What Is HHC? Learn About the New Hhc Cannabinoid & Its Effects

After the unexpected legal victory of delta 8 THC as a substitute for the highly controlled delta 9 THC, various cannabis brands have diverted their attention to other strains of cannabis. One cannabinoid is HHC, an acronym for hexahydrocannabinol, which has shown promising impacts on the human body. Read below to learn more about HHC and its potential effects.

A ton of cannabinoids sourced from hemp are taking the globe by storm. Such examples include delta 10 THC, delta 0 THC, delta 8 THC, etc. However, most people have a blurred understanding of these cannabinoid variations, which leads to the masses disputing information on matters concerning effects on the body and legality. HHC has recently surfaced and is being sold by a few retailers who package it in vape carts. Even though marred by inconclusive research, scientists claim that HHC has many benefits to the human body.

Defining HHC

HHC, an acronym for hexahydrocannabinol, is a cannabinoid, the organic compound of the cannabis plant. According to Kogan et al. (2022), the most popular examples of cannabinoids are Delta-9 THC and CBD. THC is a psychoactive compound in cannabis, while CBD is the compound that helps with sleep and mental disorders. HHC is THC  combined with hydrogen through a process known as hydrogenation. It means that HHC is a semi-synthetic version of THC because scientists claim that hydrogenation lowers the chemical component of THC by 20-30%. Hexahydrocannabinol is a minor cannabinoid that makes extraction quite costly. It is the reason why the masses are yet to learn of its prowess.

HHC is different from delta-8 and THC because of its chemical composition. HHC has less potency and psychoactive levels than those present in delta-9 THC and delta-8 THC. However, it is paramount to note that HHC might have similar effects to THC if used in high amounts. It is because, during its processing, it is mixed with inactive and active HHC molecules. The latter molecules merge with the body's cannabinoid receptors, while the inactive do not.

Manufacturers are yet to find a way to isolate the two potent HHC compounds, which may be an expensive procedure. Commercially sold HHC is marred with uncertainty. Some people believe HHC does not manifest conspicuously and that the effects lie someplace between delta 9 and delta 8 THC. However, other fans claim that  HHC results in a soothing feeling after ingestion, but the effects may be hard to pinpoint. HHC may be semi-synthetic or natural, depending on its creation procedure and its source. Hexahydrocannabinol is present in cannabis, albeit in small measures. According to Golomek et al. (2020), small quantities of HHC can be found in THC when it is oxidized into CBN, a cannabinoid in mature cannabis plants.

Effects of HHC

Research on HHC is still in its infant stages, meaning that the possible effects or benefits of cannabidiol are yet to be well researched. However, scientists and certified medical practitioners are in tune with its possible life-threatening effects on the body. Some of the effects of HHC will manifest in individuals who take it without a medical prescription. Examples of the effects of HHC include;

• Increased mental disorders in some individuals
• Pregnant women who use HHC may give birth to infants below the normal birth weight.
• Religious use may lead to addiction, especially if used without a medical prescription.
• Adults who use HHC are predisposed to injury
• Increased risk of car accidents
• Negatively impacts input and output at school, home, or work
• May cause dizziness which may cause one to pass out or fall
• Paranoia and anxiety
• Sleep disorders like insomnia
• Red eyes and dry mouth
• Increased heartbeat
• Paranoia

HHC and THC are integrated differently in the body. HHC is not metabolized into 11-hydroxy-THC, the substance that is looked out for when one is subjected to a drug test. However, most doctors believe that people who consume high amounts of HHC may fail a rug test because it tends to accumulate in the body. Similar to most minor cannabinoids, researchers are yet to come up with a standard prescription of HHC because there are no known long-term or short-term effects associated with its ingestion.

According to Swift et al. (2013), several hemp-sourced cannabinoids do not have to comply with cannabis laws, which reduces the stress on HHC sellers to test for purity and potency levels. HHC can be processed into gummies, vapes, and edibles, all legal at the state and federal levels. The legality of HHC is based on the fact that it is derived from the pollen and seeds of hemp, making it non-synthetic. Trivedi et al. (2020) argued on the legality of HHC, claiming that because it is sourced from THC through hydrogenation, it should be classified as a schedule 1 drug because THC is also a schedule 1 drug.

Difference Between HHC And THC

These two compounds share an almost similar molecular chemistry. The major difference is that HHC has two extra hydrogenated carbons, while THC does not have a carbon bond and an ester atom. These chemical variations of HHC make it an ideal compound compared to THC because it has sturdier defiance on UV rays and heat. The strong resistance gives HHC a longer life span. Learn more about should i take a nap?

Difference Between HHC and CBN

According to Dawidowicz et al. (2021), CBN and HHC have different chemical compositions despite both being derived from THC through decomposition and degradation processes. According to Messina et al. (2015), HHC is akin to THC but devoid of double bonds, substituted by hydrogen atoms, while CBN's molecular structure thrives on four bonds. Learn more about is cbd psychoactive?

Conclusion

HHC, short for hexahydrocannabinol, is an organic compound from the cannabis plant. Most people lack knowledge of the effects, legality, and HHC because there is no adequate research on the compound. Hexahydrocannabinol is processed through a process known as hydrogenation, which combines THC with hydrogen to modify its chemical composition. HHC is not metabolized into 11-hydroxy-THC, although the substance is looked out for when one is subjected to a drug test. The modification swaps the double bond with two hydrogen atoms, which adds more stability to the HHC; shields it from thermo-oxidative breakdown.

HHC cannot make you high from a one-time use; this differs from THC and CBD. HHC negatively impacts your productivity during the day. However, long-term use may produce effects similar to those of THC. Learn more about HH online and on other sites.

References

Dawidowicz, A. L., Olszowy-Tomczyk, M., & Typek, R. (2021). Cbg, Cbd, Δ9-Thc, Cbn, Cbga, Cbda, And Δ9-Thca As Antioxidant Agents And Their Intervention Abilities In Antioxidant Action. Fitoterapia, 152, 104915.

Golombek, P., Müller, M., Barthlott, I., Sproll, C., & Lachenmeier, D. W. (2020). Conversion Of Cannabidiol (Cbd) Into Psychotropic Cannabinoids, Including Tetrahydrocannabinol (Thc): A Controversy In The Scientific Literature. Toxins, 8(2), 41.

Kogan, N. M., & Mechoulam, R. (2022). Cannabinoids In Health And Disease. Dialogues In Clinical Neuroscience.

Messina, F., Rosati, O., Curini, M., & Marcotullio, M. C. (2015). Cannabis And Bioactive Cannabinoids. Studies In Natural Products Chemistry, 45, 17-57.

Swift, W., Wong, A., Li, K. M., Arnold, J. C., & Mcgregor, I. S. (2013). Analysis Of Cannabis Seizures In Nsw, Australia: Cannabis Potency And Cannabinoid Profile. Plus One, 8(7), E70052.

Trivedi, M. K., Panda, P., Sethi, K. K., Gangwar, M., Mondal, S. C., & Jana, S. (2020). Solid And Liquid State Characterization Of Tetrahydrocurcumin Using Xrpd, Ft-Ir, Dsc, Tga, Lc-Ms, Gc-Ms, And Nmr And Its Biological Activities. Journal Of Pharmaceutical Analysis, 10(4), 334-345.