Holi 2025: Can Bhang Increase Lung Cancer Risk? A Doctor Explains the Health Hazards of the Popular Holi Drink
Holi, the festival of colors, is a celebration of life, joy, and togetherness in India and across the world. One of the traditional beverages often consumed during this festival is bhang—a drink made from cannabis leaves and flowers. It’s a significant part of Holi festivities, consumed in different forms like milk, thandai, or even as part of sweets. While many people celebrate Holi with bhang, it is essential to understand its potential health risks, particularly its effects on the lungs and its possible link to lung cancer.
As much as the celebratory nature of Holi brings joy, it is crucial to examine the health implications of bhang consumption, especially considering that it is made from cannabis, a substance that has long been debated for its potential to harm human health. This article delves into whether bhang, or cannabis use in general, could contribute to lung cancer and other health hazards, as explained by medical experts.
What is Bhang?
Bhang is a traditional drink made from the leaves and flowers of the cannabis plant, Cannabis sativa. The drink has a long history in India and is often consumed during Hindu festivals such as Holi and Shivaratri. Typically, the cannabis leaves are ground into a paste and mixed with milk, yogurt, sugar, and various spices to create the drink. In some cases, bhang is also added to sweets like laddoos or barfis.
The main psychoactive compound in cannabis is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is responsible for the euphoric, mind-altering effects. While THC is most commonly ingested via smoking, bhang is consumed orally, leading to a slower onset of effects, but a longer-lasting high.
Bhang and Lung Cancer: Exploring the Link
The consumption of bhang through smoking has a much clearer and more direct connection to lung health. Smoking cannabis, like smoking tobacco, introduces harmful substances into the lungs. However, when bhang is consumed in its traditional drink form, it does not carry the immediate risk of inhaling harmful smoke. Yet, the question arises—does bhang consumption through other forms still pose a risk to lung health?
While research on the direct connection between oral consumption of cannabis (via bhang) and lung cancer is limited, there are several indirect ways in which cannabis could still pose a threat to lung health:
1. Inhalation of Cannabis Smoke:
Even though bhang is consumed orally in many forms, cannabis is commonly smoked, especially in India during Holi. Smoking cannabis introduces harmful chemicals and toxins into the lungs. These include tar, carbon monoxide, and various carcinogens found in the smoke. These substances can damage lung tissue over time and increase the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, and even lung cancer.
The potential risks of cannabis smoke are similar to those of tobacco smoke. In fact, cannabis smoke contains higher levels of certain harmful chemicals compared to tobacco smoke, mainly because cannabis is typically smoked unfiltered and without a regulated concentration of harmful substances. While smoking cannabis itself may not have been conclusively linked to lung cancer in every study, it’s clear that the combustion process generates cancer-causing chemicals that are dangerous to the lungs.
2. The Psychoactive Effects of THC:
THC, the active component in cannabis, is known to have significant effects on the brain and body. THC can induce a sense of euphoria and relaxation, but it also has a number of potential side effects. Although these are more psychological and neurological in nature, THC also has a direct impact on the respiratory system. Inhaling cannabis, especially in high quantities, can impair the respiratory reflexes, which may make it more difficult for the lungs to expel harmful particles, toxins, or foreign substances, potentially leading to chronic lung conditions.
THC has been shown to inhibit the normal immune response of the respiratory system, weakening the ability of the lungs to fight off infections or repair damaged tissue. This may leave the lungs more vulnerable to other diseases, including cancers.
3. Cancer Risk from Oral Consumption:
While research specifically linking the oral consumption of cannabis (such as bhang) to lung cancer is scarce, there are concerns about the long-term effects of cannabinoids on the body. Cannabis consumption, especially regular and heavy use, may lead to chronic inflammation and immune suppression, which are known risk factors for several types of cancer. Cannabis has also been found to have an impact on the endocannabinoid system, which plays a crucial role in regulating various physiological functions. Disruption of this system can contribute to abnormal cell growth, which in turn can increase the likelihood of developing cancers in the lungs and other organs.
Though it is important to note that most of the research on cannabis and cancer is focused on smoking, regular consumption of cannabis (even in edible or drinkable forms) could have a cumulative impact on lung health and cancer development, especially in people who already have a predisposition to respiratory conditions or a history of smoking.
Other Health Hazards of Bhang
Aside from lung cancer concerns, bhang can cause other health problems, especially when consumed irresponsibly or in excessive amounts. Some of these include:
1. Psychological and Cognitive Effects:
Bhang contains THC, which affects the central nervous system. While the euphoric effects of bhang are the main reason people consume it during Holi, they can also cause temporary cognitive impairment, anxiety, paranoia, and hallucinations in some individuals. For those with underlying mental health conditions, consuming bhang can exacerbate symptoms of depression, schizophrenia, or other psychiatric disorders.
2. Addiction and Dependency:
Regular consumption of cannabis can lead to the development of tolerance, where an individual needs to consume more to achieve the same effect. Over time, this can result in physical and psychological dependence, which can lead to difficulties in quitting and managing the associated withdrawal symptoms.
3. Respiratory Issues:
Though the drinkable form of bhang does not involve inhaling smoke, there are still other potential risks for individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions like asthma. Cannabis in any form can trigger allergic reactions, wheezing, and coughing, as well as exacerbate conditions like bronchitis. People with compromised lung function should approach bhang with caution.
4. Risk to Heart Health:
THC consumption can cause an increase in heart rate and fluctuations in blood pressure, which may be dangerous for individuals with cardiovascular problems or those at risk of heart disease. It is important to note that the heart-related effects of bhang are generally more significant when consumed in large quantities or if the individual has an existing heart condition.
Conclusion
While bhang, in its traditional form, is not directly linked to lung cancer as much as cannabis smoking is, there are still important health concerns to consider. The primary risks to lung health come from inhaling cannabis smoke, and the link between smoking cannabis and lung cancer is more well-documented. However, the consumption of bhang in liquid or edible forms could still have long-term consequences, especially when consumed excessively, as it may cause immune suppression, inflammation, or even contribute to cancer development over time.
It is important to approach bhang consumption with moderation and awareness of its potential risks, especially when it comes to lung health. People with a history of respiratory conditions or those at higher risk for cancer should exercise caution. If in doubt, always consult a healthcare professional before consuming cannabis in any form.
As Holi 2025 approaches, remember to celebrate responsibly, keeping both the joy of the festival and your health in mind.