Hookah/shisha Health Effects?

[Akkbar]

ah memories of high school chem...

just curious... what does being co-val have to do with anything? It's been a while since I've been in school...

[Akkbar]

biased studies can be true with enough evidence.

and with the right evidence, it can be proven that 2 + 2 = 5.

evidence is a funny thing. anyone can find logical, 'solid' evidence in anything and for anything. That's not the problem nor what's really important. What is important is how it's used... and you have to figure that EVERYONE has an agenda.

and i do appologize for straying from the topic. I will stop.

[Øskorei]

All too often we under-estimate the ethneogenic status of tobacco. This is a powerful plant which was recognised as a strong stimulant by various Amazonian tribes who would powder the leaf and sometimes administer by nasal insuffulation. This would typically be linked to their animistic rituals and spiritual awakenings, as would other intake of powerful plant allies such as psycotria or banisteriopsis caapi. These communities probably understand the properties of plants more than the modern anglo-european culture, and clearly recognise the nicotiana species for the powerful stimulant that it is. If I may speculate as a non-anthropologist, it's highly unlikely that addiction was prevalent within these communities, nor any long term heath issues, for the usage was occasional and ritualistic.



So then to the subject of intake in a ritualistic manner... Just as (select) Amazonian peoples did (or do...). Several of you lovely peeps speak of the setting up of your favourite pipe device, making conscious movements to fill the bowl 'just right' to your taste with a great flavour, carefully tending to the coal light-up so it's 'perfect', then sitting back for a while, chilling out either with friends or alone, appreciating the 'ritual of the hookah experience'. It then gets dismantled sometime between the last puff and the next session & cleaned out, put back into it's place, then the ritual repeats all over again. The key here to maintaining good health AND a love of hookah is moderation.



In an additional comment regarding the effects of nicotiana on us humans, in the last 6 months I have made a couple of highly concentrated aqueous extractions with dried leaf (hand picked from plants, not 'store-bought' roll your own, therefore free of synthetic chemicals) in which I simmered for two hours in a covered pot, then boiled uncovered to dissipate the water content, which would leave me with an ultra-strong tobacco-therefore nicotine- concentration which I store in the fridge for future use on my various garden oddities as an organic pesticide (note to gardeners - I re-dilute it by at least 20:1) Silly me was a bit careless on the first occasion as splashed a bit on my hands. This was seriously bad news. My heart started palpitating madly, I was waaaaaay dizzy. This was due to trans-dermal intake of the concentrated nicotine through my skin's pores.



We might also consider that as "boys & girls", our mammalian classification as 'humans' does not/has not require a need for survival in allowing our bodies to incorporate the breathing in of smoke, so regardless of what we might spark up and inhale, it's going to have an effect. Whether it be the finest Shisha known to mankind or some dried lawn cuttings rolled up into a square of toilet-paper, if you are 'smoking', then you are exposed to carcinogens.



Everyone needs to understand that tobacco WILL have an impact on his or her health, but responsible & occasional use is probably not going to cause an issue, at leat not a huge one if you maintain a moderate dietary lifestyle. The human body is a remarkable device that has an ability to flush out toxins as long as it's not overloaded.



So, umm, this has been a pretty big rant. I guess my point is that we should have some respect for the plants we are using, but be very aware of the dangers if we start disrespecting them.



Peace,

Ø

[dcrooksjr]

Q: What is the difference between smoking hookah tobacco and smoking cigarettes?
A: All major shisha manufacturers have nicotine listed at 0.5% and tar listed at 0.0%. On a pack of Marlboro Full Flavor 100's Filter Soft Pack, there is 16 miligrams of tar and 1.2 miligrams of nicotine (these numbers are listed on the philip moriss website, www.philipmorris.com). Most cigarettes contain over 2.0% in nicotine. "Among the findings, Marlboro had as much as 9.6 percent freebase nicotine; Camel contained 2.7 percent; Winston had 5 percent to 6.2 percent; and Gauloises Blondes was found to have 5.7 percent to 7.5 percent." ("'Freebase' Nicotine Thought to Make Cigarettes More Addictive" 30 July. 2003. www.nacsonline.com (26 August. 2004)). Although there is no tar and less nicotine, Hookah smoking is still smoking. Please be aware of the risks of tobacco before choosing to smoke.

[dcrooksjr]

Do not attack what you your self have not researched:
Before we get started, let us state clearly: If you are experiencing any of the listed symptoms, regardless of your belief that sucralose (Splenda) is the cause, be sure to speak with your physician. The listed symptoms can be caused by allergic reaction, disease, illness, or a condition that requires medical treatment. Be sure to mention your suspicions concerning sucralose, if appropriate. In response to the studies about the dangers of saccharin and, more recently, aspartame (NutraSweet), along came Splenda. Splenda is the marketing name for sucralose.


Sucralose is a chlorinated sucrose derivative used as an artificial sweetener. It is sold in packets and in bulk for home use under the tradename Splenda, and is used in thousands of products. It's everywhere and, according to reports from our visitors, so are the problems arising from its use.




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We have received so
many stories about
Splenda that we
have created a
new page to
link to them.

To read the stories
about Splenda,
just click here.


To read more stories
about Splenda,
just click here.



The problem with sucralose, as it was with aspartame, is that it was rushed through the FDA approval processes without thorough, long-term, independent testing to prove or disprove its potential health hazards. The information is only now being considered by independent organizations and watch groups.

Based upon information supplied to us by our visitors, we note the following possible side effects from consumption of sucralose:

• bloating
• abdominal pain
• gas, sometimes painful
• nausea
• heartburn
• diarrhea
• headaches
• migraines (severe headaches)
• heart palpitations (fluttering, irregular heartbeats)
• shortness of breath
• depression
• anxiety and panic attacks
• spaced-out or drugged sensation
• joint pain, especially in the knees
• dizziness
  
  

In addition, the following possible side effects are being reported more often, although not with the same degree of frequency as those listed above:

• lone atrial fibrillation
• extreme fatigue
• muscle weakness
• tingling in the mouth or tongue
• tingling in the fingers and hands
• numbness in the lips and tongue
• swollen lips and tongue
• swollen face
• redness or welts on the face
• mouth sores
• blurred vision
• pain in the eyes

BLOG ALERT: One of our senior editors has created a Splenda-sickness blog where you can read more of the stories submitted to our website, locate your specific suspected symptoms, and add to the blog by including your own story. You can find the new blog by clicking here.





Splenda, the tradename seen in stores on packaging, is a combination of three ingredients: sucralose, dextrose, and maltodextrin. Dextrose is a sweetener. Maltodextrin is a solids builder and drying agent. Neither dextrose nor maltodextrin is known to have any side effects for most people. Anyone with allergies to corn or wheat should speak with their physicians before consuming any product containing dextrose or maltodextrin.






UPDATE: It has been brought to our attention that the information presented on this page may be misleading our visitors. It is with that in mind that we remind our visitors to look beyond FoodandDiet to other sources before beginning or ending their use of sucralose as a sugar substitute. We recommend the following resources for additional information about sucralose:

• http://www.holisticmed.com/splenda/
• http://proliberty.com/observer/20031112.htm
• http://www.laleva.cc/food/splenda.htm
• http://www.drmirkin.com/nutrition/N243.html
• http://www.vegsource.com/talk/sugarfree/messages/56420.html

It should be noted that little positive information will be found on these websites. If you are interested in reviewing the benefits of Splenda, we recommend a visit to their website at http://www.splenda.com or http://www.sucralose.com.

On 2 April 2004, we received a note from a visitor offering a link to a study and conclusions by a governing body as it concerns sucralose. We read the report and determined that, while the debate concerning mutagenic properties of sucralose may have been resolved at some level, the production of the studies by the manufacturers and licensees leaves us with questions about the credibility of the findings. However, we strongly recommend that everyone read the study and make their own determination. This document is a PDF and will require Adobe's Acrobat Reader. Click here to read the study.


EDITOR'S NOTE: The study in the PDF document noted above also reveals the chemical composition of sucralose. We are happy to finally see the structure. However, this structure confirms that sucralose is certainly no longer sugar. So, by altering the chemical makeup of the sugar, are we still getting something harmless? An example of minor molecular alteration and its results is H2O (water). It is harmless. Add another oxygen atom and you get H2O2. H2O2 is hydrogen peroxide. That is not harmless. We just thought we'd mention it. (Thanks to J.E. for catching our small typo!)








UPDATE 2: We had previously cited information found in the 23 November 1991 article in the New Scientist. We had removed the information when we could not locate the article to confirm our information. Well, we found it.
Although the article points out that no conclusive studies have been done concerning negative effects of sucralose, the following comment from the close of the article is important to note: "The committee and the CSPI also want more data on the mutagenic properties of 1,6-dichlorofructose, a breakdown product of sucralose. Trace amounts of 1,6-dichlorofructose are sometimes found in canned drinks left to stand for several months. John Howlett, the secretary of the SCF, says: 'If they (Tate & Lyle) wanted to get the committee to give its endorsement, they should answer those issues.' "

According to the Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory in Oxford, England, "mutagenic" is defined thusly: "A mutagenic agent is one which is capable of causing mutations. It may also (but does not necessarily) act as a carcinogen."








A thorough discussion with your physician is in order if you believe you are suffering ill effects from the use of sucralose or related products.
UPDATE 3: We found the complaint form at the FDA for making reports of side effects from food products. If you have experienced negative reactions or side effects from sucralose, click here to report them. Another report form was suggested by C.E.C.: click here for the downloadable, printable report form from the FDA for adverse reactions.








While some claims link saccharin with cancer, if you must use an artificial sweetener, it may be best to use saccharin. Of course, stevia, rice sirup, and other natural sweeteners are available. However, before you make such a radical change in your diet, you should consider speaking with your physician or a nutritionist.

We believe it is still best to stick with sugar for sweetening. Just remember to count the calories. Try using a bit less each time until you lower your intake in coffees, teas, and other sweetened drinks. You'll find that you can probably live with half the sugar once you adjust to it. Besides, the sweeter the drink is, the less thirst quenching it is!

If you've used Splenda (sucralose) and experienced any of the negative side effects, or if you have a story concerning the positive use of Splenda, please [email="foodanddiet@aol.com?subject=splendaStory"]e-mail us[/email] your story.

Note that reference to another person's story appearing on this website cannot be abusive. We reserve the right to edit all incoming stories for content and clarity without significantly changing the original intent. We also reserve the right to refuse to publish any story at our sole discretion.

[dcrooksjr]

Is Splenda Making You Sick?
Find Out Some Common Reaction Symptoms
(from Mercola.com)
Splenda, which is the brand name for the non-nutritive sweetener sucralose, is added to hundreds of foods and beverages sold in the United States and abroad. At this time there have been no long-term studies done to show how this manmade substance reacts in the human body. Despite this lack of research, Splenda is showing up in many products, even those that claim to be “healthy,” and Americans are buying them thinking they are somehow better than those with sugar. In all actuality, if you eat Splenda you are acting as a guinea pig in a science experiment since no one knows what the long-term effects of Splenda will be.

Maybe you are thinking, but it is FDA-approved so it must be safe. Well, I could fill many pages listing all of the “approved” substances that have turned out to be unfit for human use, but here are just a few:

* Aspartame
* PEDIARIX combination vaccine for children
* Food irradiation
* FluMist nasal flu vaccine

If you would like to know more about why Splenda is essentially chlorinated table sugar, you should read The Potential Dangers of Sucralose. Some chlorinated molecules serve as the basis for pesticides such as DDT and accumulate in body fat and tissues. Although is commonly thought that surcralose passes through the body unabsorbed, FDA research says otherwise. According to FDA tests, 11 percent to 27 percent of sucralose is absorbed by humans, and tests by the Japanese Food Sanitation Council show that up to 40 percent may actually be absorbed.

In fact, here is what it says on the Splenda Web site:

“Studies have shown that about 15% of ingested sucralose is passively absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. The small amount of sucralose that is absorbed is distributed to essentially all tissues.”

Along with the lack of long-term studies, sucralose has been the subject of fewer scientific studies than any other non-nutritive sweetener. Perhaps they are afraid of what they may discover. Already Splenda has surpassed Equal in dollar-market share, and any negative findings would surely cut into these massive earnings.

The Splenda site also states that Splenda causes “no known side effects.” Well below I’ve included a list of reactions compiled from those that readers have experienced. Although many of these symptoms could indeed have other contributing causes, most people stated that the symptoms began around the same time they started using Splenda, and then subsequently disappeared when Splenda was removed from their diet. You can read our Splenda testimonials to get their entire stories, and if you find yourself experiencing any of the symptoms below I urge you to remove Splenda from your diet if you have not done so already.

Splenda Reaction Symptoms

• Flushing or redness of the skin
• Burning feeling of the skin
• Rash
• Itching
• A panicky or shaky feeling
• Swelling
• Blisters on the skin
• Welts
• Nausea
• Stomach cramps
• Dry heaves
• Becoming withdrawn
• Loss of interest in usual activities
• Feeling forgetful
• Moodiness
• Dulled senses
• Unexplained crying

• Acne or acne-like rash
• Anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Feelings of food poisoning
• Headache
• Seeing spots
• Mental or emotional breakdown
• Altered emotional state, i.e. feeling irate, impatient, hypersensitive
• Pain (body, chest)
• Bloated abdomen
• Diarrhea
• Trouble concentrating/staying in focus
• Feeling depressed
• Vomiting
• Seizures
• Shaking
• Feeling faint

Related Articles:

Splenda Compared to a “Biochemical Warfare Agent”--See One Woman’s Shocking Photos

Splenda is Not a "Healthy" Sweetener

Splenda’s Dangers: One Man’s Personal Story That You Should Know

12 Questions You Need to Have Answered Before You Eat Splenda

The Dangers of Chlorine and Issues With Sucralose

Why Nutrasweet was so Successful and Will Likely Never be Replaced by Splenda

Sucralose (Splenda®) U.S. Product List

[dcrooksjr]

Dear Dr. Mercola,

I want to thank you for your Web site and especially for your documentation on the dangers of Splenda. I also want to pass on this testimonial in the hope it may help others.

Last evening after dinner I began to feel flush. My husband commented how red my face was getting and, sure enough, one glance in the mirror confirmed a bright red, tight, shiny visage staring back at me. In the next few hours my eyes began to swell. I went to bed hoping I could "sleep it off." How wrong I was.

This morning I got up and my face was still red, bright and swollen with puffy eyes. I am a pharmacist and I have seen many anaphylactoid (allergic) reactions before. I began to feel concerned that I too was having one. I have had only one other reaction like this before in my life--to Bactrim.

I went out for my usual morning run but by the first quarter mile I could barely breathe so I walked slowly back to the house. My right shoulder was burning so I went to the mirror and was horrified to find a HUGE 6 inch by 3 inch welt at the base of my neck (see photo).

I also felt very panicky and shaky and immediately had two bouts of diarrhea in rapid succession. After 15 minutes and a cool shower on tissue that looked scalded, I was having difficulty breathing. I was seen in the local emergency room where the physician immediately gave me a dexamethasone injection in the hip and a prescription for Epi-pen and oral prednisone over four days.

At the time I didn’t know why I looked like I had ingested a sulfa drug. My husband and I tried to figure out what was different in my life over the last 12 hours. Laundry soap? Nope. Cake? Animal dander? No and no. A dear friend came to visit me in my misery and mentioned that I had started to flush at church, several hours before dinner.

I remembered that I had had a cup of coffee and had tried the new creamer sitting by the pot. I remembered the Splenda label on it, which prompted my husband and I to search the Web and we found your site.

The description by Marcia in the testimonial area caused me to burst into tears. Yes, Marcia, there are others like you. I am throwing that stuff out when I get to church! This reaction that I have had looks like a drug reaction! I am appalled an "artificial sweetener" did this to me.

Twelve hours after treatment my eyes are no longer swollen and my face is no longer red, but my neck welt is the same size, same redness and as tender as a sunburn. There are a few blisters in the welt. Even after treatment it still looks this bad! Perhaps the manufacturer of Splenda can sell it as a biochemical warfare agent after it is removed from the market as a food additive.

Thanks for getting the word out!

Lori Hunt, RPh
Pickens, SC

[dcrooksjr]

Artificial strawberry flavor ingredients: I have included links to a few of them hopefully this will spur your interest to research more. Look at the toxicology of the ones I sited, look at this one
hydroxyphenyl-2-butanone (10 percent solution in alcohol), they do not even know what it is capable of in the body but yet the government allows it to be fed to us.
Do not tell me I watch to many infomercials again!

Artificial strawberry flavor ingredients:

• amyl acetate,
• amyl butyrate,
• amyl valerate,
• anethol, http://www.pesticideinfo.org/Detail_Chemic...?Rec_Id=PC34279
• anisyl formate,
• benzyl acetate,
• benzyl isobutyrate,
• butyric acid,
• cinnamyl isobutyrate,
• cinnamyl valerate,
• cognac essential oil,
• diacetyl,
• dipropyl ketone,
• ethyl acetate,
• ethyl amyl ketone,
• ethyl butyrate,
• ethyl cinnamate,
• ethyl heptanoate,
• ethyl heptylate,
• ethyl lactate,
• ethyl methylphenylglycidate,
• ethyl nitrate,
• ethyl propionate,
• ethyl valerate,
• heliotropin,
• hydroxyphenyl-2-butanone (10 percent solution in alcohol), http://www.chem007.com/specification_d/che.../Frambinone.asp
• a-ionone,
• isobutyl anthranilate, http://ptcl.chem.ox.ac.uk/MSDS/IS/isobutyl_anthranilate.html
• isobutyl butyrate,
• lemon essential oil,
• maltol,
• 4-methylacetophenone,
• methyl anthranilate,
• methyl benzoate,
• methyl cinnamate,
• methyl heptine carbonate,
• methyl naphthyl ketone,
• methyl salicylate,
• mint essential oil,
• neroli essential oil,
• nerolin,
• neryl isobutyrate,
• orris butter,
• phenethyl alcohol,
• rose,
• rum ether,
• g-undecalactone,
• vanillin, and
• solvent.

[dcrooksjr]

Again I want to reiterate that I under stand that smoking any form of tobacco is bad for your health that I know. But I firmly believe that cigarettes are ten times more dangerous and lethal than hookah, tobacco is bad enough by itself but once all those extra things get added it compounds the affects of the tobacco into some thing even more dangerous than the tobacco leaf it self. Edited June 8, 2007 by dcrooksjr

[mgcsinc]

Q: What is the difference between smoking hookah tobacco and smoking cigarettes?
A: All major shisha manufacturers have nicotine listed at 0.5% and tar listed at 0.0%. On a pack of Marlboro Full Flavor 100's Filter Soft Pack, there is 16 miligrams of tar and 1.2 miligrams of nicotine (these numbers are listed on the philip moriss website, www.philipmorris.com). Most cigarettes contain over 2.0% in nicotine. "Among the findings, Marlboro had as much as 9.6 percent freebase nicotine; Camel contained 2.7 percent; Winston had 5 percent to 6.2 percent; and Gauloises Blondes was found to have 5.7 percent to 7.5 percent." ("'Freebase' Nicotine Thought to Make Cigarettes More Addictive" 30 July. 2003. www.nacsonline.com (26 August. 2004)). Although there is no tar and less nicotine, Hookah smoking is still smoking. Please be aware of the risks of tobacco before choosing to smoke.

The numbers listed on shisha are wrong and incomparable to cigarette packages. I've established this in previous threads. - go take a look.

Again I want to reiterate that I under stand that smoking any form of tobacco is bad for your health that I know. But I firmly believe that cigarettes are ten times more dangerous and lethal than hookah, tobacco is bad enough by itself but once all those extra things get added it compounds the affects of the tobacco into some thing even more dangerous than the tobacco leaf it self.

Unfortunately, you just haven't done your research. The dangerous nature of cigarettes simply do not come (mostly) from the additives. Your beliefs do not change the facts of the matter.

In re splenda:

The point of my post was that the presence of chlorine was being used as a scare tactic, which it is - I never said anything about the actual effects of Splenda. The reference to late-night infomercials had to do with the fact that I heard some dumbass guy on late night television trying to push his health crapola by pointing out the chlorine in splenda. Then, to defend against the argument that chlorine is in - oh, I don't know, maybe - TABLE SALT, he pointed out that the chlorine in splenda was covalently bonded.

Incidentally, although I never intended to imply that I have any opinion on the actual health effects of splenda (just the use of chlorine as a scare tactic), I will make a comment. People are allergic to things. Splenda is a new compound. People are going to be allergic to splenda. That's just the way it works. I have eaten products containing splenda and have yet to have my head turn red, so unless there's reason to think that it's going to cause cancer or some other long-term illness, I will continue to use it. Edited June 8, 2007 by mgcsinc

[ghostofdavid]

Is there such a thing as an unbiased study?

Nope.

[Øskorei]

Is this a forum of real people, or robots who regurgitate information in cut & paste fashion ?

Some actual evaluative statements might be nice if discussion is to unfold. Any old dude can plaigairaise............

[Øskorei]

..... and a few days searching the web DOES NOT constitute an understanding of biochemistry. If we are to discuss the thread title in an honest manner, it would be cool if the home-cooked-up opinions are backed up by a modicum of factual substance.

[Allia22]

Is this a forum of real people, or robots who regurgitate information in cut & paste fashion ?

Some actual evaluative statements might be nice if discussion is to unfold. Any old dude can plaigairaise............

You get used to the intellectual penis-waving after a while.

[mgcsinc]

You get used to the intellectual penis-waving after a while.

Oh god, here comes the references to penis-waving again

[Øskorei]

You get used to the intellectual penis-waving after a while.

Oh god, here comes the references to penis-waving again

Any thread involving penis waving MUST be cool. *I AM JACK'S QUIVERING PENIS*

Anyway, would love to read more thoughts on the subject of tobacco intake, perhaps without the laziness of cut/paste and more on the credible understanding of the evil plant we all love to poison ourselves with......

Peace,
Ø

[mgcsinc]

Any thread involving penis waving MUST be cool. *I AM JACK'S QUIVERING PENIS*

Anyway, would love to read more thoughts on the subject of tobacco intake, perhaps without the laziness of cut/paste and more on the credible understanding of the evil plant we all love to poison ourselves with......

Peace,
Ø

Well, I try to avoid cut and paste - hence my linking to my other thread rather than repeating myself here. I would suggest a search, as this issue has been discussed at least 5 times in recent memory.

[dcrooksjr]

cut and paste is the easyiest way to do it, I'm not trying to re-write the articles just to get people to read them in their original contex hence cut and paste. and in all reality yes tobacco is dangerous as I said but when you research those substances you get back results that don't look good for the compound itself, look at the reference I made for strawberry syrup, they don't even know what that chemical can do in the body. Now if you take that chemcial and combine it with tobacco it makes the tobacco more dangerous than it was by itself. Thats the point i'm triying to get accross is that when you smoke a natural tobacco leaf versus one that has had additives put into it. It completely changes the tobacco, so instead of just inhaling tobacco now your inhaling synthetic chemicals some of witch have unknown effects.
Does any one get it?

[Øskorei]

Well, I try to avoid cut and paste - hence my linking to my other thread rather than repeating myself here. I would suggest a search, as this issue has been discussed at least 5 times in recent memory.

If everyone used the search engine there'd be nothing here to read ! But anyway, let me take your advice an look for the alleged 5 times that tobacco intake (I didnt say hookah smoking!) has been discussed. based on your response I'm certain to find an abundance of topics about insuffalation, transdermal administrationliquid enema injection etc - right........

Discussion is good, thinking outside the square is better. That's what the spirit of forums are all about.

[mgcsinc]

Well, I try to avoid cut and paste - hence my linking to my other thread rather than repeating myself here. I would suggest a search, as this issue has been discussed at least 5 times in recent memory.

If everyone used the search engine there'd be nothing here to read ! But anyway, let me take your advice an look for the alleged 5 times that tobacco intake (I didnt say hookah smoking!) has been discussed. based on your response I'm certain to find an abundance of topics about insuffalation, transdermal administrationliquid enema injection etc - right........

Discussion is good, thinking outside the square is better. That's what the spirit of forums are all about.

I'm... confused, but that's okay. In any case, I say "use the search" less than many other people here (trust me - stick around for a while, you'll see). In my first post I even tried to recap things and linked directly to my old post.

In all seriousness, though, what do other forms of intake have to do with this? What am I missing?

[Lunar2HoseHookah]

As far as a shisha with lower nicotine content, Al Amir is supposed to have a much lower level of nicotine.