Smoking Hookahs and Your Health

People can be very polarized when it comes to the health effects of smoking a hookah. Almost everyone can agree that it isn’t as bad as smoking a cigarette, a pipe, a cigar, and definetely not as bad as smoking a clove (one of my personal favorites). However, smoking a hookah can cause problems over a lifetime. I think the the tradeoff is well worth the smoking, and I dare anyone to tell me that eating ice cream throughout my life doesnt cause some health problems, but I am in no hurry to stop eating ice cream. Anyways, below is an excerpt from Wikipedia about the health effects of smoking a Hookah:

‚ÄúA hookah’s ability to produce pleasant, non-irritating smoke has led many to believe that hookah smoking is less detrimental to one’s health than most other methods of smoking tobacco, such as smoking cigarettes. Unlike cigarettes, where smoke is produced by the ignition and burning of tobacco, hookahs produce a dense, flavorful smoke by heating moistened tobacco. Research has shown that fewer cancer-causing carcinogens are produced because the tobacco is heated, rather than burned. In addition to fewer carcinogens being produced, nicotine production is reduced by the lower temperatures at which the tobacco is heated. Lower nicotine production, when compared to cigarettes, means addiction to tobacco among hookah smokers happens significantly less frequently ‚Äî though this may be due to cultural views and other limiting factors, such as the time required to prepare a hookah for use.

A review published in the medical journal Pediatrics[3] found that the concentration of cancer-causing and addictive substances in water-pipes may be equal to those found in cigarettes, with the heat involved being sufficient to generate carcinogenic nitrosamines, and the smoldering charcoal adding some carcinogenic hydrocarbons as well as heavy metals to the smoke. Similarly, a study in the November 2005 issue of the Journal of Periodontology[4] found that the impact of water pipe smoking is largely the same magnitude as that of cigarette smoking. Ironically, use of the hookah may increase the smoker’s toxic exposure, in that studies have shown that the typical hookah smoker spends more time per episode of smoking than do other smokers, presumably because the smoke is less immediately harsh or irritating. Thomas Eissenberg, a psychology professor at Virginia Commonwealth University co-authored a hookah study which found that a session of hookah smoking which lasts about 45 minutes, delivers 36 times more tar, 15 times more carbon monoxide and 70% more nicotine than a single cigarette. A study in the Journal of Periodontology found that hookah smokers were five times more likely than non-smokers to have signs of gum disease. This is of concern to doctors in America as 86% of colleges and universities are located in close proximity to one or more hookah lounges. A study of Egyptian couples found an association between water-pipe smoking and infertility. However, many objections to the methods used in these studies have been raised. None of the existing studies took into account past tobacco or other drug usage, so it is unclear what ill-effects were directly related to water-pipe smoking, as opposed to past cigarette usage.

Quoting from one of the studies cited below, the quick-lighting charcoal used by many hookah smokers may be “the biggest hazard for hookah users” because it produces greater levels of carbon monoxide and other dangerous substances than all-natural, non-additive charcoal. The quick-lighting charcoal is produced by mixing powdered-charcoal with various chemicals that allow it to be quickly and easily ignited. Ignition of a quicklight coal normally results in the emission of sparks.‚Äù

Does Smoking a Hookah Make You High?

Does Smoking a Hookah Make You High?

There are many variations on this question out there, and also many different answers. I’ll let you know what I think from my experience:

Smoking a hookah, even just tobacco, does make you high!

But, it is a special type of high. If you can remember the head rush that you got from smoking your first cigarette, then you an have an idea of what it’s like. Hell, sometimes the feeling is so strong that I can barely stand up afterward.

The type of shisha you are smoking can make a big difference. I’ve found the cleaner tasting shishas (like mint, and not something like pineapple) can cause you to get a bit more high. Maybe I only think that because I like those better and can take deeper puffs. Also, although this idea hasn’t been tested, I am pretty sure that just taking a lot of deep breaths gets you a little headdy feeling. If you want to try something fun, do this:

Take 7 deep breaths breathing fully out and fully in with each breath and then on the 7th breath, hold your breath for as long as you can.

I learned this trick from Kundalini Yoga (a very ool practice by the way). Kundalini says that if you do this 3 times in the morning while watching the sun rise, then it will make you be happy all day. I’ve never tried it, but I know that doing it once anytime can make me feel great for a few minutes.

Happy Hookah Smoking!
https://www.thehookahlounge.org

Hookah History: Another Version…

A different version of the Hookah History…

Hey, these days everyone you ask has a different version of history. My fiance and I even have different memories of the same lunch. Is it hard to believe, then, that there are many different interpretations of how the Hookah became popular? I‚Äôve already mentioned other ways the hookah may have become as popular of a pipe and pastime as it is today, but here is another possible route it took from Opium Den to Grandma‚Äôs Hope Chest…

“The nargile (Hookah,huka,hooka) first became popular in the primitive form of a coconut shell in India and it is one of the oldest and most popular traditions in Turkey. There is no discrimination when it comes to smoking the hookah, as men and women equally partake and enjoy its aromatic offering. Before reaching the rest of the world, hookah popularity spread to Iran, widely recognized as the launch pad to global popularity.

Even though Iran was the final stop before global stardom, it was in Turkey where design and tradition truly took form as a cultural characteristic, and have since remained relatively unchanged.

Coffee is big in Turkey. Through this cultural mainstay, the hookah entered popular culture over 500 years ago. It soon became clear that there were certain ways to go about working the hookah, from passing the hose to lighting the coals to changing the tobacco. But don’t worry, hookah smokers are generally patient, thoughtful people who are more than willing to help you learn. Between the surreal calm and subtle customs surrounding the elaborate and often painstakingly designed hookah, its tradition soon became ingrained in Turkish culture, providing pleasure to millions.

Today, you can find hookahs in homes and restaurants around the world. In New York, there are seven lounges named after the word Nargilah! In addition to its pleasant scent and calming effects, non-smokers also find great fun in hookah smoking as the tobacco is not addictive. Moreover, cigarette smokers even replace their favorite brand for the Hookah. That is just how good it is!

We hope this short history lesson has been informative, and we know you’re curious to know more. Guess it’s time to find out for yourself.

What is shisha ?

Shisha is a mixture of tobacco and treacle, honey or sugar, and distilled water with fruit flavors. Shisha tobacco is very light and flavorful with a wonderful fruity aroma.
Shisha is not your typical tobacco. It’s nothing like the tobacco in cigars, cigarettes or dip. No, smoking true narguile shisha is an entirely different sensation. Shisha Tobacco is smoked for flavor and not for any kind of effect. It proves a relaxing and peaceful pursuit.
Shisha is very light and flavorful, with a wonderful fruity aroma. The most popular flavor is apple and others include strawberry, pineapple, apricot, grape, rose, mint and even cappuccino!

In the Middle East, from Turkey to India, there are shisha caf?ɬ©s where people gather to smoke and drink coffee or tea. Smoking shisha can last two hours or more and is a very peaceful, social occasion, generally filled with friendly conversation. A shisha smoking session can last from thirty minutes up to an hour.‚Äù

Thanks to smoking-hookah.com for their ideas on it!

Hookah Smoking Dangers

People can be very polarized when it comes to the health effects of smoking a hookah. Almost everyone can agree that it isn’t as bad as smoking a cigarette, a pipe, a cigar, and definetely not as bad as smoking a clove (one of my personal favorites). However, smoking a hookah can cause problems over a lifetime. I think the the tradeoff is well worth the smoking, and I dare anyone to tell me that eating ice cream throughout my life doesnt cause some health problems, but I am in no hurry to stop eating ice cream. Anyways, below is an excerpt from Wikipedia about the health effects of smoking a Hookah:

‚ÄúA hookah’s ability to produce pleasant, non-irritating smoke has led many to believe that hookah smoking is less detrimental to one’s health than most other methods of smoking tobacco, such as smoking cigarettes. Unlike cigarettes, where smoke is produced by the ignition and burning of tobacco, hookahs produce a dense, flavorful smoke by heating moistened tobacco. Research has shown that fewer cancer-causing carcinogens are produced because the tobacco is heated, rather than burned. In addition to fewer carcinogens being produced, nicotine production is reduced by the lower temperatures at which the tobacco is heated. Lower nicotine production, when compared to cigarettes, means addiction to tobacco among hookah smokers happens significantly less frequently ‚Äî though this may be due to cultural views and other limiting factors, such as the time required to prepare a hookah for use.

A review published in the medical journal Pediatrics[3] found that the concentration of cancer-causing and addictive substances in water-pipes may be equal to those found in cigarettes, with the heat involved being sufficient to generate carcinogenic nitrosamines, and the smoldering charcoal adding some carcinogenic hydrocarbons as well as heavy metals to the smoke. Similarly, a study in the November 2005 issue of the Journal of Periodontology[4] found that the impact of water pipe smoking is largely the same magnitude as that of cigarette smoking. Ironically, use of the hookah may increase the smoker’s toxic exposure, in that studies have shown that the typical hookah smoker spends more time per episode of smoking than do other smokers, presumably because the smoke is less immediately harsh or irritating. Thomas Eissenberg, a psychology professor at Virginia Commonwealth University co-authored a hookah study which found that a session of hookah smoking which lasts about 45 minutes, delivers 36 times more tar, 15 times more carbon monoxide and 70% more nicotine than a single cigarette. A study in the Journal of Periodontology found that hookah smokers were five times more likely than non-smokers to have signs of gum disease. This is of concern to doctors in America as 86% of colleges and universities are located in close proximity to one or more hookah lounges. A study of Egyptian couples found an association between water-pipe smoking and infertility. However, many objections to the methods used in these studies have been raised. None of the existing studies took into account past tobacco or other drug usage, so it is unclear what ill-effects were directly related to water-pipe smoking, as opposed to past cigarette usage.

Quoting from one of the studies cited below, the quick-lighting charcoal used by many hookah smokers may be “the biggest hazard for hookah users” because it produces greater levels of carbon monoxide and other dangerous substances than all-natural, non-additive charcoal. The quick-lighting charcoal is produced by mixing powdered-charcoal with various chemicals that allow it to be quickly and easily ignited. Ignition of a quicklight coal normally results in the emission of sparks.‚Äù