HHC has approximately 70 to 80% of the concentration of THC, which means that it is more potent than the other hemp-derived cannabinoids, Delta-8 and Delta-10. Moderate doses of HHC induce a euphoric psychoactive effect similar to THC, but it is often said to have more relaxing and sedative properties compared to delta-8.HHC was first created in 1944 by the American chemist Roger Adams, when he added hydrogen molecules to Delta-9 THC. This process, known as hydrogenation, converts THC to hexahydrocannabinol (HHC). As state and federal agencies continue to ban THC delta-8, the most popular hemp-derived cannabinoid, HHC offers a little more legal potential and appeal, since it's not actually a THC compound at all. So far, preliminary research indicates that HHC has a safety profile comparable to THC, and the reported side effects are similar to those derived from high doses of THC.
HHC can also be produced by hydrogenating cannabis extracts, which means that two hydrogen atoms (H) are added to the THC. As with other cannabinoids, the recent increase in interest in HHC does not match exhaustive studies on its safety and effects; much of the available information on HHC is speculative. In other words, HHC can have similar effects to THC on the body and mind, but HHC is less potent, milligram for milligram, than THC delta-8.Among the wave of hemp-derived cannabinoids that is spreading across the country, THC delta 8, delta-O and THC delta-10, among them, few have evaded public understanding better than HHC. HHC binds to the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB), but with a weaker affinity than THC, and produces intoxicating and psychoactive effects, but much less than THC.
HHC is also the most stable form of THC, since it's super resistant to oxidation, heat and UV light, so you don't have to worry so much about your stash degrading and losing its potency. User reports often describe the high level of HHC between Delta 8 and Delta 9 THC, and some HHC products may be more intoxicating than others. However, cannabis cultivars that are high in THC may also contain more HHC as cannabis ages and THC degrades into HHC. As HHC continues to gain popularity, consumers have begun to discover its lesser-known cousin, HHC-O, also known as HHC acetate.
For now, the evidence supporting this statement is mostly anecdotal, although preliminary research suggests that HHC is not metabolized to 11-hydroxy-THC, which is the main metabolite of THC that can cause a positive result. Synthetically produced HHC products are also likely to contain higher concentrations of HHC compared to natural cannabis, so higher doses may result in more serious adverse side effects. Both consumers and scientists note that HHC produces less potent and psychoactive effects than conventional THC delta-9.
