Key Takeaways
- HHC stands for hexahydrocannabinol
- HHC is psychoactive and results in intoxication
- HHC appears to be somewhere between Delta-8 and Delta09 THC in terms of potency
What is HHC?
HHC stands for hexahydrocannabinol, and this is a cannabinoid that can be found in hemp and cannabis, although in quantities too small to make extracting it from individual plants cost-effective or viable. It is a minor cannabinoid that can be found in small quantities. Although scientists have known about HHC for quite some time, as far as the commercial cannabis world goes it’s just getting off the ground. The issue is that it occurs in such small quantities that extracting it to make it worthwhile is a challenge, but it can be synthesized from other cannabinoids. In fact, the HHC that we know today is made out of Delta-9 THC molecules. In a lab, through a process known as hydrogenation, THC is turned into HHC by replacing a double bond with two hydrogen atoms. As far as the 2018 Farm Bill is concerned, as long as it doesn’t have more than 0.3% THC, it should be legal, although individual States in the USA may come to different conclusions so make sure to check your local laws.
What Are the Effects of HHC?
HHC hasn’t been around very long for medical or recreational use, nor has it been widely studied, which means that any reported effects that people feel are anecdotal by nature, not scientifically backed. However, there are some effects that users do report feeling from HHC, and yes, they are fairly similar, if not more or less 100% the same as the effects that can be felt from THC. Just like with THC, people report both a cerebral or head high as well as a body high, which may be characterized by happiness, euphoria, increased focus and energy, creativity, feeling talkative, heaviness, sedation, tingling in the limbs, slowed reaction time, and more. In terms of the benefits it may have, this is still up for debate, but if HHC is so similar to THC, it is safe to assume that it may have benefits in terms of pain, inflammation, sleeplessness, a lack of appetite, and mood regulation.
How Strong is HHC?
Exactly how strong HHC is remains to be seen, as there is more research required on this front. That said, when HHC is produced in a laboratory setting, about half of those molecules are active and therefore have an effect on you, whereas the other half are not. Therefore, in terms of quantity, it would be safe to assume that you’d need about twice as much HHC as THC to feel the same effects. Users also report that in terms of potency, HHC appears to be somewhere between Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC.
Is HHC Psychoactive?
Yes, HHC does appear to be psychoactive in terms of producing both a body high and a head high. Unlike CBD which does not result in you feeling intoxicated, HHC is an intoxicating substance.
What Does HHC Feel Like?
According to users, HHC feels a lot like THC, with many of the same cerebral and body high effects, and it appears to have many of the same side effects too, such as paranoia, hunger, dry mouth, and red eyes. Most people report that HHC feels kind of like the high that you’d get from smoking a well-balanced Sativa-Indica hybrid, with both a cerebral and body high.
