Marijuana is an illegal but commonly used drug. Ten percent of Americans use marijuana regularly, according to the online medical encyclopedia MedlinePlus. Hashish, or "hash" is one form of marijuana; it is taken from the very tops of the female plants and contains a large amount of the intoxicating substance THC. Hashish is either eaten, such as when baked in "hash brownies," or smoked in a pipe. There are multiple short-term effects of ingesting hashish.
Behavior and Perception Changes
MedlinePlus reports that ingesting hashish causes acute changes in behavior because the drug targets the central nervous system. The effects include: joy and euphoria, a relaxed feeling and increased sensation of taste, vision and hearing. The online medical encyclopedia Merck Manuals reports that THC causes a feeling of being disconnected, a "dreamy state of consciousness," and possible changes in the perception of space. These effects, according to Merck Manuals, can last up to four to six hours after inhaling hashish smoke. Marijuana may also exacerbate the psychotic symptoms of schizophrenics.
Decreased Coordination
An extension of the effects THC has on the central nervous system is the effect it has on coordination. Merck Manuals notes that THC, including the THC in hashish, can reduce fine motor skill performance, the ability to accurately perceive depth, and reaction time. Thus, smoking or eating hashish limits the ability to effectively and safely operate machinery, such as a car.
Anxiety
Merck Manuals reports that THC can cause short-term anxiety, panic and even paranoia. These effects seem to occur especially in new users of hashish. The anxiety may be due in part to the environment around the hashish user.
Decreased Eye Function
An article published in "Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior" by R. Fant and colleagues in August 1998 found that THC decreases the ability of the pupils to dilate; the pupil normally opens and closes to let a lot or very little light into the eye. Another finding of the study was that THC reduced the ability of the eye to closely track objects, a process called "smooth pursuit eye tracking." Thus, in the short term, ingesting hashish limits the ability of the pupils to regulate the amount of light that enters the eye and reduces the eyes' ability to follow objects.
Increased Appetite
MedlinePlus reports that most users of marijuana, which includes hashish, say that their appetite is increased shortly after ingesting the drug. This increase in appetite is colloquially called "the munchies," according to MedlinePlus.
