Incense is a material that releases aromatic smoke when burned, a practice deeply rooted in cultural and spiritual traditions across the globe. This combustion process releases fragrant compounds from natural or synthetic sources into the air, creating a sensory experience. Despite its use for meditation and creating a calming atmosphere, a common misconception is that burning standard incense can induce an intoxicating or euphoric “high.” The chemical compounds released are not structured to produce the profound psychoactive effects associated with recreational drugs. The experience is primarily olfactory and psychological, not a chemically induced alteration of consciousness.
The Raw Materials of Incense
Commercial incense is categorized into the aromatic source and the binding matrix that allows it to burn slowly. The fragrant components typically originate from natural botanicals, such as resins, woods, herbs, and essential oils. Common aromatic materials include the dried sap of trees, like frankincense (from the Boswellia genus) and myrrh (from the Commiphora genus), which are rich in complex hydrocarbon molecules called terpenes.
Other popular ingredients are powdered aromatic woods like sandalwood, cedar, and agarwood, which release their scent when heated. Synthetic fragrances are also used in many modern products to mimic or enhance these natural scents. These aromatic components must be held together by a combustible base and a binding agent to form the familiar stick, cone, or coil shape.
The most common binding agents are natural gums, such as makko powder derived from the bark of the Machilus thunbergii tree, or wood flours and starches. For stick incense, a bamboo splinter often serves as the core structure, which is then coated with the fragrant mixture and the binding paste.
Why Standard Incense Does Not Cause Psychoactive Effects
For any substance to produce a true psychoactive “high,” its molecules must be capable of crossing the highly selective blood-brain barrier and then interacting significantly with neurotransmitter receptors in the central nervous system. The molecules found in standard incense, primarily terpenes and their derivatives, do not meet this threshold for intoxication. While they are volatile and easily inhaled, the concentrations and chemical structures are insufficient to create a euphoric or mind-altering effect.
Frankincense resin does contain a compound called incensole acetate, which has been shown in laboratory studies on mice to exhibit anxiolytic-like and antidepressant-like behavioral effects. This effect is mediated by the activation of the TRPV3 ion channel in the brain, suggesting a genuine biological basis for mood alteration. However, this is a subtle, calming effect—not a euphoric intoxication—and the low concentration released during typical burning is unlikely to produce a significant effect in humans.
Psychoactive drugs are specifically structured to mimic or modulate neurotransmitters like serotonin or dopamine, leading to profound changes in perception and mood. The chemical structures of incense compounds, such as boswellic acids and various monoterpenes, lack the necessary molecular characteristics to function as potent agonists or antagonists at these critical neurological receptors. Any perceived mood lift is generally attributed to the pleasant association with the scent, a psychological response to the aroma’s temporary calming effect.
Physical Effects and Respiratory Impact of Incense Smoke
Although standard incense does not produce a psychoactive high, the combustion process releases a complex mix of byproducts that can negatively impact respiratory health. Burning incense involves incomplete combustion of organic material, which generates significant amounts of particulate matter (PM). This includes fine particles classified as PM2.5 and PM10, which are small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and potentially enter the bloodstream.
Studies have shown that burning incense can generate more particulate matter per gram consumed than a cigarette, posing a notable indoor air quality risk. The smoke also releases gaseous pollutants, including carbon monoxide, which reduces the blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Formaldehyde, benzene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are among the VOCs released, all of which are known irritants or carcinogens.
Exposure to this smoke, particularly in poorly ventilated spaces, can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. Long-term exposure is associated with an increased risk of respiratory problems, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cell inflammation.