The history of HHC, the newest cannabinoid on the market, has been well covered. But how does the high feel? There may be a lot of people who haven’t heard of it and are interested in learning more about HHC and whether it will get them high. What distinguishes it from other cannabinoids?
Hexahydrocannabinol, often known as HHC, is a close relative of the THC (Delta-9) molecule in the cannabis plant. Both substances interact with the endocannabinoid system to create psychoactive effects.
We want to examine the HHC high and see how it stacks up against, for example, the standard Delta-8 high. We’ll take you step-by-step through the entire HHC procedure. Let’s explore another comprehensive tutorial on a beloved hemp compound!
Table of Contents
- What Is HHC?
- Effects of HHC You Should Be Aware Of
- How Does HHC Make You Feel like?
- Is HHC Safe?
- Is HHC Legal?
- What Are The Various Way To Consume HHC Products?
- Is HHC Detectable in Drug Tests?
- What Does HHC Do?
- The Key Takeaways: Does HHC Get You High?
There are a few things that you must consider before we go deeper into HHC and its properties.
- An enhanced version of THC is HHC. For a more shelf-stable product with very comparable properties, hydrogen molecules are used in a chemical process to replace the carbon double bonds.
- The most typical places to get HHC are vape items or consumables like candies.
- HHC has effects that are 80% as strong as Delta 9 THC but more potent than Delta-8 THC, falling between those two levels in terms of potency.
- Given that THC must undergo a chemical conversion into HHC in order to be used in items like vape pens or candies, HHC can be regarded as a semi-synthetic cannabinoid.
- Although anecdotal reports indicate that HHC goods are generally safe and equivalent to THC, it’s crucial to buy carefully for HHC products as contaminants can enter your product through subpar manufacturing.
What Is HHC?
We’ll give you a quick summary here if you haven’t had a chance to read our other posts about what HHC is and its impacts. Roger Adams originally produced hexahydrocannabinol, sometimes known as HHC, in 1944 by hydrogenating Delta-9 THC. The THC was changed into a whole new molecule by adding hydrogen atoms.
Hydrogenation is not an entirely new process. Making margarine from vegetable oil serves as a demonstration of the process. We get something novel and thrilling by doing it for cannabis. Today, substances in hemp other than Delta-9 THC can be used to create HHC. The outcome is the same: an appealing cannabinoid that is gaining popularity. The original molecular structure is altered by hydrogenation, improving shelf stability.
When delta-9 THC is converted to HHC, the chemical structure is altered by replacing the carbon double bonds with hydrogen. They interact with the body’s cannabinoid receptors differently enough to have slightly different effects, despite having chemical compositions that don’t seem to differ significantly from one another.
The absence of a hydrogen molecule in HHC is the primary distinction between HHC and Delta-8 THC. So what does that mean for someone who isn’t a chemistry nerd, then?
HHC is a “fatter,” more slowly-moving cannabinoid than Delta-8 THC. Studies have revealed that HHC is less powerful than Delta-8 and has fewer psychotropic effects. HHC is the ideal substitute to test out if you feel that Delta-8 is a little more than you anticipated. If you are unsure of what Delta-8 is or how it differs from CBD, you might want to look into that as well.
HHC is a “fatter,” more slowly-moving cannabinoid when compared to Delta-8 THC. Studies have shown that HHC is less potent and has fewer psychedelic effects than Delta-8. HHC is the ideal substitute to test out if you feel that Delta-8 is a little more than you anticipated. If you are unsure of what Delta-8 is or how it differs from CBD, you might want to look into that as well.
Some cannabis experts are sure that HHC is naturally present (in trace amounts) in high-potency cannabis plants.
Some researchers claim that it is a semi-synthetic cannabinoid because it involves taking a naturally occurring Delta 9 or Delta 8 THC molecule and changing its chemical structure using a nickel or zinc catalyst and chemical saturation.
Effects of HHC You Should Be Aware Of
It’s amazing how each cannabinoid affects your body differently, despite the fact that they all share the same fundamental structure. Chemical bonding has a role in this.
Double bonds exist in the Delta-8 and Delta-9 strains but not in HHC. The difference in effect duration between a THC high and an HHC high has also been discussed by users. Many people claim that the effects of HHC can last up to two hours longer than those of Delta 9 THC.
The effects and longevity of HHC, however, differ from person to person, just like THC. Your friend might experience the effects for almost four hours, whereas you might only experience them for two and a half hours. Today, HHC is frequently found in vape goods or even gummies, allowing you to take it more or less frequently as needed.
How Does HHC Make You Feel like?
We’ve got you covered if you’d like a more thorough explanation of what to anticipate when under the influence of HHC. The majority of people assert that HHC causes a gradual uplift in spirit. In comparison to THC, it increases activity more than usual. It can alter your headspace and cognition, but it doesn’t entirely take control of your ability to remain in control. Right, this sounds familiar.
The high from Delta-8 THC is extremely comparable to the high from HHC. A Delta-8 high is less potent than a typical Delta-9 high, so keep that in mind. You experience the psychoactive THC high to its fullest extent without the unfavorable side effects. The baked feeling you get from an HHC high is quite similar to a Delta-8 high, but it’s milder than a Delta-9 THC high.
Do HHC and Delta-8 really provide different psychoactive highs? Kinda!
The Delta-8 high feels much more like an indica or an Indica-dominant hybrid than the HHC high, though this is entirely subjective (note that everyone processes cannabinoids differently, so the ATLRx team’s experiences can greatly vary from person to person). The Delta-8 high is more of a full-bodied, melt-on-the-couch type of experience, whereas the HHC high is more of an energetic, daily activity sort of high. Both are tremendously enjoyable, both give you a powerful high, and neither cause the negative side effects that come with consuming regular Delta-9 cannabis.
Is HHC Safe?
Numerous studies imply that there aren’t many differences between HHC and THC in terms of their efficacy and safety. Although a quick search for what HHC is from a safety standpoint is unlikely to turn up anything, research firmly supports the idea that it is not more toxic than THC. This cannabinoid is still relatively new on the market and has not received as much research attention as CBD or Delta-9 THC.
So even though HHC is safe in the conventional sense, you still need to be very careful when buying it. Chemical hydrogenation of THC results in the production of HHC, a semi-synthetic cannabinoid. When the hydrogenation process is carried out improperly, impurities and contamination may develop. A positive experience with HHC depends on making purchases from a reputable company. As you are aware, every batch you purchase from ATLRx comes with a Certificate of Analysis.
Always consult with a medical professional if you have any underlying conditions. A doctor or medical professional can tell you if HHC is safe for you to use if you have a pre-existing condition.
Is HHC Legal?
Similar to hemp’s Delta-8 THC, HHC is currently illegal. Technically, only Delta-9 THC from marijuana remains on the Schedule I list of Controlled Substances; HHC extracted from hemp plants that contain less than 0.3% by dried weight is regarded as legitimate.
The definition of what counts as a natural or synthetic cannabinoid is another area where HHC may exist in legal limbo. Synthetic cannabinoids first became a concern for public health in the early 2000s, when lab-produced marijuana marketed under the names “K2” and “Spice” was offered as a legal high and means of avoiding drug tests.
Due to the absence of these synthetic cannabinoids in nature, several hospitalizations and fatalities have been reported. The Drug Enforcement Administration outright outlawed these so-called synthetic cannabinoids because they bore no resemblance to any actual cannabis cannabinoids.
The claim is that cannabinoids like HHC and even Delta-8 THC, which do need a chemical reaction to change their molecular structure and create a psychoactive cannabinoid, are present in plants, albeit in small amounts. It can still be considered “natural,” though.
While HHC and Delta-8 don’t appear to be major public health concerns, the federal government will probably ignore them. Some states have outlawed THC in all its forms, including its isomers and hydrogenated versions.
Be careful to familiarize yourself with your local laws before acquiring HHC or Delta-8 to avoid any legal issues.
What Are The Various Way To Consume HHC Products?
Cannabis cannabinoids engage the endocannabinoid system in order to exert their effects. Because the body contains CB1 and CB2 receptors, cannabinoids can be burned, consumed, or administered topically to produce effects. The way the body processes the cannabinoids will determine the effects that are experienced.
When you smoke or vape cannabis, cannabinoids are quickly and easily absorbed into the bloodstream through the lungs. This is made possible by the chemical structure of cannabinoids. Although the benefits don’t last as long as when used orally, they are virtually instantaneous.
Despite the fact that HHC goods are less common than CBD or THC products, you may still locate certain brands that sell HHC dabs, HHC shatter that can be vaped, or HHC flower that can be burned. These distillate-based HHC products contain up to 99.9% pure HHC. For extra flavor and to strengthen the effects, they might also include certain terpenes from hemp that are naturally derived.
The best HHC distillate should be a clear, sticky liquid with a significantly longer shelf life compared to other naturally occurring cannabinoids and full-spectrum or broad-spectrum hemp extracts.
Some companies may have HHC edibles, but this type of product is more difficult to manufacture because HHC is harder to process than CBD or THC.
Is HHC Detectable in Drug Tests?
One of the main advantages of HHC is that, unlike Delta-8 and Delta-10, it doesn’t show up on a typical urine test. This, however, is debatable.
HHC has reportedly caused some people to fail their drug tests. This is most likely caused by the liver’s capacity to transform HHC into 11-hydroxy-THC, one of the primary THC metabolites that may be detected in drug tests.
You should avoid using any THC, including this hydrogenated version of THC, before your anticipated test because all other cannabinoids, including HHC, are retained in adipose cells and can linger in your body for up to 30 days.
What Does HHC Do?
Although many people find HHC useful, there is unfortunately not enough evidence to support its potential health advantages. These motives are all strikingly similar to those for using THC or CBD. The most alluring aspect of HHC for many customers is that it is legal on a federal level and has effects that are strikingly similar to delta-9 THC from marijuana. Additionally, hydrogenation lengthens the shelf life of cannabinoids generated from hemp.
The Key Takeaways: Does HHC Get You High?
The psychoactive substance HHC creates a high that is extremely comparable to THC.
HHC is produced by incorporating hydrogen atoms into the THC molecule, which causes a minor transformation of the molecule. Although marijuana is still illegal on a federal level, it has made a significant comeback in the cannabis sector since it was first synthesized in 1944.
What feelings do you have when using HHC? HHC offers unique effects that are similar to those of THC but also quite different.
Although HHC is less potent (up to 80%) than typical Delta-9 THC, it is slightly more potent than Delta-8 THC.
Watch where you purchase HHC items. The market for hemp-derived cannabinoids is unregulated, and it takes dangerous chemicals to create HHC, which may end up in what you smoke or consume.
Always look for independent lab testing to make sure your HHC is free of any dangerous byproducts.