Delta-9 THC has long held the top rank as the most psychoactive compound in cannabis. However, THCP has recently overtaken it. It is thought to be 33 times stronger than THC.
This comprehensive guide will help you understand what THCP is – its legality, safety, and effects are all covered.
Key Takeaways
What Is THCP?
THC-P, a cannabinoid closely related to THC, is found in meagre amounts in the cannabis plant. The researchers who discovered it say that THCP interacts similarly with the endocannabinoid systems as THC but with a much greater affinity for cannabinoid receptors. The research showed that THCP binds more to CB1 receptors than THC. This means that THCP may be as potent as THC.
THCP stands out because of its unique alkyl side chains. The string of carbon atoms that make up THCP has seven carbons compared with five for traditional THC. This allows cannabinoid receptors in the body to be attached more securely. It is easier for THCP to affect different functions governed through the endocannabinoid system (ECS) than THC.
How Is THCP Made?
An Italian team of scientists discovered THCP or Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in 2019. Modern technology has provided insights into cannabinoids that were previously unknown.
THC-P, which is an analog to THC, has a similar molecule arrangement. It has the longest carbon chain of all cannabinoids. The length of the 7-carbon chain is responsible for the power of this molecule.
THCP is often considered an agrestal cannabis cannabinoid because it occurs in high concentrations of elements in cannabis plants. It is made from cannabigerol acids in cannabis plants. The other name that people famously refer to THCP is “mother cannabinoid.”
THCP is extracted from industrial hemp with up to 0.3% Delta-9-THC. It is necessary to have a lot of hemp to separate THCP from other cannabis products. This is why THCP resellers use other cannabinoids when making products. THCP alone is very costly.
How Cannabis Plants Produce THCP
Although many phytocannabinoids exist, they all have a similar composition. They all start as the same molecule called cannabigerol acids (CBGA). CBGA is sometimes called “the mother cannabinoid.” It is created by a complex interaction of olivetolic acid with geranyl pyrophosphate. The phytocannabinoids are produced by additional enzymes, such as THCA and CBDA. Raw cannabis is the only source of cannabinoids in its acidic state.
Decarboxylation is a process that occurs when cannabis comes in contact with heat. This converts THCA, CBDA, and CBCA, among others, to THC, CBDA, CBDA, and CBCA, respectively. THCPA is produced in the same way as other phytocannabinoids. It is converted to THCP when it is heated.
THCP, on the other hand, can be found in much lower amounts in cannabis plants than any other cannabinoids. The FM2 strain is currently the only one with detectable levels of THCP. Therefore, producers of THCP items must make them in a laboratory.
For legal purposes, producers make it from hemp containing less than 0.3 percent delta-9-THC. CBD is used as the starting ingredient in the production of THCP. This means that hemp can be grown and produced correctly.
What Are the Effects of THC-P?
THCP may exhibit cannabimimetic activity similar to Delta-9 THC. THCP is similar to Delta-9 THC in that it can induce relaxation, relieve pain, and lower body temperature. THCP could also produce mild psychedelic effects, such as euphoria, and altered perception, cognition, and decision-making. Depending on the combination of terpenes, cannabinoids, and THCP, THCP could also enhance mood, energize or produce a more soothing or sleepy effect.
THCP has a stronger binding affinity than Delta-9 THC to the CB1 receptor and CB2 receptors. The CB1 receptor’s critical activity to THCP is powerful, and CB1 receptors are responsible for THC’s psychoactive effects.
Although THCP is 33 times stronger than regular THC, most users don’t experience that level of potency. THCP is 3 to 5 times stronger than regular Delta-9 THC, according to those who have tried it.
THCP may partly explain the pronounced psychoactivity in some cannabis cultivars. The Delta-9 THC concentration largely determines the psychoactivity of cannabis cultivars. However, researchers suggest that other cannabinoids, such as THCP, could also play a role in this phenomenon.
Does THCP Get You High?
While we don’t know how THCP works in the human body, current research shows that THCP has a 33x affinity to CB1 receptors than THC. These receptors are located in the brain, and THCP will likely give users a higher dose of THC. However, more research is needed.
How Potent Is THCP?
THCP has a higher potency than THC. THC-P’s primary selling point is its psychoactive nature. People who tried THCP – and there aren’t many – suggested that the effects were 3-5 times stronger than regular THC.
Some have claimed that THCP is 33x more potent than THC. However, this claim is not supported by the facts. Although THCP is 33 times more binding to CB1 receptors than delta 9 THC, it doesn’t make its effects 33x stronger. If the effects were more potent, it would be an incredible high.
What Are the Benefits of THCP?
THCP is unknown primarily to cannabis enthusiasts. Other than the observations of those who first discovered it, there is no research currently. But, there is plenty of evidence to support the possibility of medical applications.
THCP can relieve pain in patients who require more significant amounts of THC. This includes those who use Rick Simpson Oil (RSO), which is used to treat cancer. The euphoric effects of higher levels of THCP may be similar to those of THC. They can be used to ease insomnia and pain that is difficult or impossible to manage.
There isn’t any definitive evidence that THCP affects humans or which strains might contain more cannabinoids. THCP is also claimed to have more substantial effects than THC. However, this doesn’t prove that it has more potency.
Is THCP Legal?
Suppose you are concerned about the legality and safety of THCP. You are doing a great job of taking precautions. THCP isn’t on the banned substance list. Nonetheless, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s legal.
Most countries, including the United States of America and the United Kingdom, have laws that classify analogs of illegal substances as the same category. THC-P and other analogs of THC are likely to be considered illegal at the federal level.
The EU has many countries with similar laws, including France, Spain, and Germany. However, THC is legalized in certain EU countries. But, it is still far behind North America.
Canada is the exception. They do not have analog drug laws. It’s nearly impossible to find THCP providers nationwide, however. This could change over the next few years.
Does THCP Have Any Risks or Side Effects?
Ironically, the side effects of THCP may be caused by the potent psychoactivity that draws many people to try it. Side effects of THCP could be similar to Delta-9 THC.
- dizziness
- dry mouth
- paranoia
- nausea
- temporary memory loss
- anxiety
- panic
Because THCP is still not widely available, there aren’t many reports of adverse side effects. Some of the users’ most unusual side effects include insomnia, headaches, and brain fog.
What THCP Products Are Available on the Market?
THCP products are currently limited to a handful of suppliers in formats like vape cartridges or tinctures. There is a possibility that THCP products could be more affordable if consumers demand them more. Currently, Spyglass CBD, Bees Knees CBD, and Binoid CBD are three of the largest retailers for THCP products:
Delta Extrax
Delta Extrax is a CBD business in California that specializes in rare and minor cannabinoids, such as THCP or HHC. The company started selling THCP cartridges, disposable vape pens, and THCP distillate cartridges. The THCP vapes can be marketed as having 30 times the potency of regular THC.
Binoid
Binoid is a well-known CBD company located in California. They sell products derived from hemp. They work with farmers from Oregon, the ideal place in the US to grow hemp due to their weather and soil type. You can get oils, gummies, and vape cartridges at Binoid.
Bee’s Knee’s CBD’s
Bee’s Knee’s grows its hemp in Colorado, and its products are gluten-free, organic, and vegan. You can buy gummies, capsules, and balms online, with free shipping within the US.
Note:
Some THC-P products provide links to lab reports regarding potency. However, many other products do not. Leafreport discovered that some of the links to the lab reports for potency were broken or unreadable. There were no links for purity testing on any of the THCP products.
Before purchasing, it is a good idea to check if any THCP products have links to purity tests, potency tests, or certificates of analysis. Leafreport offers a variety of resources to help you understand a certificate (CoA) of research.
If you consider buying THCP online, you should check if the brand will deliver the product to your area. Some states have banned hemp-derived THC analogs, such as Delta-8 THC or Delta-10 THC. These states are Alaska and Arizona. Arkansas. California. Colorado. Delaware. Idaho. Iowa. Montana. Nebraska. Nevada.
Conclusion
Now you know what THCP is. THCP research needs to be more thorough. It is, however, a more potent and effective alternative to delta 8, 9 THC, or 10 THC. If you want to try THCP, you should only take a small amount.
The effects are pretty enjoyable, but it is easy to consume too many THCP. Start small with a dose of 0.3 mg and increase your dosage. THCP can be expensive and difficult to find in 2022, especially if you live outside the United States. However, this could change in the future.
