Since hemp became legal in France, new derivative products have found their way onto the legal market. In a growing range of cannabinoids that offer a range of effects and benefits similar to those traditionally associated with THC, HHC brings new properties.
HHC is indeed making waves in the cannasphere, particularly in North America where HHC vape cartridges and flowers are flooding pharmacy shelves and are sold as a legal alternative to THC. HHC is a hydrogenated version of THC where the double bond is broken and replaced with hydrogen. This increases its stability and probably also its bioavailability. HHC is thought to produce the same effects as THC, but more research is needed to better understand its effects.
As the market continues to explode with new cannabinoids, it is not easy to stay up to date on the different effects and the legality of each.
Everything you need to know about HHC
Cannabis is made up of several different molecules, some of which are better known to consumers and the scientific community than others. This is particularly the case for CBD or THC, whose properties are increasingly studied to better understand their effects on the body.
Nevertheless, some molecules, such as HHC, are still quite mysterious and little used by scientists. However, this substance is said to have properties similar to THC.
What is HHC?
HHC is a cannabinoid, a cannabis molecule naturally present in hemp. It is found in very small quantities in male plants and seeds. You should know that it takes a lot of biomass (quantity) to have a very small amount of HHC.
This cannabinoid was discovered in 1944 by Robert Adams, an American chemist. However, since its discovery, it has been the subject of very little research and the scientific community has prioritized the study of THC and CBD.
How is HHC made?
HHC occurs naturally in cannabis plants, but only in very small amounts. In order to have enough HHC, it must be created in a laboratory. For this reason, HHC can be considered both a natural and semi-synthetic cannabinoid.
HHC is made through hydrogenation. CBD and THC are first extracted from hemp plants, then distilled and isolated. The powdered substance is a base, which is then chemically infused with hydrogen atoms, breaking the double bond and replacing it with two hydrogen atoms. It is then exposed to a catalyst such as nickel or zinc which helps convert the cannabinoid into HHC.
The entire hydrogenation process takes place in a chemical reactor. The result is a dark golden oil, HHC. This oil is then refined and distilled, transforming it into a usable product.