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Om det inte händer något börja jobba med att översätta
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@Thomas Lundqvist wrote:
Är det psykoaktiva ruset hos Skunk/Niederweed ett marijuana- eller
lösningsmedelsrus eller en kombination?Av
Thomas Lundqvist, Leg. Psykolog & Docent i psykologi
Rådgivningsbyrån i narkotikafrågor (Drug addiction Treatment Centre),
Kyrkogatan 19, S-222 22 Lund, Sweden. (980414, nygranskad 031125)
Tel 046-174955, 2117579, Fax 046-152511
e-mail: [email protected]I Skåne har sedan ett antal år tillbaka en speciell beredning av Cannabisplantan varit tillgänglig på narkotikamarknaden. Skunk/Niederweed (S/N) är produkten av ett sätt att odla Marijuana. Den kallas också enbart för Skunk. Plantan, drivs upp inomhus under ca 12 veckor. Under denna period varieras näringstillsatserna och den tid som plantan utsätts för ljus. Plantan är tacksam att odla och ger en hög avkastning. Metoden har utvecklats sedan mitten av 80-talet, men det är först vid mitten av 90-talet som man kunde producera den typ av Skunk som man använder idag. Vissa påstår att det ursprungliga Skunket kommer från den västindiska Sinsemellan, medan andra hävdar att ursprunget kommer från Afghanistan. Både Cannabis Sativa såväl som Cannabis Indica används. Kultivering av marijuanaplantan är en Darwinistisk, survival of the fittest, strategi. Det är inte genmanipulation. Enligt missbrukarna odlas det mesta Skunket i Skåne (förmodligen också i andra delar av landet), och att det bara är en liten andel som kommer från Danmark.
Vad är Skunk?
Denna artikel är en fenomenologisk beskrivning baserat på kliniska observationer och rapporter från klienter som har gått i behandling på Rådgivningsbyrån i narkotikafrågor i Lund (RGB). Både organiskt och biokemiskt inriktade kemister har fortlöpande deltagit i diskussionen, men det är min syntes av dessa delar som ger helhetsbilden.
Växtförädlingsmetoden kommer från den industri som skapar produkter såsom oljor, dofter, myggmedel osv. av Cannabisplantan. Denna kunskap har sedan använts av odlare som har varit intresserade att i berusningssyfte skapa ett så “bra” marijuana som möjligt, med olika verkningsgrader och ruskarakteristika, och antagligen för att komma ifrån haschets mer inåtvända och passiva rusbild. Man kan anta att det finns så många olika variationer av Skunk att en generell beskrivning inte ger någon bra bild. Beskrivningen som ges i denna artikel gäller Skunk som luktar extremt starkt.
Det är tydligt att något nytt har tillförts i rusbilden när vana cannabisrökare som har fått välja mellan ren delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) och Skunk som luktar, väljer Skunk med mycket doft. Dessa dofter (aromatiska kolväten (terpener)) förstärker inte THC-effekten utan tycks ge ytterliggare en rusupplevelse adderat till marijuanaruset.
THC-halten har (som felaktigt påstås) trots växtförädlingsprocessen inte förändrats i någon nämnvärd grad, och vad vi vet ej heller sammansättningen av de andra cannabinoiderna (Tashkin, 1997). Normal Skunk innehåller ca 10-12% THC, dvs. som normal Sinsemilla. Det som säljs i Coffeeshops i Amsterdam innehåller som högst ca 10-12% THC. Vissa beslag i Sverige (med Svenskt ursprung innehåller 19% THC).
Namnet Skunk kommer från danskans “Skunken”, dvs. det utrymmet mellan inner och yttertaket som till en början var det mest lämpliga stället att odla denna planta. Originalskunket kallas Haze och har olika nummer (1-5), ju mer förädlat ju mer klar är berusningen (ej sänkt).
Original Skunk vann Cannabis Cup (en tävling i bästa cannabisberedning) 1987. Andra Skunk beredningar som har vunnit denna tävling är Purple Haze 1995, Northern light 1996 och Jack Herror 1997 (enligt tidningen High Times).
De flesta missbrukare upplever att Skunk är mer hallucinogent till sin karaktär och det har därför antagits att det är en högre THC-halt som har förorsakat detta. Det är dock enbart mängden av aromatiska föreningar, som kraftigt ökat. Förmodligen är detta en följd av att balansen i växten rubbas innan den ska gå i blom. Dessa aromatiska föreningar är bl.a. terpener (även kallat terpentin), ämnen som utgör grunden för lösningsmedel, och som övergår till gasform när marijuanan förbränns. De kan lukta både gott och illa. Det kan antas att den speciella röktekniken vid cannabis rökning (att hålla röken länge i lungorna) medför att dessa ämnen i hög grad absorberas av systemen i lungorna och därigenom ger ett lösningsmedelsrus.
Skunk tycks framförallt tilltala de hallucinogent experimenterade ungdomarna. Klienter på RGB beskriver ruset av starkt luktande Skunk som ett rus där ljud hoppar och studsar, att man vinglar och förlorar den tankemässiga kontrollen, att man ej förmår tolka ljud, att man gör bisarra saker och eventuellt har korta psykotiska episoder. Klienter rapporterar att det “rusar på”, på ett helt annat sätt än vanligt marijuana och hasch, och att ruset kommer och går i vågor. Det liknar det ruset man får när man sniffar lim eller butangas, fast i mindre grad.
Ruset sätter också in tidigare än vid normal marijuana vilket tyder på att det är lösningsmedelseffekten som kommer först och därefter marijuanaeffekten. Cannabinoiderna tar god tid på sig för att ge en påverkan.
Den kvardröjande nedsättningen i förmågan till att utnyttja tankeapparaten som uppstår vid långvarigt regelbundet cannabismissbruk maskerar effekten som lösningsmedel har på koncentrations- och uppmärksamhetsförmågan. Det innebär att den lösningsmedelsrelaterade störningen först blir tydlig efter ca 6-8 veckors avhållsamhet från cannabis. Denna effekt liknar den som uppstår vid vanemässigt användande av cannabispreparat, och tolkas följaktligen av individen som cannabisrelaterad. För att kunna överbrygga dessa kvardröjande störningar krävs det av individen en medvetenhet om att han/hon måste koncentrera sig för att koncentrera sig.
Tyvärr har marijuana och hasch den effekten på individens förmåga till reflektion, att han/hon inte märker att det här ruset påminner om när de har sniffat butan eller lösningsmedel, eller att ruset är anmärkningsvärt annorlunda jämfört med ett normalt marijuanarus.
Vi vet idag inte hur länge och hur mycket man måste ha rökt för att dessa kvardröjande uppmärksamhets- och koncentrationsstörningar ska uppstå eller om de överhuvudtaget försvinner. Vi vet dock att de finns.
Förekomst av aromatiska kolväten (terpener) i cannabisberedningar
Det är i sig inget onaturligt att det finns terpener i Cannabisplantan. Däremot tycks plantan genom förändrade växtförhållande reagera med att öka de aromatiska kolvätena. Om då inte ventileringen hade funnits hade plantan dött. Man kan anta att mängden kolväten varierar med de växtförutsättningar som växten får.
I Skunk har man identifierat ett dussintals terpener (t ex en monoterpen som alphapinen). Dessa terpener är inte bra att få i sig eftersom de har en toxisk effekt. Vissa är allergiframkallande och vissa är cancerogena. Terpener har effekter på luftvägarna och kan framkalla irritationsastma samt typ 4 allergier, t ex hudeksem. Det ger luftvägsallergi, men också symtom som vid allmän lösningsmedelsskada. De ger upphov till metaboliter som liknar de organiska lösningsmedlen. Studier som har utförts på människor redogör för liknande fynd (Ericsson, 1996). De lägsta kolvätena är, metan, etan, propan och butan.
Om man inte har något större intag (vet ej mängd) under en längre tid (vet ej hur lång tid) så är det ingen fara. Liten mängd har mindre påverkan.
Donald B. Tashkin (personlig kommunikation 1998) som är forskare på marijuanarökens sammansättning, hävdar att det inte finns studier avseende terpenernas effekt på människan i samband med marijuanarökning. Vi får då använda studier som kan antas spegla det som händer när marijuanarökare får i sig terpener.
En svensk studie av Ericsson (1996), på sågverksarbetare som andats in terpener, visar att arbetare som har arbetat färre än fem år har en signifikant högre bronkialkänslighet. Man fann också en grupp med en lägre nivå på lungfunktion jämfört med frisk kontrollgrupp. Forskarna undersökte inte psykologisk funktion.
När det gäller marijuanarökare så måste administrationssättet beaktas (att hålla röken länge i lungorna), vilket innebär att man kan anta att en större mängd terpener går in i systemet precis som det sker med tjäran (Mattias, 1997).
Mediaville & Steinemann (1997) undersökte föreningar i Cannabis sativa L olja. De fann monoterpener och sesquiterpener (polis- och tullhundar går efter lukten på sesquiterpen caryophyllen oxid (Stahl & Kunde 1973)) i doften av cannabisoljan. THC halten i dessa oljor var mycket låg och varierade mellan 0,02% och 0,08%. CBD halten förändrades inte vid destilleringen, vilket innebär att denna olja inte blir psykoaktiv. Doften hos hasch kommer följaktligen inte från terpenofenologiska cannabinoider utan från flyktiga monoterpener och sesquiterpener. Lehman (1995) lyckades karakterisera 16 terpenoida föreningar i sina undersökningar av olika cannabisoljeberedningar. Koncentrationen av monoterpenerna var generellt högre än hos sesquiterpener, variation från 47,9% till 92,1%. Sesquiterpen koncentrationen varierade från 5,2% till 48,6%. De rikligaste substanserna var myrcen, tätt följd av trans-caryophyllen, alfa-pinen, trans-ocimen och alfa-terpinolen.
Det fanns emellertid en stor skillnad i sammansättningen mellan de olika beredningarna. Vilket talar för att man genom olika växtförädlingsknep kan höja och sänka mängden aromer.
Forskarna lät också ett antal personer utföra ett lukttest. Oljor som hade en högre grad av sesquiterpen fick låg poäng, eftersom man tyckte att dessa luktade illa, däremot fick oljor med hög andel monoterpener (men låg alfa-humulen eller caryophyllenoxid koncentration) höga poäng för att de luktade gott. En överraskning var att en olja som var en blandning av olika ämnen (strains) fick högsta betyg.
I kemiska analyser som odlare har gjort av två Skunksorter, fanns bland annat alfa-pinen, beta-pinen, myrcen och limonen.
Klientrapporter
Ett antal klienter vid RGB ombads att reflektera (diskriminera) över hur de upplever ruset som de erhåller vid: 1. Skunk som luktar. 2. Skunk som inte luktar. 3. Vanligt marijuana. 4. Vanligt hasch. Det är viktigt att hjälpa klienterna med fokus i uppmärksamheten eftersom cannabisrökare normal inte reflekterar över de effekter de får. De noterar enbart.
Nedan följer en del av klienternas rapporter om Skunk som luktar starkt.
22 årig kvinna med 8 års missbruk av cannabis: Det ger mig samma effekt som på alkohol, lite vinglig, okontrollerad, berusad. Jag tycker det stinker som kattpiss. Jag märker inte att jag är fjuttad (påtänd) förrän jag märker att jag gör något fel som att ställa in fel saker i kylskåpet eller att jag plötsligt märker att jag gör märkliga saker. Skunk som inte luktar är samma känsla men inte lika starkt. Jag kan röka flera jointar i rad. Skunk som luktar räcker det med en joint sedan är man nöjd i flera timmar. Ruset tycks sitta kvar längre. Om man röker på kvällen så är man fortfarande påverkad på morgonen. Det ger mig ett rus där allt hoppar, studsar, ekar (typ som när man använt butangas, men inte lika starkt). Ruset ger mig en trippkänsla (LSD), pirr i magen. Om någon pratar med mig så ser jag att munnen rör sig men ljudet studsar egendomligt. Jag förstår inte vad de säger. Känslan är som tändargas men mycket mindre. Det är svårare att bedöma avstånd (snubblar i trappor) och att bestämma sig för att stanna, när kroppen vill fortsätta att gå. Man kan inte kontrollera sig. Man är som i en annan värld, medan allt annat händer utanför den. De två faserna (inåt- och utåtriktad i sin uppmärksamhet) går i vågor istället för att bara vara två faser.
25 årig man med 10 års haschrökning: Ruset känns som att man är på väg att få en epileptisk kick. Det rusar på ett helt annat sätt i skallen. Det händer ofta att man inte kan röra sig. Huvudet flyger iväg. Det sätter sig mer på psyket, under ruset men även efter. Som att bli väck på ett sjukt sätt. Det känns som att det finns 20% THC i Skunket. Man kan höra saker som man får noja av. Man kan få panik och vill komma därifrån.
22 årig man med 6 års haschrökning: Skunk är inte för naiva (nybörjare) rökare. Det kan skapa psykoser. Det är bara bra för reguljära (vana) rökare. Effekten är galenskap, man fnittrar vansinnigt. Det känns annorlunda, skrattnojor. Det ger mer gladkänsla än vid hasch.
29 årig man med 10 års missbruk av cannabis: Det är mer effekt på det Skunket som luktar. Det är bättre. Effekten är som hasch första gången. Man flinar så att man får ont i mungiporna eftersom man skrattar. Man blir som när man är full på alkohol. Man blir förvirrad på Skunk. Lägger nycklarna i kylskåpet, pengarna i strumpan. Man märker inte att man har ett märkligt beteende. Jag får lock för öronen på Skunk. Jag tycker om Skunk lukten, den är behagligt stark.
17 årig kvinna med 3 års cannabismissbruk: Ni säger att det inte är någon fara. Man kommer ur det här avskärmade “Ostkupe” tillståndet. Det går över. Men så märker man att det inte gör det. Mina vänner säger samma sak, de som har använt Skunk. Det går inte över. Man har ångestdrömmar även efter det att abstinensen har gått över. Man kan inte koncentrera sig. Man får en känsla av att man inte kommer ur tillståndet. Det känns som att man går i sin egen värld, att allt annat händer utanför en i en annan värld. Detta beskriver också mina kompisar. När man sen röker igen så blir det liksom ingen skillnad.
28 årig man med 12 års cannabismissbruk: Jag får huvudvärk dagen efter jag har rökt Skunk. Missbrukare av Skunk blir som gamla målare. En tändsticka ramlar ned från bordet och hela världen bryter samman. Man kan inte gå genom en dörr utan att gå in i dörrposten.
Dessutom finns det kliniska observationer både från Rådgivningsbyrån och avgiftningsavdelningen 1F, St:: Lars sjukhus som beskriver en symptombild av fortsatta koncentrationsstörningar långt efter det att en normal haschrökare efter avslutat missbruk skall ha normaliserats.
Resultat av närliggande neuropsykologiska undersökningar
I en undersökning fann Tunving med kollegor (1985) en 11% sänkning av hjärnans globala medelblodflöde (rCBF) hos kroniska cannabismissbrukare strax efter avslutat missbruk jämfört med en matchad kontrollgrupp. Samma undersökningsmetod använde Risberg (1983) i en undersökning av 50 arbetare, som har varit utsatta för en blandning av organiska lösningsmedel, vilket kan antas vara jämförbart med de terpener Skunkrökare får i sig. Man fann att dessa arbetare jämfört med en matchad kontrollgrupp: upplevde sig i högre grad ha inlärnings- och minnesstörningar, vara mer uttröttbara och koncentrationsstörda samt att vara mer ångestfyllda, ängsliga och lättretliga. Mätningen av hjärnans globala medelblodflöde visade något lägre (4%) nivå för den exponerade gruppen.
Detta innebär att den långsiktiga cannabiseffekten på tankeapparaten maskerar en underliggande lösningsmedelsrelaterad uppmärksamhets- och koncentrationsstörning, och som efter 6-8 veckor avhållsamhet blir framträdande när cannabinoiderna inte längre grumlar bilden.
Till sist
Det är en myt att THC-halten har ökat i de olika cannabisberedningarna under de senaste 10 åren (Zimmer & Morgan, 1997). Däremot har nya odlingssätt skapat plantor som antas innehålla mer aromatisk kolväten (terpener) än naturligt odlad cannabis. För att få klarhet i huruvida Skunk som innehåller en stor mängd aromatiska kolväten också ger lösningsmedelsskador som är bestående kan enbart en sådan studie visa som har denna målsättning. Emellertid beskriver klienterna på RGB tydliga symtom, som man också får vid sniffning av t ex butangas eller av organiska lösningsmedel. Behandlingen för denna grupp fokuseras på att individen ska vara uppmärksam på att han ska koncentrera sig och att ha kontroll över uppmärksamheten.
Risken är att vi redan har en hel generation unga Skunkrökare som bär på långvariga skador som liknar dem vid lösningsmedels skador. Detta under en period i sitt liv när de ska skaffa sig betyg i skolan och kunskaper för framtiden.
Referenser
Ericsson, K (1996). Occupational exposure to terpenes in saw mills and joinery shops. Thesis. Arbetslivsinstitutets tryckeri, Umeå, Sweden.
Klienter på Rådgivningsbyrån i narkotikafrågor i Lund (1998). Personlig kommunikation.
Holländsk odlare av Skunk (1998). Personlig kommunikation.
Kemiska analyser av Skunk utförda av kemister knutna till en holländskt firma som framställer olika cannabisprodukter.
Lehman, T (1995). Chemical profile of Cannabis sativa L. Doctoral Thesis, Pharmazeutisches Institut Universität Bern. I Mediaville & Steinemann (1997).
Mattias, P. Tashkin, D. Et al (1997). Effects of varying Marijuana Potency on Deposition of Tar and delta-9-THC in lung during smoking. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior. Vol 58. No 4 pp.1145-1150.
Mediaville, V & Steinemann, S (1997). Essential oil of Cannabis sativa L. strains . Journal of the International Hemp Association, Volume 4, Number 2, 82-82.
Risberg, J & Hagstadius, S (1983). Effects on the regional cerebral bloodflow of long-term exposure to organic solvents. Acta psychiat. Scand. 67, suppl. 303, 92-99.
Stahl, E & Kunde, R (1973). Die Leitsubstanzen der Haschisch- suchhunde. Kriminalistik 9: 385-388. I Mediaville & Steinemann (1997).
Svensk odlare av Skunk (1998). Personlig kommunikation.
Tashkin, D (1998). Personlig kommunikation.
Tunving, K et al (1985). Regional cerebral bloodflow in long-term heavy cannabis use. Psychiatry Research, 17, 15-21, Elsevier.
Zimmer, L. & Morgan, J.P. (1997). Marijuana myths Marijuana facts. The Lindesmith Center New York and San Fransisco.
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25 Replies
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Jag kan inte läsa skiten utan att börja fnittra okontrollerbart
Fy fan så jävla dumt
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Hehe, en bra idé. Skäm ut honom i den internationella forskarvärlden.
Vilka hade du tänkt skicka översätttningen till?
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Oj det här kommer bli såå kul!
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Bra jobbat broder. Vi borde kanske ha kritiken översatt också? Någon som känner sig hugad?
Eftersom våra svenska motståndare flitigt citerar Lundqvist är det vår skyldighet att hoppa på honom. Hans arbete är fullt av fel och tokigheter. Det finns ingen seriös forskning som visar på att cannabis är farligt.
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😆 Namnet Skunk kommer från danskans “Skunken”, dvs. det utrymmet mellan inner och yttertaket som till en början var det mest lämpliga stället att odla denna planta.
😆 Snälla, översätt.! Å skäm ut han rejält..!
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Ok och vem ska vi skicka översättningen till då? För att få mest spridning och effekt? Vi måste verkligen visa hur sjukt vårat debattklimat är. Är det verkligen ingen som är bra talare och kan offra sig att vara cannabisförespråkare? Jag tror vi är i desperat behov av en “ledare” eller språkrör.
Tack för mig!
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Skicka originalet också!
,s
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Jag har börjat lite smått, verkar onödigt att vi översätter flera ggr.
Hittills har jag gjort ca 2 A4 i word, så om ngn börjar på annat håll, kör lite längre ned i texten.
Försöker publicera här under dagen för korrekturläsning…
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Is the psychoactive intoxication from Skunk/Niederweed a marijuana or a solvent intoxication or a combination.
By
Thomas Lundqvist, Psychologist & Senior lecturer of Psycology
Drug addiction Treatment Centre
Kyrkogatan 19, S-222 22 Lund, Sweden (980414, newly reviewed 031125)
Phone 046-174955, 2117579, Fax 046-152511
E-mail: [email protected]In Skåne (the most southern region of Sweden, translators note) a specially processed Cannabisplant has been available on the narcotics market. Skunk/Niederweed (S/N) is the product of a way of cultivating Marijuana. It is also called Skunk only. The plant, is grown indoors during approximately 12 weeks. During this time the nutrition and the time the plant is exposed to light varied. It is a grateful crop to grow and gives a high yield. The method has been developed since the 1980’s, but it was in the middle of the 90’s that the type of Skunk used today first was produced. Some state that the original skunk comes from the west indian Sinsimelia, while others claim that the origin is Afghanistani. Both Cannabis Sativa as well as Cannabis Indica are used. Cultivating the Marijuanaplant is a Darwinistic, survival of the fittest strategy. It is not genetically modified. According to addicts most Skunk is grown in Skåne (probably in other parts of the country as well), and that there is only a small proportion coming from Denmark.
What is Skunk?
This article is a phenomenological description based on clinical observation and reports from clients that has been treated at Rådgivningsbyrån I narkotikafrågor i Lund (RGB). Both chemists directed at organic and biochemistry has continuously participated in the discussion, but it is my synthesis of these parts that give the whole picture.
The plant processing techniques come from the industry creating products like oil, smells, mosquito lotions etc. from the Cannabis plant. This knowledge has then been used by growers having been interested in creating a “good” marijuana concerning its intoxicating properties, degree of efficiency and intoxicating characteristics, and probably to get away from the hashish more introvert and passive intoxication. One can suppose there are several variations of Skunk and that a general description does not give a good picture. The descriptions given in this article concerns Skunk that smell extremely strong.
It is clear that something new has been added to the intoxicating features when used cannabis smokers had a choice between pure delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Skunk that smell, choose Skunk with a lot of smell. These smells (aromatic kolväten (terpener)) does not enhance the THC-effect but seem to give additional experienced intoxication added to intoxication received from Marijuana.The THC-content has (as is wrongly claimed) despite the plant breeding process not changed considerably, and as far as we know, not if the composition of the other cannabinoids either (Tashkin, 1997). Normal Skunk contains approx. 10-12% THC, like normal Sinsemilla. What is sold in Coffeshops in Amsterdam contains approx. 10-12% THC at most. Some seizures in Sweden (of Swedish origin contain 19% THC)
The name Skunk comes from the Danish ”Skunken”, that is the compartment between the ceiling and the roof that in the beginning was the most suitable place to grow this plant.
Original Skunk is called Haze and has different numbers (1-5), the more processed, the clearer the intoxication (not down).
Original Skunk won the Cannabis Cup (a contest for the best prepared cannabis) 1987. Other prepared Skunk that has won this contest are Purple Haze 1995, Northern Light 1996 and Jack Herror 1997 (according to the paper High Times).Most abusers experience Skunk to be more hallucinatory in it’s character and it has therefore been assumed that it is a higher THC content that has caused this. It is though only the amount of aromatic compounds has increased strongly. This is probably due to the balance of the plant being disturbed before going into flowering. These aromatic compounds are among others turpentine (terpener) , substances that make the basis for solvents, and that go into gas when the marijuana is being burnt. They can smell both good and bad. It can be assumed that the special technique for smoking cannabis (to hold the smoke a long time in the lungs) leads to that these substances to a greater extent are being absorbed by the systems in the lungs and thereby give a solvent intoxication.
Skunk seem to above all the rest appeal to youths experimenting with hallucinogenics. Clients at RGB describe the intoxication of strong smelling Skunk as an intoxication where sound hops and bounces, and where one staggers and loose the control of thoughts, that one are not able to interpret sound, that one do bizarre things and perhaps have psychotic episodes. Clients report that it is ”rushing on”, in a completely different manner than usual marijuana and hash, and that the intoxication comes and goes in waves. It is similar to the intoxication one gets when sniffing glue or butane gas, but to a lesser extent.
The intoxication also sets in earlier than normal marijuana which indicates an effect by the solvents that set on first, and there after the effect of the Marijuana. Cannabinoids take long to have an effect.
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Språket i artikeln är på vissa ställen rätt gymnasialt.
Jag befinner mig i en något kluven situation, då man som översättare i vanliga fall vill att översättningen skall bli så bra som möjligt.
I det här fallet vill man ju dock att artikeln bara på ett riktigt sätt skall spegla originalartikeln.Det här är bara draft, vore tacksam för input om fel eller misstolkningar.
Resten hoppas jag översätta allt eftersom…
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.Is the psychoactive intoxication from Skunk/Niederweed a marijuana or a solvent intoxication or a combination.
By
Thomas Lundqvist, Psychologist & Senior lecturer of Psycology
Drug addiction Treatment Centre
Kyrkogatan 19, S-222 22 Lund, Swedan (980414, newly reviewed 031125)
Phone 046-174955, 2117579, Fax 046-152511
E-mail: [email protected]In Skåne (the most southern region of Sweden, translators note) a specially processed Cannabisplant has been available on the narcotics market. Skunk/Niederweed (S/N) is the product of a way of cultivating Marijuana. It is also called Skunk only. The plant, is grown indoors during approximately 12 weeks. During this time the nutrition and the time the plant is exposed to light varied. It is a grateful crop to grow and gives a high yield. The method has been developed since the 1980’s, but it was in the middle of the 90’s that the type of Skunk used today first was produced. Some state that the original skunk comes from the west indian Sinsimelia, while others claim that the origin is Afghanistani. Both Cannabis Sativa as well as Cannabis Indica are used. Cultivating the Marijuanaplant is a Darwinistic, survival of the fittest strategy. It is not genetically modified. According to addicts most Skunk is grown in Skåne (probably in other parts of the country as well), and that there is only a small proportion coming from Denmark.
What is Skunk?
This article is a phenomenological description based on clinical observation and reports from clients that has been treated at Rådgivningsbyrån I narkotikafrågor i Lund (RGB). Both chemists directed at organic and biochemistry has continuously participated in the discussion, but it is my synthesis of these parts that give the whole picture.
The plant processing techniques come from the industry creating products like oil, smells, mosquito lotions etc. from the Cannabis plant. This knowledge has then been used by growers having been interested in creating a “good” marijuana concerning its intoxicating properties, degree of efficiency and intoxicating characteristics, and probably to get away from the hashish more introvert and passive intoxication. One can suppose there are several variations of Skunk and that a general description does not give a good picture. The descriptions given in this article concerns Skunk that smell extremely strong.
It is clear that something new has been added to the intoxicating features when used cannabis smokers had a choice between pure delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Skunk that smell, choose Skunk with a lot of smell. These smells (aromatic kolväten (terpener)) does not enhance the THC-effect but seem to give additional experienced intoxication added to intoxication received from Marijuana.The THC-content has (as is wrongly claimed) despite the plant breeding process not changed considerably, and as far as we know, not if the composition of the other cannabinoids either (Tashkin, 1997). Normal Skunk contains approx. 10-12% THC, like normal Sinsemilla. What is sold in Coffeshops in Amsterdam contains approx. 10-12% THC at most. Some seizures in Sweden (of Swedish origin contain 19% THC)
The name Skunk comes from the Danish ”Skunken”, that is the compartment between the ceiling and the roof that in the beginning was the most suitable place to grow this plant.
Original Skunk is called Haze and has different numbers (1-5), the more processed, the clearer the intoxication (not down).
Original Skunk won the Cannabis Cup (a contest for the best prepared cannabis) 1987. Other prepared Skunk that has won this contest are Purple Haze 1995, Northern Light 1996 and Jack Herror 1997 (according to the paper High Times).Most abusers experience Skunk to be more hallucinatory in it’s character and it has therefore been assumed that it is a higher THC content that has caused this. It is though only the amount of aromatic compounds has increased strongly. This is probably due to the balance of the plant being disturbed before going into flowering. These aromatic compounds are among others turpentine (terpener) , substances that make the basis for solvents, and that go into gas when the marijuana is being burnt. They can smell both good and bad. It can be assumed that the special technique for smoking cannabis (to hold the smoke a long time in the lungs) leads to that these substances to a greater extent are being absorbed by the systems in the lungs and thereby give a solvent intoxication.
Skunk seem to above all the rest appeal to youths experimenting with hallucinogenics. Clients at RGB describe the intoxication of strong smelling Skunk as an intoxication where sound hops and bounces, and where one staggers and loose the control of thoughts, that one are not able to interpret sound, that one do bizarre things and perhaps have psychotic episodes. Clients report that it is ”rushing on”, in a completely different manner than usual marijuana and hash, and that the intoxication comes and goes in waves. It is similar to the intoxication one gets when sniffing glue or butane gas, but to a lesser extent.
The intoxication also sets in earlier than normal marijuana which indicates an effect by the solvents that set on first, and there after the effect of the Marijuana. Cannabinoids take long to have an effect.
The lingering decrease in the ability of using the thought apparatus that arise by prolonged regular cannabis abuse mask the effect that solvents have on concentration and attentiveness. This implies that the solvent related disturbance become plain only 6-8 weeks after abstaining from cannabis. This effect is similar to that which arises by habitual use of cannabis products, and is consequently interpreted by the individual as cannabis related. To bridge over these prolonged disturbances requires by the individual a consciousness of him/her having to concentrate to concentrate.
Unfortunately marijuana and hash have that effect on the individuals ability of reflection, that he/she does not notice that this intoxication reminds them of having sniffed butane or a solvent, or that the intoxication is enticingly different compared to a marijuana intoxication.We do not today know for how long one have to have smoked for these lingering attention- and concentration difficulties to arise or if they ever disappear. We do however know that they are there.
The presence of aromatic carbonhydrogens (terpens?) in prepared cannabis
It is not abnormal that there is terpens in the Cannabis plant. On the other handthe plant seem to react on changed growing circumstances by increasing the aromatic carbon hydrogen. If ventilation at that time diid not exist, the plant would have died. One can suppose that the amount of carbon hydrogen varies with the growing conditions the plant gets.
In skunk dozens of terpens (i e mono terpen like alphapinen).
These terpens are not very good to get inside you since they have a toxic effect. Some cause allergies and some cause cancer. Terpens have an effect on the airways and can also cause irritation asthma and type 4 allergies, for example skin rashes. It causes airway allergy, but also symptoms as normal solvent damage. They cause metabolism that are similar to the organic solvents. Studies on humans have shown similar findings (Ericsson, 1996). The lowest carbon hydrogens are methane, ethane, propane and butane.
If one do not have a larger intake (do not know amount) for a prolonged tim (do not know how long time) there is no danger. Small amounts have lesser affect.Donald B. Tashkin (personal communication 1998) who is a scientist on the content of marijuana smoke, claims there are no studies concerning terpens effect on the human being in connection with the smoking of marijuana. We will then have to use studies that can be assumed to show what happens when marijuana smokers get terpens inside themselves.
A Swedish studie by Ericsson (1996), on saw mill workers who had been breathing terpens, is showing that workers who had worked less than 5 years have a significantly bronchial sensitivity. They also found a group with a lower level of lung function than a healthy control group. Scientists did not examine psychological functions.When it comes to marijuana smokers the way of administering it will have to be taken into consideration (to hold the smoke down for long in the lungs), which mean that one may assume a larger proportion of terpens go in to the system just like what happens with tar) (Mattias, 1997).
Mediaville & Steinmann (1997) researched compounds in Cannabis Sativa L oil. They found mono terpens and sesquit terpens (police- and custom dogs often go for the small of sesquit terpen caryophylen oxid (Stahl & Kunde 1973)) in the small of cannabis oil. The THC content in these oil was very low and varied between 0,02% and 0,08%. The CBD content did not change by distilling, which mean that this oil does not become psycho active. The smell of hash does therefore not come from terpenfological cannabinoids but from passing mono terpens and sesquit terpens. Lehman (1995) managed to categorize 16 terpenoid compounds in the examination of cannabis oil preparations. The concentration of mono terpens was generally higher for the sesquit terpens, varitation from 47,9 to 92,1. The sesquit terpen concentration varied from 5,3% to 48,6%. The richest substances was myrcen, closely followed by trans-caryophyllen, alfa.pinen, trans-ocimen and alfa-terpinolen.
There were however a vast difference between the composition of the different products. Which speaks for that different breeding technique can increase and decrease the amount of aroma.
The scientists also had a number of people perform a smelling test. Oils that had a low amount of sesquit terpen sccored low, since people thought these smelled bad, on the other hand oils with a high proportion of mono terpens (but olow alfa-humulen or caryophyllenoxid concentration) scored high for smelling good. A surprise was that an oil which was a mix of different strains scored the highest.
In chemical analyses growers have done of two strains of skunk, there were among other things alfa-pinen, beta-pinen, myrcen and limonen.Client reports
A number of clients at RGB was asked to reflect (discriminate) over the experience they receive by: 1. Skunk that smell. 2. Skunk that does not smell. 3. Regular Marijuana. 4. Regular hash. It is important to help the clients to focus their attention since cannabis-smokers normally does not reflect over the effects they receive. They only make a note.Below are some of the clients report about Skunk that smells strongly.
22 year old woman abusing cannabis for 8 years: It gives me the same effect as alcohol, a bit staggering, uncontrolled, intoxicated. I think it stinks like cat piss. I don’t notice being high until I notice doing something wrong like putting the wrong things in the refrigerator or noticing that I suddenly do strange things. Skunk that doesn’t smell is the same feeling but not as strong. I can smoke several joints in a row. With Skunk that smells it is enough with one joint, then you are pleased for hours. The intoxication seem to last longer. If you smoke in the evening you are still under the influence in the morning. It gives me an intoxication where everything jumps, bounces, echoes (like when you have used butane-gas, but not as strong). The intoxication gives me a trippy feeling (LSD), butterflies in my stomach. If anyone talks to me I see the mouth move but the sound bounces strangely. I don’t understand what they are saying. The feeling is like lighter gas but less. It’s harder to evaluate distance (tripping in stairs), and to decide to stop, when the body wants to keep moving. You can’t control yourself. You are like in another world, while everything else happens outside it. The two phases (introvert and extrovert in you attention) goes in waves instead of just being two phases.
25 year old man smoking hash for 10 years: The intoxication feels like if you are about to have an epileptic kick. It rushes in a completely different manor in the head. It often happens that you can’t move. The head flies away. It puts itself more on your psyche, during the intoxication but also after. Like being gone in a sick way. It feels like there is 20% THC in the Skunk. You can hear things that make you paranoid. You can panic and want to get out of there.
22 year old man smoking hash for 6 years: Skunk is not for naïve (beginners) smokers. It can create psychosis. It is just good for regular (used) smokers. The effect is madness, you giggle insanely. It feel different, giggles. It gives more happy feel than hash.
29 year old abusing cannabis for 10 years: It’s more effect on the Skunk that smells. It is better. The effect is like hash for the first time. You giggle so that the corners of your mouth hurt because you are laughing. You get like when you are drunk on alcohol. You get confused on Skunk. Put the keys in the refrigerator, the money in the sock. You don’t notice your behavior being strange. My ears get blocked on Skunk. I like the Skunk smell, it is pleasant and strong.
17 year old woman abusing cannabis for 3 years: You say it is not dangerous. You get out of this secluded condition. It passes. But then you notice that it doesn’t. My friends say the same thing, the ones that have used Skunk. It doesn’t pass. You have dreams full of anxiety even after the abstinence is gone. You can’t concentrate. You get this feeling that you can’t get out of the condition. It feels like you are in your own little world. My friends also describe this aswell. When you smoke again it is kind of no difference.
28 year old man abusing cannabis for 12 years: I get a headache the day after I smoke Skunk. Abusers of Skunk become like old painters. A match falls of the table and your whole world crushes in. You can’t go through a door without hitting the door-post.
In addition to this there are clinical observations from both the Rådgivningsbyrån an avgiftningsavdelningen (de-tox ward) 1F, St:: Lars Hospital that describes symptoms that contain continuing disturbances of concentration a long time after a normal hash-smoker has finished the abuse should be normalized.
The result of closely related neuro- psychological examinations
In one examination Tunving and colleagues (1985) an 11% decrease of the brains global medium bloodflow (rCBF) for chronic cannabis abusers shortly after abuse was discontinued compared to a matching control group. Risberg (1983) used the same method of examination for 50 workers, that had been exposed to a mix of organic solvents, which are supposed to be comparable to the terpens Skunk smokers take in. They found that these workers compared to a matching control group: to a higher degree experienced have problems with learning and memory, be more prone to becoming tired and having disturbances relating to concentrating and having more anxiety, being more alarmed and irritable. The measurements of the brains global medium blood flow showed a somewhat lower (4%) level for the exposed group.
This means that the long term effects of cannabis on the thought apparatus mask an underlying solvent related attention- and concentration disturbance that after 6-8 weeks of abstaining become apparent when the cannabinoids no longer obscures the picture.At last
It is a myth that the THC-content has increased in different processed Cannabis during the last 10 years (Zimmer & Morgan, 1997). On the contrary new ways of growing has created plants that are assumed to contain mor aromatic carbon hydrogens (terpens) than naturally grown cannabis. To bring clarity to if Skunk, that also contain large amounts of aromatic carbon hydrogens, also causes solvent damages that are lasting will only a study that has this as a goal show. However, clients at RGB are showing distinct symptoms, that one also get from sniffing for example butane gas or from organic solvents. The treatment for this group is focused on the individual bringing the attention to concentrating and having control over attention.
There is a risk that we already have a whole generation of young Skunk smokers that have long term damage that look like those received from solvents. This in a period of their lives when they should get grades in school and knowledge for the future.
References
Ericsson, K (1996). Occupational exposure to terpenes in saw mills and joinery shops. Thesis. Arbetslivsinstitutets tryckeri, Umeå, Sweden.Clients at Rådgivningsbyrån i narkotikafrågor in Lund (1998). Personal communication.
Dutch grower of Skunk (1998). Personal communication.
Chemical analysis of Skunk by chemists tied to a Dutch firm producing cannabis.
Lehman, T (1995). Chemical profile of Cannabis sativa L. Doctoral Thesis, Pharmazeutisches Institut Universität Bern. I Mediaville & Steinemann (1997).
Mattias, P. Tashkin, D. Et al (1997). Effects of varying Marijuana Potency on Deposition of Tar and delta-9-THC in lung during smoking. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior. Vol 58. No 4 pp.1145-1150.
Mediaville, V & Steinemann, S (1997). Essential oil of Cannabis sativa L. strains . Journal of the International Hemp Association, Volume 4, Number 2, 82-82.
Risberg, J & Hagstadius, S (1983). Effects on the regional cerebral bloodflow of long-term exposure to organic solvents. Acta psychiat. Scand. 67, suppl. 303, 92-99.
Stahl, E & Kunde, R (1973). Die Leitsubstanzen der Haschisch- suchhunde. Kriminalistik 9: 385-388. I Mediaville & Steinemann (1997).
Swedish grower of Skunk (1998). Personal communication.
Tashkin, D (1998). Personal communication..
Tunving, K et al (1985). Regional cerebral bloodflow in long-term heavy cannabis use. Psychiatry Research, 17, 15-21, Elsevier.
Zimmer, L. & Morgan, J.P. (1997). Marijuana myths Marijuana facts. The Lindesmith Center New York and San Fransisco.
Translation Kinky Afro
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Jag skulle behöva hjälp av någon kunnig på området kemi att ta reda på följande termer på eng:
terpener
monoterpener (är nog samma som ovan, med mono framför)
sesquitterpener (se ovan)
cannabinoider (kan det vara cannabinoids???)
myrcen
trans-caryophyllen
alfa-pinen
trans-ocimen
alfa-terpinolen
alfa-humulencaryphyllenoxidAntar att det hela är latin, men jag förmodar att ändelserna är annorlunda på eng.
Jag lade upp hela alltet utan att ha korrekturläst alls.
Är mycket tacksam om ni läser igenom för att finna uppenbara felaktigeter.OBS!!!
VÄNTA MED ATT SKICKA DETTA TILL NÅGON UTRIKES FÖRRÄN VI KOMMIT FRAM TILL ATT ÖVERSÄTTNINGEN ÄR HELT KORREKT!
Kanske borde vi först och främst skicka ett mail till herr Lundqvist för att se om han godkänner översättningen
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Först och främst: Bra intitiativ! Jag kontaktade herr Lundqvist tidigare med lite kritiska synpunkter men han verkar ha valt att inte svara.
…In one examination Tunving and colleagues (1985) an 11% decrease of the…
Här verkar det ha fallit bort nåt ord..
Jag ska försöka korrekturläsa lite imorgon men jag orkade bara skumma den nu.
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Note:Herregud! Jag märker nu att jag klantat mig rejält på vissa ställen. Jag är tyvärr en sådan usel människa att jag inte korrläste och inte heller orkar rätta mig efter denna oerhörda ansträngningen
.Mycket bra jobbat afro!
Ett hästjobb du genomfört som sannolikt också är skadligt för de kognitiva förmågorna om exponering sker under en längre tid. Den detta ansvarar Lundqvist för inte du.Alla större rättningar jag infört har jag satt i fetstil och inom hakparenteser ([]).
Fel eller tveksamheter har jag markerat med fetstil
Jag har rättat småfel och typos utan att markera detta.Jag måste säga att din engelska håller en mycket hög klass, många trevliga nyanser. Men…
Du gör en del språkmissar men eftersom det övriga språket håller en såpass hög klass utgår jag ifrån att detta beror dels på Lundqvists bristande språkliga förmåga och dels på din vilja att ha en så korrektöversättning som möjligt.
En av de största problemen (för mig iaf) är att Lundqvist skriver som en jävla kratta; han gör stavfel, har faktafel, särskrivningar och ord som faller bort. Hur fan översätter man hans inkompetens i svenska till engelska?
Ett fel i Svenska språket är knappast överförbart till det engelska. Man kanske borde nämna för de man skickar denna skrift till att det faktiskt är upphovsmannen som inte kan skriva inte de eventuelle pot-heads som översatte det hela.Jag såg nu att jag inte behöver utgå från så mycket eftersom du redan kommenterat en del av det jag antar. Jag ber om ursäkt för detta och kanske läser allo poster nästa gång.
Jag saknar dessvärre också de fackengelska termerna som krävs för att översätta div. kemiska namn. Jag hoppas att någon annan kan bättre.
Jag har “läst” denna studie förut men det är först nu när jag måste vara noggrann som jag märker hur oerhört inkompetent (dumdristig, fanatisk eller kanske blind) Lundqvist faktiskt är. Jag är bara en liten pojkvasker som enbart läst en del trevliga skrifter (WHO, canada, Wottoon med flera) men till och med jag ser hur jävla stora antaganden han gör. Denna rapporten påminner lite om (det fiktiva/humoristiska men “sanna”) påståendet att glass motverkar/minskar förkylningar (glass äts mest på sommaren och på sommaren är folk inte förkylda i samma utsträckning som på vintern då mindre glass konsumeras). Kausala äventyrligheter någon?
Ber om ursäkt för min interpunktion (eller avsaknaden av den). Jag har nämligen ögonsmärtor efter allt skärmstirrande och hjärnröta av denna vämejeliga skrift.
@KinkyAfro wrote:
Is the psychoactive intoxication from Skunk/Niederweed a marijuana or a solvent intoxication or a combination.
By
Thomas Lundqvist, Psychologist & Senior lecturer of Psycology
Drug addiction Treatment Centre
Kyrkogatan 19, S-222 22 Lund, Swedan (980414, newly reviewed 031125)
Phone 046-174955, 2117579, Fax 046-152511
E-mail: [email protected]In Skåne (the most southern region of Sweden, translators note)[Använd hakparentes vid kommentering (tror jag)]) a specially processed [special preparation of the] Cannabisplant has been available on the narcotics market. Skunk/Niederweed (S/N) is the product of a way of cultivating Marijuana. It is also called Skunk only. The plant, is grown indoors during approximately 12 weeks. During this time the nutrition and the time the plant is exposed to light varied. It is a grateful crop to grow and gives a high yield. The method has been developed since the 1980’s, but it was in the middle of the 90’s that the type of Skunk used today first was produced. Some state that the original skunk comes from the west indian Sinsimelia, while others claim that the origin is Afghanistani. Both Cannabis Sativa as well as Cannabis Indica are used. Cultivating the Marijuanaplant is a Darwinistic, survival of the fittest strategy. It is not genetically modified. According to addicts most Skunk is grown in Skåne (probably in other parts of the country as well), and that there is only a small proportion coming from Denmark.
What is Skunk?
This article is a phenomenological description based on clinical observation and reports from clients that has been treated at Rådgivningsbyrån I narkotikafrågor i Lund (RGB). Both chemists directed at organic and biochemistry has continuously participated in the discussion, but it is my synthesis of these parts that give the whole picture.
The plant processing technique[improvement through (by?) breeding come
from the industry creating products like oil, smells[scent], mosquito lotions etc. from the Cannabis plant. This knowledge has then been used by growers having been interested in creating a “good” marijuana concerning its intoxicating properties, degree of efficiency and intoxicating characteristics, and probably to get away from the hashish more introvert and passive intoxication. One can suppose there are several variations of Skunk and that a general description does not give a good picture. The descriptions given in this article concerns Skunk that smell extremely strong.
It is clear that something new has been added to the intoxicating features when used cannabis smokers had a choice between pure delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Skunk that smell, choose Skunk with a lot of smell[/b][strong aroma/scent (jävligt svårt att översätt helt korrekt enligt mig är alltså inte ens nöjd med mitt eget ordval)][/b]. These smells (aromatic kolväten (terpener)) does not enhance the THC-effect but seem to give additional experienced intoxication added to intoxication received from Marijuana.[Klumpigt formulerat och en typo, jag kan (orkar) dock inte hitta på något bättre själv]The THC-content has (as is wrongly claimed) despite the plant breeding process not changed considerably, and as far as we know, not if the composition of the other cannabinoids either (Tashkin, 1997). Normal Skunk contains approx. 10-12% THC, like normal Sinsemilla. What is sold in Coffeshops in Amsterdam contains approx. 10-12% THC at most. Some seizures in Sweden (of Swedish origin contain 19% THC)
The name Skunk comes from the Danish ”Skunken”, that is the compartment between the ceiling and the roof that in the beginning[känns fel men jag är kanske nojig] was the most suitable place to grow this plant.
[The] O[o]riginal Skunk is called Haze and has different numbers (1-5), the more processed[improved through (by?) breeding the skunk is], the clearer the intoxication (not [a] down[er]).Original Skunk won the Cannabis Cup (a contest for the best prepared[ation of] cannabis) 1987. Other prepared[ations of] Skunk that has won this contest are Purple Haze 1995, Northern Light 1996 and Jack Herror 1997 (according to the paper High Times [magazine]).
Most abusers experience Skunk to be more hallucinatory in it’s character and it has therefore been assumed that it is a higher THC content that has caused this. It is though only the amount of aromatic compounds has increased strongly. This is probably due to the balance of the plant being disturbed before going into flowering. These aromatic compounds are among others turpentine (terpener) , substances that make the basis for solvents, and that go into gas when the marijuana is being burnt. They can smell both good and bad. It can be assumed that the special technique for smoking cannabis (to hold the smoke a long time in the lungs) leads to that these substances to a greater extent are being absorbed by the systems in the lungs and thereby give[ing] a solvent intoxication.
Skunk seem to above all the rest appeal to youths experimenting with hallucinogenics. Clients at RGB describe the intoxication of strong smelling Skunk as an intoxication where sound hops and bounces, and where one staggers and loose the control of thoughts, that one are not able to interpret sound, that one do bizarre things and perhaps have psychotic episodes. Clients report that it is ”rushing on”, in a completely different manner than usual marijuana and hash, and that the intoxication comes and goes in waves. It is similar to the intoxication one gets when sniffing glue or butane gas, but to a lesser extent.
The intoxication also sets in earlier than normal marijuana which indicates an effect by the solvents that set on first, and there after the effect of the Marijuana. Cannabinoids take long to have an effect.
The lingering decrease in the ability of using the thought apparatus[psyche (???)] that arise by prolonged regular cannabis abuse mask the effect that solvents have on concentration and attentiveness. This implies that the solvent related disturbance become plain only 6-8 weeks after abstaining from cannabis. This effect is similar to that which arises by habitual use of cannabis products, and is consequently interpreted by the individual as cannabis related. To bridge over these prolonged disturbances requires by the individual a consciousness of him/her having to concentrate to concentrate.
Unfortunately marijuana and hash have that effect on the individuals ability of reflection, that he/she does not notice that this intoxication reminds them of having sniffed butane or a solvent, or that the intoxication is enticingly different compared to a marijuana intoxication.
We do not today know for how long one have to have smoked for these lingering attention- and concentration difficulties to arise or if they ever disappear. We do however know that they are there.
The presence of aromatic carbonhydrogens (terpens?) in prepared cannabis
It is not abnormal that there is terpen[e(jag är inte säker på detta… så egentligen borde jag avstå kommentarer/gissningar]s in the Cannabis plant. On the other hand the plant seem to react on changed growing circumstances by increasing the [production of] aromatic carbon hydrogen [(gissning:)carbon hydrates)]. If ventilation at that time did not exist, the plant would have died. One can suppose[assume] that the amount of carbon hydrogen varies with the growing conditions the plant gets.
In Skunk dozens of terpens (i e mono terpen like alphapinen) [have been identified].
These terpens are not very good to get inside you since they have a toxic effect. Some cause allergies and some cause cancer [are carcinogenic]. Terpens have an effect on the airways and can also cause irritation asthma and type 4 allergies, for example skin rashes[eczema]. It causes airway allergy, but also symptoms as normal solvent damage. They cause metabolism that are similar to the organic solvents[The metabolites(hjälp,stavning) are similar to those of organic solvents][]. Studies on humans have shown similar findings (Ericsson, 1996). The lowest[shortest eller smallest] carbon hydrogens are methane, ethane, propane and butane.If one do not have a larger intake (I do not know amount) for a prolonged time (I do not know how long time[the duration(?)][]) there is no danger. Small amounts have lesser affect.
Donald B. Tashkin (personal communication 1998) who is a scientist on [that studies] the contents of marijuana smoke, claims there are no studies concerning terpens effect on the human being in connection with the smoking of marijuana. We will then have to use studies that can be assumed to show what happens when marijuana smokers get terpens inside themselves.
A Swedish studie av Ericsson (1996), on saw mill workers who had been breathing terpens, is showing that workers who had worked less than 5 years have a significantly [higher] bronchial sensitivity. They also found a group with a lower level of lung function than a healthy control group. Scientists did not examine psychological functions.
When it comes to marijuana smokers the way of administering it will have to be taken into consideration (to hold the smoke down for long in the lungs), which mean that one may assume a larger proportion of terpens go in to the system just like what happens with tar) (Mattias, 1997).
Mediaville & Steinmann (1997) researched compounds in Cannabis Sativa L oil. They found mono terpens and sesquit terpens (police- and custom dogs often go for the small of sesquit terpen caryophylen oxid (Stahl & Kunde 1973)) in the smell of cannabis oil. The THC content in these oils was very low and varied between 0,02% and 0,08%. The CBD content did not change by distilling, which mean that this oil does not become psycho active. The smell of hash does therefore not come from terpenfological cannabinoids but from passing mono terpens and sesquit terpens. Lehman (1995) managed to categorize 16 terpenoid compounds in the examination of cannabis oil preparations. The concentration of mono terpens was generally higher for the sesquit terpens, varitation from 47,9% to 92,1%. The sesquit terpen concentration varied from 5,3% to 48,6%. The richestmost [author’s mistake] substances was myrcen, closely followed by trans-caryophyllen, alfa.pinen, trans-ocimen and alfa-terpinolen.
There were however a vast difference between the composition of the different products[preparations]. Which speaks for that different breeding techniques can increase and decrease the amount of aroma.
The scientists also had a number of people perform a smelling test. Oils that had a low amount of sesquit terpen sccored low, since people thought these smelled bad, on the other hand oils with a high proportion of mono terpens (but olow alfa-humulen or caryophyllenoxid concentration) scored high for smelling good. A surprise was that an oil which was a mix of different strains scored the highest.
In chemical analyses growers have done of [done by growers on] two strains of skunk, there were among other things alfa-pinen, beta-pinen, myrcen and limonen.
Client reports
A number of clients at RGB was asked to reflect (discriminate) over the experience they receive by: 1. Skunk that smell. 2. Skunk that does not smell. 3. Regular Marijuana. 4. Regular hash. It is important to help the clients to focus their attention since cannabis-smokers normally does not reflect over the effects they receive. They only make a note.
Below are some of the clients reports about Skunk that smells strongly [has a strong odor (scent?)].
22 year old woman abusing cannabis for 8 years: It gives me the same effect as alcohol, a bit staggering, uncontrolled, intoxicated. I think it stinks like cat piss. I don’t notice being high until I notice doing something wrong like putting the wrong things in the refrigerator or noticing that I suddenly do strange things. Skunk that doesn’t smell is the same feeling but not as strong. I can smoke several joints in a row. With Skunk that smells it is enough with one joint, then you are pleased for hours. The intoxication seem to last longer. If you smoke in the evening you are still under the influence in the morning. It gives me an intoxication where everything jumps, bounces, echoes (like when you have used butane-gas, but not as strong). The intoxication gives me a trippy feeling (LSD), butterflies in my stomach. If anyone talks to me I see the mouth move but the sound bounces strangely. I don’t understand what they are saying. The feeling is like lighter gas but less. It’s harder to evaluate distance (tripping in stairs), and to decide to stop, when the body wants to keep moving. You can’t control yourself. You are like in another world, while everything else happens outside it. The two phases (introvert and extrovert in your attention) goes in waves instead of just being two phases.
25 year old man smoking hash for 10 years: The intoxication feels like if you are about to have an epileptic kick. It rushes in a completely different manor in the head. It often happens that you can’t move. The head flies away. It puts itself more on your psyche, during the intoxication but also after. Like being gone in a sick way. It feels like there is 20% THC in the Skunk. You can hear things that make you paranoid. You can panic and want to get out of there.
22 year old man smoking hash for 6 years: Skunk is not for naïve (beginners) smokers. It can create psychosis. It is just good for regular (used) smokers. The effect is madness, you giggle insanely. It feels different, giggles. It gives more happy feel than hash.
29 year old abusing cannabis for 10 years: It’s more effect on the Skunk that smells[The Skunk that smells has a greater effect]. It is better. The effect is like hash for the first time. You giggle so that the corners of your mouth hurt because you are laughing. You get like when you are drunk on alcohol. You get confused on Skunk. Put the keys in the refrigerator, the money in the sock. You don’t notice your behavior being strange. My ears get blocked on Skunk. I like the Skunk smell, it is pleasant and strong.
17 year old woman abusing cannabis for 3 years: You say it is not dangerous. You get out of this secluded condition. It passes. But then you notice that it doesn’t. My friends say the same thing, the ones that have used Skunk. It doesn’t pass. You have dreams full of anxiety even after the abstinence is gone. You can’t concentrate. You get this feeling that you can’t get out of the condition. It feels like you are in your own little world. My friends also describe this aswell. When you smoke again it is kind of no difference.
28 year old man abusing cannabis for 12 years: I get a headache the day after I smoke Skunk. Abusers of Skunk become like old painters. A match falls of the table and your whole world crushes in. You can’t go through a door without hitting the door-post.
In addition to this there are clinical observations from both the Rådgivningsbyrån an avgiftningsavdelningen (de-tox ward) 1F, St:: Lars Hospital that describes symptoms that contain continuing disturbances of concentration a long time after a normal hash-smoker has finished the abuse should be normalized.
The result of closely related neuro- psychological examinations
In one examination Tunving and colleagues (1985) an 11% decrease of the brains global medium [average] bloodflow (rCBF) for chronic cannabis abusers shortly after abuse was discontinued compared to a matching control group. Risberg (1983) used the same method of examination for 50 workers, that had been exposed to a mix of organic solvents, which are supposed to be comparable to the terpens Skunk smokers take in [inhale (?)]. They found that these workers compared to a matching control group: to a higher degree experienced have problems with learning and memory, be more prone to becoming tired and having disturbances relating to concentrating and having more anxiety, being more alarmed and irritable. The measurements of the brains global medium blood flow showed a somewhat lower (4%) level for the exposed group.
This means that the long term effects of cannabis on the thought apparatus mask an underlying solvent related attention- and concentration disturbance that after 6-8 weeks of abstaining become apparent when the cannabinoids no longer obscures the picture.
At last [finally]
It is a myth that the THC-content has increased in different processed Cannabis during the last 10 years (Zimmer & Morgan, 1997). On the contrary[However] new ways of growing has created plants that are assumed to contain more aromatic carbon hydrogens (terpens) than naturally grown cannabis. To bring clarity to if Skunk, that also contain large amounts of aromatic carbon hydrogens, also causes solvent damages that are lasting will only a study that has this as a goal show. However, clients at RGB are showing distinct symptoms, that one also get from sniffing for example butane gas or from organic solvents. The treatment for this group is focused on the individual bringing the attention to concentrating and having control over attention.
There is a risk that we already have a whole generation of young Skunk smokers that have long term damage that look like those received from solvents. This in a period of their lives when they should get grades in school and knowledge for the future.
References
Ericsson, K (1996). Occupational exposure to terpenes in saw mills and joinery shops. Thesis. Arbetslivsinstitutets tryckeri, Umeå, Sweden.Clients at Rådgivningsbyrån i narkotikafrågor in Lund (1998). Personal communication.
Dutch grower of Skunk (1998). Personal communication.
Chemical analysis of Skunk by chemists tied to a Dutch firm producing cannabis.
Lehman, T (1995). Chemical profile of Cannabis sativa L. Doctoral Thesis, Pharmazeutisches Institut Universität Bern. I Mediaville & Steinemann (1997).
Mattias, P. Tashkin, D. Et al (1997). Effects of varying Marijuana Potency on Deposition of Tar and delta-9-THC in lung during smoking. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior. Vol 58. No 4 pp.1145-1150.
Mediaville, V & Steinemann, S (1997). Essential oil of Cannabis sativa L. strains . Journal of the International Hemp Association, Volume 4, Number 2, 82-82.
Risberg, J & Hagstadius, S (1983). Effects on the regional cerebral bloodflow of long-term exposure to organic solvents. Acta psychiat. Scand. 67, suppl. 303, 92-99.
Stahl, E & Kunde, R (1973). Die Leitsubstanzen der Haschisch- suchhunde. Kriminalistik 9: 385-388. I Mediaville & Steinemann (1997).
Swedish grower of Skunk (1998). Personal communication.
Tashkin, D (1998). Personal communication..
Tunving, K et al (1985). Regional cerebral bloodflow in long-term heavy cannabis use. Psychiatry Research, 17, 15-21, Elsevier.
Zimmer, L. & Morgan, J.P. (1997). Marijuana myths Marijuana facts. The Lindesmith Center New York and San Fransisco.
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Is the psychoactive intoxication from Skunk/Niederweed a marijuana or a solvent intoxication or a combination.
By
Thomas Lundqvist, Psychologist & Senior lecturer of Psycology
Drug addiction Treatment Centre
Kyrkogatan 19, S-222 22 Lund, Swedan (980414, newly reviewed 031125)
Phone 046-174955, 2117579, Fax 046-152511
E-mail: [email protected]In Skåne (the most southern region of Sweden, translators note) a special preparation of the Cannabisplant has been available on the narcotics market. Skunk/Niederweed (S/N) is the product of a way of cultivating Marijuana. It is also called Skunk only. The plant, is grown indoors during approximately 12 weeks. During this time the nutrition and the time the plant is exposed to light varied. It is a grateful crop to grow and gives a high yield. The method has been developed since the 1980’s, but it was in the middle of the 90’s that the type of Skunk used today first was produced. Some state that the original skunk comes from the west indian Sinsimelia, while others claim that the origin is Afghanistani. Both Cannabis Sativa as well as Cannabis Indica are used. Cultivating the Marijuanaplant is a Darwinistic, survival of the fittest strategy. It is not genetically modified. According to addicts most Skunk is grown in Skåne (probably in other parts of the country as well), and that there is only a small proportion coming from Denmark.
What is Skunk?
This article is a phenomenological description based on clinical observation and reports from clients that has been treated at Rådgivningsbyrån I narkotikafrågor i Lund (RGB). Both chemists directed at organic and biochemistry has continuously participated in the discussion, but it is my synthesis of these parts that give the whole picture.
The plant processing technique improvement through breeding comes from the industry creating products like oil, perfume, mosquito lotions etc. from the Cannabis plant. This knowledge has then been used by growers having been interested in creating a “good” marijuana concerning its intoxicating properties, degree of efficiency and intoxicating characteristics, and probably to get away from the hashish more introvert and passive intoxication. One can suppose there are several variations of Skunk and that a general description does not give a good picture. The descriptions given in this article concerns Skunk that smell extremely strong.
It is clear that something new has been added to the intoxicating features when used cannabis smokers had a choice between pure delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Skunk that smell, choose Skunk with a strong aroma . These smells (aromatic kolväten (terpener)) does not enhance the THC-effect but seem to give additional experienced intoxication added to intoxication received from Marijuana.The THC-content has (as is wrongly claimed) despite the plant breeding process not changed considerably, and as far as we know, not if the composition of the other cannabinoids either (Tashkin, 1997). Normal Skunk contains approx. 10-12% THC, like normal Sinsemilla. What is sold in Coffeshops in Amsterdam contains approx. 10-12% THC at most. Some seizures in Sweden (of Swedish origin contain 19% THC)
The name Skunk comes from the Danish ”Skunken”, that is the compartment between the ceiling and the roof that in the beginning was the most suitable place to grow this plant.
[The] O[o]riginal Skunk is called Haze and has different numbers (1-5), improved through breeding the skunk, the clearer the intoxication (not [a] down[er]).Original Skunk won the Cannabis Cup (a contest for the best preparation of cannabis) 1987. Other preparations of Skunk that has won this contest are Purple Haze 1995, Northern Light 1996 and Jack Herror 1997 (according to the paper High Times).
Most abusers experience Skunk to be more hallucinatory in it’s character and it has therefore been assumed that it is a higher THC content that has caused this. It is though only the amount of aromatic compounds has increased strongly. This is probably due to the balance of the plant being disturbed before going into flowering. These aromatic compounds are among others turpentine (terpener) , substances that make the basis for solvents, and that go into gas when the marijuana is being burnt. They can smell both good and bad. It can be assumed that the special technique for smoking cannabis (to hold the smoke a long time in the lungs) leads to that these substances to a greater extent are being absorbed by the systems in the lungs and thereby giving a solvent intoxication.
Skunk seem to above all the rest appeal to youths experimenting with hallucinogenics. Clients at RGB describe the intoxication of strong smelling Skunk as an intoxication where sound hops and bounces, and where one staggers and loose the control of thoughts, that one are not able to interpret sound, that one do bizarre things and perhaps have psychotic episodes. Clients report that it is ”rushing on”, in a completely different manner than usual marijuana and hash, and that the intoxication comes and goes in waves. It is similar to the intoxication one gets when sniffing glue or butane gas, but to a lesser extent.
The intoxication also sets in earlier than normal marijuana which indicates an effect by the solvents that set on first, and there after the effect of the Marijuana. Cannabinoids take long to have an effect.
The lingering decrease in the ability of using the thoughts that arise by prolonged regular cannabis abuse mask the effect that solvents have on concentration and attentiveness. This implies that the solvent related disturbance become plain only 6-8 weeks after abstaining from cannabis. This effect is similar to that which arises by habitual use of cannabis products, and is consequently interpreted by the individual as cannabis related. To bridge over these prolonged disturbances requires by the individual a consciousness of him/her having to concentrate to concentrate.
Unfortunately marijuana and hash have that effect on the individuals ability of reflection, that he/she does not notice that this intoxication reminds them of having sniffed butane or a solvent, or that the intoxication is enticingly different compared to a marijuana intoxication.
We do not today know for how long one have to have smoked for these lingering attention- and concentration difficulties to arise or if they ever disappear. We do however know that they are there.
The presence of aromatic carbonhydrogens (terpenes?) in prepared cannabis
It is not abnormal that there is terpenes in the Cannabis plant. On the other hand the plant seem to react on changed growing circumstances by increasing the production of aromatic carbon hydrates. If ventilation at that time did not exist, the plant would have died. One can assume that the amount of carbon hydrogen varies with the growing conditions the plant gets.
In Skunk dozens of terpens (i e mono terpen like alphapinen) have been identified.
These terpens are not very good to get inside you since they have a toxic effect. Some cause allergies and some are carcinogenic. Terpens have an effect on the airways and can also cause irritation asthma and type 4 allergies, for example skin eczema. It causes airway allergy, but also symptoms as normal solvent damage. The metabolites are similar to those of organic solvents. Studies on humans have shown similar findings (Ericsson, 1996). The shortest carbon hydrogens are methane, ethane, propane and butane.If one do not have a larger intake (I do not know amount) for a prolonged time (I do not know how the duration is) there is no danger. Small amounts have lesser affect.
Donald B. Tashkin (personal communication 1998) who is a scientist that studies the contents of marijuana smoke, claims there are no studies concerning terpens effect on the human being in connection with the smoking of marijuana. We will then have to use studies that can be assumed to show what happens when marijuana smokers get terpens inside themselves.
A Swedish studie av Ericsson (1996), on saw mill workers who had been breathing terpens, is showing that workers who had worked less than 5 years have a significantly higher bronchial sensitivity. They also found a group with a lower level of lung function than a healthy control group. Scientists did not examine psychological functions.
When it comes to marijuana smokers the way of administering it will have to be taken into consideration (to hold the smoke down for long in the lungs), which mean that one may assume a larger proportion of terpens go in to the system just like what happens with tar) (Mattias, 1997).
Mediaville & Steinmann (1997) researched compounds in Cannabis Sativa L oil. They found mono terpens and sesquit terpens (police- and custom dogs often go for the small of sesquit terpen caryophylen oxid (Stahl & Kunde 1973)) in the smell of cannabis oil. The THC content in these oils was very low and varied between 0,02% and 0,08%. The CBD content did not change by distilling, which mean that this oil does not become psycho active. The smell of hash does therefore not come from terpenfological cannabinoids but from passing mono terpens and sesquit terpens. Lehman (1995) managed to categorize 16 terpenoid compounds in the examination of cannabis oil preparations. The concentration of mono terpens was generally higher for the sesquit terpens, varitation from 47,9% to 92,1%. The sesquit terpen concentration varied from 5,3% to 48,6%. The richestmost [author’s mistake] substances was myrcen, closely followed by trans-caryophyllen, alfa.pinen, trans-ocimen and alfa-terpinolen.
There were however a vast difference between the composition of the different preparations. Which speaks for that different breeding techniques can increase and decrease the amount of aroma.
The scientists also had a number of people perform a smelling test. Oils that had a low amount of sesquit terpen sccored low, since people thought these smelled bad, on the other hand oils with a high proportion of mono terpens (but olow alfa-humulen or caryophyllenoxid concentration) scored high for smelling good. A surprise was that an oil which was a mix of different strains scored the highest.
In chemical analyses done by growers on two strains of skunk, there were among other things alfa-pinen, beta-pinen, myrcen and limonen.
Client reports
A number of clients at RGB was asked to reflect (discriminate) over the experience they receive by: 1. Skunk that smell. 2. Skunk that does not smell. 3. Regular Marijuana. 4. Regular hash. It is important to help the clients to focus their attention since cannabis-smokers normally does not reflect over the effects they receive. They only make a note.
Below are some of the clients reports about Skunk that has a strong scent.
22 year old woman abusing cannabis for 8 years: It gives me the same effect as alcohol, a bit staggering, uncontrolled, intoxicated. I think it stinks like cat piss. I don’t notice being high until I notice doing something wrong like putting the wrong things in the refrigerator or noticing that I suddenly do strange things. Skunk that doesn’t smell is the same feeling but not as strong. I can smoke several joints in a row. With Skunk that smells it is enough with one joint, then you are pleased for hours. The intoxication seem to last longer. If you smoke in the evening you are still under the influence in the morning. It gives me an intoxication where everything jumps, bounces, echoes (like when you have used butane-gas, but not as strong). The intoxication gives me a trippy feeling (LSD), butterflies in my stomach. If anyone talks to me I see the mouth move but the sound bounces strangely. I don’t understand what they are saying. The feeling is like lighter gas but less. It’s harder to evaluate distance (tripping in stairs), and to decide to stop, when the body wants to keep moving. You can’t control yourself. You are like in another world, while everything else happens outside it. The two phases (introvert and extrovert in your attention) goes in waves instead of just being two phases.
25 year old man smoking hash for 10 years: The intoxication feels like if you are about to have an epileptic kick. It rushes in a completely different manor in the head. It often happens that you can’t move. The head flies away. It puts itself more on your psyche, during the intoxication but also after. Like being gone in a sick way. It feels like there is 20% THC in the Skunk. You can hear things that make you paranoid. You can panic and want to get out of there.
22 year old man smoking hash for 6 years: Skunk is not for naïve (beginners) smokers. It can create psychosis. It is just good for regular (used) smokers. The effect is madness, you giggle insanely. It feels different, giggles. It gives more happy feel than hash.
29 year old abusing cannabis for 10 years: The Skunk that smells has a greater effect. It is better. The effect is like hash for the first time. You giggle so that the corners of your mouth hurt because you are laughing. You get like when you are drunk on alcohol. You get confused on Skunk. Put the keys in the refrigerator, the money in the sock. You don’t notice your behavior being strange. My ears get blocked on Skunk. I like the Skunk smell, it is pleasant and strong.
17 year old woman abusing cannabis for 3 years: You say it is not dangerous. You get out of this secluded condition. It passes. But then you notice that it doesn’t. My friends say the same thing, the ones that have used Skunk. It doesn’t pass. You have dreams full of anxiety even after the abstinence is gone. You can’t concentrate. You get this feeling that you can’t get out of the condition. It feels like you are in your own little world. My friends also describe this aswell. When you smoke again it is kind of no difference.
28 year old man abusing cannabis for 12 years: I get a headache the day after I smoke Skunk. Abusers of Skunk become like old painters. A match falls of the table and your whole world crushes in. You can’t go through a door without hitting the door-post.
In addition to this there are clinical observations from both the Rådgivningsbyrån an avgiftningsavdelningen (de-tox ward) 1F, St:: Lars Hospital that describes symptoms that contain continuing disturbances of concentration a long time after a normal hash-smoker has finished the abuse should be normalized.
The result of closely related neuro- psychological examinations
In one examination Tunving and colleagues (1985) an 11% decrease of the brains global medium [average] bloodflow (rCBF) for chronic cannabis abusers shortly after abuse was discontinued compared to a matching control group. Risberg (1983) used the same method of examination for 50 workers, that had been exposed to a mix of organic solvents, which are supposed to be comparable to the terpens Skunk smokers that inhale. They found that these workers compared to a matching control group: to a higher degree experienced have problems with learning and memory, be more prone to becoming tired and having disturbances relating to concentrating and having more anxiety, being more alarmed and irritable. The measurements of the brains global medium blood flow showed a somewhat lower (4%) level for the exposed group.
This means that the long term effects of cannabis on the thought apparatus mask an underlying solvent related attention- and concentration disturbance that after 6-8 weeks of abstaining become apparent when the cannabinoids no longer obscures the picture.
Finally
It is a myth that the THC-content has increased in different processed Cannabis during the last 10 years (Zimmer & Morgan, 1997). However new ways of growing has created plants that are assumed to contain more aromatic carbon hydrogens (terpens) than naturally grown cannabis. To bring clarity to if Skunk, that also contain large amounts of aromatic carbon hydrogens, also causes solvent damages that are lasting will only a study that has this as a goal show. However, clients at RGB are showing distinct symptoms, that one also get from sniffing for example butane gas or from organic solvents. The treatment for this group is focused on the individual bringing the attention to concentrating and having control over attention.
There is a risk that we already have a whole generation of young Skunk smokers that have long term damage that look like those received from solvents. This in a period of their lives when they should get grades in school and knowledge for the future.
References
Ericsson, K (1996). Occupational exposure to terpenes in saw mills and joinery shops. Thesis. Arbetslivsinstitutets tryckeri, Umeå, Sweden.Clients at Rådgivningsbyrån i narkotikafrågor in Lund (1998). Personal communication.
Dutch grower of Skunk (1998). Personal communication.
Chemical analysis of Skunk by chemists tied to a Dutch firm producing cannabis.
Lehman, T (1995). Chemical profile of Cannabis sativa L. Doctoral Thesis, Pharmazeutisches Institut Universität Bern. I Mediaville & Steinemann (1997).
Mattias, P. Tashkin, D. Et al (1997). Effects of varying Marijuana Potency on Deposition of Tar and delta-9-THC in lung during smoking. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior. Vol 58. No 4 pp.1145-1150.
Mediaville, V & Steinemann, S (1997). Essential oil of Cannabis sativa L. strains. Journal of the International Hemp Association, Volume 4, Number 2, 82-82.
Risberg, J & Hagstadius, S (1983). Effects on the regional cerebral bloodflow of long-term exposure to organic solvents. Acta psychiat. Scand. 67, suppl. 303, 92-99.
Stahl, E & Kunde, R (1973). Die Leitsubstanzen der Haschisch- suchhunde. Kriminalistik 9: 385-388. I Mediaville & Steinemann (1997).
Swedish grower of Skunk (1998). Personal communication.
Tashkin, D (1998). Personal communication..