Just when you thought that you’ve tried every cannabinoid that the hemp plant has to offer, THC-O-Acetate (THC-O) has completely taken the market by storm, providing an entirely new array of properties that many enthusiasts are extremely eager to explore. THC-O is a one-of-a-kind compound that, to put it lightly, is quite distinctive from the other cannabinoids that we’ve tried, like CBD, delta 8 and even delta 10. That being said, it’s important to know exactly what this cannabinoid is capable of to have as successful of an experience with it as possible.
What Exactly is THC-O?
Again, THC-O-Acetate is a cannabinoid derived from the hemp plant and is one of the only cannabinoids currently on the market that is completely synthetically made, as THC-O does not naturally occur in the hemp plant material. It’s the result of taking tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), the raw predecessor to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and combining it with acetic anhydride and sulfuric acid before exposing it to specific temperature conditions. This creates an entirely new cannabinoid with its own properties that simply can’t be found in the natural world.
THC-O-Acetate is best known for its unique psychoactive effects. Nicknamed “the spiritual cannabinoid”, THC-O is the only hemp derivative that can produce a psychoactive experience when consumed in the right serving amount. In fact, did you know that it’s 3x as potent as delta 9 THC in terms of its intoxicating capabilities? Well, now you do.
The History of THC-O
Since THC-O-Acetate is a fully manmade cannabinoid, its history dates back to 1948, when it was first created in a laboratory. THC-O was developed by the United States Army as a non-lethal bioweapon capable of incapacitating opponents and was tested on dogs to show that it had the ability to temporarily decrease mobility of the muscles. When alternatives were created shortly after, THC-O fell to the wayside and remained largely ignored for years following.
Then, in 1978, a man in Jacksonville, Florida was found creating his own THC-O, and was shortly arrested afterward. In 1986, federal law declared all analogues of THC illegal, and it wasn’t until recently that manufacturers discovered that creating THC-O from hemp created a cannabinoid ultimately protected by federal law due to the Farm Bill of 2018, which protects all cannabinoids in the hemp plant with the exception of delta 9 THC.
What are the Properties of THC-O?
Because THC-O-Acetate remained extremely ignored for so many years, and because of the involved process of producing it, medical researchers have not studied its properties, as they have naturally-occurring cannabinoids that are far more accessible. Therefore, you won’t find the amount of studies pertaining to valuable properties of THC-O like you will when studying cannabidiol (CBD), delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-8 THC), and other popular cannabinoids that exist in the hemp plant.
Still, THC-O-Acetate is a cannabinoid, and it behaves like one, meaning that it interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system that has the ultimate task of keeping us in a state of homeostasis. So, there is no reason to doubt that THC-O can be extremely useful to us. We’re just waiting for the studies to come out that show us the specifics pertaining to what it can do.
All that we have right now is anecdotal information from those who have used it. Unsurprisingly, THC-O-Acetate’s useful properties may be similar to those of traditional THC, only stronger. After all, THC-O was specially made to be a more potent form of THC. Many say that after using THC-O, they feel mellower, more physically at ease and notice a boost in appetite and decrease in nausea.
Now that THC-O is being manufactured on a larger scale than ever before, and interest in the compound is certainly growing, there’s no doubt that researchers will begin to take a deeper look into the potential positives that the cannabinoid can offer. We’re hopeful that in the next couple of years, we will have access to studies showing us what it can provide beyond its ability to give us a psychoactive experience.
What is the Psychoactive Nature of THC-O?
THC-O-Acetate is the only cannabinoid that we know of that can yield psychedelic properties. Psychedelics are a class of substances that can yield hallucinatory or consciousness-expanding properties. Note that the psychedelic activity of THC-O is dose-dependent, as lower doses may simply result in feeling like you’ve taken an ordinary dose of traditional THC.
Many people call THC-O the “spiritual cannabinoid”, and that’s because many people find that its high is particularly cathartic emotionally and makes them feel more connected to a spiritual source. What this means for any potential user is that it can provide a much emotionally deeper experience than your traditional hemp product, and that’s likely an understatement.
Types of THC-O Products
THC-O-Acetate is available, mainly in vape form, so you can see for yourself what all of the hype is about and find out why this cannabinoid has gotten its spiritual connotations over the years.
- Vapes: THC-O vapes are the most widely available and the most desirable if you ask most hemp enthusiasts. They offer the most potent and fast-acting yet short-lived effects due to the nature of inhaling the cannabinoid. Available in a variety of strains, as the terpene profiles of popular strains are added to the THCO-extract in the formulas. You can find both pre-filled cartridges for your 510 vape pens, or disposable devices.
- Tinctures: THC-O tinctures are not yet widely available, but likely will be in the near future. They absorb sublingually, taking effect within the hour and lasting for up to 4-6 hours at a time. Also come in a variety of milligram strengths and are easy to dose thanks to the dropper caps.
- Edibles: THC-O gummies and other edibles are destined to be extremely popular with users, as the effects are very long-lasting (up to 8 hours) and they’re associated with a stronger “body high” that many people quite enjoy. They come in a variety of flavors as well as milligram strengths.
- Capsules: THC-O capsules are a good alternative to edibles for those who want to avoid consuming a food product for any reason. Can last for as long in terms of their effects, and also come in a variety of milligram strength options.
- Flower: THC-O flower is not yet available, but there’s no reason to believe that it won’t be in the near future. THC-O flower refers to standard CBD flower, in various strains, that is infused with a THC-O extract to give you a potent psychoactive experience on top of the known effects of the hemp plant.
- Dabs: THC-O dabs are not yet around, but as dabs are concentrated hemp products that are extremely potent, we can only imagine how powerful the effects of THC-O dabbing would be.