Roach (smoking)

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Roach (smoking)

A roach is a term used in the context of smoking and cannabis culture, referring to the end of a cannabis cigarette that is too small to be held and smoked without burning the fingers. The term is derived from the English word "roach", which means a small, undesirable piece of something.

Etymology[edit | edit source]

The term "roach" is believed to have originated from the Spanish word "roach", which means "cockroach". It is thought that the term was used to describe the small, leftover piece of a cannabis cigarette because it resembles a cockroach in size and shape.

Usage[edit | edit source]

Roaches are typically discarded or saved for later use. Some smokers choose to save their roaches and combine them to make a "second generation" cannabis cigarette. This practice is often referred to as "roach farming".

Health Risks[edit | edit source]

Smoking roaches can pose several health risks. The small size of the roach can cause the smoker to inhale hot smoke and ash, which can lead to respiratory problems. Additionally, roaches often contain higher concentrations of THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis, which can increase the risk of experiencing negative side effects such as anxiety and paranoia.

Alternatives[edit | edit source]

There are several alternatives to smoking roaches. One common method is to use a roach clip, a small device that holds the roach and allows the smoker to smoke it without burning their fingers. Another alternative is to use a roach stone, a small piece of stone or ceramic that the roach can be inserted into, allowing it to be smoked without direct contact with the fingers.

See also[edit | edit source]

Wiki.png

Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD


Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.

Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.


Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD