Dokha

Dokha (Arabic: دوخة, 'dizziness' or 'vertigo') is an Arabian tobacco product, consisting of dried and finely shredded tobacco flakes mixed with herbs and spices. It originated in Iran during the 15th century. Unlike hookah tobacco (also called 'shisha' or 'mu'assel'), dokha is not cured with molasses. Users smoke the tobacco blend in small quantities using a pipe called a midwakh. Because the midwakh pipe is used almost exclusively for smoking dokha, the terms are often used interchangeably. Dokha (Arabic: دوخة, 'dizziness' or 'vertigo') is an Arabian tobacco product, consisting of dried and finely shredded tobacco flakes mixed with herbs and spices. It originated in Iran during the 15th century. Unlike hookah tobacco (also called 'shisha' or 'mu'assel'), dokha is not cured with molasses. Users smoke the tobacco blend in small quantities using a pipe called a midwakh. Because the midwakh pipe is used almost exclusively for smoking dokha, the terms are often used interchangeably. Dokha has a higher concentration of nicotine compared to other forms of tobacco, and can cause brief periods of euphoria, relaxation or lightheadedness in some users. As using the midwakh also reportedly leaves less lingering smells, and requires less tobacco to be used at a time, it can be used discreetly, which has made it popular among student populations and young adults. The product is popular in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, and other Middle Eastern countries. It has reportedly spread to Europe and other regions via immigration, tourism and trade. Scientific research on the health effects of dokha use is lacking, but officials have concerns over the use of the product as a touted cigarette alternative, and preliminary studies have quantified dokha's high nicotine and tar concentration, as well as toxins present in its smoke. Notable concern in the UAE over the spreading popularity of dokha among teenagers and young adults has led to multiple tobacco control efforts to curb its use. Dokha tobacco and its derivatives have been cultivated and used in Middle Eastern countries for approximately 500 years. It originated in Iran during the 15th century, as use spread among sailors in the Caspian Sea, which led to its eventual spread throughout all of the Middle East during the following centuries. Traditionally, dokha consists of dried and ground tobacco leaves, blended with herbs, spices, dried flowers and fruits. Depending on local traditions, bark and leaves of native plants were also used. Modern dokha maintains many of the characteristics of its traditional forms, consisting of tobacco and spices without any preservatives, pesticides, herbicides or additives that are commonly used in mass-produced tobacco products. Due to the lesser degree of processing, Dokha tobacco appears essentially unaltered. This allows it to maintain the green coloration of the natural plant. Unlike most tobaccos, dokha is not fire cured and cut, but dried in the arid desert region where it was harvested. It is finely ground to preserve the strength, freshness and flavor of the tobacco. The tobacco is then blended with other spices and herbs to create the final product. In many countries where dokha is used, there are a number of available tobacco strengths (typically described in Arabic as 'hot', 'warm' or 'cold'), which indicate the harshness of a particular blend. Dokha is almost exclusively smoked out of an elongated pipe called a midwakh (alternatively spelled 'medwakh'). The traditional midwakh has no filter, but more recent variations contain a removable, stem-mounted filter. A small container called a chanta is sometimes used to store and dispense the tobacco. Approximately 0.5-1 grams of dokha tobacco is smoked at a time, and is usually smoked in about two inhalations. One study estimates that the typical daily user of dokha consumes approximately 6 grams, or 12 smoking sessions. A preliminary study found dokha has significantly more nicotine than other tobacco products such as shisha or cigarettes. Nicotine produces various pharmacologic and psycho-dynamic effects in the brain within seconds, which generally last for 30 seconds to several minutes, depending on the user's nicotine tolerance. These include euphoria, increased alertness and a sense of relaxation and dokha is known for a strong production of these effects, which allows it to quickly satisfy nicotine cravings. Users sometimes describe the sensation as 'dizziness', which is where dokha's name (meaning 'dizziness' or 'vertigo' in Arabic) is presumed to be derived. Dokha does not traditionally contain other psychoactive substances, such as cannabis or hashish.