What is THCH? Essential Facts, Benefits, and Considerations Explained
THCH (sometimes written as THC-H), is the short form of the word Tetrahydrocannabihexol.
The compound was introduced formally by scientists in a 2019 research paper based on its emergence as a new psychoactive element that could be used to fight mental anxiety and chronic pain medically.
What is THCh?
The Cannabinoid THCH, or Tetrahydrocannabihexol is a phytocannabinoid that contains the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) compound which is the primary psychoactive compound responsible for the high or psychoactive effects you get when you consume a cannabis plant in smoked form or as an edible.
What makes THC-H unique?
The Cannabinoid THCH is unique because its psychoactive compound and psychoactive properties (which include a longer n-hexyl side chain composed of six carbon atoms) allow it to attach itself to cannabinoid receptors in the brain much quicker than Delta-9 THC which has a 5-carbon side chain.
As a matter of fact, THC-H chemicals notably attach themselves to brain receptors 10% quicker than THC.
It should be noted at this point too that because THC-H was recently discovered, there is still ongoing research into its effects, benefits, and potential therapeutic applications.
However, in this blog post, you’ll be getting all the available information about the chemical compound that will be of use to you as a scientist or a simple cannabis consumer.
THCH Production Methods
THCH may be a natural phytocannabinoid according to the 2019 research paper referenced earlier, but even though natural THCH is found in trace amounts in the cannabis plant, most commercial THCH products are not natural, they are synthetically produced products.
Cannabis Chemistry experts like Dr. Mark Scialdone have opined that cannabinoids like THC-H, with their unique carbon chain length, are made synthetically by a chemical process called Terpenylation to combine a substance called heptyl resorcinol with a terpene derivative called PMD. The chemical reaction creates a new molecule with a different carbon chain length than THC, which is THC-H.
So in the end, rather than add extra carbon atoms to the regular THC molecule, what chemists do to produce THCH is use a synthetic substance with the correct extra carbon atoms to create new synthetically produced cannabinoids.
A similar chemical process is used to create other cannabinoids like THCV, THCB, and THCP which are in the same functional groups as THCH, according to Dr. Mark Scialdone. Still, each cannabinoid requires its extent and different carbon chain length resorcinols.
For THCH, a 6-carbon chain length or hexyl resorcinol is used.
For THCV, a 3-carbon chain length or propyl resorcinol is used.
For THCB, a 4-carbon chain length or butyl resorcinol is used.
For THCP, a 7-carbon chain length or heptyl resorcinol is used.
Potential Therapeutic Benefits and Effects of THCH
When talking about the therapeutic potential, benefits, and effects of THC-H, a good place to start is the psychoactive effects of the chemical structure in this cannabinoid.
| Category | Potential Effects & Benefits | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Pain Relief | Analgesic properties | May help reduce chronic pain and inflammation |
| Relaxation & Stress Relief | Calming effects | May alleviate stress, anxiety, and tension |
| Euphoria & Mood Enhancement | Uplifting psychoactive effects | Can promote happiness and well-being |
| Sleep Aid | Sedative-like effects | May help with insomnia and improve sleep quality |
| Appetite Stimulation | Increased hunger | Potential benefit for individuals with appetite loss |
| Anti-Inflammatory | Reduces inflammation | May help with conditions like arthritis |
| Cognitive Effects | Possible impairment in high doses | May affect memory and reaction time |
| Psychoactive Potency | Stronger than THC | Produces more intense effects |
| Potential Side Effects | Dry mouth, dizziness, paranoia in high doses | Individual tolerance may var |
The chemical structure and psychoactive properties in THC-H allow it to act as a potent psychoactive cannabinoid, binding better to brain receptors than other cannabinoids like THC. THC-H binds to brain receptors 10% more efficiently than other cannabinoids, and some vendors have reported that the activity of THC-H on the brain receptors is up to 25 times stronger than THC however, because these claims have yet to be scientifically supported, we’ll be taking it with a grain of salt until relevant research is done.
When people use THC-H, they often report feelings of relaxation, euphoria, an improved mood, pain relief, and other intense physical and psychological effects.
The Italian research team that helped discover THC-H back in 2019 supports these reports, having tested the pharmacological effects of THC-H on mice that suggested in a scientific study that THC-H helps to relieve pain-related sensations.
This comes as no surprise because even though THC-H has not been heavily researched to a point where we have 100% scientifically backed information about it, it is still a tetrahydrocannabinol compound and so, it’s expected to have similar properties to THC upon human consumption.
THC has often been reported as a compound with both neuroprotective properties and anti-inflammatory properties that cause appetite stimulation, relief from pain and inflammation, neuroprotection, relief from nausea, and relief from insomnia.
As such, it is expected that these same effects can be gotten through THC-H for therapeutic and medical treatments.
However, as mentioned before, there is not yet enough research to demonstrate the potential benefits of THC-H as most of the reported effects have been based on a single study by the research team that discovered THC-H, and reports made by THC-H users.
Further research will be important to close up the current knowledge gap because though we could easily fold our arms and say THC-H has similar effects to THC, there is every likelihood that THC-H affects the body with greater intensity, given its different chemical structure or carbon chain length, anecdotal evidence and reports by users of THC-H products.
Legality and Safety Considerations – Is THC-H legal?
The legal or illegal use of THCH and THC-H products is a complex issue that has created a vortex of different regulations for it across different states and countries.
For instance, in the United States, hemp-derived cannabinoids including THC-H, are generally regulated under the 2018 Farm Bill which federally legalizes hemp and products made from it, so long as these hemp-derived products contain no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC on a dry weight basis.
This Farm Bill has paved the way for the production and sale of various cannabinoids derived through hemp in the United States, including CND, Delta-8 THC, Delta-9 THC, and potentially THC-H.
However, given that THC-H has only been recently discovered, its legal status is not fully defined under federal law.
Yes, the Farm Bill allows hemp-derived cannabinoids but it doesn’t specifically address synthetic or semi-synthetic compounds, and that’s where the ambiguity lies.
Federal agencies like the DEA responsible for curtailing the use of narcotic drugs may have taken steps to regulate synthetic and semi-synthetic cannabinoids which will include the effects of THCH products, but that still doesn’t answer the question of whether a synthetic compound like THC-H would be legal under federal law.
Also, it’s well-known that beyond federal regulations, state and local laws play a crucial role in determining how legal anything is and the same is the case in the United States.
Since state governments have the authority to impose stricter regulations, outright bans, or additional testing requirements for cannabinoids beyond what federal law dictates, some states have moved to prohibit or heavily regulate synthetic or semi-synthetic cannabinoids. Some of these heavy regulations include amendments to their laws to include all THC variants in total THC calculations, meaning that even trace amounts of THC-H could contribute to regulatory restrictions.
So, if you’re a consumer or business in the THC-H market, it’ll be in your best interest to stay informed about both federal and state regulations currently governing the use of THC-H products in your territory to ensure compliance.
Side Effects of THC-H
| Category | Safety Considerations | Potential Risks |
|---|---|---|
| Dosage | Start with a low dose to assess tolerance. | Overconsumption may lead to intense psychoactive effects or discomfort. |
| Psychoactive Potency | Recognize that THCH is more potent than traditional THC. | Increased likelihood of anxiety, paranoia, or panic attacks in sensitive users. |
| Impairment | Avoid operating machinery or driving after use. | Impaired motor skills and delayed reaction times. |
| Tolerance and Dependence | Use in moderation to avoid building tolerance. | Prolonged use may lead to dependency or decreased sensitivity. |
| Legal Status | Verify legality in your region before purchase or use. | Possession or use in restricted areas can lead to legal consequences. |
| Purity and Quality | Purchase from reputable sources with third-party testing for safety. | Contaminants like pesticides, heavy metals, or solvents may harm health. |
| Interaction with Medications | Consult a healthcare provider if taking prescription medications. | Potential interactions with medications like blood thinners or sedatives. |
| Health Conditions | Avoid use if you have a history of mental health conditions or cardiovascular issues. | May exacerbate underlying anxiety, schizophrenia, or heart problems. |
| Short-Term Side Effects | Be aware of common side effects like dry mouth, red eyes, or drowsiness. | Temporary discomfort or disorientation may occur. |
| Long-Term Use | Periodic breaks are recommended to minimize long-term effects. | Chronic use may impair memory, cognition, or respiratory health (if smoked). |
| Age Restrictions | Use only if of legal age in your area. | Use by minors can negatively impact brain development. |
| Pregnancy and Breastfeeding | Avoid use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. | Potential harm to fetal development or transfer of compounds to breast milk. |
As everything else has pros and cons to it, so also does THC-H, even with its potential therapeutic benefits.
Yes, THC-H is a great natural cannabinoid that’s very safe for medical and recreational use, however the same cannot be fully said for a few other cannabinoids and synthetically derived THCH products that particularly come with intense psychoactive effects and psychotropic substances.
Synthetically derived cannabinoids are often contaminated with several toxic substances and unknown substances like unnatural isomers, residual solvents, and other unidentified compounds which can cause adverse effects to the human body – effects which include:
a) Increased anxiety levels
b) Headaches
c) Fatigue and drowsiness
d) Redness of the eyes
e) Dry mouth
f) Paranoia, amongst others.
These potential side effects are gotten from reports made by THC-H users and have not yet been scientifically proven so, research is still needed to fully understand the side effects of THC-H, especially since individual tolerance and sensitivity can vary greatly depending on the user.
THCH Products and Availability
Currently, because of how recent the discovery of THC-H was and the complex regulatory situation concerning synthetically produced cannabinoids, THC-H products aren’t as widely available as Delta-8 THC or Delta-9 THC.
However, you can still find THC-H products in various forms, often mixed with other minor cannabinoid compounds to enhance their effects and your overall experience.
These products in their various forms include:
THC-H Vapes
Vaping is one of the popular ways to consume THC-H because of its fast-acting effects.
You can easily find THC-H vape cartridges and disposable pens available in a variety of strains and often blended with other minor cannabinoids like Delta-8, HHC, Delta-9 THC, and Delta-10 THC to give you a balanced and more potent experience.
So if you’re looking for an immediate onset and more intense effect with THC-H, try their vapes.
THC-H Tinctures
THC-H tinctures come in dropper bottles that let you place drops under your tongue for efficient absorption.
Another fancy name for this is sublingual administration and it is a method that will give you a strong high that can last from four to six hours, making it a good choice for you if you want a longer-lasting effect without having to vape or smoke.
THC-H Gummies
Where are the ‘edibles’ guys and gals? This is our jam!
If you’re a fan of consuming your cannabis extract through edibles, THC-H gummies will do just the trick for you.
The gummies are a flavorful and discreet way to consume the THCH cannabinoid and as you know, given that the cannabinoid would have been decarboxylated to be made into an edible, it will give you the biggest high lasting up to eight hours.
Of course, user discretion is always advised with edibles because they take longer to kick in depending on your system – it could be 30 minutes to 2 hours. In any case, start with a low dose and wait for the full effects before consuming more.
THC-H Bundles
Some brands like Binoid offer THC-H bundles allowing you to purchase multiple products – like three packs of gummies – at a discounted rate.
The purpose of these bundles is to give you an economical way to stock up on your favorite THC-H products while exploring different flavors and formulations.
Conclusion
Alternative cannabinoids may not be the most popular thing right now, but as demand grows, the availability of THC-H products will increase, making it easier for you to find them.
Of course though, due to current varying state regulations, you should make sure your local laws allow you to purchase these products before you do buy them.
Also, when you buy THC-H products, be careful because the quality and safety of some of the products out there cannot be verified just yet due to the lack of scientific research backing them.
So, only purchase these products from reputable sources that have undergone third-party testing and have clear labeling.
Once that’s done, you can be sure of a great time and experience consuming these products.
FAQs
1. Is THC-H safe?
Yes, when sourced from trusted manufacturers and used responsibly. Always check for third-party lab testing and consult a doctor if unsure.
2. Does THC-H get you high?
Absolutely. THC-H is highly psychoactive and much stronger than traditional THC, delivering an intense high.
3. What are the effects of THC-H?
The effects of THC-H include:
- Euphoric High: Strong feelings of euphoria and happiness.
- Relaxation: Deep physical and mental relaxation.
- Enhanced Sensory Perception: Colors, sounds, and tastes may feel more intense.
- Sedation: In higher doses, it may cause drowsiness or couch-lock.
- Increased Appetite: Similar to the “munchies” experienced with THC.
3. What are the effects of THC-H?
Effects include euphoria, relaxation, enhanced sensory perception, sedation at higher doses, and increased appetite.
4. Does THC-H show up on drug tests?
Yes, THC-H likely shows up on drug tests since they detect THC metabolites. Avoid it if you’re tested regularly.
5. How is THC-H different from THC?
THC-H is far more potent, with stronger and longer-lasting effects. It’s better suited for experienced users.
6. How long do THC-H effects last?
Depending on the method of use, effects can last 2-8 hours, with edibles offering the longest duration.
7. Is THC-H legal?
Legality varies by location. Always check local laws before purchasing or using THC-H.
