TL;DR: HHC, a potent hemp-derived cannabinoid, offers potential benefits like pain relief and elevated mood. It’s legal in many states and available in various forms.
Main Points:
- HHC is a potent cannabinoid similar to Delta 9 THC.
- Potential benefits include pain relief and elevated mood.
- Side effects may include red eyes, dry mouth, and anxiety.
- HHC is legal if derived from hemp with <0.3% Delta 9 THC.
- Available in various products like vapes, edibles, and tinctures.
One of the most transformative changes caused by the rise of the federally legal, hemp-derived cannabinoid market is the number of cannabinoids available.
In the past, Delta 9 THC was the only type of cannabinoid that was easy to access. Now, there are many more options when it comes to cannabinoids. That includes HHC, a cannabinoid known for being more potent than many others.
So, what is HHC? What makes it unique compared to other options on the market? What are the potential benefits of HHC?
Keep reading to find answers to these questions and more.
What is HHC?
HHC is the common name for hexahydrocannabinol. On the chemical level, HHC is essentially the same as Delta 9 THC, except that a hydrogen atom is added to the chemical structure. This cannabinoid occurs naturally in cannabis plants, although only in small amounts.
The most common source of HHC currently is through the chemical conversion of more plentiful cannabinoids, like the CBD found in hemp plants. This is the case for many hemp-derived cannabinoids.
Many cannabinoids that reached the federally legal market after the 2018 Farm Bill was passed were unknown before those changes in law. HHC, while mostly obscure until recent years, was first identified in the early 1940s.
Effects and Side Effects of HHC
In the big picture, the practical effects of HHC are similar to those of Delta 9 THC. Users generally report having a high after use. In other words, they tend to feel sensations like altered perceptions, an elevated mood, and increased creativity.
HHC side effects are present but generally minor for many users. Red eyes, dry mouth, and anxiety are all possible. We always recommend taking a small dose of a cannabinoid that’s new to you at first, then slowly increasing your dose until you find out what works best for you.
One key difference between HHC and many other cannabinoids is its perceived potency. In other words, it’s thought to be stronger than many other cannabinoids at an equivalent dose. For many users, this is one of the most important HHC benefits.
We’ve looked at how HHC compares to other cannabinoids, specifically Delta 8, Delta 9, and Delta 10. Although these findings are not a scientific certainty, we know that user reports indicate the following:
- HHC is stronger than Delta 8 and Delta 10, two other common hemp-derived cannabinoids.
- HHC is somewhat weaker than Delta 9, the dominant cannabinoid found in cannabis plants.
How Do People Use HHC? Is HHC Legal?
When its ultimate source is a hemp plant containing no more than 0.3% Delta 9 THC by dry weight, HHC is federally legal. The 2018 Farm Bill legalized the commercial production of hemp with that Delta 9-related limitation.
Some states have restricted or prohibited the sale and/or possession of HHC, but it remains legal in many states. Always check into your local and state laws related to hemp-derived cannabinoids before making a purchase.
In part because it can be shipped to most states across the country, HHC is available in many products and formulations. You can easily find HHC products, including pre-rolls, disposable vapes, vape carts, edibles, syrups, tinctures, and more in the HHC section of our store. We offer pure HHC products as well as HHC blends containing other cannabinoids.
Potential Benefits of HHC
Although HHC has been known for the better part of a century, research related to it is limited. This cannabinoid simply didn’t attract much attention prior to hemp-derived cannabinoids becoming federally legal in 2018.
So, we can’t definitively state that HHC has benefits proven on the level of a controlled double-blind study. That’s why we’re discussing the potential benefits of HHC as opposed to its proven benefits.
So, does HHC help with pain? Is HHC good for anxiety?
We know that, for cannabinoids in general as well as for HHC in particular, some users report using HHC for anxiety and pain. THC appears to be effective in treating pain, as Harvard Health explains. While the effects of HHC aren’t conclusively proven, it’s fair to say that HHC may help address issues related to pain as well.
As far as HHC for anxiety, the available information is more mixed. Some cannabinoid users, including HHC users, do take HHC to reduce or mitigate anxiety. However, HHC is also thought to cause anxiety as a side effect in some users.
While more research is required for definitive answers, it appears that HHC has good potential to help address pain — pain relief is a likely benefit of HHC. Pain isn’t a known side effect of HHC use, and closely related chemicals (like Delta 9) have some research backing up their efficacy in helping people manage pain.
Managing anxiety with HHC may work or may not. It can depend on both the effectiveness of HHC for individual users and if those users are predisposed to anxiety as a side effect of using cannabinoids.
If you’re looking for a cannabinoid that can help manage anxiety, CBD may be a better option. CBD has stronger evidence related to potential anxiety-reducing properties. CBD is also recognized as likely having pain-relieving properties.
Anxiety is not known to be a common side effect of CBD use. And, because CBD is not psychoactive, it delivers functional benefits without the same side effects (i.e. anxiety) as many other cannabinoids.
Cannabinoids You Can Counton From Delta 8 Resellers
We take cannabinoids seriously at Delta 8 Resellers. Why? Because we believe that you should have access to high-quality, lab-tested cannabinoids. And, we think that the products you buy should contain exactly what’s stated on the label.
To that end, we exclusively partner with leading brands that have strong reputations and long track records of supplying exceptional products. Whenever possible, we share the results of independent, third-party lab testing for our products on their individual product pages.
Ready to try out HHC and see if the potential benefits of HHC work for you? Check out our selection of HHC products!
