THC-P – Effects, Side Effects, Potential Risks & Opportunities
With THC-P (tetrahydrocannabiphorol) – also spelled THCP – the world of cannabinoids as we know it is now enriched by another representative. And this one is something special: THC-P is said to be 33 times stronger than THC. And so THC-P is already being referred to by some authors as the “super cannabinoid” or “king of cannabinoids”.
No wonder that some users want to buy THC-P.
But what is THC-P and is THC-P legal? What are THC-P vapes and THC-P flowers? And above all, what are the THC-P effects and THC-P experiences?
What is THC-P?
THC-P, or tetrahydrocannabiphorol, is part of this wave of cannabinoids recently discovered in the hemp plant, in this case Cannabis L. Sativa, a variety known for its stimulant properties, its effects on motivation, concentration and memory, as well as its analgesic properties.
Discover THC-P: Thanks to science!
In 2019, a team of Italian researchers was able to highlight the natural presence of THC-P in the cannabis plant as part of a comprehensive scientific research aimed at discovering and analyzing the previously unknown cannabinoids through the use of new techniques in the field of hemp research.
The result of the race: Two “new” molecules were isolated for the first time in the laboratory, CBD-P and THC-P. Specifically, these discoveries were made using a variety of advanced chemical analysis techniques, including high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS).
Note: The cannabis plant has over one hundred and forty different cannabinoids, and many of these are still little known or even completely unknown to the scientific community, especially those that have a long-chain molecular structure. In many ways, the cannabis plant will continue to drive scientific discoveries for many years to come. And you can count on FlowPow to keep you informed!
THC-P: What is the chemical structure of this newly isolated cannabinoid?
THC-P is a phytocannabinoid in the sense that it is a cannabinoid produced naturally by the cannabis plant, as opposed to synthetic cannabinoids produced by humans in vitro. Its structure is very similar to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, better known by the acronym THC, the best known and most abundant cannabinoid in the cannabis plant, which gives it its psychotropic effects.
THC-P and THC are composed of a resorcinol unit (an aromatic organic compound) linked to a long chain of alkyls via a monoterpene unit. But there is one "big" difference: THC-P's alkyl chain is longer than THC's, with seven carbon atoms (heptyl) instead of THC's five (pentyl). This difference may seem trivial, but in reality it has a very significant impact on the way THC-P interacts with the human body's endocannabinoid system (ECS).
So much for the brief history of THC-P, a cannabinoid discovered in 2019 that continues to be the subject of extensive research activities to better understand its effects and its medical applications, but also in the world of well-being and relaxation.
THC-P: How does this cannabinoid interact with the endocannabinoid system?
To understand the potential effects of THC-P on our bodies, we must first understand what the endocannabinoid system is. In fact, every consumer of CBD and non-psychotropic cannabinoids should be interested in the ECS, as it explains much of the effect of legal hemp on our daily well-being. Let's get started!
What is the endocannabinoid system (ECS)?
The endocannabinoid system is a complex cellular communication system involved in the regulation of many bodily functions, including pain sensation, mood, appetite, metabolism, sleep, memory, and immune response. Does this remind you of anything? This is more or less the scope of action of cannabidiol and other cannabinoids found in the hemp plant, both sativa and indica.
We're back to a new discovery, as the ECS was first described in the mid-1990s... but scientists have always "suspected" its existence by observing the effects of cannabis consumption on the body and mind. To fully understand how the ECS works, let's take a look at its three main components and their role in the body:
- Cannabinoid receptors: The two main cannabinoid receptors known to the scientific community are “CB1” and “CB2”. CB1 receptors are widely distributed in the brain and central nervous system, but are also found to a lesser extent in the skin and certain parts of the body that seem to vary from person to person. CB2 receptors are most commonly found in the immune system, bone marrow cells, and blood cells;
- Endocannabinoids: These are chemical compounds that are naturally produced by the human body and bind to cannabinoid receptors. Simply put, these are cannabinoids that are not produced by the cannabis plant, but by our bodies. The two most studied endocannabinoids are anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG);
- Enzymes: These will synthesize and degrade endocannabinoids. The two most well-known enzymes are the endocannabinoid synthesis enzyme (NAPE-PLD for anandamide and DAGL for 2-AG) and the endocannabinoid degradation enzymes (FAAH for anandamide and MAGL for 2-AG).
What role does ECS play in the body?
The endocannabinoid system is what is known as a regulator of homeostasis. In simpler terms, it helps the body maintain its internal balance in response to the various changes that may occur in its microenvironment (stimuli). ECS is involved in a variety of physiological processes, including pain control, inflammation, memory, mood, sleep, metabolism, nervous system protection, immune response, and even human reproduction.
When an imbalance is detected (stress and anxiety, pain, inflammation, nutritional imbalance such as fasting or overeating, lack of sleep, etc.), the endocannabinoid system springs into action. How? Endocannabinoids are produced when needed and travel backwards through the synapses to regulate cellular activity and restore balance. Wonderful, right? Now let's look at the possible place of THC-P in this symphony.
THC-P and the endocannabinoid system: what we know
While research into THC-P is still in its infancy, this newly discovered cannabinoid has already shown promising potential in the way it interacts with the endocannabinoid system.
As explained above, the endocannabinoid system is mainly made up of two types of receptors (CB1 and CB2) scattered throughout the body and receptive to the effects of cannabinoids. THC, the best-known cannabinoid, has a high affinity for the CB1 receptor, which is particularly concentrated in the brain. And this explains the psychotropic effects of THC. On the other hand, CBD and other non-psychotropic cannabinoids are hardly attracted to CB1 receptors, which explains the lack of psychotropic effects and the risk of severe addiction. Where does THC-P fit into this continuum?
THC-P, THC and the CB1 receptor
Answer: THC-P has an affinity for the CB1 receptors in the brain that is about 33 times greater than that of THC. This feature, discovered in 2019, is very important because it explains what scientists have observed so far. It therefore explains why THC-P seems to have a stronger effect, even though it is present in much smaller amounts in the cannabis plant than THC.
THC-P and the CB2 receptor
In addition to its interaction with the CB1 receptor, THC-P also appears to have an affinity for the CB2 receptor, although research on this is still limited. CB2 receptors play an important role in regulating the immune system and inflammation, and their activation by cannabinoids has mainly positive effects. CBD, CBC, CBN and CBG all have a higher affinity for CB2 receptors, which explains their many benefits for the body:
- Calming and relaxing effect . This is the action most requested by consumers as it allows them to better control their stress and anxiety;
- Anti-inflammatory properties , especially at the muscle and joint level, but also at the skin level in topical CBD products such as creams, gels, serums and balms;
- Antalgic effect , to relieve pain of mild to moderate intensity;
- Antioxidant action to fight free radicals that contribute to premature cell aging.
As you probably understand, THC-P produces some of the beneficial effects of CBD thanks to its affinity for the CB2 receptors of the endocannabinoid system.
THC-P and other receptors of the endocannabinoid system
THC-P may actually interact with other receptors of the endocannabinoid system that have not yet been well characterized. For example, cannabinoids with longer alkyl chains have shown some affinity for the GPR55 receptor, which scientists call the "third cannabinoid receptor" after CB1 and CB2. This affinity opens up promising research opportunities in the following medical and therapeutic applications:
- The treatment of chronic pain and inflammation , two symptoms that are still poorly managed with current treatments (less effective and/or significant side effects and/or risk of addiction to opioid painkillers);
- Neuroprotective therapies with promising prospects for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis;
- Management of appetite and metabolism , with an interesting lead in the treatment of eating disorders and obesity, a major risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes and certain serious heart diseases;
- The treatment of sleep disorders , including insomnia and REM sleep disorders such as nocturnal verbalization and muscle spasms;
- Cancer therapies , as certain cannabinoids from the hemp plant appear to have an anti-tumor effect.
Of course, these hopes remain largely speculative at this stage. Research on THC-P and, more generally, on long-chain cannabinoids is still in its infancy and it is too early to draw definitive conclusions on their medical applications, but also on well-being and relaxation. To put you in perspective, in France, the Ministry of Health is still experimenting with the therapeutic potential of CBD and THC, two molecules known for several decades, under the control of the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines (ANSM). We will therefore have to be patient with the "new" molecules isolated between 2010 and today.
Update June 26, 2024: As part of the fifth regulation amending the appendix to the New Psychoactive Substances Act, some cannabinoids have been banned in Germany. These include THC-PO, THC-P, THCV, HHC and all associated derivatives (HHC-O, HHC-P, HHC-PO...). The bans are limited to the production and sale of the cannabinoids. The consumption and possession of the cannabinoids is still legal. We are just not allowed to sell them to you.
As a replacement, FlowPow offers 10-OH-HHC and 10-OH-HHCP Products are available for sale that have the same psychoactive effect and are currently not regulated in Germany.
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