THC-O vs THC-P

Today we’re going to review THC-O vs THC-P and lay out the groundwork on the latest research and information for anyone interested in using these cannabinoids.

What is THC-O?

THC-O (or THC-O acetate) is the acetylated form of the regular THC we have all grown to know and love. This acetylation process makes THC-O three times more bioavailable for the body, which means it is also three times more potent.

This acetylation process is not a new discovery, though. For example, when you go to the pharmacy aisle in any store, you’ll notice that there’s regular Tylenol as well as Extra Strength Tylenol.

The process to turn THC into THC-O is the same process that is used to create the extra strength medicine you see at the pharmacy. 

With THC-O being three times more potent than THC, it is being used recreationally for a more psychoactive experience as well as for medical patients who have built up a high tolerance to THC.

The effects of consuming THC-O are the same as THC, but much stronger. The hungry, psychoactive, stress-free experiences you have are still there.

Photo of THC-P Molecule

What is THC-P?

THCP (or -Trans-Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabiphorol) is a compound that is 33 times more potent than THC, and their different alkyl side chains (chains of carbon atoms) explain why.

In THC, there are 5 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain, which causes the “high” people experience when they consume it. However, THCP has seven carbon atoms in its tail.

This means THCP has a much higher affinity for the body’s cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptors. The result is an intense euphoric experience. While this sounds nice, THCP has not been studied extensively, and it being 33 times stronger just opens up a whole new door for possible dangers, such as overdose. 

Photo of THC-P Molecule

So, how are they different: THC-O vs THC-P?

The biggest difference between the two cannabinoids lie in their potency. THC-O is three times more potent than marijuana, while THCP is 33 times more potent. Another thing to note is that THCP is most often fully synthetic.

This means that there has to almost no margin of error during the synthesis reaction to ensure you get a pure product. 

Which one is better for you?

In reality, THC-O should be more than enough for most people.

There is no logical reason why there needs to be a compound that is 33 times stronger than THC. Many of the THCP products on the market are misleading in that they only throw in a sliver of THCP and then label it on their products, filling the rest with delta 8 THC. Even with just a sliver, being 1mg off means being 33mg off relative to THC. 

Until further research regarding the safety of THCP surfaces, we highly recommend staying away from it. THC-O is already three times more potent, and that should be more than enough. Any of the THCP products we carry have been tested by our team, and we’ve done extensive lab testing ourselves to ensure that our customers stay safe and happy.