Following the tremendous success of delta 8 THC as a legal alternative to the more tightly controlled availability of delta 9 THC, the cannabis business has sought additional lesser-known cannabinoids to compete in the broad cannabis marketplace. Hexahydrocannabinol (shortened HHC) is one of the newest and most promising.
HHC is a THC relative that has long been recognized by science but was rarely mentioned by cannabis users until lately. HHC is a minor cannabinoid found naturally in cannabis but in low quantities, which makes extraction cost-effective. Because commercial manufacturing of HHC is still in its early stages, it is not widely known.
By changing the molecules’ chemistry, most cannabinoids can be converted into other cannabinoids. Commercial HHC is created in a lab using chemical procedures from CBD obtained from hemp, just like delta 8 THC and delta 10 THC. Compared to delta 8 and delta 10, HHC has one significant legal advantage: it isn’t labeled THC.
How is HHC produced?
Chemist Roger Adams discovered HHC in the 1940s. He made HHC by infusing hydrogen into the THC molecule and modifying its physical characteristics. The hydrogenation technique was initially detailed in a 1947 patent document.
By substituting a double bond with two hydrogen atoms, hydrogenation alters the molecular weight and increases the stability of delta 9 THC. According to scientist and BR Brands Chief Science Officer Mark Scialdone, hydrogenation increases HHC’s “stability and resistance to thermo-oxidative breakdown,” meaning it has a longer shelf life and is less vulnerable to heat and UV damage.
Does HHC get you high?
This question has a somewhat tricky answer. While HHC isn’t a THC in the strictest sense, it may have effects comparable to THC if you take enough of it. When created in a lab, an HHC batch combines active and inactive molecules. If you’re wondering why does HHC get you high, it’s because your body’s cannabinoid receptors respond well to active HHC.
Commercial HHC, a blend of the two types, maybe a buyer’s guess because manufacturers haven’t yet discovered a practical way to distinguish high-potency HHC from its low-potency counterpart. But HHC does have noticeable effects. The HHC high is typically described as between a delta 8 and a delta 9 THC high in user reports.
Will HHC show up in a drug test?
Naturally, HHC producers claim their drug doesn’t appear on common 5-panel and 10-panel drug tests. The argument states that 11-hydroxy-THC metabolites like delta-8 or delta-10 do not form from HHC. Drug testing can identify this metabolite.
If HHC is undetectable in a drug test, it would unquestionably become a popular product. It is desirable to have access to intoxicating substances without being detected by a test. But it’s important to note that there isn’t any proof. You cannot predict if HHC will be detected during a drug test if you consume it.
Does HHC Offer Any Benefits
HHC and other hemp-derived products may aid people in making lifestyle changes. Additionally, it aids with pain relief. The effects have a different impact on each individual. However, due to a lack of scientific evidence, the HHC cannabinoid’s claimed advantages are primarily based on anecdotal evidence. Before using HHC as an antidepressant or stress reliever, see your doctor.
HHC was tested on rats in an old study from 1977. The study showed that cannabinoids might have some characteristics in common with narcotic painkillers, but there are also significant differences, according to the researchers.
In the earlier 2007 study, mice were used to test HU211 and HU243. It was shown that HHC increased the length of sleep by between 80% and 700%. The cannabinoid had pharmacological effects in mice similar to delta-9-THC but less potent.
Aside from the possibility of pain relief, HHC may provide the following advantages:
- Anxiety reduction
- Euphoria
- Relaxation
- Intoxication of the brain and body
- Reduced inflammation
- Relief from nausea and vomiting
- Improved sleep
Individuals with a low THC tolerance should approach HHC cautiously if it is 80% as vital as delta-9-THC. Start with no more than 3-5mg to see how it affects your body and mind. Before consuming it, it is also advisable to speak with a professional.
Is HHC legal?
In the 2018 Farm Bill, Congress legalized the hemp plant and all of its derivatives legal on the federal level, provided that neither the plant nor anything made from it contains more than 0.3 percent delta 9 THC.
Even though HHC occurs naturally in the cannabis plant, commercial HHC is produced by hydrogenating cannabinoids from hemp under pressure with a palladium-based catalyst. The outcome is a “semi-synthetic” cannabis compound by researchers at the National Cannabis Industry Association. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals confirmed in May 2022 that delta 8 THC was permissible under the Farm Bill. Under this, hemp and all other hemp-related chemicals and derivatives are also acceptable if they do not exceed the allowable limit of 0.3 percent delta 9 THC.
Conclusion
The cannabinoid HHC generated from hemp has a lot of potential for legal markets due to its distinct chemical components. Instead of the double bond, HHC has a longer shelf life and psychoactive effects that might not appear on drug tests. HHC is anticipated to become more readily available, but there is still much to learn about this cannabinoid and the products made from hemp.c
