A side benefit of being a hemp enthusiast is your medical and scientific vocabulary increases significantly as you investigate and learn about the various compounds contained in this miraculous plant. Get ready to expand your lexicon once more as you meet yet another fascinating (and potentially beneficial) cannabinoid: hexahydrocannabinol (aka HHC).
While HHC is naturally produced by the cannabis plant, it does so in minor amounts. A more effective and fruitful method for producing HHC is via the hemp plant. Of course, a key side benefit to deriving HHC from hemp is that it appears to be protected under the legal umbrella of the Hemp Farming Act of 2018. (This is the same reason that Delta 8 THC and THC-O can be legally purchased online.)
It may be interesting to learn how HHC is manufactured but most consumers are more curious about matters that directly affect them. Generally, people want to know how to consume it, the potential wellness benefits it may have, and what kind of products may contain it. They also appreciate learning how this compound differs from other psychoactive cannabinoids like Delta-8 THC, THC-O, and yes, even Delta-9 THC. So let’s dive right into those matters.
Consuming HHC
It’s been nearly 70 years since HHC was first identified. It was discovered by the chemist Roger Adams when he added hydrogen to a THC molecule. That modest modification, known as hydrogenation, was sufficient to alter the physical properties of THC. Interestingly, hydrogenation also changes the molecular weight and makes it more stable than the original THC molecule. What this means is that HHC offers a longer shelf life and is less likely to lose its potency when exposed to heat and/or light.
When HHC is derived from hemp, it comes in the form of a distillate. However, once converted to a distillate, there are several options for consuming it. Vaporizing pure HHC is the obvious first choice but at Fern Valley Farms we believe in offering our customers a lot of options. Even though this compound is new to our farm, you will find several popular hemp cultivars treated with HHC (using our popular and effective cold infusion process). And in addition to the pure isolated HHC distillate, we also offer you the same distillate infused with various terpenes that can augment certain moods!
HHC Effects
Because HHC has not been on the market for very long, there aren’t many studies identifying the potential wellness benefits of this compound. However, there are already many anecdotal claims about the possible benefits of HHC floating around. Some consumers of HHC claim it can:
- Alleviate queasiness
- Ease discomforts
- Induce sleepiness
- Lighten moods
- Reduce swelling
Admittedly, a lot of people consume HHC for the high it delivers. Many consumers assert the psychotropic experience parallels that of cannabis, although slightly less intense. This makes it more palatable than classic Delta-9 THC for most consumers because they enjoy a delightful high without feeling overwhelmed or panicky.
Take another quick glance at the above “possible” benefit list. In all five situations, it can be successfully debated that getting high can help advance those benefits. Certainly, being high can lift a low mood and many regular consumers find sleep comes easier. Also, when high, the mind is more easily distracted from physical conditions, including queasiness, chronic discomforts, and swollen tissues. So in an indirect manner, getting high can be good for your overall condition!
Possible Psychoactive Downsides
Consuming excessive quantities of HHC could result in negative side effects. Typically, those side effects are similar to what can be experienced when overconsuming Delta-9 THC. Such effects may include (but are not limited to):
- Dehydration
- Dizziness
- Increased appetite (i.e., the munchies!)
- Racing heartbeat
- Red eyes
As you can see, this list does not itemize any life-threatening conditions or problems that can arise from consuming HHC. In fact, with some snacks, a glass of water, and eye drops, most of these “side effects” can be eliminated. 🙂
When first trying HHC, we urge you to limit your consumption of this compound to a modest amount. This gives your mind and body the opportunity to respond to it without being overwhelmed by any new sensations this legal cannabinoid may generate.
As with any new cannabinoid, go low and slow at the beginning!
The HHC High
As compared to traditional Delta 9 THC, this compound delivers a milder high. Obviously, there is no method for accurately measuring the difference in potency between HHC, Delta-9 THC, Delta-8 THC, and other psychoactive compounds. But we can offer you a rough estimate of the comparative potency of HHC.
For starters, expect the psychotropic potency of HHC to be about 70% to 80% of any classic Delta-9 THC you may consume. When compared to Delta-8 THC, the HHC compound appears produce stronger effects.
Comparing HHC to THC-O is a bit like comparing apples to oranges. That’s because large quantities of THC-O produces a psychedelic effect instead of a psychoactive effect. However, when consumed in smaller quantities, THC-O will also generate psychoactive effects. In such cases, you can expect the high from HHC to be noticeably stronger than THC-O.
Hierarchy of Highs Reference Chart
The following chart illustrates the estimated psychoactive differences between Delta-9 THC, HHC, Delta-8 THC, and THC-O. Please note that the estimated difference for THC-O only applies to the psychotropic effects (not psychedelic effects).
The bottom line is that HHC is likely the most potent psychoactive cannabinoid that can be legally acquired and consumed today. In other words, if getting as high as legally possible is your goal, you probably want HHC. 😉
Finding Quality HHC Products
As with all legal cannabinoids, any product we offer to the public is first tested and analyzed by a third-party laboratory. These independent tests do more than confirm the potency of cannabinoids in our products; they also assure no unwanted ingredients (including microbial contaminations, mycotoxins, heavy metals, pesticides, or foreign matter) are contained in our products. This important and transparent process is meant to assure you that we always maintain the highest standards of production.
This approach allows us to confidently bring new products on board that have passed muster with the potential to enhance your life and moods!
HHC Products at Fern Valley Farms
Bear with us as we get up to speed with our new HHC products!
However, we’ve been through this routine twice before (with Delta-8 THC and THC-O), so we have a pretty good idea of which products will give you a good start out of the gate.
Currently, these HHC products are now available:
- Hemp Flower cultivars treated with HHC distillate
- HHC Distillate – infused with Top Terpenes, or without terpenes
The results of our internal testing of these products have been impressive (and fun!).
Be sure to visit our main HHC product menu as we continue expanding our line!
Other Legal Psychoactive Cannabinoids
HHC joins an esteemed list of unique and legal cannabinoids with psychoactive properties we have on offer. These product lines also offer legal psychotropic effects:
- Delta-8 THC products
As always, we wish you happy hemping! That should be easy because, since these products contain psychotropic properties, happiness is typically prominent after consumption! 😉
