HHC, also known as hexahydrocannabinol, is one of the most recent hemp-derived newcomers, continuing the cannabis boom.
Many people are curious about what HHC is, its legality status, where HHC comes from, and many other questions that remain unknown due to the recent emergence of the cannabinoid along with others like delta-8 THC and delta-10 THC.
While HHC appears to be gaining popularity in recent years, it is not quite new.
HHC Explained
HHC is a lesser known cannabinoid that has been sitting on the back shelf with little attention from cannabis users until lately. Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) is a hydrogenated form of THC. It can be confusing, but hemp-derived HHC isn’t THC even though it also causes intoxicating effects. Because of how new the production of HHC is, there is still a lot that is unknown about this particular cannabinoid.
How is HHC made?
Roger Adams, an American chemist, originally produced HHC in 1944 by adding hydrogen molecules to Delta-9 THC to change the physical properties. The THC is converted to hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) through a process known as hydrogenation.
To those unfamiliar with hydrogenation, the conversion of vegetable oil to margarine follows a similar process that adds hydrogen atoms to the chemical structure to make it stable. Hemp naturally contains HHC, although only in trace amounts. A complex method is used to saturate the THC in a high pressure environment using a metal catalyst(the process of hydrogenation) with hydrogen atoms in order to get a useful amount.
In order to produce HHC legally, the cannabinoid has to be extracted from the hemp-derived cannabis plant that Congress deemed federally legal in the 2018 farm bill. This process is different from when Roger Adams created HHC, because he was able to use THC obtained from conventional cannabis.
The claim on whether HHC is naturally occurring, or synthetically produced is a topic of debate among the cannabis community. While there are claims by many to be naturally produced in small amounts in cannabis, all current HHC produced for consumption is derived from a synthetic process or THC conversion.
Is HHC Legal?
This is a question that gets asked about many of the current cannabinoids on the market such as Delta-8 THC, THC-O, HHC, etc.There are two opposing sides to this argument, and in all honesty… the legal status is still a gray area.
On one side, there are those whose beliefs stem from the 2018 Farm Bill which federally legalized the hemp plant and all of its derivatives. Their stance on HHC is that it is naturally derived and is found present in hemp and marijuana flower. As long as it’s found to be natural, the end result is below the legal 0.3% delta 9 THC, and it’s hemp-derived then on a federal level it would be considered legal.
On the flip side, the argument is that in order to get a usable amount of HHC, it must be synthetically-derived by converting it from other compounds. If it were deemed to be synthetically produced, it would be in direct violation of a statement released from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) stating that, “all synthetically derived tetrahydrocannabinols remain Schedule 1 controlled substances.”
As you can see, it is not 100% clear on whether or not HHC is legal, so be sure to use the product at your own responsibility. Whether you believe the cannabinoid to be naturally-derived, or a synthetic compound, until a court offers an opinion on the legality of HHC, there is no certain way to determine if it’s illegal or not.
Is HHC Safe for consumption?
HHC is a hemp-derived cannabinoid, meaning that it isn’t under the same cannabis regulations that are set in place for legal THC. In other words, they aren’t required to test their products for purity or potency.
There is essentially no research on HHC consumption and the immediate or long-term effects that it has on us, so take that how you will.
The Feelings and Side Effects of HHC
As stated previously, there is a lack of research in regards to the safety and side effects of HHC. The majority of the information that is available to us online comes from user experiences and is speculative. HHC has a safety profile similar to that of THC in the sense of risks and safety. There have been reports from users that HHC side effects closely resemble high doses of THC.
HHC alters the visual and auditory perceptions, induces feelings of euphoria and stimulation, changes body temperature and heart rate, and affects your headspace as well as cognition. These effects are dependent on factors such as height, weight, and tolerance to the cannabinoid.
Side effects you may experience include:
- Dizziness
- Anxiety
- Increased Appetite
- Insomnia
- Dry Mouth
- Paranoia
- Red Eyes
- Rapid Heart Rate
Potential benefits of HHC:
- Anxiety Relief
- Feelings of Euphoria and Relaxation
- Alleviation of Nausea/Vomiting
- Reduction of chronic pain
- Improved quality of sleep
- Reduction of bodily inflammation
A 2011 study found that a pair of HHC analogs, LYR-7 and LYR-8 could potentially hinder tumor cell growth and angiogenesis, which is a major step in forming tumors.
A 2010 study discovered that HHC’s effects lasted a long time in rats, and a 2007 paper published by Japanese researchers described HHC’s amazing capability at blocking pain in mice.
HHC Dosage
There are multiple factors to consider when deciding your perfect dose of HHC. Some of these factors include age, weight, tolerance, metabolism, etc.
To those who have never consumed HHC, or any other psychoactive substance, it is best to start on the smaller side and slowly increase your dosage until the desirable effects are achieved. HHC potency/effects can be placed somewhere in-between the subtle more calming effects of delta-8 THC and the psychedelic feeling produced from delta-9 THC.
Delta 8 Dosing to Compare Relative to HHC:
- Beginner Dosage: 10-20 mg per dose
- Intermediate Dosage: 20-50 mg per dose
- Experienced Dosage: 50-100 mg per dose
Regardless of tolerance or previous experiences, it is always best to start with a low dose, and increase accordingly.
HHC and Drug Tests
Besides the extended shelf life that HHC has compared to THC, along with its better resistance to heat and UV exposure… another selling point for the emerging cannabinoid is that it won’t be detected by your standard 12-panel drug test unlike other THC cannabinoids such as delta-8 THC or delta 10-THC.
There is no HARD evidence showing that HHC won’t show up on a drug test for marijuana, as the evidence stated above is only anecdotal. So in regards to your job or career.. Don’t take the risk based solely on the evidence provided by consumers.
Ways to Consume HHC
Just like many other cannabinoids on the market, there are multiple ways to consume HHC depending on your preferences.
HHC products available for purchase include:
- HHC tinctures
- HHC flower (hemp that is sprayed with HHC oil)
- HHC disposables/vapes
- HHC edibles/gummies
HHC Key Points
Although there isn’t too much known about HHC, here are the biggest takeaways:
- Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) is THC that has gone through the process of hydrogenation [hydrogen atoms added to stabilize the chemical structure]
- Compared to THC, HHC has an increased shelf-life as well as a higher resistance to heat/UV exposure
- The legality of HHC is unknown and there is no research on the immediate or long-term effects of usage
- Anecdotal evidence suggests that HHC doesn’t show up on standard THC drug tests
- HHC is a semi-synthetic cannabinoid [as stated by the National Cannabis Industry Association], with those who believe it is naturally occurring, and those that believe it is synthetic.
- The HHC safety profile is comparable to THC and has similar effects/dosages
With the emergence of all these different cannabinoids, if you decide to try HHC, or anything else… be sure to do your own research before consuming.