THC, the main psychoactive element of cannabis, is an analog of THCp, a naturally occurring phytocannabinoid present in cannabis. One of the more than 120 cannabinoids that have been found to date in the cannabis plant—and there may be many more—is THCp, which was just recently discovered by an Italian research team.
Given their recent rise in popularity, you might also be familiar with Delta 8 and Delta 10, which differ significantly from Delta 9 but have comparable psychoactive effects.
However, THCp is really making waves in the cannabis industry. Data uncovered by the researchers point to a potential role for THCp in a cannabis strain’s psychoactivity beyond that of THC by itself. The limited information we currently know about this recently discovered cannabinoid is examined in this article.
What Is THCp?
THCP, or 9-Tetrahydrocannabiphorol, is a recently identified natural counterpart to THC. The presence of two additional carbon atoms in THCp’s chemical structure is the only distinction between it and “normal” THC. The alkyl side chain of THCP has seven carbons, in contrast to THC’s five carbons. This minute distinction alone makes THCp far stronger than regular THC.
Even though this cannabinoid was only discovered in 2019 and is relatively new, it is believed to have existed for a long time. Even though some marijuana strains have the same or lower THC contents than others, some researchers, including Dr. Giuseppe Cannazza, think THCp may be the reason some marijuana strains are so much more psychoactive than others. The Italian research team, aided by the UNIHEMP project, unintentionally discovered THCp. The scientists were investigating the FM2 strain’s chemical composition when they made the discovery.
With the aid of high-performance mass spectrometry and other precise testing equipment, the researchers made some strange discoveries. Their research, which placed equal emphasis on THC and CBD, was published in December 2019.
Therefore, there hasn’t been much interest in future research into CBDP, which seems to interact with the endocannabinoid system almost invisibly. THCP, however, is said to have a binding affinity that is more than 30 times higher than THC’s. Although the real strength of this cannabinoid is still widely contested, most users of THCP estimate its potency to be 5–10 times greater than that of THC.
How Strong Is THCp?
What we do know is that THCp is stronger than THC. The psychoactivity of THCp is its main selling factor. There aren’t many people who have tried THCP, but those who have said it has effects that are between five and ten times as potent as delta-9 THC (which is still a substantial increase in potency).
Despite being debatable, some assert that THCp has 33 times more potency than THC. Although THCp has 33 times the binding affinity for CB1 receptors as compared to Delta 9 THC, the effects are not 33 times stronger as a result. Let’s face it, a high equivalent of 33 times the effects would be very intense.
We will learn more about THCP’s potency in relation to other THC analogs as time goes on and more individuals try it.
What’s the Best Dose of THCp?
Given the potency of THCP, you may be asking what the recommended dosage is. Unfortunately, because there haven’t been enough studies on THCP’s potency, there isn’t currently a clearly established optimal dose.
However, the majority of users claim that this substance is 5–10 times stronger than THC. So you may forecast the ideal range with this. For instance, whereas the typical psychoactive dose of delta 9 THC ranges from 10 to 40 mg, the active beginning dose is somewhere around 5 mg.
Therefore, the range for the THCp equivalent dose is between 1 and 4 mg. Additionally, the majority of users should begin with a 0.3-mg dose and increase it from there. It’s simple to take in too much THCp. If the dosage isn’t adjusted correctly, you might experience unpleasant side effects.
Is THCp Legal?
Let’s say you have concerns about the legality of THCP. Congratulations on being cautious. However, just because THCP isn’t listed as a restricted substance doesn’t mean it’s allowed.
Analogs of illegal substances are categorized under the same legal heading in the majority of countries’ laws, including those in the US and the UK. THCP and other THC analogs will therefore probably be prohibited at the federal level in the United States. THCp is legal if it is within the bounds of the 2018 Farm Bill (Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018), meaning that it has to be 100% hemp-derived.
Even though THCp is legal in the United States, if it derives from hemp, some states still have a ban on it. The best thing to do is constantly check the laws in the state that you reside in to see if THCp is illegal or legal. Staying current is advised because laws can change at any time.
Most EU countries, including France, Italy, Spain, Denmark, and Germany, have comparable laws. Although there is a push for the legalization of THC in various EU nations, it lags far behind North America.
The exception is Canada, which doesn’t have comparable drug laws. One significant problem, though, is that THCp sources are hard to come across nationwide. But in the upcoming years, that might alter.
How Does THCp Compare to Other Forms of THC?
Around five years ago, Delta 9 THC was the only THC molecule that was mentioned. That’s because the main component of cannabis is delta 9. The other THC analogs, such as Delta 8 THC, Delta 10 THC, and THCp, were unknown until recently.
What about THCp, then? First off, the majority of THC analogs affect people in the same way, causing altered perception and euphoric feelings. However, potency, headspace, and qualitative effects account for the variations. The strongest cannabinoid discovered in nature is the substance THCp. Similar synthetic THC derivatives, like THC-O, have potencies to this one. Our research indicates that the potency of THCp is approximately 1.5 times higher than that of THC-O, 5 to 10 times higher than Delta 9 THC, 10 to 20 times higher than Delta 8 THC, and more than 40 times higher than THCv.
So, yeah, it is quite powerful.
The intensity of each dose is referred to as “potency.” There are two ways to assess THC potency, though: either by comparing the qualitative effects of various THC strains when administered at the same dose or by figuring out the substance’s propensity for interacting with particular receptors.
How Does THCp Feel?
The information available regarding THCP’s feelings is very minimal and much more research is needed. However, based on the limited number of users, it appears to have effects similar to Delta 9 THC, albeit with stronger alteration and more stimulating action in terms of auditory and visual perception.
Although THCP isn’t a hallucinogen like LSD or magic mushrooms, users frequently describe the experience as being dreamlike. You won’t encounter strange visions or an out-of-body sensation, but you can feel like your perception is drifting from your core. Also common after taking THC are the experiences of richer colors and magnified noises. Each of these effects will be different for every individual.
The negative effects of taking too much THCp, however, are also more severe. People who use THCp, for instance, have described feeling certain adverse effects. THCp is probably not the ideal choice for you if you feel worried when utilizing Delta-9 THC.
While Delta 8 THC and Delta 10 THC have no noticeable effects on your headspace, THCp does. THCp, like THC-O and Delta-9 THC, can affect judgment and how you perceive events.
Is THCp Safe?
It’s common to worry about a product’s safety when you try something new. The safety of THCp hasn’t been thoroughly studied, so it’s impossible to say for sure. Nothing, however, suggests that it’s more hazardous than other THC analogs.
The effects of THCp on the body are stronger and are similar to those of THC. According to early findings, THCp is equally safe when taken at the same dose. However, you should only take THCp in small doses to prevent any negative side effects. Beginners should begin with less than the recommended dose on the label. Any more might result in an unpleasant high.
Make sure you are buying from a reputable source that provides proof of its lab testing and the quality of its products. By doing this, you can be sure that you’re purchasing THCp of the best possible quality and potency.
According to research, there are THC analogs with lengthy tails that have greater negative side effects than THC itself. As a result, THCp might cause greater adverse effects; however, the evidence is conflicting.
You should always use cannabis products at your own risk.
Will You Fail a Drug Test From Using THCp?
Every cannabis and hemp enthusiast’s biggest nightmare is a drug test. If cannabis is detected in an employee’s system, certain employers may fire them. Experts are unsure of whether THCp lingers in your system longer due to the paucity of studies on THCp.
It is prudent to contrast THCp with all other THC analogs for the time being. Let’s examine how long THC remains in your body:
Up to 30 days after your last usage, THC may still be present in your urine. The majority of it, however, depends on how much you use. A urine test may detect light cannabis use five to seven days after your last dose, regular use fifteen days after your last dose, and chronic use up to thirty days.
To avoid failing a drug test, it is wise to stop using THCp 30 days beforehand. The most typical test for cannabis use is urine; however, there are also tests for saliva, blood, and hair. A hair test is the scariest since it could reveal cannabis use 90 days after your last use; that’s a nightmare.
Cannabis can be eliminated from your body using a number of techniques. These consist of detoxification beverages, kits, creatine supplements, and goods containing activated charcoal. By drinking enough water, you can aid in the removal of THCP from your body. However, if you consume too much water, you could produce a strange outcome. But at that point, creatine pills can be used to mask overhydration. Although none of these techniques are guaranteed to be effective, many people have already experienced success with them.
How Much Does THCP Cost?
The cost of THC is typically determined by two aspects: how simple it is to grow and how high the market demand is. Because the general population has little interest in or knowledge about THCp, it is difficult to produce it in large quantities. Since the difficulty of extracting large quantities is a major hurdle, the cost of THCp is highly expensive.
Between THCp and Delta 9 THC are other THC subtypes Delta 8 THC, Delta 10 THC, and THC-O. THCp now costs about 50 cents per milligram on average. On the other hand, the average price per milligram for THC-O is between 15 and 30 cents, while that for Delta 8 THC and Delta 10 THC is between 7 and 15 cents.
Due to its great global demand and abundance in cannabis plants, Delta 9 THC is the most cost-effective form available. As a result, Delta 9 THC costs between 6 and 12 cents per milligram, which is four times less expensive than THCp because of Delta 9’s availability.
How Long Does it Take For THCP to Kick In?
You can start feeling the effects of THCp in as little as 15 minutes if you use or vape it. The peak effects will also hit you within an hour, but they will fade off after two hours.
If you consume THCp through gummies or cookies, it can take an hour before you start to feel the effects. The effects can last for up to six hours. Just a tiny amount of THCp should be taken, not more if the effects are not felt within the first two hours.
What Should You Do If You Consume Too Much THCp?
In the event that you unintentionally or deliberately consume too much THCp. First of all, keep calm; despite how it may feel, you’re not going to die. You might experience some negative effects. Although it might feel unpleasant at first, it will eventually pass. What you ought to do is:
1. Use Some CBD
The industry has grown rapidly as a result of increased public awareness of CBD’s benefits. But a lot of people don’t realize that consuming excessive amounts of THCP is the best CBD antagonist. The adverse effects of THCp can be reduced if you use CBD products.
2. Think Positive Thoughts
There is no doubt that THCP use can cause terrible paranoia. Your thoughts may become erratic. The best method to deal with this is to focus your attention on something you enjoy, such as your favorite computer game, a dog walk, or a favorite book. You can prevent overthinking and worry by focusing your thoughts.
3. Talk To A Friend
When you take too much THCP, you should talk to your buddies. By talking to you about the bright side, comforting you, and providing you with lots of water, they can help you get through the experience.
4. Get In A Cold Shower
Your high won’t go away entirely after taking a cold shower, but it may lessen the severity of the negative effects. Therefore, turn on the cold water and take a seat on the floor. Unwind as the chilly water cascades down your body.
5. Change Your Scenery And Environment
If all else fails, altering your environment might be a sensible decision. Alternatively, switch rooms in your house if you want to be alone. Be cautious and make sure you are physically capable of walking before going for a walk outside.
What Makes THCP So Psychoactive?
THCp and THC have almost identical chemical structures when they are compared to each other on a molecular level. The sole distinction is that THCp has a 7-carbon chain instead of a 5-carbon alkyl chain.
Researchers have already established that this chain must contain at least three carbons for THC to have any psychotropic effects at all. The impact is stronger the more carbons there are (there are limitations to this).
For instance, THCC, which just includes one carbon, is completely non-psychoactive. Three carbons make up THCV, which is about 25% more potent than THC. Delta 8, 9, and 10 THC are followed by THCp at the top, which has 7 carbons.
THC-O-acetate is another well-liked, more potent kind of THC. Instead of possessing a higher binding affinity to CB1 receptors, this synthetic cannabinoid’s enhanced potency is due to better bioavailability.
This indicates that compared to traditional THC, more is absorbed from the gut and crosses the blood-brain barrier.
Is THCP Addictive?
Although there isn’t enough proof to say if THCp is addictive or not, some scientists think it might be because of how strongly it binds to CB1 endocannabinoid receptors.
Similar to THCp, other synthetically produced substances have lengthy carbon tails and strong binding affinities. It has been established that several of these substances have certain addictive properties.
Is THCP a Synthetic Cannabinoid?
Depending on how you define “synthetic,” the answer may vary.
Low levels of THCp are found naturally in marijuana plants. The fact that THCp can be extracted directly from cannabis plants means that, in the eyes of many, it is not a synthetic cannabinoid.
However, to produce just one bottle of THCp isolate, producers would need to process enormous amounts of marijuana. Instead, the majority of THCp that is now on the market was either freshly created or altered from other cannabinoids. Some claim that because THCp is made in a lab from other molecules, it is a synthetic product.
How is THCP Extracted?
Since THCp only occurs in trace amounts in hemp, further research on it requires converting it from other cannabinoids.
Prior to 2019, there were no studies describing the extraction technique to produce practical levels of THCp. Later, to accommodate the production process typical for other THC isomers, such as Delta 8 or Delta 10, this procedure was developed and modified.
THCp is produced by manufacturers starting with CBD, so it is possible to get it from hemp in this way, giving THCp a legal loophole. Through this type of extraction, THCp falls within the regulations of the 2018 Farm Bill Act.
With the extraction of THCp, many different products can be created. At ATLRx, we now have products like Delta 8 THCp distillate and Delta 9 THCp distillate.