Danger to life by smoking hydrangea joints

Smoking hydrangeas is said to have cannabis-like effects

04/16/2013

Hydrangeas - the popular flowering ornamental shrubs in many gardens fulfill a different function for one or the other: For if certain parts of the plant are smoked, this should trigger an effect similar to smoking marijuana. But this misappropriation carries a not to be underestimated risk, because during smoking highly toxic hydrogen cyanide is released, which can lead to poisoning and in the worst case even be deadly.

Frequently thefts of hydrangeas from gardens
Due to the rumor that the hydrangeas blooming from February to May have a cannabis-like effect, there are always thefts of the plant in the spring, because in comparison to the purchase of opiates or cannabis, this procurement route is of course far more favorable for those who are intoxicating. According to Heidemarie Lux, Senior Physician at the Nuremberg Clinic and Vice President of the Bavarian Medical Association, it was not only young people who would use themselves for the purpose of intoxication in the gardens, but also for adults the hydrangea would act as a natural drug.

Young people especially at risk
But from the expert's perspective, adolescents are particularly at risk here, because if boredom gets too big, frustrated young people will start looking for them „the ultimate kick“ The question of possible health risks is usually left out. Therefore, the rich offer of nature can be quite dangerous, because "there are in any season any things with intoxicating effects, some of which contain highly toxic substances“, so Heidemarie Lux.

Danger to life through release of hydrocyanic acid
The risk of smoking hydrangea is particularly high after Lux, because it „a larger amount of hydrocyanic acid is released ", which can lead to dangerous poisoning, in the worst case, the consumption even fatal end, so the physician, because" the respiratory chain is blocked and destroys the central nervous system, which subsequently causes inner suffocation, so can lead to death ".

So far, little information on long-term consequences
But so far there is no way to counteract the misappropriation of the plant, as there is little information on possible long-term damage to smoking: "If someone discovers a marijuana plantation, it is immediately closed by the authorities, but no one will get the idea, hydrangea to ban in the front gardens“, so the assumption of Heidemarie Lux.

Warning of the Federal Chamber of Pharmacists already in 2011
Already in 2011, the Federal Chamber of Pharmacists had warned in response to numerous thefts of the plant before it, „To smoke ingredients of hydrangeas as an intoxicant“, such a press release of the Federal Association of German Pharmacist Associations (ABDA). Accordingly, hydrangeas are harmless as ornamental plants, the plants, however, would be burned, released hydrocyanic acid, whose inhalation could be serious: „The theoretically possible consequences range from unconsciousness and disorders of the central nervous system to death.“ Even the supposed cannabis-like effect had been doubted even then, because „So far, no ingredient is known that could psychotropically affect the brain“, so the press release. (No)