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Charas
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Charas is a cannabis concentrate made from the resin of a live cannabis plant (Cannabis sativa either Indica subspecies or Sativa subspecies) and is handmade in the Indian subcontinent.[1][2] The plant grows wild throughout Northern India[3] along the stretch of the Himalayas (its putative origin) and is an important cash crop for the local people.[4][5] The difference between charas and hashish is that hashish is made from a dead cannabis plant and charas is made from a live one.
History
[edit]Indian subcontinent
[edit]
Charas has been used across the Indian subcontinent for medicinal and religious purposes for thousands of years,[6] and was sold in government shops (along with opium) during the times of the British India[7] and in independent India until the 1980s when sale and consumption of Cannabis was made illegal in the subcontinent.[8][9]
Charas plays an important and often integral role in the culture and ritual of certain sects of the Hindu religion, especially among the Shaivas — who focus on the Shaivite traditions (in contrast to Vaishnavs who focus on Vaishnavite traditions) —and it is venerated by some as being one of the aspects of Lord Shiva.[10][11]
Despite this long history, charas was made illegal in India under pressure from the United States in 1985 and cultivation and trafficking of charas was prohibited by the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS), 1985.[8][9] Charas was also produced in Nepal and sold in government monopoly stores in Kathmandu until the use of cannabis, and consequently charas, was made illegal in Nepal due to international pressure in 1976.[12][13]
Charas remains popular in the subcontinent and is often used by Indian sadhus for religious purposes.[14][15] The Naga Sadhus, Aghoris and Tantric Bhairava sects smoke it freely as an integral part of their religious practice.[16][14][15] Many smoke it in clay pipes called chillums, using a cotton cloth to cover the smoking end of the chillum and inserting a tightly packed pebble-sized cone of clay as filter under the chunk of charas. Before lighting the chillum they will chant the many names of Shiva in veneration.[17] It is freely available in several places around India especially where there is a strong affluence of tourists.[18] Although charas can be found in several places around India, its manufacturing can be traced only to specific locations in India such as, Parvati Valley, (Kasol, Rasol, Malana ("Malana cream"), Kashmir as well as several other places in northern India.[19] There is also a large amount of charas that is illegally exported across to Europe.[20]
Cultivation and manufacture
[edit]
High quality hashish in India comes from cannabis grown in the mountains, or that is smuggled in from Pakistan and Afghanistan. The variety from Himachal Pradesh is considered to be of the highest quality throughout India. It is easily available in Kinnaur, Shimla, Karsog, Kumarsain, Barot, Kullu-Malana, Rampur Bushahr.[19] For this reason, the Indian subcontinent has become very popular with backpackers.[19] During hand-harvesting, live cannabis plants' flowering buds (as opposed to dried plants/buds) are rubbed between the palms of the harvesters' hands to make charas.
References
[edit]- ^ Courtwright, David T. (2009). Forces of Habit. Harvard University Press. ISBN 978-0-674029-90-3.
- ^ Torkelson, Anthony R. (1996). The Cross Name Index to Medicinal Plants, Vol. IV: Plants in Indian medicine, p. 1674, ISBN 9780849326356, OCLC 34038712. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 9780849326356.
{{cite book}}:|website=ignored (help) - ^ "Charas - A Comprehensive Guide". Rehabs.in. 7 June 2010. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
- ^ Ishfaq-ul-Hassan (2011-06-26). "Cannabis and poppy are Kashmir's new cash crops". DNA India. Retrieved 2021-06-25.
- ^ Bhatt, Jagdish (September 29, 2003). "Himachal villagers turning to cannabis as cash crop". The Times of India. Retrieved 2021-06-25.
- ^ "If Drugs Were Legal, Scarlett Might Be Alive". The Times of India, 14 March 2008.
- ^ Report of the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission, 1893–94. Simla, India: Government Central Printing House, 1894, 7 vols., Chapter XIV. The Policy of Hemp Drug Administration
- ^ a b "The joint campaign: Should we not legalize recreational use of Cannabis?". The Times of India. November 10, 2012. Retrieved 2021-06-25.
- ^ a b Mitta, Manoj (November 10, 2012). "Recreational use of marijuana: Of highs and laws". The Times of India. Retrieved 2021-06-25.
- ^ Preiss, Danielle (7 March 2016). "Shiva Is A God Who Likes Marijuana — And So Do Many Of His Followers". NPR.org. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
- ^ "See Inside the Himalayan Villages That Grow Cannabis". National Geographic News. 2016-02-01. Archived from the original on October 1, 2019. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
- ^ "Narcotic Drugs (Control) Act, 2033 (1976) – Nepal Law Commission". Retrieved 2021-06-27.
- ^ "Nepali lawmakers push marijuana legalization". Nikkei Asia. Retrieved 2021-06-27.
- ^ a b "Cannabis in India: A rather long story, with its highs and lows". The Indian Express. 2020-09-12. Retrieved 2021-06-27.
- ^ a b "Two Hash Smoking Sadhus Told Us Why We Shouldn't Smoke Hash". Vice.com. 2 August 2018. Retrieved 2021-06-27.
- ^ "From Ganja to God - Beatdom - Generation Literary Journal". Beatdom. 2011-05-28. Retrieved 2021-06-27.
- ^ "What is Charas?". Psysociety. 2020-10-24. Archived from the original on 2021-06-27. Retrieved 2021-06-27.
- ^ "Tourism and Malana Cream: How charas affects tourism in Kullu Manali". Discover Kullu Manali. 2020-05-10. Retrieved 2021-06-27.
- ^ a b c Butler, Alex. "Famous weed tourism destination in India aims to preserve culture by limiting visitors". Lonely Planet. Archived from the original on 2020-11-09. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
- ^ "Charas gives Kullu its foreign connection?". The Times of India. March 20, 2016. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
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Charas
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Overview
Definition and Etymology
Charas is a handmade cannabis concentrate consisting of resin extracted directly from the buds and leaves of live Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica plants through manual rubbing with bare hands.[1] This method yields a sticky, malleable substance distinct from other hashish forms produced from dried plant material, and it is traditionally associated with high potency due to minimal processing.[11] Primarily originating from the Himalayan regions of India, Nepal, and surrounding South Asian areas, charas has been produced for centuries in these locales where wild or cultivated cannabis grows abundantly.[2] The term "charas" derives from Hindi, where it denotes the resinous exudate of the hemp plant (Cannabis sativa). Etymological theories suggest a possible link to Persian origins, potentially referring to leather bags used in ancient Central Asian trade of the substance, though direct linguistic evidence ties it more firmly to Indo-Aryan languages describing hemp resin.[12] Historical texts and regional nomenclature confirm its longstanding use in these contexts without alteration, predating modern cannabis classifications.[13]Distinctions from Other Cannabis Forms
Charas differs from other cannabis-derived products primarily in its production method, which involves manually rubbing the resinous trichomes from live or freshly harvested female cannabis flowers using bare hands or simple tools, yielding a pure, malleable resin without mechanical sieving or chemical solvents.[1] This hand-rubbing technique, traditionally practiced in regions like the Himalayas, preserves a fresh terpene profile and avoids contamination from plant debris, contrasting with sieved hashish (also known as dry sift or temple ball hash), which is extracted by agitating dried trichomes through fine screens or sieves from cured plant material.[14] [3] Unlike ganja, which consists of the air-dried unfertilized female inflorescences (buds) smoked whole or ground, charas isolates the concentrated resin glands (trichomes) alone, resulting in higher cannabinoid density without fibrous plant matter.[15] Bhang, by comparison, is prepared from the lower leaves, stems, and immature flowers of both male and female plants, often ground into a paste or beverage with lower potency due to diluted resin content and inclusion of non-resinous vegetative parts.[16] Kief, a powdery collection of isolated trichomes, is typically obtained via dry sifting from ground dry buds, lacking the cohesive, aged form of charas and often requiring further processing into hash.[17] Charas also stands apart from modern solvent-based extracts, such as butane hash oil (BHO), CO2 oil, or ethanol tinctures, which employ chemical solvents to strip cannabinoids and terpenes from plant material, producing highly refined liquids, waxes, or shatter with potentially higher THC yields (up to 90%) but risking residual solvents and loss of volatile compounds unless purged meticulously.[18] Traditional charas production remains solventless and low-tech, emphasizing artisanal collection from specific Cannabis indica landraces during peak resin production in late summer, which imparts regional flavor variations not replicated in industrialized extracts.[19]| Form | Production Method | Source Material | Key Distinctions from Charas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sieved Hashish | Dry sieving or pressing trichomes through screens | Dried, cured flowers and trim | Uses post-harvest dry material; includes potential contaminants from sieving; less fresh terpenes.[14] |
| Ganja | Air-drying whole inflorescences | Unpollinated female flowers | Contains plant fibers and lower resin purity; smoked as buds rather than isolated resin.[15] |
| Bhang | Grinding and mixing with water/spices | Leaves, stems, immature flowers | Vegetative parts dominate; lower potency; often ingested as drink, not smoked resin.[16] |
| Solvent Extracts | Chemical solvent stripping (e.g., butane, CO2) | Dried plant material | High-tech, potential solvent residues; ultra-concentrated but alters natural profile.[18] |
Historical Context
Ancient Origins and Early Use
The use of cannabis in the Indian subcontinent, from which charas derives as a concentrated resin, is documented as early as the Vedic period (circa 2000–1400 BCE). The Atharva Veda, one of the oldest Hindu scriptures, describes cannabis (bhanga) as one of five sacred plants, termed vijaya ("victory") or indracana ("food of the gods"), valued for conferring happiness, liberation from distress, and longevity. These references indicate initial ritualistic and medicinal roles, with cannabis employed to dispel demons, enhance vitality, and treat ailments, though primarily through leaf and flower preparations rather than isolated resin.[20] Specific evidence for charas—the hand-rubbed resinous exudate from mature Cannabis indica plants native to the Himalayan foothills—appears in later ancient texts, reflecting evolving extraction methods. The Sushruta Samhita, an Ayurvedic compendium compiled around 600 CE, recommends cannabis derivatives, including resinous forms akin to charas, for treating phlegmatic disorders, catarrh, diarrhea, and inflammation, administered via ingestion or fumigation. This suggests empirical knowledge of resin's potency, derived from wild Himalayan strains, for therapeutic concentration beyond crude plant material. Traditional Himalayan practices, involving rubbing live colas to collect trichome-rich resin, likely originated in these regions during this era, predating sieved hashish techniques from Central Asia.[20] Early use intertwined with spiritual asceticism, where charas facilitated meditative states among proto-yogic practitioners. Hindu lore associates cannabis resin with Shiva, the "Lord of Bhang," symbolizing transcendence and austerity, with sadhus inhaling vapors for enlightenment—a custom rooted in pre-medieval oral traditions but corroborated by medieval ethnobotanical continuity. While pollen records from South Asian sites confirm Cannabis cultivation by 500 BCE, distinguishing charas from bhang or ganja in archaeological data remains limited, underscoring reliance on textual and ethnographic inference for its ancient prevalence. Peer-reviewed analyses affirm these indigenous origins, countering claims of solely exogenous introduction, though undisputed resin-specific mentions postdate Vedic herbals until the 11th century in works like Vangasena's Cikitsasarasangraha.[20]Traditional Practices in the Indian Subcontinent
In the Himalayan regions of northern India, such as Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, and in Nepal, charas has traditionally been produced by hand-rubbing the resinous trichomes from live, mature female Cannabis indica plants. Practitioners collect the sticky resin by gently massaging the flowering buds and leaves between their palms, rolling it into malleable balls or sticks for storage and trade. This labor-intensive method, dating back centuries, yields a pure concentrate without mechanical sieving or solvents, distinguishing it from other hashish forms.[21][22] Charas holds significant cultural and spiritual roles among Hindu ascetics known as sadhus, particularly Naga sadhus, who associate its use with devotion to Lord Shiva, regarded in tradition as the primary consumer of cannabis. Sadhus employ charas to facilitate meditation, achieve heightened states of consciousness, and detach from material concerns, viewing it as a tool for spiritual discipline rather than mere recreation. This practice is prominent during religious gatherings like the Kumbh Mela, where groups of sadhus share charas in communal rituals to foster unity and introspection.[23][24] Traditionally, charas is consumed by smoking it in a chillum, a conical clay pipe designed for direct inhalation without water filtration, often mixed with dried cannabis flowers (ganja) or tobacco to moderate its potency. The chillum is passed in a circle during sadhu gatherings, with the act symbolizing equality and shared enlightenment; users typically hold it with both hands in a gesture of respect. In rural communities, charas smoking occurs in social or solitary settings, sometimes integrated into folk medicine for ailments like pain or insomnia, though empirical validation remains limited.[6][25]Production and Sourcing
Source Plant Cultivation
Cannabis indica landrace strains, adapted to high-altitude Himalayan environments, serve as the primary source plants for charas production. These varieties thrive in the mountainous regions of northern India, particularly Himachal Pradesh's Parvati Valley and Kashmir, as well as parts of Nepal, where elevations often exceed 2,000 meters foster compact growth and elevated resin yields.[1][26] Cultivation relies on outdoor, rain-fed methods in mineral-rich soils, with plants sown in spring and harvested in late summer to coincide with peak trichome maturation.[27][28] Local farmers prioritize indica-dominant landraces selected over generations for their sticky, resinous flowers, which are rubbed while plants remain live or freshly cut to preserve terpene profiles.[1][29] Semi-wild propagation supplements formal cultivation, as C. indica grows feral in many Himalayan valleys, though deliberate planting in secluded plots evades enforcement of India's Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.[26][27] Optimal conditions include full sun exposure, moderate rainfall of 1,000–1,500 mm annually, and temperatures ranging from 10–25°C during the growing season, minimizing vegetative vigor in favor of reproductive resin production.[28] Yields vary by microclimate and strain purity, with high-quality charas sourcing from plants exhibiting purple hues and robust glandular trichomes indicative of stress-induced cannabinoid synthesis.[5] Modern influences, such as selective breeding for potency, have begun integrating with traditional practices, though purists maintain open-pollinated landraces yield superior, terpene-diverse resin.[28][1]Resin Extraction Methods
Charas is produced through hand-rubbing techniques applied to live cannabis plants, primarily Cannabis sativa varieties cultivated in the Himalayan regions of India and Nepal.[1][5] This solventless method collects glandular trichomes containing cannabinoids and terpenes directly from the plant's surface, distinguishing it from sieved or solvent-extracted hashes.[2][30] The primary extraction process begins with selecting mature, resin-rich female plants during peak flowering, when trichome production is maximal, typically in late summer or early autumn in high-altitude areas like Parvati Valley.[1][31] Workers, often local artisans, rub the stems, leaves, and buds gently between their palms or fingers, using body heat and friction to dislodge and adhere the sticky resin to the skin.[2][32] To minimize contamination from skin oils or dirt, hands may be washed frequently or covered with clean leather gloves or cloth.[1][33] The accumulated resin is periodically scraped off using a blunt tool, such as a knife or fingernail, and kneaded into malleable balls, ropes, or sheets, which may be aged for enhanced smoothness and potency.[5][30] This labor-intensive technique yields small quantities, with skilled producers extracting approximately 5 grams of premium charas per day from intensive rubbing sessions.[31] Variations include collective rubbing by groups of workers to increase output or using yak wool mittens in some Nepalese traditions to collect resin without direct skin contact.[1][34] Unlike mechanical sieving of dried material, hand-rubbing preserves terpene profiles but requires fresh plants, limiting scalability and contributing to charas's artisanal status.[3][35]Chemical Composition
Active Cannabinoids and Compounds
Charas, as a concentrated cannabis resin, primarily features cannabinoids as its active compounds, with over 100 identified in cannabis species, though Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) predominates as the chief psychoactive agent responsible for euphoric and perceptual effects.[36] Δ9-THC, a C21 terpeno-phenolic molecule with the formula C21H30O2, binds to CB1 receptors in the endocannabinoid system, mediating intoxication.[37] Scientific isolation of active principles from hashish, including charas, confirms Δ9-THC as the sole highly potent compound, while others like cannabinol (CBN) exhibit weak or negligible activity when isolated.[37] Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, co-occurs in charas alongside Δ9-THC, potentially modulating effects through interactions like reduced THC-induced anxiety, though empirical evidence for such synergy in resin forms remains limited to in vitro and animal studies.[38] CBN, an oxidation byproduct of Δ9-THC, appears in aged samples and contributes mild sedative properties, with concentrations elevated due to storage degradation. Minor cannabinoids such as cannabigerol (CBG) and cannabichromene (CBC) are present in trace amounts, supporting broader pharmacological profiles including anti-inflammatory potential, but their levels in hand-rubbed charas are typically subordinate to Δ9-THC.[39] Analytical data from seized Indian hashish, akin to traditional charas, report average Δ9-THC at 6.35% (range 0.53–16.45%), CBD at 4.59% (0.78–13.13%), and CBN at 3.32% (2.15–5.86%), reflecting variability from plant genetics, harvest timing, and processing. High-quality specimens, such as those from Himalayan regions, can exceed 20% Δ9-THC, underscoring potency advantages over herbal cannabis due to resin enrichment.[40] These profiles derive from Cannabis indica varieties, which favor higher Δ9-THC relative to CBD compared to C. sativa.[41]Variability and Potency Factors
The potency of charas, measured primarily by its delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration, varies significantly due to genetic, environmental, and procedural factors inherent to its artisanal production from live Cannabis indica plants in the Indian Himalayas. Landrace strains adapted to high-altitude regions exhibit diverse cannabinoid profiles, with genetic variations driving differences in THC synthesis and overall resin quality.[42] [43] Environmental conditions in production areas like Himachal Pradesh, including intense ultraviolet exposure, diurnal temperature swings, and mineral-rich soils, enhance trichome development and cannabinoid production as adaptive responses to stress. Geo-climatic elements such as altitude and precipitation further influence phenotypic traits and chemical composition, leading to regional potency differences among charas from valleys like Parvati or Malana.[44] [5] Extraction techniques introduce additional variability; the manual rubbing of mature female inflorescences captures pure resin but relies on operator skill to avoid adulteration with vegetal matter, which dilutes active compounds. Harvest timing, typically during peak resin exudation in late summer, and post-rubbing processes like kneading and fermentation can modify potency through enzymatic changes and oxidation. Unlike standardized modern hashish, the absence of controlled cultivation amplifies inconsistencies, with traditional charas often yielding higher relative purity but unpredictable THC levels compared to sieved variants.[3] [40]Pharmacological and Health Effects
Short-Term Physiological and Psychological Effects
Short-term physiological effects of charas, a concentrated cannabis resin typically smoked, manifest rapidly due to its high Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content, often exceeding 20-60% in traditional preparations. Inhalation leads to tachycardia, with heart rate elevations of 20-100% occurring within 3-10 minutes and persisting for 1-3 hours, alongside transient increases in blood pressure and potential orthostatic hypotension.[45] [46] Conjunctival injection (reddened eyes) and xerostomia (dry mouth) are common, resulting from THC's interaction with cannabinoid receptors in vascular and salivary tissues.[47] Other effects include mild dizziness, increased appetite (munchies), and coordination impairments, such as slowed reaction times and reduced motor control, which elevate risks for accidents during intoxication.[48] [49] Psychological effects vary by dose, individual tolerance, and setting but typically include euphoria, relaxation, and heightened sensory perception, such as intensified colors or sounds, peaking within 30 minutes of use.[50] Cognitive domains are acutely disrupted, with impairments in short-term memory, attention, executive function, and decision-making, as evidenced by reduced performance on tasks requiring working memory and inhibition.[49] [51] Distorted time perception and altered reality appraisal occur, contributing to a sense of introspection or detachment. Adverse reactions, particularly with high-potency charas, encompass anxiety, paranoia, panic, and transient psychotic-like symptoms such as hallucinations, which are dose-dependent and more prevalent in novice users or those with vulnerability factors.[46] [52] These effects generally subside within 2-4 hours, though residual cognitive deficits may linger.[53]Long-Term Health Risks
Chronic use of charas, a concentrated cannabis resin typically smoked, is associated with respiratory complications due to inhalation of combusted plant material and tar, leading to chronic bronchitis, persistent cough, sputum production, and airway inflammation.[54][55] Studies on heavy cannabis smokers, including hashish users, report increased airway resistance and lung hyperinflation, with symptoms persisting even after cessation in some cases.[55] These effects mirror those from tobacco smoke but occur at lower exposure levels, though evidence for lung cancer causation remains inconclusive after adjusting for confounders like tobacco co-use.[55] Neurological impacts include deficits in memory, attention, and executive function, particularly among those initiating use during adolescence. Longitudinal research indicates potential IQ reductions of up to 8 points in frequent young users, with impairments in hippocampal and prefrontal cortex regions linked to heavy, prolonged exposure.[56][55] High-potency forms like charas, with THC concentrations often exceeding 20%, may exacerbate these changes, as evidenced by reduced gray matter volume in temporal and parahippocampal areas among regular users.[57][53] Psychiatric risks encompass elevated odds of psychosis and schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, especially in genetically vulnerable individuals, where daily high-THC use can precipitate onset up to 6 years earlier.[55] Chronic hashish consumption has been tied to amotivational states, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, with meta-analyses confirming bidirectional links between cannabis dependence and mood disorders.[46][58] Dependence develops in approximately 9% of users overall, rising to 25-50% among daily consumers, manifesting as cannabis use disorder with withdrawal symptoms like irritability and insomnia.[55] Cardiovascular hazards include tachycardia and heightened risk of myocardial infarction or stroke, particularly during intoxication or in those with preexisting conditions.[54] Empirical data underscore dose- and potency-dependent causality, though confounding factors like polysubstance use warrant caution in attributing effects solely to charas.[55]Claimed Benefits and Empirical Evidence
Traditional practitioners in the Indian subcontinent have claimed charas alleviates chronic pain, muscle spasms, and nausea through its sedative properties, often incorporating it into Ayurvedic formulations for these purposes.[16] Additional purported benefits include improved digestion, appetite stimulation, insomnia relief, and aphrodisiac effects, rooted in folk medicine where small doses are said to enhance mental clarity and reduce anxiety without heavy intoxication.[59] These assertions, however, derive primarily from anecdotal reports and historical texts rather than controlled trials, with variability in preparation and potency complicating attribution to charas specifically. Peer-reviewed empirical evidence on charas itself remains sparse, as most research focuses on isolated cannabinoids or standardized extracts rather than crude resin forms. Studies on THC-dominant cannabis products demonstrate moderate efficacy for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, with FDA-approved synthetic THC (dronabinol) reducing symptoms in randomized controlled trials involving cancer patients.[60] For chronic neuropathic pain, systematic reviews indicate cannabinoids provide short-term relief superior to placebo in some cohorts, though effect sizes are small (number needed to treat around 6-12) and long-term benefits unclear.[60][61] In multiple sclerosis, cannabinoid oromucosal sprays combining THC and CBD have shown statistically significant reductions in spasticity scores in phase III trials, but these formulations differ from charas's high-THC, low-CBD profile obtained via hand-rubbing.[60] Claims of benefits for conditions like glaucoma, HIV-related wasting, or epilepsy lack strong support for resin consumption; for instance, while THC temporarily lowers intraocular pressure, evidence does not endorse sustained use due to tolerance and side effects.[60] Broader reviews conclude insufficient high-quality data to recommend cannabis resins like charas as first-line therapy for most ailments, emphasizing the need for further randomized trials isolating charas's effects from contaminants or smoking-related harms.[62][63] High-potency THC in charas may amplify psychoactive risks over therapeutic gains, as evidenced by limited pharmacokinetic studies showing rapid onset but variable bioavailability when smoked.[64]Cultural and Religious Significance
Role in Hinduism and Shaivism
In Hinduism, charas—a concentrated cannabis resin—is traditionally linked to Lord Shiva, the ascetic deity symbolizing meditation, destruction, and renewal, with devotees viewing its consumption as a means to emulate his transcendent state and achieve spiritual insight. Ancient scriptures, including the Atharva Veda (circa 2000–1400 BCE), reference cannabis as one of five sacred plants (soma-like) that relieve anxiety, purify the mind, and foster divine union, laying foundational cultural acceptance for its religious role.[20] This association portrays Shiva as the "Lord of Bhang," extending to resin forms like charas in folk traditions, where it is believed to cleanse sins and enhance devotion when used ritually.[20] In Shaivism, the sect venerating Shiva as the supreme reality, charas holds particular significance among ascetic lineages such as Naga Sadhus and other renunciates, who employ it in tantric practices to transcend ego and attain samadhi (enlightened absorption). During festivals like Maha Shivaratri, Shaivite sadhus smoke charas from communal chillums as an offering to Shiva lingams, integrating it into meditative rituals aimed at embodying Shiva's yogic detachment.[20] Ethnographic observations confirm its use facilitates trance states conducive to prolonged meditation and ritual endurance, distinguishing Shaivite extremism from milder bhang consumption in broader Hinduism.[65] Traditional Hindu precepts emphasize moderation, classifying high-potency charas as suitable primarily for ascetics unbound by societal duties, while warning against excess that disrupts dharma.[65] Though direct scriptural endorsements for charas smoking are implicit rather than explicit—often generalized to intoxicants aiding austerity—persistent Shaivite practices, documented since at least medieval periods, affirm its instrumental role in fostering causal links between altered consciousness and perceived divine communion.[20]