What is HHC-P and what are its effects?

In the context of cannabis and its associated substances, there is increasing talk of new psychoactive ingredients entering the market and generating increased public interest. Whether positive or negative. One of these ingredients that has also become the subject of controversy, due to its effects and potential risks, is HHC-P. And what exactly is it? HHC-P is often presented as a weaker alternative to THC, but its effects on the human body have not yet been fully explored. In this article, we look at what HHC-P actually is, what its effects are and what potential risks are associated with it.

What is HHC-P?

HHC-P, which bears the chemical name Hexahydrocannabiforole, is essentially a chemical compound that is classified as a synthetic cannabinoid. This means that this cannabinoid does not occur naturally in cannabis like CBD, from which it is then made CBD oil, but HHC-P is produced in the laboratory, similar to HHC. They are produced to have similar effects to the natural cannabinoids contained in cannabis. HHC-P is most commonly produced as a powder or distillate (liquid).

In the production process, chemists focus on the HHC molecule, or hydrogenated delta-8 oil, which undergoes a complex process of molecular transformation. And it is this that produces HHC-P, which has 7 carbon atoms, two more than HHC. And what does that actually mean in practice, that it has 2 extra carbon atoms? It has the effect of making it much more able to interact with our endocannabinoid receptor CB1.

HHC-P vs. HHC

Here we could seamlessly follow up as a continuation of the previous text, where we mentioned that HHC-P interacts much more with CB1 receptors due to the two extra hydrogen atoms it has. The activation of CB1 receptors in our body has a significant impact on various functions such as mood, memory, coordination of movements and pain perception. These receptors are closely linked to the psychoactive effects of cannabis and are found primarily in certain areas of the brain. So by being able to interact much more with these receptors, HHC-P ultimately leads to much more intense effects on a person than, for example, HHC has. Well, you can read more about HHC in our article – HHC – what is it and what are its effects.

HHC may have mild psychoactive effects similar to THC. HHC-P is considered to be an even stronger substance with more intense effects on the nervous system. Some users claim that the effects of HHC-P are up to 30 times more intense than those of HHC.

The effects of HHC are more of a calming and relaxing effect, where the effects come on gradually. On the other hand, with HHC-P, many people describe a feeling of euphoria that is much stronger than any other cannabinoid, and its effects come on very quickly.

HHC has slightly different psychoactive effects compared to standard THC. However, HHC-P is close to the potency of THC-P, which is considered one of the most potent cannabinoids on the market. Research shows that THC-P can bind to cannabinoid receptors in the brain up to 30 times more strongly than standard THC, and since HHC-P and THC-P are similar, it is expected to be similar in this respect as well.

What are the effects of HHC-P?

First of all, it should be mentioned that as far as any thorough analysis of the effects of HHC-P is concerned, there have been very few studies done that can actually speak to the beneficial effects on humans. Rather, HHC has been studied, and so it is only assumed that HHC-P could also possibly have similar effects to those of HHC. If this is assumed, then the effects of HHC-P are expected to be:

• analgesic effects
• antioxidant effects
• help with sleep problems
• feeling of relief and relaxation
• stress reduction
• euphoria

However, if you are looking for a suitable nutritional supplement, in case you suffer from, for example, insomnia problems, stressful periods, depression, pain or other health problems, you should definitely reach for CBD oils or CBG oils which are natural cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, and their effects have been studied in more detail thanks to various studies. CBD and CBG oils are mainly characterised by minimal or almost no side effects and their use is safe.

Side effects of HHC-P

Since HHC-P as a synthetic cannabinoid is very psychoactive and similar to THC, similar side effects are expected. For example, some users who have had experiences with just HHC-P and their side effects have reported:

• severe anxiety
• heart palpitations
• very low pressure
• confusion
• coordination problems
• dry mouth
• Intoxication

Safety of taking HHC-P

Is it even safe to take HHC-P? Given that HHC-P has not been sufficiently studied and that there have been incidences of side effects associated with its use, it cannot be said that HHC-P is safe. In Slovakia, these synthetic cannabinoids were sold freely in vending machines in shopping malls, to which everyone had access, including, understandably, children. In Slovakia, there have been a very large number of cases of children who have been intoxicated after taking HHC-P and have shown signs of severe side effects. Although HHC-P is still legal in some parts of the world, in Slovakia it is classified as a narcotic and psychotropic substance. We therefore strongly advise against the use of HHC-P. As we mentioned earlier, if you are suffering from health problems or having a bad stressful time, reach for natural cannabinoid alternatives in the form of CBD oilsthat are safe for your health.

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