HHCP: Effects, side effects, risks and products
HHCP, also known as Hexahydrocannabiphorol, HHC-P or HHC P, is the latest product from many manufacturers in the HHC product space. Recently on the market, this obscure cannabinoid is enjoying rapidly increasing demand, and many people are showing interest in purchasing HHCP.
The high demand could also be due to the expectations created by the manufacturers among potential customers. HHCP is claimed to be the most powerful cannabinoid, as it is said to bind to CB1 receptors 32 times more strongly than THC, thus producing an effect ten times stronger than that of HHC.
The catch is that HHCP is so new that there are no studies on how it works. All statements are based on comparisons with the extremely potent THC-P (also THCP) or on the subjective experiences of HHC-P consumers.
Why HHC-P, like its illegal counterpart THC-P, may be unsuitable for recreational use, what potential dangers it poses, and what the temperature in the anus of mice has to do with HHCP are discussed in this article.
Important points at a glance:
- HHC-P is said to be 33 times more potent than THC.
- HHC-P is the hydrogenated form of THC-P.
- THC-P is probably a cannabinoid receptor full agonist.
- Full agonists can cause serious side effects.
What is HHC-P, how is HHCP produced and what is the connection to HHC?
Origin of our knowledge about HHC
In our guide "What is HHC?" we tried to answer the most important questions about the substance HHC. However, this was challenging because there is little reliable information about the molecule hexahydrocannabinol.
We often had to resort to analogies, drawing conclusions about the potential effects of HHC from the better-researched mechanisms of action of tetrahydrocannabinol.
Given the structural similarity between HHC and THC, this conclusion seems obvious, but is at best an approximation.
Although the side effects of HHC are very similar to those of THC and cannabis, this method cannot reliably determine unknown risks and potential long-term consequences of hexahydrocannabinol consumption.
Our approach is therefore suboptimal, but appears to be more accurate than relying solely on information from manufacturers or subjective experiences of HHC consumers. Real certainty can only be achieved through scientific studies.
HHC-P: Production and relationship with HHCP
Before science has even looked into the dangers and risks of hexahydrocannabinol, the next cannabinoid is already coming onto the market – and this one is said to be even stronger than HHC.
The chemical process of hydrogenation is used to produce HHC. In this way, the chemist Roger Adams was able to produce HHC from Delta 9 THC for the first time in the 1940s (it is also possible to obtain hexahydrocannabinol from CBD). Like HHC, HHCP is the hydrogenated form of a natural cannabinoid that is illegal in Germany. According to more or less reputable sources, HHCP is also produced from HHC or CBD by enriching its carbon chain.
The question arises whether hexahydrocannabinol can still be called a natural cannabinoid, taking into account the manufacturing process. One study has found small traces of HHC detectable in the cannabis plant. HHC-P, on the other hand, could at best be considered a semi-synthetic cannabinoid and is probably not found in any hemp plant worldwide.
What is THC-P?
It seems worthwhile to take a closer look at the effects of THC-P, as they may provide insight into what effects can be expected from HHCP. If one assumes that HHC acts in a similar way to THC, then HHC-P should have similar properties to THC-P.
Comparing HHCP with THCP is therefore analogous and certainly not 100% accurate. Reviews on the Internet claim that HHCP is even more potent than THCP. However, this approach is made difficult by the lack of information about the recently discovered THCP. However, initial studies and a general understanding of how cannabinoids work can help.
Alkyl chains as the driving force of cannabinoids
Don't be put off by the complicated title of this chapter. We will explain what it is about in simple terms:
As you may know, Δ9-THC works primarily through its affinity for CB1 receptors.
Scientists have now discovered that the binding affinity (willingness to bind) of THC to CB1 receptors is increased by extending its hydrocarbon chain (alkyl chain). Based on this, cannabinoids have been synthesized - often with THC as the starting material - whose effect is many times stronger than that of THC.
This knowledge has also been used to produce new, highly potent substances that, although chemically similar to real cannabinoids, mimic their pharmacological effect on the cannabinoid receptors. In this context, they are referred to as synthetic cannabinoids or cannabinoid mimetics.
For a long time, no naturally occurring cannabinoid was known that had a side chain longer than 5 carbon atoms. However, innovative methods have made it possible to identify and isolate two cannabinoids that have 7 carbon atoms in the side chain. These were called cannabidiphorol (CBDP) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabiphorol (Δ9-THCP).
Binding affinity of THCP with CB1 and CB2 receptors
Now we come to the really exciting point: What effect does the longer alkyl chain have on the binding affinity of THCP with the cannabinoid receptors?
In a study, the binding affinity of (-)-trans-Δ9-THCP was investigated and compared with other cannabinoids. The result: THCP is 5-10 times more active at the CB2 receptors than (-)-trans-Δ9-THC, (-)-trans-Δ9-THCB and (-)-trans-Δ9-THCV.
And at the CB1 receptors – which mainly cause the psychoactive effect – THCP is:
- 63 times more active than (-)-trans-Δ9-THCV
- 33 times more active than (-)-trans-Δ9-THC
- 13 times more active than the recently discovered (-)-trans-Δ9-THCB
Scientists found that a cannabinoid needs at least a 3-carbon side chain to bind to cannabinoid receptors. Synthetic cannabinoid mimetics with 8 carbons have the strongest activity, with affinity decreasing with additional carbon atoms. THC has 5 carbon atoms, THCP has 7 carbon atoms in the side chain.
For medical purposes, cannabinoids have been synthesized that have more than 5 carbon atoms in the side chain and are therefore much more potent than THC.
Some of these synthetic cannabinoids or cannabinoid mimetics entered the market and were sold as spices, herbal mixtures or so-called "legal highs".
Is the effect of HHC-P similar to that of THC-P?
THC-P is said to be 33 times more potent than THC, mimics the properties of a full agonist and is the starting point for the synthesis of HHC-P.
Our unproven fear is that HHC-P – analogous to THCP – could also be a cannabinoid receptor full agonist. In this case, massive side effects are possible, which we will address in the next section.
Unfortunately, only a few effects were analyzed in the study on THCP mentioned. We have supplemented the results of the study with effects that we have taken from HHCP experience reports. We cannot guarantee the quality, completeness and accuracy of the information.
Possible effects of HHC-P:
- Reduction of rectal temperature
- Induction of hypomotility and catalepsy
- Pain relief
- Mood brightening
- Change in sensory perception
- Strong psychoactive effect
- Long lasting high
- Change in appetite
- Euphoria or relaxation
- Triggering or causing anxiety
The way you take it affects the effectiveness of a substance. For example, HHC-P vape takes effect quicker than HHC-P edibles. There is also a greater risk of overdose with HHC-P edibles, as the effects are delayed but can last longer than with HHC-P vape and other product forms. Proper dosage plays an even more important role with HHC-P due to potentially more dangerous side effects than with HHC.
Possible side effects and dangers of HHC-P
If HHC-P turns out to be a full agonist, there is a risk that side effects similar to those seen with synthetic cannabinoids could occur.
Possible side effects of HHC-P:
- Dry mouth
- Fever and chills
- Nausea, vomiting and gagging
- Hypokalemia, hyperglycemia and acidosis
- Heart palpitations, trembling, restlessness and anxiety
- Panic attacks, anxiety and paranoid thoughts
- Tachycardia, hypertension, chest pain and cardiac ischemia
- Rare psychoses with auditory and visual hallucinations
- Rare seizures and cardiac arrhythmias
Conclusion on HHCP
In our article "Is HHC Spice?" we explained why hexahydrocannabinol has little to do with former legal highs like Spice.
The comparison between HHC-P and legal highs is flawed in many areas. But at least in terms of a possible full agonistic effect, the comparison of the molecules seems apt.
We were unable to determine in our research whether the full agonistic effect, longer half-lives or other - sometimes unknown - mechanisms of action are responsible for "legal high" deaths. In any case, fully agonistic cannabinoids are known to cause sometimes serious side effects that go far beyond the known THC and HHC side effects.
The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) fears the emergence of a full CB receptor agonist that could lead to life-threatening conditions in the event of an overdose. In a paper entitled "Understanding the 'Spice' phenomenon" it states:
"In general, there is a risk of developing a full CB receptor agonist, which could lead to life-threatening conditions in case of overdose (in contrast to THC, which only acts as a partial agonist)."
Buy HHCP: From HHC-P flowers to HHC-P distillate
If you want to buy HHC-P flowers or other products with HHCP despite possible side effects, you can do so at FlowPow. Among the HHCP products, HHC-P vapes, HHC-P flowers and HHC-P distillate are the most popular. Hash with HHCP is also available from us. Pay attention to the quality of the products and be aware of the potentially harmful effects of consumption. In addition, you should not forget that HHCP is in a legal gray area and the substance can be detected in a drug test.
Updated 26.06.2024: 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 cannabinoids. The consumption and possession of 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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