Is THCP Synthetic? Understanding Its Origins and Implications

We know the cannabis industry can be a confusing minefield of terminology. But for some of us, it’s an exciting field that springs up findings that create even further intrigue. 

You know CBD. You’ve explored THC in its full repertoire of spectrums and are familiar with the broader Cannabis Sativa clan. And if you’ve been on this journey with us, then you probably know the thrill of a new find in the world of Cannabis – and there have been a fair few discoveries.

We’ve seen three cannabinoids in delta-8, delta-10 THC, and HHC warm up to the hearts of users and the cannabis market alike. A more recent discovery that will likely follow suit is Tetrahydrocannabiphorol (“THCP” or “THC-P”).

Interestingly, there’s been much hype around this ‘semi-synthetic’ cannabinoid — enough to earn its tag as the “superstar of cannabinoids”. And you don’t need to look too far to find out why: studies have shown THCP to be just as potent as THC, if not more. 

With a molecular structure so sophisticated that it trumps THC, it’s obvious that this psychoactive cannabinoid has all it takes to be a new darling among cannabis users. What may be not so obvious, after all, is the effects on the human body — especially, the human brain. 

To help you understand all you need to know before indulging in one of these, we’ll uncover the subject. In this article, you’ll learn about its properties, origin, it’s various applications, and how it affects our body.

What is THCP?

One of around 150 known phytocannabinoids or naturally occurring cannabinoids, THCP is was isolated and discovered in 2019. While it has a similar structure to the Cannabinoid, THC, it  has a side chain of 7 carbon atoms as opposed to the usual 5 found in THC.

But to know THCP will be to answer the question of whether it is natural or synthetic. The answer to this question is not exactly straightforward. THCP is a naturally occurring cannabinoid found in cannabis plants with THC levels above 0.3%, though it exists in trace amounts. 

In other words, it is so small that extracting it directly from the plant means it cannot be produced in commercially large amounts. This is why most THCP products go through a process of synthesization from CBD usually obtained from hemp or other sources. (keep in mind that CBD is the highest form of natural cannabinoids in legal hemp, at the federal level)

And while this process isn’t exactly ‘organic’ or ‘natural’ — THCP itself cannot be classified as synthetic in the true sense of the word — you may want to think of it as a natural concept brought to life by a bit of science.

The hype around this cannabinoid is not limited to cannabis users. Medical experts are also busy trying to fully unravel its potential effect. Some bold claims about its medical potential (e.g, for pain relief) could well be a marketing gimmick, as there has been no real evidence to back these claims. 

Origins and Chemical Structure

Delta 9-Tetrahydrocannabinoid (THCP) emerged thanks to a team of Italian researchers who isolated and identified it using cutting-edge spectrometry and chromatography, classifying it as a novel compound. 

But this is not to say that THCP is some lab-engineered cannabinoid, it’s a truly natural compound found in the glandular trichomes of the cannabis plant,  where it comes from the Tetrahydrocannabiforolic acid (THCPA), the acid form of the cannabinoid.

At first glance, THCP looks identical to THC, but if you look more closely, you will quickly find that it has a seven-carbon alkyl side chain compared to THC’s five-carbon chain. 

The side chain matters because a longer chain means a tighter grip, so the cannabinoids bind stronger.  

Hence, as THC’s five-carbon arm binds cannabinoid receptors with fair intensity, THCP’s longer chain means it binds stronger to CB1, (CB1 is the cannabinoid receptor type 1, a cannabinoid in the human body known to produce THC’s psychoactive effect). This is why it takes a smaller quantity of THCP to impact the body functions of the ECS (Endocannabinoid System) than for THC to have the same effect.   

Potency and Effects 

When it comes to THCP’s potency. The major talking point tends to be that it is 33 times stronger than Delta-9 THC.

While the receptor affinity of THCP means it would have a stronger or longer ‘high,’ its influence on the human body ultimately comes down to several factors that may include bioavailability, dosage, metabolism, and individual tolerance. 

At the moment, there has been not a lot of research to know if the increased binding affinity translates to effects that are stronger than the Delta-9 THC. 

Let’s clear a misconception about potency. Claims that THCP products are 33 times more potent than Delta-9 THC are widespread — statements that are likely exaggerated. Anecdotal evidence suggests that while it may be more potent than Delta-9 THC, it is definitely not 33 times stronger. 

In short, the claim of THCP being 33 times stronger is not backed up by scientific evidence.

In terms of its effects, the THCP is not so different from delta-9 THC and delta-8 THC. You can get the psychoactive effect, along with some intoxicating effects.  

How does THCP compare to other Hemp-derived Cannabinoids?

THCP are shoulders above other cannabinoids given their high level of potency and strong receptor binding, making them just as suitable for medical or recreational use. 

That said, let’s see how the THCP stacks up to other cannabinoids in terms of its potency, effects, and its applications: 

THCP vs. Delta-9 THC

As we’ve earlier mentioned, THCP binds to CB1 and CB2 receptors in a way that measures up to 33 times stronger than THC. But contrary to popular misconceptions, this does not mean its effect will be 33-fold. (i.e., that THCP will be 33 times more intense in its effect) 

Compared to Delta-9 THC, THCP is widely reported to produce more high, relaxation and stimulation of appetite. 

The structural molecular make-up of THCP also differs from delta-9 THC in that it has a longer alkyl chain—seven carbons instead of five, which helps it bind better to CB1 receptors.

THCP vs. Delta-8 THC

THCs are naturally occurring, while THCP has a semi-synthetic nature (as it is synthesized from high-CBD hemp). Also, THCP has lesser potency than both Delta-8 THC and Delta-9 THC. 

The nature of the high also differs — Delta-8 THC is known to give a clear-headed, less anxious high to Delta-9 THC. However, the stronger effects of THCP could be overwhelming for users. This explains why although it is more potent in smaller doses. 

THCP vs. CBD (Cannabidiol)

As you already know, Unlike THCP, CBD is non-psychoactive and does not bind strongly to cannabinoid receptors. 

CBD is also known for some potential therapeutic benefits it shares with THCP, like pain relief. However, the psychoactive nature of THCP makes it not so ideal for users seeking non-psychoactive benefits.

CBD has a broad range of applications, including being used to solve anxiety, epilepsy, and inflammation issues. But the lesser-understood THCP does not have much use, even though it may have similar (or even better) effects. 

THCP vs. CBN (Cannabinol)

Essentially, CBN is a mildly psychoactive cannabinoid that is formed as THC degrades over time. As such, you can expect it to have a lesser effect than in THCP. 

Certain effects (e.g., sedative effect) that are commonly associated with CBN are also present in THCP, although at a higher level due to its higher potency. 

Users rely on CBN for sleep and relaxation. But putting in THCP could take the potency of this effect up another gear. This means there’s a need for careful dosing when using THCP. 

THCP vs. THCV (Tetrahydrocannabivarin)

THCV’s shorter alkyl chain (three carbons) compared to delta-9 THC gives it weaker binding to CB1 receptors. But THCP’s seven-carbon chain binds stronger and more potent.

THCV also acts as a CB1 receptor antagonist when taken in low doses. This will suppress appetite and reduce its psychoactive effects. At higher doses, it will have mild psychoactive effects.

On the flip side, THCP’s strong receptor binding creates an intense psychoactive effect, contrasting with THCV‘s typically mild effects.

There is ongoing research on potential applications of THCV to suppress appetite and regulate energy. The psychoactive and therapeutic uses of THCP are also widely documented, although with the risk of side effects that naturally come with high doses. 

THCP vs. CBC (Cannabichromene)

With no psychotropic properties, CBC preferentially interacts with TRPV1 and TRPA1 receptors over CB1 receptors. THCP’s high affinity for CB1 receptors gives it a more psychoactive effect.

CBC is also known for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects without producing a high. THCP is mostly psychotropic, however it may have some analgesic effects. CBC is used to calm inflammation and pain, but THCP may be more suited to calming a severe pain or for recreational use.

Extraction and concentration of THCP

The natural scarcity of THCP makes its extraction processes a rather innovative one that relies on lab techniques like cyclization or isomerization so CBD is chemically transformed into THCP in a reaction that is sparked by acids, heat, or catalyst.

After this, the crude extract is then then purified via chromatography to isolate THCP. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of THCP’s extraction process: 

Starting material

Most producers begin by getting their hemp-derived CBD at the ready! It’s legal. Also, abundant cannabinoid means you have a cheaper base with the molecular framework required to build THCP.

Chemical conversion

Through molecular alchemy—like acid-catalyzed cyclization or isomerization—CBD undergoes structural reshaping. Heat, solvents, or catalysts alter the carbon composition, and increase the length of its alkyl side chain to mimic THCP’s seven-carbon chain.

Crude extraction

The transformed mixture emerges as a crude extract, packed with THCP and by products. 

Purification

Here, techniques like flash chromatography or HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) come in handy to act as a molecular sieve of sorts. This is where THCP gets isolated from other compounds.

Concentration

In the final stage, the producer uses distillation or crystallization steps to concentrate the purified THCP into potent oils, isolates, or infused products. 

What does the THCP high feel like?

Some users have reported THCP to have an effect that is similar to THC, but on steroids. The only explanation for this seems to be the fact that it produces more intense effects is its high binding affinity. However, its scarcity, along with the ongoing research means there is not much conclusive evidence we can draw from at this moment.

Why is THCP Called the “Exotic” Cannabinoid?

Unlike THC which has been around for sometime and rigorously studied, you may think of THCP as a shiny new object in Cannabis spaces. it is recent, and offers an elevated, more intense potency and experience to THC when compared.

THCP’s safety and its legal status

From a legal perspective, the THCP exists in somewhat of a gray area. This is because the 2018 Farm Bill made it federally legal to buy and sell hemp and naturally occurring derivatives, as long as they contain under 0.3% Delta-9 THC.

Since versions of THCP gotten from Hemp are not covered by the 2018 Farm Bill — especially if Delta-9 THC stays under the 0.3% threshold — it is legal.  In other words, at the federal level, THCP is legal to buy and/or sell given a loophole in the law. But that may soon change, as the FDA would not be acting out of place to classify it under its banned list of psychotropic substances.

Moreso, when it comes to safety, there is not enough research on THCP. No long-term studies, no clinical trials—just a handful of lab analyses and educated guesses. 

But what we do know is this: THCP’s longer side chain creates an effect that beats typical THC experiences. And this heightened potency could provide faster relief for some but increase the risk of anxiety, paranoia, or dizziness for others—especially those sensitive to THC.

Future research and development

As researchers try to study and understand the impact of THCP on our bodies, there are already some reports that hint at it being a potential remedy for chronic pain and insomnia. The ultra-high potency also raises important questions: Will microdosing be needed? Can it sidestep THC’s side effects? 

We can expect that labs are already busy with mapping out its pharmacokinetics. Startup founders would also be attracted by the prospects of THCP-infused products (think fast-acting edibles or targeted topicals) that could serve their already existing customer base of cannabis users.

Is THCP truly one of the Synthetic cannabinoids?

Can we say THCP is synthetic in the true sense of the word? To answer this question (of whether THCP is synthetic or not) we should look no further than its extraction process. 

Then, it’s clear to see that while THCP isn’t inherently synthetic — it remains a rare, naturally occurring cannabinoid found in cannabis flowers — the need to extract it at a cost-effective, commercial scale calls for some lab synthesis. 

Still, the modification process does not take anything away from its natural origin. In that sense, it may be considered as Semi-synthetic (since it’s Hemp-derived). 

Whichever side of the debate you tilt towards, one thing is clear: the THCP is one of the most potent cannabinoids out there, with an enhanced psychoactive effect. This can only mean one thing: There can be no loose ends. Further research will be crucial to fully gauging its impact on the human body.