If you are looking for a new cannabinoid to become an expert on, it should be THCP. Although THCP is an extremely new cannabinoid that was just discovered a few years ago, it's already showing itself to have great potential on many different levels.
For those looking to get a good buzz going, THCP is proud to be by far one of the most potent cannabinoids in existence. That's why we want to compare its overall strength or potency to other well-known cannabinoids, such as Delta-9 THC for instance.
Although the potency of this relatively new cannabinoid is our main focus for today, we also want to touch on its potential benefits, side effects, and more. By the end of today's article, you should know everything there is to know about the THCP cannabinoid.
Key Takeaways
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THCP is a brand new cannabinoid only discovered in 2019, with scientific research on it being very scarce at this time.
THCP is believed to be many times more potent than Delta-9 THC, with a more pronounced high, and possibly much greater therapeutic benefits.
At a federal level, so long as it does not contain elevated levels of Delta-9 THC, THCP should be legal.
What is THCP?
THCP stands for Tetrahydrocannabiphorol, a cannabinoid that was just discovered in 2019 by a team of scientists from Italy. Due to its extremely recent discovery, there's not that much known about it, especially in terms of its overall potential physical and mental benefits.
Exactly what its effects are on the human body are not 100% known at this time, although this cannabinoid is closely related to Delta-9 THC. However, unlike Delta-9 THC, which is considered a major cannabinoid, THCP is only considered to be a minor cannabinoid.
The reason for this distinction is that Delta-9 THC occurs in very large quantities in cannabis plants, whereas THCP occurs in very small quantities, in cannabis and sometimes hemp plants. Because it is so rare and only occurs in small quantities, it is therefore known as a minor cannabinoid.
Furthermore, because of its rarity, extracting it from plant matter is not economically feasible, and it is therefore created in a laboratory setting by changing the chemical structure of hemp-derived CBD. Because THCP can be derived from CBD which comes from the hemp plant, it can technically be considered legal at a federal level.
According to the 2018 Farm Bill, any cannabinoid product should be totally legal so long as it is hemp-derived, and so long as neither the plant nor the final product contains more than 0.3% Delta-9 THC by dry weight concentration. According to this definition, THCP should therefore be legal at the federal level.
This is also regarded as being by far one of the strongest cannabinoids in existence, potentially up to 30 times as potent as regular Delta-9 THC.
Although there is much more research required in terms of its potential medical benefits, both for the mind and body, it is known that due to its extreme potency, THCP is very psychoactive and intoxicating. This is a cannabinoid that will most certainly make you feel high, and quite so.
What is THCP Good For?
The potential therapeutic benefits of THCP are for the most part yet to be discovered. Because this cannabinoid was only uncovered in 2019, there just hasn't been much conclusive research performed on it in terms of its potential benefits for human beings.
It is thought that just like Delta-9 THC, THCP interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system. Specifically, it interacts with the CB1 receptors located mainly in the central nervous system and the CB2 receptors located mainly in the immune system and other parts of the body.
This therefore leads many to believe that THCP may have many of the same therapeutic benefits as Delta-9 THC. Due to its extreme potency, some believe that THCP may even have far greater and more potent benefits than Delta-9 THC.
It is believed that THCP may have benefits in terms of being an antiemetic, an anticonvulsant, an analgesic, an anti-inflammatory, a mood regulator, a hunger stimulator, and more. This cannabinoid may also act as a sleep aid. The benefits are quite likely very similar to those of Delta-9 THC, but also likely much more pronounced.
What Are the Side Effects of THCP?
Due to its very recent discovery, the exact side effects of THCP have not yet been fully discovered. However, based on anecdotal evidence, and due to its similarity with Delta-9 THC, it would seem as though the side effects are also very similar to those of Delta-9 THC.
Increased heart rate, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, and in some cases paranoia or anxiety may occur. Due to its extreme potency and psychoactive strength, the chances of it causing some anxiety or paranoia, especially when consumed in large quantities, may be a bit higher than with Delta-9 THC.
Why is THCP So Strong?
We already mentioned how THCP is potentially up to 30 times stronger than D9 THC, but why is this the case?
THCP’s high potency would appear to have to do with its unique chemical structure, characterized by its extremely long alkyl side chains that have seven carbon atoms when compared to regular Delta-9 THC, which only has five carbon atoms.
This difference in chemical structure would appear to alter the way in which it affects or binds with your cannabinoid receptors, specifically the CB1 receptors, which are located in your brain and are therefore thought to be responsible for producing a psychoactive or intoxicating high.
Because of this unique chemical structure, it is thought that THCP has the ability to bind with CB1 receptors up to 33 times more than a Delta-9 THC, therefore resulting in its much greater potency than Delta-9 THC.
Does THCP Get You High?
Although there is more scientific research required to discover what the exact effects of THCP are, according to common sense and anecdotal evidence, it would appear as though THCP gets you high, and quite so.
Because of its extreme affinity to bind with CB1 receptors at such a high rate, it would also appear that THCP would get you extremely high, much higher than Delta-9 THC ever could.
Technically speaking, if this cannabinoid is up to 30 times more potent than Delta-9 THC, it would serve to reason that it would take 30 times less of it to achieve the exact same high as with Delta-9 THC.
It is believed to have many of the same intoxicating effects as a Delta-9, but just to a far higher degree. You can expect THCP to produce extreme sensations of euphoria, elation, and happiness, and you may feel talkative, social, giggly, and just like you are floating in a cloud.
Some people also report that it makes them feel like they are disconnected from their body, and either like they are floating out into outer space or sinking down into an endless void.
It would therefore also appear to produce quite a body buzz, with many people reporting that they feel as though they are vibrating or buzzing. In some cases, it may also result in extreme sedation and tiredness.
This cannabinoid is so potent that when taken in high doses, some people even claim that it has borderline hallucinogenic effects. THCP may also dramatically impair you in terms of your cognition and physical coordination. By all means, you'll definitely feel it if you consume THCP in any form.
THCP Potency
Let's take a quick look at various other cannabinoids and compare them to THCP in terms of overall potency.
THCP vs THCO
THCO or THCO acetate, an ester of THC, is believed to be roughly three times as potent as Delta-9 THC. Seeing as THCP is thought to be 30 times as potent as Delta-9 THC, according to the numbers, THCP would therefore be about 10 times as potent as THCO.
THCP vs Delta-9
As we have mentioned above, it is believed that THCP is up to 30 times as potent as Delta-9 THC, which means that if it is your first time trying it, you should definitely start slow.
THCP vs Delta-8
Delta-8 is another type of THC, otherwise known as Delta-8 THC, and this is thought to be about 50% as potent as Delta-9 THC. Seeing as THCP is about 30 times as potent as Delta-9 THC, and if Delta-8 THC is roughly half as strong as Delta-9 THC, it would therefore serve to reason that THCP may be up to 60 times as potent as Delta-8 THC.
Will THCP Show Up in a Drug Test?
Although whether or not THCP will make you fail a drug test hasn't been scientifically confirmed at this time, it can be safely assumed that it will show up on a drug test. It is believed that THCP metabolizes into 11-hydroxy-THC, which is the regular metabolite of THC.
This is also the same metabolite of THC that Delta-9 THC turns into when consumed. This is what drug tests look for when they check you for cannabis consumption. Realistically, any type of cannabinoid that metabolizes into 11-hydroxy-THC, whether THCP or otherwise, will most likely make you fail a drug test.
Is THCP Legal and Where is it Sold?
According to the 2018 Farm Bill, THCP should be legal at a federal level. As long as it does not contain elevated levels of Delta-9 THC, and as long as it is hemp-derived, it should be legal federally. However, this does not mean that it is legal in every state.
Individual states create their own laws on this front, so it is recommended that you do some research in terms of the legality of THCP in your specific state. If THCP is legal in your state, then you may be able to purchase it from various reputable sources.
If you are looking for something that should be legal where you live, we recommend checking out our own Botany Farms Delta-9 Microdose Gummies, which contain 5mg of THC and CBD per piece, with two pieces in each pack.
Final Thoughts
The bottom line is that if you live in a state where THCP is considered legal, and if you want to experience a very potent high, it is something worth checking out.
Just remember that this is still a very new cannabinoid with very limited research on it so far, so we recommend always starting slow.
THCP Potency: Frequently Asked Questions
Before we call it a day, let's quickly answer some of your most pressing questions about THCP.
Is THCP the Strongest Cannabinoid?
According to current findings, THCP is indeed the strongest known cannabinoid.
How Strong is THCP vs. THC?
Estimates are that THCP may be up to 30 times stronger than regular THC.
Is THCP Better Than THC?
Whether or not THCP is better than THC is questionable and subjective, although it is certainly more potent and should produce a stronger high.
How Much More Potent is THCP?
THCP may be up to 30 times more potent than Delta-9 THC and up to 60 times more potent than Delta-8 THC.
