Is HHC Safe?

As the cannabinoid space widens, alternatives to the conventional THC delta and CBD variants continue to emerge. HHC is among the latest cannabinoids to enter the scene and is the most stable form of THC following its super high resistance to oxidation, UV light, and heat.

HHC cannabinoid is also believed to have a legal advantage over Delta 8, 9, and 10 THC. If you have not used HHC yet, you might wonder whether it is safe to consume. Well, this blog reveals everything you need to know about HHC including its safety, how it's made, its legal status, and its effects.

What is HHC [Cannabinoid]?

HHC stands for Hexahydrocannabinol, a semi-synthetic cannabinoid and a hydrogenated form of THC. It is similar to THC but its hydrogen atoms are more. Specifically, HHC has two additional hydrogen atoms which make its shelf life longer. The double carbon bond that makes up the molecular structure of THC is separated during hydrogenation forming HHC.  

Scientists are curious about the absorption of HHC being more efficient than that of the naturally occurring cannabinoids. For instance, THC and CBD are not completely bioavailable, meaning they are not fully absorbed in the body. When it comes to HHC, researchers believe that more of this product would be metabolized and fully utilized by our endocannabinoids systems.

How is HHC Made?

Cannabis plants naturally make HHC in trace quantities. However, almost all the HHC used in commercial products are made in laboratories. In other words, HHC products resemble the Delta-8 and Delta-10 products and have the added benefit of being made in a laboratory which is a cheaper process. Companies can therefore offer HHC tincture, e-liquids, and other products at affordable prices.

Manufacturing HHC starts with a Delta-9 THC isolate which undergoes hydrogenation. By infusing hydrogen into THC, the isolate gains hydrogen and transforms into HHC. Scientists use metal catalysts like Palladium, Nickel, or Platinum to make the chemical process more rapid without tarnishing the product. This chemical reaction gives HHC its chemical structure that wouldn't otherwise occur in nature.  

Is HHC Safe?

The simple answer to this is, yes, hemp-derived HHC products are safe to consume. The primary ingredient in these products, HHC distillate, is safe when made in proper conditions, just like the ones available on the HHC product selection that you can find on the Hemmfy online marketplace.

However, not all HHC distillates are of good quality; the industry is full of scammers who cut corners and manufacture possibly unsafe products.

To confirm whether an HHC product is legit and safe, you can read the corresponding third-party certificate of analysis (COA). The leading third-party labs usually analyze HHC products for a vast range of impurities, including mycotoxins, heavy metals, bacteria, and residual solvents. When producers have this report, it gives their products a clean bill of health, meaning they are safe to consume.

Hexahydrocannabinol Effects

HHC is often consumed as a recreational substance for those seeking a close replacement of THC. When vaped or smoked, HHC produces an intense, intoxicating effect that may last for hours. When consumed in a capsule or as an edible, it can sustain a psychoactive effect for more than six hours.

Besides euphoria, HHC may stimulate appetite, which could be considered a therapeutic effect for some.  Some users have also stated that they feel energetic without the mind fog experienced with Delta 9 THC but these claims have not been conclusively proven by science yet. Scientists tested HHC on rats in a 1997 experiment; they found that the compound shared properties with narcotic painkillers, although, there were significant differences. Researchers are still exploring the medical value of HHC.

During consumption, you may experience some effects like those of ‘traditional’ THC:

• Loss of coordination
• Impaired reaction times
• Red eyes
• Elevated heart rate
• Dry mouth

Additionally, the properties of HHC may induce anxiety, but how long this lasts or how strong it is will depend on a variety of factors.

Is HHC legal?

The 2018 Farm Bill allows us to assume that natural HHC is a federally legal cannabinoid. The Farm Bill states that hemp and hemp-derived cannabinoids can be sold legally as long as they don’t contain more than 0.3% of Delta 9 THC. In essence, HHC does not contain Delta-9 THC and if hemp-derived, can be considered a federally protected cannabinoid.

Nevertheless:

The FDA's Interim Final Rule (IFR) deems synthetic hemp cannabinoids illegal. HHC occurs naturally in cannabis and hemp but in very tiny amounts, which is why manufacturers use a laboratory process. When HHC gets popular enough, the chances are that it will follow the Delta-8 THC trajectory where it may start out as federally legal but gets banned by certain states in the long run. As of now, it is legal to purchase HHC.

HHC vs Delta 9: Is HHC Stronger than Delta-9 THC?

The precise potency of HHC is tricky to confirm because of the limited amount of research on it. Indeed, even the producers of HHC acknowledge the inconsistency. The ratio of active to inactive HHC molecules often varies from one batch to another. While these manufacturers do their best to optimize the level of active compounds in their products, they lack full control. As a rule, all THC forms when four or more carbons in their side-chain produce intoxicating effects. For instance, Delta-8, 9, and 10 have five carbons, and so does HHC. The most potent form of THC is THCP, which has seven carbons.

Based on the HHC chemical structure, it seems stronger than Delta-8 but less potent in comparison to Delta-9. Estimates may vary, but for many, hexahydrocannabinol is located somewhere between Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC in terms of potency.

Will HHC Show On a Drug Test?

HHC manufacturers claim that it does not show on standard 5 and 10-panel drug tests. According to them, HHC does not metabolize into 11-hydroxy-THC metabolites like Delta 8 and 10. The drug tests can only detect this metabolite. 

If hexahydrocannabinol is undetectable in drug screening, it would be incredibly famous. Imagine having a chance to enjoy an intoxicating product without being caught by a test. Nonetheless, we must emphasize that there is no reliable evidence for this claim. If you take HHC, you will have no idea of whether the screening will detect it in your system.

Best HHC for Sale

HHC products are the latest craze in the hemp industry and many companies are popping up everywhere. To be on the safe side, it is vital to purchase your products from reputable brands. Hemmfy is among the most trustworthy online shopping platforms in the market. 

We carry some of the industry's leading brands like Purlyf CBD, Delta Extrax, Smiyln Wellness, and more. Brands like these know what it takes to make excellent HHC products. You can rely on them to meet the appropriate manufacturing process and third-party testing requirements.

Some of the products you should expect to find here include disposable vape pens. At Hemmfy we also carry an excellent selection of gummies with multiple flavors from a wide variety of reputable brands. If you want the best HHC products, you will want to head on over to the Hemmfy website. At Hemmfy we offer only lab-tested and strictly curated hemp-infused products.