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What is THC-P?

What is THC-P?

The cannabis world is buzzing about THCP, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabiphorol, the newest and potentially strongest cannabinoid to date. The primary psychoactive component of cannabis, THCP is an analog of THC, a naturally occurring phytocannabinoid found in cannabis. Since it naturally occurs in the hemp plant in small doses, it is typically lab-made. 

THC-P, was recently discovered by an Italian research team in 2019 and is currently only found in the FM2 strain of cannabis. It is one among 120 or more cannabinoids that have been identified so far in the cannabis plant, with many still to be found. 

Because THC-P is so new, further research is required to assess the long-term benefits and side effects of using this substance. However, current anecdotal research discovered data suggesting that THC-P may have a stronger influence on the psychoactivity of a cannabis strain than THC alone. 

This article explores the scant knowledge we currently have about this recently identified cannabinoid.

Further breaking down THCP

The cannabis plant contains very small amounts of the cannabinoid delta-9-tetrahydrocannabiphoral, also known as THCP, which is closely related to THC.

THC-P interacts with the endocannabinoid system similarly to THC, but with a much higher affinity for cannabinoid receptors, claim the researchers who first identified it.

According to the study, THCP binds to CB1 receptors up to 33 times more frequently than conventional THC, suggesting that it may be up to 33 times more potent than THC.

THCP is distinct because of its longer alkyl side chains, which are significantly longer than those of conventional THC (seven carbons vs. five carbons). 

As a result, the cannabinoid binds to bodily receptors more firmly. Therefore, compared to THC, THC-P has a significantly greater impact on several ECS-controlled processes and requires a less dose to do so.



THC-P was discovered by accident

An open-access scientific journal article titled, "A new phytocannabinoid isolated from Cannabis sativa L. with an in vivo cannabimimetic activity higher than 9-tetrahydrocannabinol..." published on December 30, 2019, was the first to reveal THC-P to the public.

The study about the discovery of THCP was conducted by an Italian research team. They examined a natural cannabis sample (FM2) provided by the Military Chemical Institute in Florence, Italy, using cutting-edge mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography technologies.

The researchers were able to thoroughly investigate the plant matter in a very appropriate way, by using mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography analyses. THC-P was unintentionally discovered via this procedure, thus the accident.

How is THC-P Made?

THC-P is typically made in labs using hemp which contains a maximum of 0.3% of delta 9 THC. 

Is THCP safe to use?

We know very little about the dangers of THCP consumption due to the lack of research that is currently out there. This cannabinoid has never been the subject of human investigation. Animal studies have shown that it has a very powerful effect on the CB1 and CB2 receptors of the endocannabinoid system, but human studies on the effects have never been conducted.

According to extrapolation based on animal research and other pharmacologic hypotheses, THCP will probably result in a strong high, and it's very plausible that THCP may have more noticeable side effects than THC alone. Low blood pressure, psychosis, and moderate side symptoms like dry mouth and eyes could all be among them.

What does a THCP high feel like?

Although it's never simple to define a high, the THCP high is best characterized as potent. The switch in your brain that is triggered by THC or THC-P to the traditional high sensation, known as the CB1 receptor, is strongly attracted to THC-P. 

Early laboratory studies imply that THC-P is about 30 times more potent than THC at CB1, however. It's difficult to say for sure how much higher one could go off by having THC-P, since this cannabinoid is fresh to the science community.



What are the effects and benefits of THCP on your body?

It's an important question but we don't yet have all the answers to this. Before we can state with some degree of surety what THC-P can do for you and your body, more research needs to be done.

The Italian researchers discovered several physiological impacts when researching how THC-P affects human cannabinoid receptors, including:

Potential pain relief:

The first THCP investigation identified different analgesic characteristics that are crucial for pain management. Analgesics work by desensitizing the body's nerves' pain receptors, which respond to unpleasant stimuli by delivering pain signals to the brain.

In essence, analgesics can lessen our response to pain, which can make it more tolerable. This result is not unexpected given that several cannabinoids present in hemp are linked to analgesia.

Potential nausea relief:

Given the substantial structural similarities between THCP and Delta 9 THC, it has been proposed that the latter may be especially useful for treating nausea. This action of Delta 9 is well recognized, and it is one of the many uses of Delta 9 in medicinal contexts.

THCP products may also significantly reduce nausea, which is beneficial for people who experience persistent nausea as a result of certain diseases, drugs, or pregnancy.

Potential appetite stimulant:

THCP and Delta 9 THC may both have the ability to promote appetite as one of their shared properties. Similar to Delta 9, THC-P probably acts on cannabinoid receptors involved in the processes of desiring and enjoying eating, which are ultimately necessary for human survival.

This trait is especially helpful for people who have a poor appetite because of several illnesses that make them unable to feel hungry.

Potential mood-enhancing effects:

The interaction of cannabis with CB1 receptors, which play an important part in controlling the activity of neurotransmitters in the brain, naturally results in impacts on mood. THCP has been characterized as a fairly elevating cannabinoid, which can be extremely helpful when a person's mood is especially low. 

The cannabinoid's high may give users sensations of exhilaration and inner bliss.

Potential relaxing properties:

THCP was tested on mice, who demonstrated evidence of hypomotility, or reduced movement, the researchers found. This is frequently an indication of the calming effects of some cannabinoids, which are frequently linked to "couch-lock."

It's not implausible to assume that THC-P, like many other hemp-derived products that include certain chemicals naturally occurring in the plant, provides a considerable "body high" impact. 

This may suggest that THC-P has a calming effect on the muscles and joints, causing users to desire to curl up and relax.

How to Buy THC-P

In states where it is legal to purchase cannabis products like THCP, you can purchase them online and shipped through the United States Postal Service (USPS). Although there is not currently a federal minimum age requirement to purchase THC-P products, some states require consumers to be 21 years old or older to purchase cannabis. It’s always a good idea to check your specific state’s requirements before attempting to purchase hemp products online. 

Things to consider when buying THCP products 

It's crucial to pick your THC-P products properly and consume them in a way that will increase your likelihood of experiencing the cannabinoid's numerous beneficial features if you want to fully benefit from what it may be able to do for you.

Here are a few short and practical pointers.

Always look for THC-P products that have been completely lab-tested

The only method to ensure that you are purchasing a genuine, superior, and pure product that is strong enough to be useful is to check third-party lab findings.

Buy from honest brands with proven track record

Look for a producer who has a solid track record of producing things of the highest caliber THC legal products. Delivering THCP goods with chemically stable and bioavailable THCP extracts is more likely to come from a reputable supplier.

Choose your consumption method

Although each THC-P delivery route has its advantages, there are differences in how well they work and how long their effects endure.

  1. Effects from inhalable goods like vapes typically last for a few hours.
  2. Effects from edibles might last up to 8 hours.
  3. When compared to food, tinctures often have half the impact.

Dosage and consistency

How much do you take? In terms of dosage and product milligram strength, determines how severely you may experience these potential side effects. When considering how much THCP to take, keep this in mind.

Also remember that THC-P has the potential to be very intoxicating, beginners should start with a low dosage and gradually increase it. 

You should also aim to take THC-P only once per day so that it can accumulate in your system and have an impact on your body.

The Side Effects of THC-P

As with all cannabis products, side effects are possible to occur. It's currently unclear exactly what the actual THC-P's side effects are. However we do know that it is similar in nature to THC and therefore can result in similar side effects to those of Delta 8 or Delta 9. Many of these side effects are uncommon, and only last for the duration of the user's high. 

 

  • Dry mouth
  • Red eyes
  • Fatigue or sleepiness
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Memory loss
  • Self consciousness 
  • Anxiety
  • Paranoia
  • Anxiousness

 

It’s important to exercise caution when using any cannabis product, but particularly THC-P. While there is no surefire way to avoid side effects while using THC-P, starting off slow when consuming, staying hydrated, and consuming it in a space where you feel comfortable and safe can help to ensure that you have the best possible experience. 

You should proceed with caution and thought if you decide to consume THC-P goods.




How is THC-P Different From Delta 8 and Delta 9?

Some studies report that THC-P is up to 30 times stronger than typical THC like delta 8, and much more effective at binding with CB1 receptors in the brain. Delta 8 is known for producing a calm, relaxed high in users, whereas THC-P can be much more stimulating and psychoactive. 



Delta 9 and THC-P give users a somewhat similar high, but what sets THC-P apart from delta 9 is that it is federally legal in the United States. So why is THC-P legal and delta 9 isn’t? This is due to the 2018 Farm Bill, which is also known as the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. This bill changed the legal classification of hemp from a controlled substance to an agricultural commodity and made it so that any cannabis derivative containing less than 0.3% delta 9 THC would no longer be defined as marijuana in regards to the controlled substances act. Because THC-P and delta 8 contain less than 0.3% of delta 9, it is legal to produce, distribute, and sell products containing the two in the United States. It’s important to remember though that each state makes its own rules and regulations regarding hemp products, and multiple states, including Utah, Rhode Island, Montana, Mississippi, Iowa, Idaho, Delaware, Colorado, Arkansas, Arizona, and Alaska, have either restricted or banned products containing THC-P. 

 

Elyxr’s THC-P Carts

Our THC-P Cartridges combine the Elyxr flavors you know and love with the strength and psychoactivity of THC-P. Our vape carts contain one gram (1000 mg) of product and come in three different strains, so we’ve got you covered no matter what your preference is. Sativa in tropical Banana Mango gives users an energetic head high, Indica in classic Godfather OG offers a full-body relaxing vibe, and Hybrid in tangy Ninja Fruit creates a balanced combination of the two. 

 

Let Elyxr Help

If you’re ready to try THC-P, you’ve come to the right place At Elyxr, we take pride in formulating the latest trends in hemp with only the best ingredients. Our extracts are grown and processed in the United States in an FDA-approved facility, so you never have to worry about where they come from. Additionally, we provide COA’s for our lab-tested products for your peace of mind. With our THC-P, live Delta 8, Delta10, THC-A, CBN, and CBD products you’re sure to find something to suit your needs. Shop our online store today for moonrocks, carts, edibles, tinctures, flower, and more. 

Conclusion:

THCP is one of the most intriguing and recent cannabis plant discoveries. It's thrilling to think that a natural cannabinoid might be 30 times more potent at CB1 receptors than THC. There are worries about its safety, as there are with any new cannabinoid. When purchasing THC-P goods, we advise using some caution. Ensure they have undergone third-party testing and are being sold by a reliable source.

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David Nadel is a freelance copywriter and content writer who has been doing content creation since late 2014. He originally worked at a marketing tech company in Boston doing email marketing and SEO display ad campaigns (where he helped to create the content for those emails and banner ads for clients) before going full time as a freelance writer in 2017.

It all started working with clients in the vaping industry in 2013, where David got his opportunities to do more freelance work for that industry the following year because of his success with helping those clients with emails and ads. And, which led him writing for the hemp industry too, as he had already been an avid cannabis enthusiast going all the way back to 2011.

Because of his extensive knowledge and legit passion with non-psychoactive and psychoactive cannabinoids, coupled with his better understanding of shrooms (mushrooms) since 2015, and the kratom/kava industry since 2019, it has allowed him to create some of the most remarkable, out-of-the box, and informative content in the industry.

Even today, David still keeps on top of what’s happening in the cannabis, shrooms, and kratom/kava industries, like new research and data studies, wellness trends, legality, and emerging cannabinoids and strains, in order to supply the most up-to-date, precise educational, fun, and engaging content. That way, new and experienced users alike can really understand what this amazing industry has to offer while still being fully informed.