For several months now, we have been seeing the emergence of new terms in the sale of CBD. It began with HHC, a molecule that has now been banned in France, followed by H4CBDor the THCP.
Let's take a look at all these new formulas to find out more.
HHC :
Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) was discovered in 1944 by the American chemist Roger Adams. It is obtained by hydrogenation of a THC molecule, using chemical synthesis techniques. Note that HHC is not a cannabinoid naturally present in the cannabis plant, but rather a synthetic molecule created in the laboratory.
Because its effect is similar to that of THC, it has been banned from sale in France since June 2023. THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and HHC (hexahydrocannabinol) are two chemical compounds that belong to the same family of compounds called cannabinoids, but they differ in their molecular structure and their effects on the body.
THC is one of the main cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant and is responsible for most of its psychoactive effects, such as euphoria, relaxation and distortion of sensory perception. THC binds directly to cannabinoid receptors in the brain and central nervous system, which can cause side effects such as drowsiness, tachycardia and anxiety.
In contrast, HHC is a synthetic cannabinoid that is produced in the laboratory rather than in the cannabis plant. Its molecular structure is slightly different from that of THC, with an extra group of carbon atoms in its molecular chain. This different structure has an impact on the effects of HHC, which are considered milder and more subtle than those of THC. Although HHC is also psychoactive, it is generally considered to be less potentially anxiety-provoking than THC, although more research is needed to confirm this, but for the moment it is considered too dangerous for public health, and has therefore been banned.
THE H4CBD :
H4CBD is a synthetic and artificial cannabinoid, as was HHC earlier in this article. Synthetic, because it is obtained in the laboratory by hydrogenating a CBD molecule. And artificial, because it doesn't exist in nature - it's not found in cannabis flowers or seeds.
H4CBD was first synthesised in 1940, along with other synthetic cannabinoids also obtained by hydrogenation. At the time, researchers wanted to obtain a more stable and powerful version of the plant's phyto cannabinoids. As we have seen, it was also at this time that HHC was created.
In short, H4CBD is a molecule of CBD with 4 extra hydrogen atoms. It was discovered last century, and today it's the darling of American blinds, and has been in France for the past few weeks/months. The fact that H4CBD is a super-powered version of CBD, with the added bonus of a small psychotropic effect much appreciated by THC supporters, makes it a highly sought-after product at the moment. It would appear that H4CBD, unlike CBD, has a relative affinity with the CB1 receptors in our endocannabinoid system.
These receptors are located mainly in the brain and are involved in numerous physiological mechanisms in our nervous system. However, the fact that H4CBD binds to CB1 receptors does not mean that it causes effects similar to those of THC. In fact, there is no objective data specifying the degree of affinity between H4CBD and the CB1 receptor.
Bear in mind, however, that we don't know exactly how H4CBD behaves once in the body. And we don't know what kind of side-effects may result from taking it.
As it is not (yet) banned in France, the H4CBD is completely legal in France. But sellers are not allowed to promote its therapeutic properties, which have not yet been confirmed.
THCP :
THCP is a natural phytocannabinoid found in cannabis and an analogue of THC, the compound responsible for most of the psychoactivities of cannabis. Discovered only at the end of 2019 by a team of Italian researchers, THCP is one of 120 (or more) cannabinoids found to date in the cannabis plant, with many more potentially awaiting discovery.
However, THCP is causing a particular stir in the research community. cannabis. The researchers found evidence to suggest that THCP may have a more pronounced impact on the psychoactivity of a variety of cannabis than THC itself. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabiphoral, or THCP, is a cannabinoid closely related to THC and present in very low concentrations in the cannabis plant.
According to the researchers who discovered it, THCP interacts with the endocannabinoid system in the same way as THC but with a much greater affinity for cannabinoid receptors. The research revealed that THCP binds to CB1 receptors up to 33 times more often than traditional THC, meaning that THCP is potentially up to 33 times more potent than THC.
THCP is unique because of its longer alkyl side chains: the chain of carbon atoms is much longer than traditional THC (seven carbons versus five carbons). This allows the cannabinoid to bind more firmly to receptors throughout the body. As a result, a much smaller quantity of THCP to have an impact on different functions governed by the endocannabinoid system (ECS) than for THC to have the same effect.
As you can see, the THCP is an extremely powerful cannabinoid, in which several sellers are interested because of its potentially psychotropic effects. As H4CBD is not banned in France, it is legal and authorised in France, but its effects can be harmful. It is important to warn customers if dealers are selling this product.
At MariSwiss, we prefer to provide you with products that 100% CBD at very attractive prices. However, we'll have to wait and see whether these new products and new molecules have any positive effects in the future, so that they can help our valued customers.