Wave after wave, various cannabinoids derived from hemp have been making their impressions over the last few years. It seems like every few months, a new contender steps up to get a lot of attention. While alternative THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) product options like delta-8 THC gummies have gained notoriety, HHC products are not so easy to find—yet. HHC is a relatively unfamiliar cannabinoid when it comes to legal hemp products, so you may not find a lot on Google when you try to get a closer look. So, what is HHC and what are the HHC benefits and effects you should know? Here’s a quick rundown of what we know for certain so far. HHC is hexahydrocannabinol, which is a cannabinoid that comes from cannabis and hemp. A lot of people assume HHC to be some type of THC compound like delta-8 THC, but it is actually not a THC compound. However, HHC psychoactive effects can be similar.

 

HHC can be found in exceptionally low concentrations in cannabis, but the cannabinoid has not been isolated or examined in its natural form all that extensively. Therefore, HHC is most often a “manufactured” cannabinoid, which essentially means it is created or synthesized by manipulating other, more-abundant cannabinoids like CBD (cannabidiol) or THC. In 1944, a chemist created synthetic HHC in a lab by combining delta-9 THC molecules with hydrogen molecules. This common scientific process, which is referred to as hydrogenation, transforms the delta-9 THC into HHC. This same process is actually used relatively commonly with consumer products. For example, a type of hydrogenation is used when converting vegetable oils into margarine. Today, though, most HHC products you find are created by using chemical reactions to manipulate CBD from hemp so that it turns into HHC. The process is complex, usually involving complicated equipment like CBD supercritical extractors, distillation equipment, and chemical reactors. For this reason, high-quality HHC products can only come from an upscale laboratory.

 

HHC and THC, whether you are speaking of delta-8 or delta-9, are cannabinoids and similar in form and how they affect the endocannabinoid system. And, HHC is psychoactive, just like delta-8 and delta-9. Nevertheless, HHC is far less potent than either. Delta-9 is twice as potent as delta-8, and HHC is much less potent than delta-8. 

 

So far, HHC has not been studied substantially enough to offer any definitive conclusions as far as benefits are concerned. There are only a handful of animal studies to show that HHC may have a few benefits that are worthy of attention. HHC is thought to be good for bodily discomfort, and it may actually have long-lasting effects according to research published in 2010. It has also been noted that HHC may help support longer sleep durations, even though studies have only been performed on rat subjects. Anecdotal reports from those who have tried HHC claim the cannabinoid helps with a range of things, such as:

• Promoting relaxation

• Enhancing energy levels

• Supporting good sleep

• Helping with bodily discomfort

• Soothing racing thoughts

However, these reports are only anecdotal and not well-established through clinical research.