Hemp contains more than 100 active compounds called cannabinoids. These compounds are divided into two categories, psychoactive and non-psychoactive. You may already know about cannabinoids such as Delta 9, Delta 8, HHC, Delta 10, and THC-O which are called THC analogs. 

Recently, a new cannabinoid called THCP gained light in the hemp industry. Is this cannabinoid stronger than THC? What are its effects? Is it natural? Let’s find out.

What Is THCP?

THCP is a new psychoactive cannabinoid that was discovered by a group of Italian researchers in 2019. It is a member of the THC family and can get you high if consumed. The chemical compound naturally occurs in minute quantities in hemp and it is created from an organic chemical compound known as cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) that also helps form other cannabinoids found in hemp plants. THCP interacts with your body’s endocannabinoid system by stimulating the cannabinoid receptor CB1. The stimulation of the CB1 receptors causes it to exhibit intoxicating effects. 

How Is THCP Made?

Manufacturers and researchers can’t directly extract THCP from hemp since it occurs in low amounts in hemp. To produce it artificially, manufacturers derived a production process involving the extraction of CBD from hemp. By using hemp-derived CBD as a raw material, manufacturers and researchers can obtain sufficient amounts of THCP and create its products too. You can find different types of products that contain THCP in them, they include:

• Gummies 
• Distillates
• Candies
• Tinctures
• Flowers

How Is THCP Different From Delta 9?

If you think that THCP is weaker than THC, then you should correct your viewpoint. This cannabinoid is much stronger than Delta 9 – THC. What is the reason behind this? The reason is that THCP has around 33 times greater ability than Delta 9 to stimulate the cannabinoid receptors CB1. 

• Potency

We all know that Delta 9 is a psychoactive cannabinoid and that it can create strong psychoactive and intoxicating effects. This is because it has a strong affinity for the CB1 receptors of the endocannabinoid system, which are in charge of the psychoactive reactions. 

THCP, on the other hand, leaves behind Delta 9 in terms of cannabinoid receptors stimulation. This is because it can bind with both the CB1 and CB2 receptors of the endocannabinoid system unlike Delta 9 which can only bind with CB1. Therefore, THCP is considered to be stronger in potency than the Delta 9 cannabinoid. Another reason that THCP is stronger than Delta 9 is that its molecular structure contains an extended seven-atom side chain. 

• Effects

When you use Delta 9, it may enhance your sensory perception, making you see vibrant colors. You may also feel an improvement in your mood due to its intoxicating effects. This is also because of the way it interacts with the endocannabinoid system. 

The amount of time it takes for the effects of Delta 9 to kick in depends on the type of Delta 9 product you’re consuming. For example, it takes at least 45-90 minutes for the effects to kick in if you’re consuming Delta 9 gummies but they last for more than 6 hours. Whereas when you’re vaping Delta 9 it takes only 10-15 minutes for the effects to kick in, but they last for a shorter amount of time than Delta 9 gummies. 

Research on the psychoactive effects of THCP is at its initial stages, so there isn’t much to know. Nevertheless, anecdotal reports show that this novel cannabinoid provides powerful Delta-9-like intoxicating effects. THCP users state that the compound gives a psychedelic-like experience, so it can significantly enhance auditory and visual perceptions. Although, you won’t see hallucinations from this cannabinoid. 

It also takes at least an hour for the effects of THCP to kick in, especially if you’re consuming edibles such as gummies. This is because your stomach first digests the edibles or gummies, and then the cannabinoid present in them enters your bloodstream and travels to your brain where it activates its effects. Those effects then go on and last for more than 7 hours depending on how many gummies you consume. 

How To Buy High-Quality THCP Products?

Most of us have the desire to consume THCP products of the highest quality. However, it isn’t that easy to find good quality THCP products just lying here or there in retail stores or online stores. In order to find high-quality THCP products, you need to keep a few factors in mind. They include:

• COA (Certificate Of Analysis)

Most stores and brands usually have a hard copy of their COAs. However, if they don’t own a hard copy of the certificate, then you can find it on their website. If a brand or store doesn’t own a COA, then it’s best for you to avoid purchasing their THCP products. A COA is a legal document that usually contains information about the products of a brand, and their legal status. 

It also contains third-party test results that mention the ingredients present in the products and the ingredients used in the manufacturing process of the products. They confirm whether there are any harmful chemicals present in the products.  

• Brand Reputation

It’s always best to do a bit of research and find out about a brand’s reputation before deciding to purchase its products. This is because a brand’s reputation can help you know whether its products are worth spending money on or not, and also get an idea of what other people think of the brand. You can find out a brand’s reputation by visiting its social media pages and reading customer reviews about its products. 

5 Frequently Asked Questions

• What Is The Cost Of THCP Gummies?

The cost of THCP gummies is around $9.99 depending on the place that you purchase them from, how much THCP they contain, and the size of the packet. 

• How Long Do THCP Gummies Take To Expire?

Most THCP gummies last for at least a year depending on how well you store them. However, it’s recommended that you consume them all within 3-6 months of buying them.  

• Can THCP Make You Fail A Drug Test?

Since THCP is an analog of THC, then it’s highly likely that it will make you fail a drug test. That’s why it’s best to wait until the THCP cannabinoid completely leaves your system before taking a drug test. 

Conclusion – Is THCP Stronger Than THC?

THCP and Delta 9 do carry the same generic THC structure. Nevertheless, their molecular structures have slight differences. The alkyl chain of THCP has around 7 carbon atoms. Whereas, Delta 9 has only 5 carbon atoms in it. This difference in chemical structure makes them vary significantly in their potencies as well as their effects. 

Moreover, THCP is considered to be 33 times stronger in potency than Delta 9, so make sure to consume this cannabinoid with caution, even if you’re someone with high tolerance levels.