By Lizzie Howard
Ever since Congress passed the 2018 Farm Bill, things have changed. Now, anything derived from hemp is legal to sell, creating many possibilities. If you’ve never heard about HHC, you’re not alone. It’s a relatively novel cannabinoid, even though it was invented in the 40s. It hasn’t garnered much attention until recently. Here’s what you need to know about it if you’re interested.
HHC Stands for Hexahydrocannabinol
First of all, what does HHC mean? We know that THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol. So, it’s not surprising to see the scientific name of HHC is hydroxyhexahydrocannabinol.
Related in structure, it shares many similarities to the more familiar compound, THC. But, it also has quite a few differences once you’ve compared them up close.
Since it does differ, it has a different effect profile, too. So, if you’ve only tried THC, HHC might be worth checking out.
It was invented by putting THC through a hydrogenation process. Once it went through, it had additional hydrogen atoms bonded to its surface.
How Do They Make It?
Depending on where it’s from, they’ve made it using several methods. Most of them use hemp as the starting material, to extract their CBD. Once they’ve taken the CBD out of the plant, there are a few more steps.
They have to put the CBD into a reactor where they run a hydrogenation process. Since HHC only occurs in small amounts naturally, most of it has to be synthesized. But, they still have to use natural hemp as their starting material.
As a result, it does not cause any negative effects if consumed by humans. Its chemical structure has the same shape, whether natural or synthetic.
How Does It Affect the Body?
Ok, so, you know how they’ve made the stuff. What does it do if you take some of it, though? Being a cannabinoid, it influences the body’s endocannabinoid system. After taking it, your CB1 and CB2 receptors are activated by it, creating a sense of relaxation.
Compared to THC, it doesn’t have the same potency. But, it’s more powerful than many cannabinoids available on the market right now. Most of what’s online indicates it has a psychoactive effect, great for stress relief.
Does It Have Medical Benefits?
Even though THC has proven benefits, there’s nothing known about HHC’s effects yet. So, it’s impossible to say whether it would be beneficial for someone’s health. However, we do know it has a limited profile of negative impacts, at least. That’s why it’s been popular among people who live in states where THC is illegal.
It may not have the same effects, but they’re similar enough. If you’ve moved away from somewhere with legal THC, it’s a nice alternative.
What Kinds Are Available?
Thankfully, there are plenty of options when you’re ready to try some. One of the most popular has been HHC gummies. Since you don’t have to smoke anything, they’re way more discrete than other options.
But, if you haven’t had a taste of the vapor liquids available today, they’re worth trying. You can put them on a 510 thread battery and use them wherever life is taking you. A few puffs are all it takes to feel the cannabinoid’s influence on your body, too.
Will HHC Cause a False Positive on a Drug Test?
Of course, many are worrying about how this might impact their drug panels. If you’ve taken HHC, you might not have to worry about much, though. False positives are unlikely since it doesn’t share the same skeleton as THC.
You may want to avoid using any if you have a screen in the near future, though. Abstinence is the only real way to guarantee you’ll pass them still.
Why HHC Might Be This Year’s Top Cannabinoid
HHC has a ton of similarities to the world-renowned cannabinoid THC. Even though it doesn’t have the same chemical skeleton, they feel similar. So, it might be one of the most popular products released this year if everything keeps going the same. Thanks to its widespread legality, people have been enjoying it all over.
Author Bio
Lizzie Howard is a Colorado native who after graduating from the University of Colorado spends her time as a freelance writer. When Lizzie isn’t writing, she enjoys going on hikes, baking for her friends and family, using HHC gummies to relax, and spending time with her beloved yellow lab, Sparky.
