HHC or Hydroxyhexahydrocannabinol

What is HHC?

HHC is a hydrogenated form of THC naturally present in varieties of cannabis, with effects that are roughly 70-80% the strength of THC.

HHC, which is short for hexahydrocannabinol, is a hydrogenated form of THC naturally present in varieties of cannabis. HHC is also considered semi-synthetic when chemically hydrogenated from THC. It’s thought to be roughly 70-80% the strength of THC, meaning it’s more potent than delta-8 and delta-10. Mild-to-moderate doses of HHC induce a euphoric high similar to THC but with more relaxing and sedative qualities akin to delta-8.

Yes, HHC causes a high similar to THC but with the relaxing and sedating qualities of delta-8 (and perhaps delta-10). The reason why an HHC high is similar to THC and delta-8 is to do with the number of carbons on its alkyl side chain. All three cannabinoids have five-carbon side chains, which means they bind to your cannabinoid receptors with a decent level of efficiency. 

Mild-to-moderate doses of HHC will likely cause noticeable euphoria, visual distortions, cognitive impairment, and physical sensations. Whether these effects are overwhelming is unclear. However, since HHC is approximately 70-80% the strength of THC, we believe high doses could cause an intense and sometimes uncomfortable euphoric high.

What Are the Benefits of HHC?

The benefits of HHC are largely unknown. Little research exists determining how HHC could benefit you, though early preclinical studies on animal test subjects suggest it has pain-relieving and anti-cancer properties. 

Taking scientific research out of the way, we could argue the benefits of HHC are mostly the same as THC due to their molecular similarity and affinity with your cannabinoid receptors. These benefits might include:

• Appetite stimulation 
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Insomnia
• Pain
• Inflammation

HHC and CBN are polar opposite cannabinoids despite being the result of THC degradation and decomposition. HHC is essentially THC but with its double bonds replaced by hydrogen atoms, whereas CBN enjoys two additional double bonds on its molecular structure. HHC is better at binding to CB1 receptors, which causes a strong euphoric high. CBN has a much weaker binding affinity with CB1 receptors and causes very little intoxication.

Natural HHC found in hemp carrying no more than 0.3% THC is federally legal under the Agriculture Improvement Act (2018 Farm Bill). The Agriculture Improvement Act legalized hemp and hemp-derived compounds across the US.