Consumption of cannabis (bhang) is a common practice among followers of lord Shiva on the occasion of Maha Shivratri. Excess consumption of this herb, however, could make one seriously ill. The devotees consider cannabis as a prasad of the lord Shiva and consume it in many forms. Cannabis lovers intake thandai, bhang pakoras and bhang bolus after offering their prayers at Shiva temples on the occasion of Maha Shivratri.
The herb directly affects the brain and causes hallucinations. The person tends to over eat and become over talkative.The senior physician of Doon hospital Dr Rahul Joshi said that people should refrain from taking Cannabis. For diehard fans of the herb, he had a note of caution, that it should be consumed in a limited amount.
The Doon hospital caters large number of patients who had consumed excess amount of the holy herb — as the cannabis lovers prefer to call it — on the day of Maha Shivratri. Dr Joshi said that when the intoxication level of the herb is reduced the person complains of higher levels of anxiety and sweatiness.
He said that as the herb causes hypoglycemia (reduced glucose level), the patients are administered glucose and are advised rest. In the acute cases the patient suffers from respiratory problem; many such patients lose their consciousness and had to be put on ventilator to save their lives.
The cannabis aficionados are of the view that the herb should be taken with adequate amount of things which had a cooling effect on our body. They cite things like Mishri, almonds and fennel seeds as such cooling agents. Ayurveda specialist Dr J N Nautiyal said that curd should be given to a person who has consumed cannabis.
He said that some persons show effect like prolonged hangover after eating Bhang, such people should be given Brahmi and Shankhpushi syrups to bring them in normal State.