King of Cannabinoids: THC-P

• Posted on 14 January 2023
• By AW
• Posted in Tetrahydrocannabiphorol, THC-P, THCP
• 0

If you haven't already heard the buzz around THC-P, you might be wondering what's so special about this recently discovered cannabinoid. It's purportedly the strongest cannabinoid currently available on the market including Delta 9 THC!

Tetrahydrocannabiphorol, or THC-P as it is more commonly known, was first discovered in late 2019 by a team of researchers using a method involving advanced chromatography. These same researchers went on to publish this study on THC-P, which is the only known publicly available research study on THC-P at time of writing.

Although it's found only in trace amounts in certain strains of the cannabis sativa plant, THC-P is still a naturally occurring cannabinoid as opposed to a synthetic one like THC-O or PHC. Structurally, THC-P is very similar to Delta 9 THC but with a longer side chain. Delta 9 THC has a pentyl (5) side chain, whereas THC-P has a heptyl (7) side chain. THC-P binds 33x more effectively to CB1 receptors than Delta 9 THC, indicating the effects of THC-P are more potent than Delta 9 THC.

As far as the effects being reported by users, there seems to be a general consensus that THC-P provides a more powerful high than traditional THC with longer lasting effects, particularly at higher doses. Fans of THC-P find it to be highly euphoric, effective at relieving pain and fighting nausea, aiding in sleep, and mood-lifting. With this anecdotal evidence, it's no wonder why THC-P is a favorite among cannabinoid lovers.

There's a lot of research needed to learn more about the effects of THC-P on the endocannabinoid system for recreational use and the potential for use in clinical settings for things like pain relief, anti-nausea, and as a sleep aid. It's possible THC-P could take over the role of Delta 9 THC in clinical settings, being that it binds far better to our CB1 receptors than Delta 9 THC does.

As a reminder, everyone's endocannabinoid system is unique to them in small but noticeable ways. This is the reason why you may personally enjoy a certain strain or cannabinoid whilst your friend might prefer a different one. For those who are diving into the wonderful world of cannabinoids for the first time, it's not a bad idea to start off with a cannabinoid that isn't as potent as THC-P. For the avid cannabinoid fan, THC-P might be the one for you! Give it a try, proceed with caution, and remember you can always use more after ingestion, but you can't use less!