HHC or hexahydrocannabinol is rising in popularity among cannabis users. It is said to be really similar to THC in terms of effects, yet remains “legal” due to being technically “not THC”.
So, you want to know what HHC’s effects feel like? Well, similar to THC, everyone’s experience of this cannabinoid is a little bit different than each other. However, there are still some patterns that are often reported in users
Method of consumption
HHC can be used to make edibles, infused into drinks or made into dabs just like any other cannabinoids. But the most common method of consumption is via vape cartridge and dabbing.
Many people use HHC just by itself, while others are mixing it with other cannabinoids like THC or CBD. Due to being semi-synthetic, the terpenes profile can be lacking, so some users or producers can get creative and mix in some cannabis or plant derived terpenes to enhance the experience.
Duration
HHC is very similar to THC in terms of its effect duration. And that means different methods of consumption will lead to different duration.
- Inhaling: Onset 1-10 minutes, duration 1-4 hours
- Ingesting: Onset 30-120 minutes, duration 4-10 hours
Effect
People tend to evaluate HHC based on how it feels related to delta-9 THC and delta-8 THC. Delta-9 is the THC in cannabis that we all know and are most familiar about. Delta-8 is around half as potent/strong as THC. And when it comes to HHC, users reported that its potency is somewhere around the middle, meaning stronger than Delta-8 but a bit weaker than THC. This is confirmed by the fact that even though HHC also binds to the CB1 receptors in our brain similar to how THC does, it binds weaker, leading to a somewhat weaker effect.
And similar to THC, you can feel any of the effects that you normally would with THC when you consume HHC. This includes many things from relaxation, uplifting, feeling energetic to changes in perception… Of course, this will be very much depending on the method of consumption, and the dosage you consumed.
However, people are saying that the HHC high is clearer than THC, meaning a high without much of the anxiety and paranoia that too much THC can cause. This is just anecdotal though, and we really need some future study to investigate this further.
Medical benefits
So far, anecdotal reports have shown that HHC can potentially be good for anxiety, stress and pain. It seems that HHC can relieve pain and stress as much as THC can. But outside of that, there is not much research going on about the potential medical benefits of HHC, especially in terms of illnesses such as cancer or epilepsy.
Side effects
HHC is reported to be similar to THC. No serious side effects are documented. However, too much of a dose can still lead to anxiety, paranoia, nausea or other symptoms similar to a THC overdose. Furthermore, there is currently no study on long-term effects of HHC use, especially in teenagers and young adults, as well as people who are having or at risk of developing mental illnesses.
On the other hand, there have been anecdotal reports saying that users can build up tolerance really fast when they use HHC compared to THC. Even though this is not confirmed via any reliable research, this can potentially be a problem that needs investigation as soon as possible.
Caution
Lastly, the biggest risk when taking HHC comes down to the actual product. HHC is a semi-synthetic cannabinoid which is made in a lab, so there is a huge potential risk for contaminants, such as solvent residue and heavy metal.
Furthermore, lab testing for HHC is still relatively new and is not required due to lack of regulation, so you will find many products right now that don’t have any third party certificates of analysis. What if what you bought is actually not HHC at all? What if there is something dangerous in there? Buying a product without COA means that you are putting yourself at a very high risk. So, if you want to try HHC, please spend a little bit more time researching the market and look for ones with the lab analysis, even if it means that the product can be a bit more expensive.
