HHC: Another Hidden Gem Of Cannabis

You have heard about CBD and THC, but is the term HHC new to you? If this is the case, read on because we will explain what it is, its origin, and its applications.

What We Know About HHC

If you are interested in alternative medicine or cannabis, you might have read or heard about hexahydrocannabinol during your research. This is a compound that despite decades of history, still retains many questions surrounding it.

Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) is known as a synthetic cannabinoid that was first created in 19

47 by the American organic chemist Roger Adams, who obtained HHC molecules by modifying the structure of THC extracted directly from the cannabis plant.

Adams achieved this through a process known as "hydrogenation." In simple terms, he added a hydrogen atom to the natural THC. As a result of this procedure, he gave the HHC molecule more stability and improved thermo-resistance.

However, contrary to popular belief, HHC is not a synthetic cannabinoid per se. It is a phytocannabinoid that occurs naturally in the cannabis plant but in small proportions. Therefore, its extraction and natural isolation are laborious and rarely done.

In short, this means that for many years humans and animals have consumed small amounts of HHC.

Then, What Is the Effect of HHC?

We must consider that this molecule is analogous to THC, which is much more stable but retains the same interactions as its "successor," i.e. it binds with great affinity to CB1 receptors.

HHC has gained some popularity in the adult-use cannabis community because it can deliver the “high” with relaxing effects but with less potent psychoactive effects than delta-9 THC and even delta-8 THC.

Still, it is relevant to note that these effects vary according to each product's potency and concentration or purity. Its consumption has side effects similar to THC's, such as dry mouth, dry eyes, and feelings of hunger.

HHC As a Medicinal Cannabinoid

Several factors have hindered scientific research on HHC, among them the lack of production uniformity, since the manufacture of HHC usually results in a mixture of very active compounds and others with little activity; the difference in doses and the lack of regulation in the purity of the compound.

Nevertheless, the medicinal field of HHC has made small advances. For example, a study conducted at Yeungnam University analyzed the effect of an HHC analog in an in vivo model of tumor and colorectal tumor cells. The results concluded the compound exerted an anti-angiogenic and antitumor effect through inhibition of Hypoxia Inducible Factor (HIF) and Akt protein, which is involved in the expression of angiogenesis-promoting factors and in the regulatory environment where the tumor establishes.

These results suggest that HHC could inhibit migration and metastasis, and promote cell death of certain cancer cells. However, there is still much more to learn about HHC to better understand its interaction with the human body.

If this information interests you, we invite you to expand your knowledge! Check out our educational offerings and educate yourself about the medicinal uses of cannabis. Register at www.pharmacologyuniversityonline.com/pages/courses