The cannabis industry has led to the discovery of new cannabinoids such as THC-O and THC-P. These two fascinating chemicals are at the forefront of the search for stronger cannabinoids, boasting greater potency than traditional delta-9 THC. However, one is natural while the other is man-made. This article aims to provide an overview of these new cannabinoids, how they work, and what they may mean for the future of cannabis.
THC-O is another man-made cannabinoid gaining traction in the cannabis market. It has been synthesized to ensure a higher high and boasts three times the potency of traditional delta-9 THC. Acetic anhydride is used to synthesize THC-O, a highly flammable chemical that can be combined with legal CBD or delta-8 THC to cultivate THC-O. The novelty of these chemicals is great, however, given their flammable nature, it is dangerous to make and use them without adequate study about the health effects of prolonged usage.
THC-O is reported to be three times as potent as traditional THC and can have stronger hallucinogenic properties that mimic drugs like mescaline. When metabolized, what’s left is a chemical similar to pure delta-9 THC but more potent. Some users also report that THC-O can cause anxiety, dizziness, paranoia, sedation, vomiting, and seizures.
There still has not been adequate research into the long-term effects of THC-O use. However, there have been studies into the dangers of vaping THC-O. Heating acetates creates ketene which can cause lung damage even with limited exposure. This means smoking any form of THC-O the way you would smoke weed can put you at risk of lung damage and other health risks.
THC-P (delta 9-Tetrahydrocannabiphorol) is a recently discovered cannabinoid boasting greater potency than traditional THC. It exists naturally in cannabis plants in very low concentrations below 0.1 percent. When compared to the traditional THC concentrations in your average strain 25-30%, that’s not that high. However, this small amount may still point to why some strains feel significantly stronger than others as THC-P boasts being 33 times more potent than traditional THC.
THC-P getting you high is an understatement; it can get you almost 33% higher than a comparable dose of straight THC. Also, products on the market made from legal hemp say that THC-P is 60 times stronger than delta-8.
THC-P was only discovered in 2019 and only found in small concentrations in cannabis; there’s no telling what will happen as more THC-P specific products begin to hit the market and what effect this may have. After all, it may exist in trace amounts for good reason.
Both compounds are still new enough that they should be taken with some caution as there has not been adequate study into their use or what high concentrations or prolonged exposure of these compounds will do to the human body.
While both compounds differ vastly in chemical makeup and origin – being either man-made or found naturally – they both boast significant potency in comparison to traditional delta-9 THC. It is important to note that given their novelty and lack of regulation or adequate research into their effects on human health in both long term use or inhaling it’s important for consumers to take caution when considering trying them out.
In conclusion, while these new cannabinoids may offer strong psychoactive benefits and access where traditional delta-9 remains illegal they come with additional risks due to their novelty within the industry and potential impact on respiratory health from smoking or vaping acetate-derived cannabis products. As with any novel compound or drug it’s best for consumers to approach cautiously until more information becomes readily available regarding safe usage guidelines and potential health effects associated with long term exposure or ingestion.
