On the occasion of Holi, where you find yourself having a glass of thandai, there is always a chance that it is infused with Bhang. However, there are certain side effects of Bhang thandai that you may or may not be aware of. Scroll down to find out
Holi 2023: Holi festival brings with it a lot of joy and revelry. It is not only considered a festival of colors but also a festival of love that helps people forget their differences and bond positively amid the vibrancy of colors and festivities. This Indian festival is incomplete without its selection of delicacies and when it comes to Holi, “Thandai”, which literally translates as “to cool off”, makes an appearance in almost all geographies of the country.
Depending on where you find yourself sipping a glass of thandai, there’s always the chance that it’s infused with Bhang. Since centuries, Bhang and has been a part of Indian culinary culture, dating back to the Vedas and even finding its reference in ‘Samudra Manthan’. Bhang is a mixture of the dried leaves and buds of the Cannabis Sativa plant that is crushed to form a paste. It is consumed in multiple ways, either mixed with almonds, saffron rose petals and cardamom with milk to form Thandai, or beaten with curd to make ‘bhang lassi’. It is also mixed with sugar and ghee to make sweets; although ‘Bhang Goli’ which simply consists of the freshly ground paste with water, is still the most common form of Bhang consumption during Holi.
The onset of action, though often unpredictable, is usually 1-2 hours after consumption, depending on multiple factors, including whether a person had enough food before consumption and what is being consumed while drinking it. The maximum action takes between 2 and 6 hours. The effects of Bhang consumption often led to intoxication. This is often seen when it is inadvertently consumed in excess or in combination with other drugs or contaminated with spurious material. Bhang consumption can lead to a variety of symptoms ranging from euphoria, a dreamlike state, a sense of detachment, delusions, hallucinations, disconnection, and a general loss of inhibition.
Holi 2023: Bhang Thandai Side Effects On Holi
- A person can experience a variety of emotions, from uninhibited laughter, talkativeness, a feeling of euphoria, and relaxation. However, in novice or novice users, including those who unknowingly consume Bhang mixed with sweets, it can lead to guilt accompanied by severe anxiety or a panic reaction and paranoia beginning within a few hours after consumption.
- Although it is usually self-limiting, it can cause severe unpleasant sensations, delirium, and even mania. Naive users may experience a rapid heart rate and a drop in blood pressure that leads to dizziness.
- People with pre-existing heart problems may develop a choking sensation or chest discomfort or even shortness of breath.
- here there is a loss of muscle strength, decreased stability, decreased response time, with greater difficulty in coordination. One may experience memory loss which is usually transient.
- Despite all of the above, acute Bhang poisoning is generally self-limiting. There is no antidote for Bhang, but treatment is supportive, including cardiac and neurological monitoring. People with severe anxiety and psychosis can be treated in hospital with benzodiazepines. Most importantly, these patients should be treated with empathy and referred for expert advice.
One can take simple steps to reduce the bhang hangover. This includes: avoiding taking Bhang on an empty stomach, avoiding spicy or oily foods, or combining it with other intoxicants. One should keep well hydrated by drinking plenty of water and even herbal or green tea. Vitamin C-enriched drinks such as lemon water (due to its antioxidant effects) may help reduce severe dizziness. One should consume plenty of fiber-rich foods, including fruits and vegetables. Avoid unnecessary use of headache pain relievers, and the best remedy is to sleep in a calm and quiet room.
So, avoid consuming Bhang and intoxicating your body, instead enjoy the festival of colors by drinking healthy juices with friends and family.
(Inputs: Dr. Amit Nabar, Emergency Medicine Consultant and Head of Surgical ICU, SL Raheja Hospital Mahim)
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