psychoactive aspect of the plant material.

However, hash is much more potent than weed because it has a higher THC content. This means that the effects of hashish can be far more dangerous than more widely known ways of consuming weed.

 

​What Is Hashish Made of?

Hashish is made of the compressed resin trichomes of the cannabis plant, known as Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica.

​Why Is Hashish Illegal?

Hashish is primarily illegal in all states across America because of its psychoactive effects. It may be legal in some situations for research purposes.

There are American states where most cannabis products are legal, such as New York, California, and Colorado.

However, even in those states, hashish is not legal because of its high potency and risk of escalating to a type of drug abuse.

 

​Where Does Hashish Come From?

​Hashish comes from the resin of the cannabis plant.

Geographically, hashish was first produced in many other areas of the world before it came to the United States.

It was used in many parts of the Arabic-speaking world, including parts of North Africa, like Morocco and Egypt. It also includes parts of Central and South Asia like India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Nepal.

Over the years, hashish became popular in Europe, particularly during the French European colonial era in North America.

It was traditionally intended for medicinal uses, such as relieving digestive issues, inducing sleep, and treating respiratory problems.

Signs of Hash Drug Use

How to Know if Someone Is Using Hash?

There are different behavioral and physical signs to look out for to determine if someone is using hash.

Some physical signs that someone might be using hash could include:

• Red or bloodshot eyes
• A distinctive smell coming from them
• Slowed reflexed
• Impaired motor function
• Increased appetite

Some behavioral signs that someone might be using hash could include:

• Acting euphoric
• Laughing or being overly giggly
• Confusion
• Forgetfulness
• Trouble focusing
• Slurred speech

 

What Does Hashish Look Like?

Hashish can come in a lot of different colors and forms depending upon the specific type of cannabis plant that was used.

High-quality hashish is usually anywhere from a golden yellow color to a light brown. Traditional Indian hashish is much darker, ranging from dark brown to black.

Lower-quality hashish often has a green tint due to having more plant material in it.

Hashish products can range in texture from soft and sticky to powdery and even hard and compressed.

It may come in the form of blocks or bricks, round balls, cylindrical sticks, or loose crystals. Once the product is heated up, its consistency will change.

 

How Does Hash Smell?

​Like other cannabis products, hash has a strong and distinct smell. It can range from having a sharp skunk-like smell to smelling more earthy, plant-like, and woody.

Types of Hash

What Is Keif?

Keif is a fine, powdery substance that is made of resinous trichomes taken from the cannabis flower. These trichomes contain THC, cannabidiol, and other cannabinoids.

Keif is typically collected using a cannabis grinder or a mesh screen known as a sifting screen.

It can be used in a lot of different ways, including cooking, dabbing, vaping, being made into edibles, or making hash.

Some people will also sprinkle kief on other cannabis products and smoke it that way.

For example, it could be placed in a bong, bowl, or joint. Due to its high THC count, kief is very potent on its own.

Adding to other cannabis products can lead to a very intense high that is similar to other dangerous hallucinogens.

 

What Happens if You Smoke Kief?

Smoking kief will lead to a very intense high that will kick in pretty quickly, even within minutes after use.

Because of its higher THC content, the high you get from smoking kief is going to be a lot stronger than it would be with many other cannabis products.

Some side effects you can expect to experience are euphoria, relaxation, contentment, increased sensory perception, and slower thinking.

You may also experience an increase in appetite as well as dry mouth and eyes.

While kief is very potent due to its high THC content, it is not quite as strong as other products containing hashish, such as hashish oil.

Instead of being collected through grinding or sifting like keif, hashish oil is extracted using a chemical solvent like butane.

 

What Is Hash Oil?

Hash oil, sometimes also called hashish oil, is a thick liquid that is extracted from the cannabis plant through a more refined and advanced method using chemical solvents.

It can also be extracted using a combination of heat and pressure. Because it is a more concentrated substance, it is very potent and will lead to an intense high when used.

 

​What Is Hashish Oil Used for?

People will typically use hashish oil by dabbing, vaping, or infusing it into other cannabis products.

 

Is Hash Oil Safe?

While some people may be able to use hash oil without experiencing any negative effects, there are some potential risks and safety concerns you should consider before using hash oil.

As is the case with other cannabis products, you don’t always know how hash oil was made.

If you bought it from someone who made it illegally, it could contain harmful substances that could make you sick since there is no legal need for them to include any type of disclaimer.

The way that you choose to use hash oil can also have an effect on its potential dangers.

Smoking or vaping this product, especially using low-quality hash oil or vaping products, can expose you to toxic chemicals. This can even cause a risk of lung injury.

 

What Is Bubble Hash?

Bubble hash is a cannabis concentrate that is made by removing the trichomes from the plant matter of the cannabis plant by using agitation and ice water.

 

Why Is it Called Bubble Hash?

It’s called bubbly hash because when it is exposed to heat, it bubbles on the surface.

 

Is Bubble Hash the Strongest?

Bubble hash is very potent because of its high concentration of THC.

It is more potent than other cannabis products made from the cannabis flower but less potent than products that use solvent-based extractions.

 

What Do People Do With Bubble Hash?

People use bubble hash for smoking, dabbing, vaping, or preparing edibles.

The way that bubble hash is made is different than the process used for black hash or charas.

Bubble hash uses agitation and ice water.

Black hash is made by sifting or pressing it manually.

Charas is made by removing fresh resin from a living cannabis plant, typically with your hands.

 

How Strong Is Black Hash?

Black hash has a moderately strong THC content but is not as potent as bubble hash.

 

Is Charas a Narcotic?

Yes, charas is considered a narcotic in some parts of the world, including the United States.

Charas is considered to be made using a more traditional process that is USD in regions like India and Nepal.

It is different than other products, such as rosin hashish, which is made using a more modern process.

 

What Is Rosin Hash?

Rosin hash is a cannabis concentrate that does not use solvents but instead uses heat and pressure. It is considered to be a high-quality product.

 

Why Does Rosin Get You So High?

Rosin causes such a strong high because its THC concentration is so high that it has a more dramatic impact on the brain’s neurochemical receptors.

Hashish Effects

What Are the Dangers of Eating Hash?

Eating hash can be dangerous, especially for people who haven’t used this particular substance before and might not be prepared for how it will affect them.

Eating hash tends to cause a more intense high than smoking hash. This high can be unpredictable and unsettling to someone who is not used to it.

Eating hash will also take longer for you to experience the effects of the drug than if you smoked it.

This delayed onset can be a problem because it can cause people to take more than they intended because they aren’t feeling the effects when they think they should.

This is what is known as overconsumption, and it can cause a lot of unpleasant side effects.

Some side effects of overconsumption may include:

• Anxiety
• Paranoia
• Nausea or vomiting
• Disorientation
• Intense euphoria
• Rapid heart rate
• Dry mouth or dry eyes

When hash or other cannabis products are consumed in extremely high doses, there is also often the chance of experiencing auditory or visual hallucinations.

This can cause people to not only experience a lot of distress but also possibly take part in risky behavior.

 

What Is Bad about Hash?

If hash is used irresponsibly or if it is used too much, it can lead to possible mental and physical health problems.

When hash is used excessively, it can worsen mental health problems like anxiety and depression.

It can also cause a risk of psychosis, especially for those who already have a history of mental health problems.

Hash use can also lead to memory loss and cognitive impairment on a short-term level.

The physical side effects you might experience from excessive hash use could include an increased heart rate and dry mouth and eyes.

If you typically smoke hash, you could experience respiratory issues.

Like with other cannabis products, one of the most concerning aspects of using hash is that it can lead to addiction.

 

Is It Safe to Vape Hash?

Certain risks are always possible when vaping hash, such as overconsumption, which could cause mental or physical side effects.

Depending upon where you got the hash, it is always possible that the hash could be contaminated and could make you sick.

Using improper or low-quality equipment to vape hash can increase the risk of potential side effects.

 

What Does Hash Do to Your Teeth?

Depending upon how you consume hash, it can possibly lead to dental or oral health problems.

If you smoke hash, it can increase the risk of cavities and tooth decay. It may also cause your teeth to look more yellow. Smoke from hash can also lead to gum disease.

Vaping hash is usually considered safer than smoking, but it can still cause bad breath and the risk of tooth decay.

Eating hash will usually have the least effect on teeth unless you are infusing it into sugary products.

For example, if you’re putting it in sweets like gummies or brownies, this could increase your risk of cavities.

 

What Are the Benefits of Hash?

From a medicinal standpoint, hash can help with pain relief and with treating anxiety and stress.

It can also have anti-inflammatory effects and can help improve sleep for some people.

 

What Kind of High Do You Get from Hash?

You would typically get a euphoric-like high from a hash.

 

How Does Hash Affect Sleep?

Hash can help improve sleep, especially for those who struggle with insomnia.

 

How Does Hash Affect the Heart?

Hash, especially when it is smoked, can lead to an increased heart rate and elevated blood pressure.

It can also cause an irregular heartbeat in some people.

 

Does Hash Affect Kidneys?

Hash use most likely wouldn’t have a direct effect on the kidneys of healthy individuals.

However, for those who already have kidney problems, hash use could potentially make them worse by causing dehydration. Dehydration can make it harder for kidneys to filter waste.

Hashish VS Weed

​Is Hashish the Same as Marijuana?

Hashish and marijuana both come from the cannabis plant but are different substances.

Marijuana comes from the dried stems, leaves, and flowers of the cannabis plant. Hash comes from the resin cannabinol of the cannabis plant.

 

Do ​Marijuana and Hashish Come From the Hemp Plant?

No, marijuana and hashish both come from cannabis plants.

How to Stop Using Hash

How Can I Stop Using Hash?

If you are struggling to stop using hash, you may need to speak with an addiction treatment specialist.

Working with a therapist who specializes in addiction treatment can help you to identify the root cause of why you began using hash in the first place.

They can also help identify if you have an undiagnosed mental health problem like anxiety or depression that could be contributing to the problem.

 

How Much Hash Is Too Much Hash?

The amount of hash that may be too much varies from person to person.

It depends on what their tolerance is for the drug, how they are using it, how high the THC content is, and what their overall health is.

 

What Treatments Help With Hash Addiction?

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help to treat hash addiction by helping the person understand what negative thought patterns and behaviors may be associated with their hash use.