We’ve officially entered the era of non-traditional cannabinoids. Delta 9 THC and CBD are no longer enough.
There are now several different types of cannabinoids available. Delta 8 THC is a more relaxing variant, while delta 10 THC is a more stimulating and energizing variety. THCP and THC-O are powerful variants that provide a psychedelic vibe.
There’s also another type known as HHC.
THCV is a THCV-enhanced hemp extract that is truly apocalypse-ready. This stuff will last for quite some time. HHC will most likely be the cannabinoid astronauts choose to take with them when they go to Mars.
So, What is HHC?
HHC is a cannabinoid molecule that stands for hydroxyhexahydrocannabinol. There are several versions of this hydrogenated THC derivative.
The comparison of HHC is to THC, is like comparing margarine to butter.
The shelf life of this cannabinoid is extended considerably by saturating it with hydrogen atoms, without sacrificing much in the way of effect profile.
HHC is naturally occurring in tiny amounts, although it may be extracted. To sell this cannabinoid, manufacturers will need to create it in a laboratory.
There are four main types of HHC:
- 9-OH-HHC — 9α-hydroxyhexahydrocannabinol(CAS# 36028-45-2)
- 7-OH-HHC — 7-hydroxyhexahydrocannabinol (CAS# 64663-39-4)
- HU211 — 1,1-Dimethylheptyl-11-hydroxytetrahydrocannabinol (CAS 112924-45-5)
- HU243 — 11-Hydroxy-3-(1′,1′-dimethylheptyl)hexahydrocannabinol (CAS 140835-14-9)
Others include 10α-hydroxyhexahydrocannabinol, 10aR-hydroxyhexahydrocannabinol, 7-oxo-9α-hydroxyhexahydrocannabinol, 1S-hydroxycannabinol, 8-oxo-Δ9-THC, Δ9-THC aldehyde A and cannabiripsol.
Simply stated, HHC is THC with no double bonds in its chemical structure. It’s the polar opposite of CBN (cannabinol), which emerges from THC as it breaks down and adds extra double bonds.
With HHC, all the double bonds have been broken and replaced with hydrogen (AKA hydrogenation).
The end result of this is that the molecule’s shape and binding affinity for the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors, as well as TRP pain receptors, are altered.
This difference is significant. The chemical structure has been altered in such a way that the THC becomes significantly more stable – meaning it will retain its strength longer than other types of THC. This is because hydrogenated vegetable oils last considerably longer than normal vegetable oils, and it’s for the same reason that hydrogenated oils are less prone to oxidation and deterioration.
As a result, the longer it sits in your medicine cabinet, the better. This cannabinoid is also more resistant to mishandling or exposure to heat and UV light. HHC would be an ideal apocalypse cannabinoid because of its long shelf life.
The most common naturally-occurring type of THC, Delta 9 THC, but it’s also the least stable. It oxidizes as it loses hydrogen atoms, creating two new double bonds on its top ring structure. THC changes into CBN (cannabinol) when this happens, which has only 10% of the psychotropic effect of THC because it contains no hydrogen.
11-hydroxy-THC (11-OH-THC) is the most stable form of THC with a significantly longer shelf life than other forms of THC. It’s resistant to heat, UV light and insect damage too. There is some evidence that HHC doesn’t convert to 11-hydroxy-THC.
Key Points: What is HHC?
- HHC is a hydrogenated (semi-synthetic) form of THC
- HHC offers similar effects & potency compared to THC
- HHC has a substantially longer shelf-life & is more resistant to high heat or UV exposure
- The safety profile of HHC is still unclear, but there’s no evidence to suggest it’s dangerous
What Are The Effects of HHC?
The THC analog HHC has comparable effects. It generates euphoria and excitement, altered visual and auditory perception, changes in heart rate and body temperature, as well as altered headspace and thought.
The effect of HHC is similar to that of Delta 8 THC in terms of being more weighted toward relaxation than stimulation, according to many users. Delta 8 THC is stronger than HHC, but it is also less powerful than Delta 9 THC.
Although HHC is still relatively new, there aren’t many research on its potential therapeutic benefits because it hasn’t been studied as much as other THCs — but thus far, it appears to have similar therapeutic effects as other types of THC. There’s even been some animal testing demonstrating that beta-HHC has significant painkilling abilities when tested on rats.
The questions being asked of HHC include:
- Can it help manage chronic pain?
- Can it reduce inflammation?
- Can it promote deeper, more restorative sleep?
- Can it alleviate nausea or vomiting?
- Can it alleviate anxiety (may also increase anxiousness)?
The actual advantage of this cannabinoid is its lengthy shelf life, not to mention the physical effects. It has comparable advantages to THC but in a more stable form.
Is HHC Legal?
The legality of cannabinoids like HHC or Delta 8 THC is a point of contention. Because it is naturally occurring, selling HHC is completely legal. However, similar to many of the other THC analogs, it does not exist in significant amounts in nature and must be produced in a laboratory in order to offer any usable supply.
Whether it’s a natural or synthetic compound is up for debate.
The claim that HHC is naturally derived is based on its presence in hemp and marijuana flower. If caffeine is produced in a laboratory, we do not refer to it as synthetic caffeine; it’s still just caffeine.
The claim that HHC is synthetically produced focuses on the fact that in order to obtain any appreciable amounts, it must be manufactured from various chemicals and methods.
On a federal level, if the end product is considered natural and no Delta 9 THC remains in the final product after processing, as long as the starting material comes from hemp, it’s legal.
HHC is prohibited on a federal level, and it has the same penalties as Delta 9 THC.
Related: What are synthetic cannabinoids?
The legality of the entire alternate cannabis market is an issue at this time. While certain interpretations make these substances seem legal, there are other laws that may prohibit them in the future — such as the Federal Analog Act. This legislation makes it unlawful to produce or sell anything that is a derivative of a listed Schedule I drug (such as Delta 9 THC).
How is HHC Made?
There are a variety of ways to manufacture HHC. The use of acids (synthetic gastric juice) to convert THC to HHC was formerly used, but it is now replaced with the conversion of citronellal or hydrogenation using palladium catalysts.
Because THC is illegal, and the businesses that produce and sell HHC are mostly focused on the “legal” market, HHC must be produced from something other than THC in order for the manufacturing plant to avoid breaking any laws.
The best option is to convert CBD to HHC using artificial gastric juice, as this results in 9α-OH-HHC, 8-OH-iso-HHC, and Delta 9 THC. The Delta 9 THC must be removed from the end product.
Let’s cover each process in more detail:
Hydrogenation of THC to HHC
Delta 8, Delta 9, and delta 10 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are all Isomers of THC that can be used to create HHC through hydrogenation. The majority of the processes described below transform THCA to HHC.
The technique is to apply high pressure, hydrogen atoms, and a catalyst containing inactive metals like iridium, palladium, rhodium, nickel, ruthenium, platinum, or rhenium to concentrated THC.
The process causes the THC molecule to become unbalanced by forcing the double bond in its structure to break. Hydrogen is required to keep the molecule stable (hence the name “hydrogenation” — hydrogen atoms are “added”).
Mark Scialdone, an organic chemist of the University of West Georgia, has filed a new patent (No. 20160324909A1) on hydrogenated cannabis oil (HCO).
Example process outlined in Scialdone’s patent application:
- THCA-rich cannabis extract is dissolved in ethanol
- Palladium/carbon catalyst is added (10%) and stirred in
- Hydrogen gas is bubbled through the mixture under pressure and left for several hours
- The mixture is filtered through Celite to remove the catalyst
- Solvent removed via rotary evaporation
In yet another US patent (No. 2419937A), hydrogenation of THC to HHC was described using a catalyst known as “Adams Catalyst,” which is made up of platinum dioxide.
Caution: The procedure must be done under a vacuum and in the presence of an inert gas. Oxygen in the air can cause it to combust. Only experts with appropriate lab equipment should attempt this reaction.
Conversion of CBD to HHC Using Artificial Gastric Juice
Artificial gastric juice was used in an older technique to convert CBD to 9α-OH-HHC, 8-OH-iso-HHC, and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol. There haven’t been many modifications since the initial study was published in 2007.
Hydrogenation of Terpenes to HHC
The terpenes citronellol and L-carvone can also be converted into HHC using many different catalysts, high temperatures, pressure, and hydrogen atoms.
A method has been proposed (source unclear) for converting L-carvone to HHC using a catalyst called Wilkinson’s catalyst (tris-triphenylphosphine rhodium chloride).
In 2008, a team of researchers published a technique for turning citronellal to HHC using the hetero-Diels-Alder reaction.