Shisha, also known as hookah, has become a popular choice for many people to relax and socialize with friends. Although it may seem appealing and feels lighter compared to cigarettes, shisha still carries various effects that need to be considered. This article will explore in-depth the shisha benefits and side effects, and provide a perspective on whether the risks are worth the benefits. Let’s take a closer look!
Shisha Benefits
Before delving into the health risks that shisha may pose, it is important to understand some of the benefits that make many people attracted to its use. Although shisha carries certain risks, there are aspects that draw people to it, particularly in the context of relaxation, social experience, and as an alternative to cigarettes.
Here are some of the benefits commonly experienced by shisha users:
Relaxation and Stress Reduction
For some people, smoking shisha can provide a pleasurable relaxing effect. The process of inhaling flavored smoke with specific aromas can help calm the mind, making them feel more at ease after a day filled with stress and pressure. This activity is often seen as similar to deep breathing in meditation, which aids in reducing anxiety and tension, although the effects are temporary and may mask long-term health risks.
Social Experience of Shisha Users
Shisha is often used in a social context, where people gather with friends or family to share experiences and enjoy time together. Unlike cigarettes, which are often smoked alone, shisha encourages social interaction since it is typically used in groups. This habit can create a relaxed atmosphere where people can chat, converse, and strengthen relationships in a more intimate setting.
Shisha as a Cigarette Alternative
Many people believe that shisha is safer than conventional cigarettes, considering that the smoke passes through water, which is thought to filter out some harmful substances. However, despite this belief, shisha still contains nicotine and other harmful substances that can damage health.
It is important to note that, in many cases, the longer duration of shisha smoking and the larger amount of smoke inhaled can actually increase the risk of heart and lung damage, along with other health issues. Therefore, it should not be regarded as a safer alternative to cigarettes.
Read Also: Flavored Hookah Coals, Enhancing the Aroma in Every Puff
Side Effects of Shisha
Although shisha is often seen as a lighter alternative to cigarettes, using this device still carries a number of side effects that should be taken into account. Behind the temporary relaxation and social experience it offers, there are several health risks associated with the habit of inhaling shisha.
Here are some of the side effects that shisha users should consider:
Health Risks
Using shisha can lead to a number of serious health problems. Even though shisha smoke passes through water, harmful substances such as carbon monoxide, tar, and nicotine remain present in the smoke that is inhaled. The impact can be extremely harmful to the lungs, causing respiratory issues such as bronchitis and emphysema.
Furthermore, regular shisha use can increase the risk of heart disease, vascular problems, and even cancer, especially lung cancer, due to exposure to carcinogenic substances in the smoke.
Infectious Diseases
One important risk that is often overlooked is the transmission of infectious diseases through sharing a shisha device. Since shisha is often used interchangeably by many people, there is a possibility of spreading infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, hepatitis, and other respiratory infections. The likelihood of disease transmission increases if the hygiene of the shisha device is not properly maintained, and the risk is even higher if there are infected users.
Nicotine Dependence
Like conventional cigarettes, shisha also contains nicotine, which can lead to dependence in users. Nicotine is an addictive substance that stimulates the central nervous system, providing a temporary stimulant effect, but also causing addiction. Regular shisha users who frequently inhale the smoke are at risk of developing a smoking habit that is hard to quit, similar to individuals addicted to cigarettes. Nicotine dependence can lead to long-term health problems, including mental and physical disorders.
Air Pollution Risk
Shisha smoke not only affects the health of the user but also the air quality around them. When shisha is used in an enclosed space, the smoke can contaminate the air with harmful substances such as carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds.
Exposure to this air pollution can be harmful to others nearby, especially children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory issues. Therefore, the environmental impact of shisha use should also be considered.
Shisha Benefits and Side Effects, Is It Worth the Risk?
So, shisha benefits and side effects, is it worth the risk? While shisha can provide a relaxing sensation and an opportunity for socializing, medical views on its use are quite varied. Many health experts emphasize that the benefits of shisha, such as temporary stress reduction, do not outweigh the long-term health risks it poses.
Shisha smoke contains harmful substances that can damage the lungs, increase the risk of heart disease, and even lead to cancer. According to various studies, smoking shisha has been shown to be nearly as harmful as smoking conventional cigarettes, especially in terms of exposure to nicotine and toxic chemicals.
The World Health Organization (WHO) also warns that even though shisha smoke passes through water, it is not sufficient to filter out all harmful substances, and its use remains a significant health risk. Given these facts, individuals need to weigh whether the temporary benefits of shisha are worth the associated risks.
For some, shisha may serve as a way to relax or socialize, but for those concerned about long-term health, the risks of this habit may be too great to ignore. Readers considering shisha use should conduct a thorough evaluation of its impact on their body and the environment, and opt for safer alternatives when possible.
Ultimately, the decision to use shisha is a personal choice, but it should be made with full awareness of the potential risks involved.
Read Also: Cooking Healthier with Bulletproof Coconut Charcoal
Coconut Shell Charcoal Briquettes to Reduce Shisha User Risks
Coconut shell charcoal briquettes can help reduce health risks associated with shisha use by replacing traditional fuels such as coal, which are more harmful. The use of coconut charcoal briquettes also reduces exposure to carbon monoxide, tar, and fine particles that can damage the respiratory system and increase the risk of heart disease and cancer. While this doesn’t eliminate the primary risk from nicotine and other harmful substances in shisha smoke, using coconut charcoal briquettes can be a safer alternative to reduce exposure to toxic substances from the combustion of traditional charcoal.
You can obtain high-quality coconut charcoal briquettes at Little Briquette, the largest certified briquette manufacturer in Indonesia. You can get them by contacting the admin number here.