Your Guide to HHC Cannabinoids

Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) is a molecule derived from cannabis, a classification that includes both hemp and marijuana plants. These molecules, called cannabinoids, share a variety of similar traits. You are likely familiar with the most famed cannabinoids: CBD, THC, CBG, CBN, and beyond. These are known to exhibit therapeutic benefits when consumed responsibly.

So does the HHC cannabinoid share these benefits? Yes and no.

Unfortunately, there is a lot of contradictory information about HHC and its potential for therapeutic use. Let's set the facts straight! The cannabinoid HHC is created from CBD molecules through a process known as hydrogenation: the "fattening up" of compounds. A common example would be turning vegetable oil into margarine. However, CBD molecules are saturated with hydrogen in this instance, forming HHC.

HHC and You: Benefits and More

We must admit: we lied. When CBD is saturated with hydrogen and forms HHC, it is actually made up of two compounds in roughly a 50-50 ratio. The first, 9R-HHC, actively binds to endocannabinoid receptors like many other therapeutic cannabinoids. The second, 9S-HHC, does not bind to receptors at all, appearing physiologically inactive as science stands today.

For HHC products, this means an automatic drop in potency unless additional steps were taken by the manufacturer to isolate 9R-HHC and eliminate 9S-HHC. However, users report more feelings of euphoria and mildly intoxicating side effects, favorable to some cannabinoid users.

Remember that all data comes from anecdotal evidence: user accounts, first-hand experiences, and general reports not based on scientific data. Anecdotal evidence tells us how a compound is being used but doesn't necessarily exemplify why a compound should be used in the first place. In addition, anecdotal evidence shouldn't be used to diagnose, treat, or assess any medical condition.

And here's the other problem when determining the potential benefits of HHC: consumers are relying mostly on anecdotal evidence. Scientists largely focus their attention on the famed cannabinoids. Research into CBD, THC, and other highly active metabolites of cannabis receive the lion's share of funding.

According to anecdotal information, HHC appears to offer comparable effects to Delta-8 THC, a less intoxicating form of traditional THC. Users report feeling mild intoxication following HHC ingestion. However, users also report a variety of benefits:

• Pain relief
• Anti-inflammatory benefits
• Relaxation
• Anxiety relief
• Better sleep
• Reduced nausea

Is HHC Legal?

Yes! Congress legalized hemp and its constituents under the sweeping 2018 Farm Bill, making hemp-derived therapeutic products legal nationwide. As we stated above, HHC comes from the hydrogenation of CBD molecules. If you didn't already know, CBD is a natural cannabinoid derived directly from the hemp plant. Under the Farm Bill, any hemp-derived compound containing no more than 0.3% THC by dry weight is legal for sale, possession, and consumption.

What HHC Products Are Available?

Because HHC is highly saturated, HHC products often come in the form of vape devices. However, HHC hemp flower (like the HHC version of traditional marijuana) is available in a variety of popular cannabis strains: sour diesel, northern lights, pineapple express, and more.

We do not currently stock HHC products at CBD Choice. If that changes, you'll be the first to know! Our team is dedicated to the continued research of cannabinoids and their potential for health and wellness. It is our opinion that more clinical evidence is needed on HHC, but current anecdotal reports show promise! If you are interested in HHC products, we advise you to conduct your own research and speak with your healthcare professional about cannabinoid use and dosage options.

Always purchase HHC products that are backed by third-party lab testing guarantees! These reports can tell you the potency of your products, any contaminants found in the product batch, and ensure that your cannabinoid regimen is 100% safe and effective.

If you would rather purchase high-quality, scientifically-backed CBD products, CBD Choice offers everything you need from all the industry leading brands! At the end of the day, it's about our collective wellness. So choose whichever cannabinoids work best for you!

The History of HHC

Because we don't know a lot about HHC, it must be new, right?

In actuality, HHC was first synthesized by American chemist Roger Adams in 1944. Roger, a direct descendent of US president John Adams, originally hydrogenated THC to form HHC molecules. He was first licensed to study marijuana two years after the historical ban in 1937.

So why did we never hear about this?

Well, Adams is more famous for his earlier discoveries. In fact, around 1940, he was the first person to synthesize CBD and CBN, often called the "sleepy" cannabinoid. He patented his CBD extraction method in 1942. Adams was also the first researcher to identify THC, publishing over 27 cannabis studies in the American Journal of Chemistry throughout his life.

Needless to say, Adams knew cannabis. But scientific history let his HHC-related discoveries go to waste.

L.S. Melvin et al.

Since Adams, only a handful of studies using HHC have come to light. According to LS Melvin et al., "HHC was the first cannabinoid shown to possess analgesic potency approaching that of morphine…HHC also represented a significant step forward in the search for a nonnarcotic potent analgesic structurally unrelated to morphine."

That was in 1984, but no clinical trials were conceived, and no pain relievers containing HHC have been made since.

D. Thapa et al.

In 2011, a group of South Korean researchers set out to capitalize on the anti-inflammatory effects of cannabinoids. According to Dinesh Thapa et al., "In our search for cannabinoid-like anticancer agents devoid of psychoactive side effects, we synthesized and evaluated the anti-angiogenic effects of a novel series of hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) analogs."

Two such analogs of HHC (known as LYR-7 and LYR-8) "inhibit tumor growth by targeting VEGF-mediated angiogenesis signaling in endothelial cells and suppressing VEGF production and cancer cell growth."

IN LAYMAN'S TERMS:

• Two analogs of the HHC cannabinoid inhibited tumor growth in a highly controlled setting.
• They did this by targeting signal patterns in the creation of new cancer-forming blood vessels.
• In theory, HHC analogs could be developed to mitigate specific chemical processes within the body during the formation of cancerous cells.

HHC, In Conclusion

We've learned a lot about hexahydrocannabinol (HHC). It comes from hydrogenated, hemp-derived CBD molecules! It is less intoxicating than THC but with many of the same benefits as CBD! In addition, its analogs exhibit anticancer properties!

But there is still much more to learn about HHC cannabinoids. We don't advise anyone to take unknown compounds without first taking the necessary steps to educate yourself about the benefits and side effects you may experience.

With that said, we believe HHC deserves more recognition from the scientific community. This compound and its analogs undoubtedly carry a variety of unreported effects. If funding catches up to enthusiasm, we may discover just how successful these cannabinoids can be!