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Synthetic marijuana is also known as synthetic cannabinoids, fake pot or herbal cannabis. It’s a mixture of chemicals that mimics the effects of THC in natural weed. In other words, it’s a man-made drug that imitates the effects of cannabis on the human body. It is not psychoactive by itself and cannot get you high. Therefore, manufacturers mix it with additives like starch and dimethylpolysiloxane to make it smell and taste like weed. Synthetic marijuana can come in different forms—liquid, capsule, tablet or pipe smoke—but its chemical composition is always the same: synthetic cannabinoids mixed with excipients like chemicals and artificial scents. Cannabis produces these compounds as defense mechanisms against herbivores (animals that eat plants). The plant produces THC as well as other compounds in this group called terpenes. When an animal consumes too much of one type of terpene, the body creates endocannabinoid receptors to balance things out again by increasing production of another cannabinoid from the same group.

How Does Synthetic Marijuana Work?

Synthetic cannabinoids are chemicals that are similar to THC and the other cannabinoids found in marijuana. These man-made chemicals act on the same brain receptors as THC. When the synthetic cannabinoids bind to the receptors, it creates similar effects to those brought on by THC in natural weed: altered mood, relaxation and altered perception. There are more than 100 different types of synthetic cannabinoids. But the most commonly abused one is called spice or K2. Commercialized in the early 2000s, this drug is a mixture of herbs sprayed with synthetic cannabinoids. Some synthetic cannabinoids are much more potent than THC. They can be up to 100 times more potent, meaning 1 gram of spice is enough to get 100 people really high. Therefore, it’s almost impossible to know how much you’re taking in. Moreover, synthetic cannabinoids are often sold as “herbal incense” or “natural herbal smoking blends,” making them nearly impossible to differentiate from natural weed.

What Are The Side Effects Of Synthetic Marijuana?

Some of the short-term side effects of synthetic marijuana include anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations, vomiting, nausea and coughing up blood. Many people have symptoms that are a lot more extreme and are treated in the hospital. They might require an IV drip of fluids, breathing assistance, or even a blood transfusion. Long-term side effects of synthetic marijuana aren’t fully known. It’s unclear whether synthetic cannabinoids actually cause cancer. Some studies show that synthetic cannabinoids may be carcinogenic, while others claim they don’t have any effect on cancer. It’s too early to tell whether synthetic cannabinoids can cause cancer. Withdrawal symptoms occur when someone quits taking synthetic cannabinoids. Usually, drug withdrawal happens when the level of the drug in the body is too high. Therefore, it’s not recommended to go “cold turkey” without medical supervision.

Why You Should Stay Away From It

The biggest reason why you should stay away from synthetic marijuana is that you don’t know what’s in it. In fact, it’s often mixed with other dangerous drugs like cocaine, PCP or fentanyl. The ingredients in synthetic marijuana can also change from batch to batch. One batch may have a different chemical composition than the one before it. This is why synthetic marijuana can lead to heart attack or stroke. It’s even been linked to death in some cases. Another reason why you should avoid synthetic marijuana is that it can stay in your system for up to three months. This means it could get you in trouble at work or school, as well as with law enforcement officials.

Is Synthetic Marijuana Addictive?

Yes, synthetic marijuana is addictive. Approximately 9% of people who use the drug will become addicted to it. The risk of addiction increases if you use synthetic marijuana multiple times a day. People who smoke synthetic marijuana are more likely to develop dependence on the drug than people who use it another way. Some people report experiencing cravings for synthetic marijuana even when they’re not high. This is a sign of addiction.

How Long Does Synthetic Stay In Your System?

Synthetic cannabinoids are excreted through the urine and feces. It takes about five days for the drug to get out of the bloodstream. It takes another two weeks for the metabolites to be excreted through the urine. As mentioned above, synthetic cannabinoids stay in your system for up to three months. After three months, they’re gone from your system. However, you’ll probably be tested for synthetic cannabinoids after one month. If you’re using synthetic cannabinoids, you may get caught by a drug test. To avoid being caught, try to quit while you still have enough time to clean your system before the test.

Conclusion

Synthetic marijuana is a dangerous and harmful alternative to natural weed. It’s not worth the risk of developing serious side effects like heart attack, stroke, or even death. You can’t know what’s in it and you may be tested for it during a drug test. If you find yourself craving synthetic marijuana, it might be a sign of addiction. Seek professional help and stay away from this dangerous drug. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, please call The Recovery Village. Our compassionate staff is available 24/7 to help you create a plan for recovery. No matter what brought you to this point in your life, we can help you find a way out.

Why do guys burn incense? Originally Answered: Why do people use incense? There can be any number of reasons. It’d been used for millennia. For example: Religious….. there are a number of religions which use incense. Religious use of incense – Wikipedia For meditation. I’ve included this separate from religious uses as not all meditative practices are religious. As an air freshener. I’ve always preferred it to the commercial sprays To mask the smell of weed…. not altogether sure how successful this is, particularly if the smoker is using cannabis scented incense 🙂 In the 60’s & 70’s it was often automatically assumed that the incense was being used for this purpose. Sandalwood & citronella incenses are used as mosquito repellent, similar to mozzie coils but better smelling, less intense than the fragrance of the mozzie coil. I sometimes use them when we’re sitting on the deck in the evening. Are mosquito coils bad for your health? I was raised as a catholic, so for the first 15 years of my life I breathed in the scent of frankincense at least once a week. It was the only thing missed when I left the church. More than fifty years later I still burn incense. I have to leave it until the loved one is out of the house, he’s allergic. My preference is for the woody scents, frankincense, sandalwood or cedar. Not a fan of the sweeter smells.

How is incense burn? To understand the different components present in incense smoke, we must first understand what incense is make of. Incense is traditionally create with plant materials, such as different types of wood, herbs and resins, as well as essential oils. Incense may be direct burning—which typically comes in the form of incense sticks or cones—or indirect burning. Indirect burning incense can be powder or it may come in the form of a paste or collection of raw materials. This type of incense is burned by putting it on top of a combustible surface, such as light coals or glowing embers. When you burn anything—tobacco, incense, firewood or even food—you are facilitating a process call combustion. In the case of burning incense, combustion is a chemical reaction between the fuel source (incense) and oxygen that results in a gaseous product (smoke).

4 Surprising Benefits of Burning Incense ; Anyone tuned into the culture of incense, traditionally used as a devotional adjunct to worship, knows its good for the soul. But now science is catching up with ancient wisdom and showing that incense is also good for our brain. An international team of scientists, including researchers from Johns Hopkins University and the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, suggest burning frankincense (resin from the Boswellia plant) can activate poorly understood ion channels in the brain to alleviate anxiety or depression.

Incense is more than just a trinket from the health food store. From Native American pipe ceremonies to incense-infused Hindu pujas, prayers ride the wings of smoke to the ears of God—think of it as a way to text the divine. Here are four of our favorite boons that incense bestows:

Generosity
Ritual implies generosity—offering a stick of incense indicates at least some surrender, some belief in a power greater than your own. The act of offering itself, done without expectation of something in return for your gesture, plants the seeds of generosity.

Gratitude
Incense, with its seductive, earthy fragrance, helps cultivate appreciation. Incense can open the doorway to giving and receiving with gratitude. Traditionally, it’s believed that smoke purifies mind and body to receive from Spirit. Breathe in the fragrant smoke and allow yourself to fully receive the day’s bounty. Then, send the smoke upward offering a prayer to the all the unseen forces that sustain your life.

Connection
Lighting incense joins the above with the below, heaven with earth. 4 Surprising Benefits of Burning Incense Smoke moves up and out, taking a smidgen of our souls with it. It connects you with the elements of air, fire, and ether, reigniting your relationship to the world.

Uplift
As science is finally cottoning on to, incense can actually help with depression. The cutting edge research on how incensole acetate, purified from frankincense, works on specific targets in the brain demonstrates the way the nervous system responds to certain smells. The aforementioned study also provides a biological explanation for millennia-old spiritual practices that have persisted across time, distance, culture, language, and religion. Turns out to be true—burning incense really does make you feel warm and tingly all over.

Believe it or not Believe it or not ; Ganga clean up in Rishikesh: Flowers offered by devotees to be used for making incense sticks A cottage industry has already been set up in Keregaon for making organic incense sticks out of these flowers by a private entrepreneur. 11 Dec, 2020, 04.13 PM IST Believe it or not ; World COPD Day: Indoor air pollution an invisible evil; avoid incense sticks at home, have fibre-rich food & limit salt intake COPD causes mo… 18 Nov, 2020, 02.14 PM IST Customs officials seize 161.94 tonnes of incense sticks from Vietnam at Chennai port In an attempt to escape paying required taxes, the compa… 30 Jul, 2020, 01.52 PM IST

Can incense smoke contain harmful pollutants? When incense is burned inside, the smoke created during this process can be a major source of indoor pollutants as it produces harmful gas and particulate matter (Cheng, Bechtold & Hung, 1995). In fact, many types of incense smoke have been found to contain carcinogens similar to those found in cigarette smoke (Friborg et al., 2008). The exact type of pollutants released into the air depends on the chemicals present in the incense being burned. However, a study that tested 23 different types of incense found that the concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO), nitric oxide (NO) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) gases found in incense smoke may be high enough to adversely affect your health (Jetter, et. al, 2002). That same study found that incense smoke emits high quantities of fine particulate matter that could cause the air inside your home to exceed the US EPA’s National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). These standards were created by the EPA as a part of the Clean Air Act to protect against air pollutants deemed harmful to public health and to the environment. Because incense is usually burned in enclosed spaces with little ventilation, the particulate matter may accumulate in your home over time. If you regularly burn incense, you may be exposed to more harmful indoor air pollutants than you think.

How long does the smell of incense last after burning? 12 Answers Alex Torres, Incense Aficionado Answered September 27, 2020 · Author has 121 answers and 106.5K answer views The amount of time the aroma sticks around depends on quite a few factors, such as the burn time of the incense stick, the ingredients the incense is made from, and the airflow in the room. Typically, it would last anywhere from 1 hour to 24 hours after the incense stick burns out, but it depends on the factors mentioned above.

Health: Concern About Teens And Liquid Incense By Stephanie Stah lO ctober 21, 2010 at 6:00 pm Filed Under:High, Liquid Incense, Rush, Stephanie Stahl, teens PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — There’s a growing concern about teenagers getting high on something called liquid incense. 3 On Your Side Medical Reporter Stephanie Stahl finds out inhalants are making a come back, and doctors say it’s a dangerous trend. It’s called Rush, liquid incense sold in liquid or powder form. READ MORE: Health: Concern About Teens And Liquid Incense ; Philadelphia Police Commissioner Addresses Soaring Gun Violence With At Least 102 Homicides Just Months Into Year “This looks like an energy drink or a shot,” described Cherie Schmidt, a mother. Her son recently asked her about Rush that’s sold in some tobacco and head shops. “If it’s just something I can walk in and buy, like walking in and buy tobacco,” said Cherie. It has similar chemicals to popular inhalants used in the 1970’s and ’80’s known as whip-its or poppers. Rush products contain different varieties of nitrites. “Took a sniff, got very lightheaded and dizzy, and was shocked,” said Cherie. “The term rush came from what they do to the patient or to the person who is abusing them. Some people get addicted to the rush,” said Dr. Jim Diaz, a Family Medicine Specialist. He says some inhalants were used as sexual enhancers. READ MORE: Philadelphia Buildings, Landmarks Lit Up Blue To Remember Those Lost To COVID-19 “It’s also a drug that can cause a number of side effects from sight loss, blindness to heart attack,” said Dr. Diaz. Experts say Rush is becoming more popular, and they’re growing concern because it’s easy to get on the internet and in stores. “The biggest concern of our coalition has always been the easy access that our underage kids have when it’s being sold at a convenience store or gas station,” said James Becnel with Alliance of Concerned Citizens. “He’s 20. I figure, if my son is asking me about it, how many other kids out there are asking about?” said Cherie. In addition to incense, the inhalants are sometimes sold as potpourri, depending on the chemicals used. The products can be illegal in some states. MORE NEWS: Philadelphia-Based Health Team Says They’ve Been Forced To Throw Out Unused COVID Vaccines Due To Policy Change

Is Burning Incense Bad for Your Health? Components Research Considerations EPA recommendations Alternatives Bottom line Why do people burn incense? Incense is a smoke-emitting substance. It’s made of natural materials that can be burned to create a fragrant, aromatic smoke. Different kinds of incense have different scents and materials. Some examples are cedar or rose. Some are made with resins, while others are made with powders. Incense is used to freshen up the scent of indoor areas, for spiritual purposes, for health, and more. Like anything else that emits smoke, incense smoke will be inhaled when using it. Recently, there have been some inquiries into how incense negatively affects health. Let’s take a closer look. What is incense made of? Incense is usually made of mostly natural materials. The first incenses created were made from aromatic materials such as sage, resins, oils, wood, and others. Over time, more materials have been added to incense to enhance their fragrance, ability to combust, and to hold incense blend materials together. You’ll need a flame source to use most types of incense, such as a lighter or matches. The end of the incense — which can be cone, stick, round, or other — is lit with flame to burn and emit smoke. The smoke released is designed to have a sweet, pleasant smell. It can also contain particulate matter that’s easily inhaled, which means it can have possible health impacts.