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THC comes in a variety of forms. It can be confusing because some are far more powerful than others.

In this article, we’ll look at THCP, one of the most potent THC in the cannabis industry. This new cannabinoid has 30 times the potency of regular delta 9 THC.

Crazy right?

Continue reading to learn more about what this powerful THCP actually is!

What is THCP?

The full name of THCP is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabiphorol, similar to delta-9 THCP in chemical structure and its effects on the human body. You’ll also hear the compound is referred to as delta 9 THCP or THC-heptyl. There are multiple abbreviations, like THCP, THC-p, and THCp.

THCP is a relatively new compound that was only discovered in 2019. Scientists found low levels of THCP in various strains, and it was when Italian researchers did a study on a particular strain that they found THCP.

When researchers could single out the delta 8 THC cannabinoid, the industry wanted to find other compounds from the cannabis plant. This led to the discovery of THCP and the new research today.

While THCP is found naturally in some strains, the levels are very low compared to other cannabinoids. To create enough THCP for commercial use, laboratories have started chemically manipulating CBD to create THCP.

What makes THCP different chemically from delta 9 is the long alkyl side chain which consists of a tail of atoms that extend from the molecule. This chain comprises seven carbon atoms compared to only five carbon atoms in delta 9. Ultimately, this is how THCP can bind more easily with human CB1 and CB2 receptors in the body. When more cannabinoids can attach to the receptors in the body, you’ll experience more effects on the brain and in your physical movements.

Since the compound is relatively new, many studies have yet to be done on its effectiveness and long-term effects on humans.

Types of THCP Products

You can find THCP in several commercially available products from Bay Smokes.

Often, the compound is mixed with other cannabinoids like delta 8, HHC, and delta 9 in products you are probably already familiar with.

THCP gummies are a great way to get relief while enjoying the taste and overall experience of consuming THCP. Gummies are also discreet for consumption, as you can take them at any time without worrying about what others may think. You can enjoy several different types of edibles and flavors from Bay Smokes.

If you prefer to inhale your cannabinoids, THCP is available in cartridges you can take while on the go. The carts look like any other cannabinoid cartridge, with a concentrated oil inside the glass case and a tip at the end for inhaling. The cartridge works by coming into contact with the heat of your device to release the cannabinoids.

Disposable vapes are also available, which allow you to have a set amount of THCP concentrated oil for a set number of uses. The device comes preloaded with oil, and when you’re finished, you can discard it.

THC-P vape cartridges and disposable vapes are available from Baysmokes in a variety of hybrid, indica, and sativa strains.

THCP is also available in topical creams and lotions for those who prefer a more localized relief. Rubbing on THCP cream helps to deliver relief directly to areas where you may be experiencing pain or aches. You won’t have to worry about ingesting any chemicals as the topicals are made with safe ingredients.

This method is best for people who prefer not to carry around different devices or do not want to consume THCP orally. Like gummies, it is a discreet way to consume THCP without others being curious about what you are doing.

How Is THCP Made?

Specific strains of the cannabis plant contain very low levels of THCP. Chromatography is a technique used to extract and isolate THCP.

So what is this technique exactly? Chromatography is when a solvent is added to the cannabis plant material and then heated to separate the cannabinoids. This mixture runs through a column where it is then separated into its components due to the differences in their chemical properties.

Once isolated, THCP can be refined and concentrated before being made into an oil or other products like gummies or vape cartridges. This is the same type of method that is used for most cannabinoids that exist in the hemp and cannabis plants.

What makes THCP unique is that there needs to be more of the compound to make chromatography useful for commercial endeavors. For this reason, THCP is created artificially in laboratories. To create this, manufacturers use a process called decarboxylation. This involves heating a compound and then adding catalysts to break down the acid molecules into THCP. A result is a synthetic form of THCP that’s available as an isolate or mixed in with other cannabinoids such as delta 9, delta 8, HHC, and more.

Does THCP Get You High? 

THCP will affect your body’s chemistry enough to cause psychoactive effects like you would experience with (delta 9 THC. The difference in effects between the two has to deal with the chemical structure of THCP.

The seven-sided alkyl side chain mentioned earlier gives this compound powerful results in the human body. The longer chain enables THCP to bind to your CB1 and CB2 receptors in the body 33 times more readily than delta-9 THC.

However, this does not mean that the intensity of the high will be 33 times stronger than delta-9 cannabinoids. Your body will only be able to process so many cannabinoids from the THCP. But this means your body is more likely to bind to THCP cannabinoids. So overall, you’ll still be getting higher using THCP than traditional delta 9.

Since not all strains of cannabis contain the THCP compound, the strains that do contain THCP are probably more potent and intoxicating for users. In the future, you could see cannabis breeders cultivating strains to increase the levels of THCP to highlight its effects.

For now, lab-produced THCP is the only form you can get that is commercially available. There isn’t enough THCP in cannabis strains to produce commercial use, so it has to be manufactured.

Effects of THCP

As you learned in the section above, THCP can bind to your cannabinoid receptors exceptionally well. Much better than delta 9 THC, and as a result, you’ll experience stronger feelings of being high.

No studies have been conducted on the effects of THCP on humans. However, the Italian researchers who first discovered the compound have done cannabis mouse experiments to simulate the effects on humans: The mice showed a reduced state of activity when given lower doses of THCP. When the researchers upped the dosage, the mice experienced a trance-like state, which appeared to reduce pain.

The fact that THCP has an easier time attaching itself to human cannabinoid receptors also has enormous implications for other uses. Cannabinoids have been shown to affect the endocannabinoid system in the body, which is responsible for regulating many functions like appetite, mood, memory, and even pain.

Therefore, it’s possible THCP could be more effective in treating certain conditions than traditional delta-9 cannabis compounds. The increased binding ability could be crucial to alleviating pain, nausea, and sleep problems.

The Italian researchers who discovered the compound theorized that the potent THCP found in specific cannabis strains could be the exact reason those strains have as many healing properties as they do. Previously credited to delta-9, the discovery could now point the light on THCP as the real reason specific strains are as impactful as they are.

However, remember that the solid binding ability of THCP can also bring about the adverse side effects of cannabinoids. Dry mouth, dry eyes, paranoia, anxiety, and hunger could all be increased with more potent amounts of THCP.

THCP vs. THC-O

At this point, it’s hard to determine the exact differences between THCP and THC-O. Not enough studies on THCP are available to compare it to cannabinoids like delta 8, delta 10, CBD, or HHC.

Most of the current commercial products that have THCP contain the isolated compound. Instead, all products are mixed with another cannabinoid like delta 8. Other products contain a mixture of cannabinoids, so it would be impossible to determine the exact effects of THCP versus THC-O. We can only make assumptions and educated guesses on how the two would compare. In the future, you might see completely isolated versions of THCP, and the comparisons will be easier.

We know that THC-O gummies and tinctures are the best forms to consume. They do not require any heat to consume and enjoy. 

However, recent studies have shown that when enough heat is added to the THC-O compound, it can form what is known as ketene. This element is a lung toxicant, and you should avoid it at all costs. There is not enough research to determine if vapes apply enough heat to produce ketene from THC-O, so only gummies and tinctures should be taken. 

So far, no risks are associated with THCP when high amounts of heat are applied.