WHAT IS HHC?

THE EMERGENCE OF HHC IN THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY

Following the wild success of delta 8 THC in the USA, the hemp industry has been on the hunt for lesser-known cannabinoids to make a mark in the varied cannabis market. Among the latest to emerge is hexahydrocannabinol, typically shortened to HHC. Although HHC, a relative of THC, is not new, it had only been a topic of conversation among cannabis users until recently. HHC is a minor cannabinoid naturally found in cannabis but in such small quantities that extraction would be highly costly and inefficient. Today, the popularity of HHC continues to grow.

CANNABINOID TRANSFORMATION AND HHC'S LEGAL ADVANTAGE

The versatility of cannabinoids allows for their transformation into various forms by altering their molecular chemistry. Like its counterparts delta 8 THC and delta 10 THC, commercial HHC is synthesized from CBD extracted from hemp, using chemical processes in a laboratory setting. A significant legal edge for HHC is that it is not labeled as THC.

HOW IS HHC PRODUCED?

HHC was first synthesized in the 1940s by chemist Roger Adams, who created HHC by adding hydrogen to the THC molecule, altering its physical properties in a process known as hydrogenation. This process was detailed in a 1947 patent document. Hydrogenation changes delta 9 THC's structure by replacing a double bond with two hydrogen atoms, thus altering its molecular weight and stability.

THE "HIGH" FROM HHC

While HHC is not technically THC, it shares many similar effects. Laboratory-produced HHC contains a mix of active and inactive molecules, with the active HHC binding effectively to the body's cannabinoid receptors. Currently, the separation of potent HHC from its less effective counterpart is not cost-efficient, making the efficacy of commercial HHC variable.

HHC'S HEALTH BENEFITS AND RESEARCH

Though not as extensively studied as delta 9 THC or CBD, HHC has shown potential in preliminary research. Studies have indicated that certain synthetic analogs of HHC could significantly inhibit the angiogenesis and growth of tumors. Despite these promising early findings, the therapeutic potential of HHC remains largely speculative at this stage.