HHC-P vs. THC-P: What’s the Difference?

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HHC-P, aka hexahydrocannabiphorol, is starting to become the new “big thing” in the hemp industry, following in the footsteps of its predecessors, hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) and hexahydrocannabinol-O acetate/HHC-O-Acetate (HHC-O).  Naturally, HHC-P is gonna remind many people of tetrahydrocannabiphorol (THC-P), given the similarities in name.  So, what do these two hemp-derived cannabinoids actually have in common, and what makes each one uniquely worth trying?  Let’s compare.

HHC-P (Hexahydrocannabiphorol)

HHC-P is one of the newest cannabinoids to enter the market, promising a super-powerful high.  Of the two cannabinoids that we are comparing today, HHC-P is a much more recent addition to the industry.

How It’s Made

HHC-P is not a naturally occurring cannabinoid in the hemp plant.  But, it is derived from HHC, which is.  HHC-P is referred to as a “semi-synthesized” cannabinoid, which means that although it’s ultimately not natural, it is a modified form of a cannabinoid that is – in other words, it’s not 100% created in a lab.

Making HHC-P involves adjusting the carbon tail of HHC to have 7 carbon atoms attached to it.  What this does is change how the cannabinoid attaches to the brain’s CB1 receptors, that are responsible for the high that we experience, along with effects that relate to the nervous system.  Because HHC-P comes from HHC, it’s a pretty unique cannabinoid overall.  HHC is a hydrogenated form of THC found in the hemp plant’s pollen and seeds, and thanks to that hydrogen atom, it’s unbelievably chemically stable.  Many believe that this enhances its bioavailability as it’s more resilient to environmental destabilizers like oxygen, heat, light and humidity, which are known to cause cannabinoids to degrade.

What the High is Like

HHC-P is likely to be about 10 times as intoxicating as HHC, and HHC is about as intoxicating as delta 9 THC, for reference.  Basically, the takeaway here is that HHC-P will get you very high if you take a standard dose of it.  The high is often compared to the effects of a hybrid strain – in other words, a very balanced type of psychoactive effect, shared between the body and the mind, that’s never too energizing, nor too heavy and sedating.  If you’re all about balanced hybrid strains, and you’re not afraid of such a potent cannabinoid, then HHC-P may be your new favorite hemp derivative.

Other Effects it Can Offer

HHC-P has not been studied in clinical trials, so there’s no research we can provide to illustrate its potential therapeutic uses.  However, we can make some safe assumptions here, because HHC-P is just a stronger form of HHC, and HHC is phenomenally similar to delta 9.  Therefore, there’s a good chance that HHC-P can offer help with things like nausea, low appetite, physical discomfort and mood.

Legality

HHC-P is a federally legal cannabinoid, since the law states that hemp derivatives are legal as long as they contain a maximum of 0.3% delta 9 THC.  However, states that have banned psychoactive cannabinoids will not permit sales of HHC-P.  Those states are:

• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Delaware
• Hawaii (Oral and Inhalable Products)
• Idaho
• Iowa
• Mississippi
• Montana
• Nevada
• New York
• North Dakota
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• Utah
• Vermont
• Washington

THC-P (Tetrahydrocannabiphorol)

If you want to buy THC-P products, you need to know that THC-P hasn’t been around for much longer than HHC-P, but in a short period of time, it’s quickly risen to the top of the list of in-demand cannabinoids thanks to its spectacularly potent effects.

How It’s Made

Unlike HHC-P, THC-P is a naturally occurring cannabinoid in the hemp plant – found in the flowering buds of the plant, to be more precise, where we uncover over 100 cannabinoids, including CBD, delta 8 THC and delta 9 THC.  THC-P is, however, an incredibly trace cannabinoid, which is why it was only discovered in 2019 using the most advanced liquid chromatography techniques that today’s cannabis researchers have at their disposal.  Like HHC-P, THC-P has 7 carbon atoms on its carbon tail, which is what makes the cannabinoid so profusely potent compared to other cannabinoids.  In fact, THC-P is, as far as we know, the most potent cannabinoid that naturally exists in the hemp plant.

What the High is Like

THC-P attaches to CB1 receptors in the brain at about 31 times the rate of delta 9 THC, which makes THC-P about 10 times as intoxicating as delta 9, just like the comparison of HHC-P to HHC.  So, once again, you’re in for a potentially staggering high, and the most powerful high you can get naturally from the hemp plant.  But, THC-P’s high is more commonly described as euphoric, with potentially a more powerful body high than HHC-P’s, which could very well land you in couchlock territory.  It seems that THC-P may ultimately have more indica-like effects than HHC-P.

Other Effects It Can Offer

Unlike HHC-P, THC-P has been researched for its clinical properties – but not extensively, since again, the cannabinoid is incredibly new.  The team who discovered THC-P did spend some time analyzing it for its possible therapeutic uses, and the consensus is that it seems to offer all of the positive effects associated with delta 9, only stronger.  These effects include potential relief from discomfort of the body, along with effects that relate to appetite, nausea, mood, sleep and neurological balance.

Legality

Like THC-P, HHC-P is federally legal, but prohibited in the following states:

• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Delaware
• Hawaii (Oral and Inhalable Products)
• Idaho
• Iowa
• Mississippi
• Montana
• Nevada
• New York
• North Dakota
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• Utah
• Vermont
• Washington

Which Cannabinoid Will You Choose?

Well, HHC-P and THC-P are similar at the end of the day, but their highs can feel quite different from one another, which is why we recommend that you give both a try – that is, if you aren’t afraid of very powerful psychoactive cannabinoids.  Both HHC-P and THC-P can offer valuable effects to mind & body, and our endocannabinoid system (ECS) can get a lot out of every individual cannabinoid that exists in hemp.

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