Hydroxyhexahydrocannabinol (HHC) is a cannabinoid derived from hemp found naturally in cannabis, but only in small concentrations. It is a semi-synthetic hydrogenated compound first created in 1944 by the American chemist Roger Adams when he added hydrogen molecules to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. HHC is short for hydroxyhexahydrocannabinol, and it is known to induce less potency than THC. The main difference between HHC and THC is the duration of their effects.
HHC produces effects that can last up to 12 hours, while the effects of THC only last a few hours. This makes HHC a better option for those who want lasting relief from their symptoms. However, it's important to note that the duration of the effects of HHC may vary from person to person. The inclusion of hydrogen causes HHC to become more stable than THC with greater resistance to heat and UV rays.
The high-potency active HHC twin, HHC 9R, binds to the body's endocannabinoid receptors more effectively than HHC 9S, since they have minor chemical differences. CBD can be used for numerous health reasons, but it will never provide the consumer with the psychoactive effects that HHC-O and Delta 9 would provide. When THC is oxidized and converted to CBN over a long period of time, small concentrations of HHC appear, along with delta-8 THC and delta-10 THC. All HHC (hexahydrocannabinol) products are made with semi-synthetic HHC chemically hydrogenated from THC.
Unlike the delta-8, delta-9 and delta-10 forms of THC, there is some evidence that HHC is not metabolized to 11-hydroxy-THC, which is the metabolite that causes a positive result in many panel drug tests.The benefits of using HHC include relieving anxiety, euphoria, relaxation, brain and body intoxication, reducing inflammation, relieving nausea and vomiting, and better sleep. According to Mark Scialdone, chemist and chief scientific officer at BR Brands, hydrogenation improves “stability and resistance to thermooxidative degradation”, meaning that HHC has a longer lifespan and is less prone to damage caused by ultraviolet light and heat. Mild to moderate doses of HHC are likely to cause significant euphoria, visual distortions, cognitive impairment, and physical sensations. The difficult issue is that manufacturers do not appear to be able to cost-effectively separate the high active power (9R HHC) from its inactive twin (9S HHC). However, Bearly Legal does include third-party test results with its KCA Laboratories HHC products. There are no federal regulations that set the minimum age required to purchase HHC-O; however, there are state regulations that require consumers to be 18 or older to purchase.
