2023 Cannabinoid Matchup: THC-P vs. HHC

THC-P and HHC are two of the most sought-after cannabinoids on today’s market, and it’s easy to see why. Both promise a super gratifying high, and both are known for known for the powerful mood boost that they can offer. But, at the end of the day, these two cannabinoids are extremely different from one another when it comes to how potent the effects are, not to mention their chemical structures, which is why it’s important that we compare them today.

What is THC-P (Tetrahydrocannabiphorol)?

THC-P, aka tetrahydrocannabiphorol, is the cannabinoid that’s gotten lots of buzz because of its profound potency. Discovered only in 2019, this super minor compound has 7 carbon atoms on its side chain, and what that means is that structurally, its ability to attach to the brain’s CB1 receptors is beyond impressive. THC-P attaches to these receptors at about 33x the rate of delta 9 THC, which explains why its psychoactive strength is so much higher.

What’s the High Like?

Because of the extreme efficiency of which THC-P works on the brain’s CB1 receptors, the high you can get from THC-P is estimated to be about 10 times as potent as that of delta 9 THC. In short, that’s really powerful. Because of that, THC-P is best for someone who has some experience with other forms of THC, and thus, has the tolerance to handle such a super-strong cannabinoid.

The high is known for its deeply euphoric nature, too, and a lot of people who have anxiety say that taking it brings them a feeling of relief. The body high can be really powerful if the cannabinoid is taken in fairly high doses, possibly causing couchlock and drowsiness.

Does THC-P Have Benefits?

THC-P is such a new discovery that we don’t have tons of information about what kinds of effects it can offer. But, what we do know is that this cannabinoid is likely to offer a substantial number of benefits, based on this one study that was done at the time of its discovery.

Those benefits are:

• Anti-inflammatory effects
• Anxiolytic effects
• Antiemetic effects
• Appetite-boosting effects
• Neuroprotective effects
• Analgesic effects
• Sleep-enhancing effects

Does THC-P Have Side Effects?

All cannabinoids are associated with some side effects, which is true of pretty much any substance we take, and THC-P’s side effects are thankfully pretty mild and short-lived, and no different from the side effects associated with cannabis. THC-P is nontoxic, so you don’t have to worry about major health concerns.

The effects include:

• Dry mouth
• Dry eyes
• Dizziness
• Forgetfulness
• Drowsiness
• Clumsiness
• Paranoia
• Anxiety

Note: These side effects are largely dose-dependent, and tolerance-dependent. In other words, the more you take, the more likely they are to occur, and the lower your tolerance, the more likely they are to occur. For a lot of people, these side effects actually stop occurring once they have been taking THC-P for a while.

Who Would Prefer THC-P?

So, is THC-P the kind of cannabinoid that makes sense for you? The main thing to consider, once again, is your tolerance to psychoactive cannabinoids. Because THC-P’s high can be so strong, you really should have a good tolerance overall, to enjoy the high rather than feel overwhelmed by it. And, besides that, it does offer benefits, like we said earlier.

What is HHC (Hexahydrocannabinol)?

HHC, or hexahydrocannabinol, is another naturally occurring cannabinoid like THC-P. But, while THC-P is found in the plant’s flowering buds, HHC is found in the plant’s seeds and pollen. HHC is actually a hydrogenated delta 9 THC analog, which means that structurally, it looks like THC, but with an extra hydrogen atom. This hydrogen atom enhances the stability of the cannabinoid, and likely its bioavailability as well.

What’s the High Like?

HHC is very similar to delta 9, like we said, and because of that, people often say that its ‘high’ is pretty much identical. Now keep in mind that what this means is that HHC is notably milder than THC-P, so that’s something to really consider when choosing between the two. Overall, the high is reported to be both euphoric and calming, and people describe a very relieving body high that can help with tension in the body.

Does HHC Have Benefits?

Despite the fact that HHC has been on the market for a few years, there haven’t yet been any studies published on its potential therapeutic uses. Now, that’s not because it doesn’t have any – it is a cannabinoid after all. Rather, researchers just haven’t gotten around to analyzing the cannabinoid, yet.

However, with so many people having taken HHC over the last couple of years, and given its similarity to delta 9, we can basically assume that it's likely to offer:

• Anti-inflammatory effects
• Anxiolytic effects
• Analgesic effects
• Appetite-boosting effects
• Sleep-enhancing effects
• Neuroprotective effects
• Anti-nausea effects

Does HHC Have Side Effects?

Possible side effects you might get from taking HHC are the same as the ones we talked about earlier with THC-P. But, because HHC is milder than THC-P, the side effects are less likely to occur unless you take a higher high dose. Again, they are:

• Dry mouth
• Dry eyes
• Dizziness
• Forgetfulness
• Drowsiness
• Clumsiness
• Paranoia
• Anxiety

Who Would Prefer HHC?

HHC is ideal for someone who wants a cannabinoid that feels a lot like delta 9 THC. In a lot of states, delta 9 remains illegal, so having such a similar alternative can be really good news for those people.

Which of the Two is Right for You?

Both HHC and THC-P have a lot to offer: a dazzling high that can lift your spirits, put your mind at ease, and give your body the chillout session that it needs. At the same time, one of these cannabinoids is far more intoxicating than the other, and that’s something that you’ll need to take into account, based on your tolerance. The Calm Leaf carries both HHC products and THC-P products that are available in a wide variety of delivery methods, product types, strains, formulations, etc.