Is Incense Bad For Rats?
WouterIt is still unknown whether incense smoke is bad for rats, although some studies have found adverse effects. One study showed that incense smoke increases the risk of cardiovascular disease in mice. The mechanism of this toxic effect is still unclear. The researchers exposed male albino rats to two different types of Arabian incense smoke, which were found to affect endothelial function, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Specifically, the levels of nitric oxide and endothelin-1 in alveolar tissues decreased.
Another study, conducted in Hong Kong, found no relationship between incense burning and lung cancer. The study also found that incense-burning was not associated with lung cancer in non-smokers but significantly reduced the risk of lung cancer in smokers. However, further studies are needed to determine whether incense smoking is harmful to rats or not.
The smoke from incense burning is a mixture of gases and particulates. While no studies have directly linked these particles to adverse health effects, some researchers have suggested that incense smoke contains multiple irritants. Some of these pollutants have been linked to increased inflammation and lung dysfunction.
Researchers also found that indoor incense burning was associated with decreased cognitive performance and reduced connectivity of the DMN. In addition, incense has been shown to interact with vascular disease, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia.
