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HHC is among the new cannabinoids (others include THC-O) hitting the hemp market thanks to the legalization of the hemp plant. Premium HHC products infused with HHC extract and natural terpenes, like HHC vape pens, HHC cartridges, and sour candy, are rapidly gaining traction among consumers.
The cannabinoid product is famous for its potent effects, allowing consumers to legally enjoy a profound HHC vape experience and unique relaxing effects. HHC products are available in multiple flavors and doses/concentrations to suit consumer preferences.
Here is everything you need to know about HHC vape pens and gummies to make informed consumer choices.
Brief Introduction To HHC
Hexahydrocannabinoil (HHC) is a naturally occurring cannabinoid found in hemp plants. The cannabinoid is a delta-9 THC analog (relative), which shares a similar chemical structure to delta-9 THC but a different atomic structure.
HHC is a minor cannabinoid found in cannabis in trace amounts. The first historical mention of HHC was in 1940 when an American chemist, Adam Rogers, converted a delta-9 THC molecule into HHC by adding hydrogen molecules to the THC.
However, cannabis industry players only started producing adult-use HHC products in 2021. HHC’s relationship to THC means it is psychoactive or will make you “high.” However, while HHC is among the most potent hemp products, its psychoactive effects are significantly milder than THC’s.
Nonetheless, most of the information on its psychoactive effects is anecdotal because its short stint on the market limits comprehensive research and data collection.
Industrial HHC production is complex and entails obtaining HHC extract and converting the extract into HHC distillate for infusion into the final products. These products include vape carts and disposable vape pens.
Besides the HHC distillate, HHC products also contain cannabis-derived terpenes from popular strains, including Pineapple Express, Super Sour Diesel, Watermelon, Skittlez, Hawaiian Sunrise, etc. Most cannabis brands are yet to venture into HHC production. But, the future seems bright for this new-age cannabinoid, given its growing popularity.
What Are The Different HHC extraction Methods?
As earlier stated, although HHC is a hemp-derived cannabinoid, it occurs in trace amounts. Therefore, extracting it directly from hemp plants using typical techniques employed to extract most cannabinoids is impractical.
Consequently, hydrogenation is the standard HHC production method manufacturers use to derive HHC extract from the cannabis plant and convert it to premium HHC distillate. Hydrogenation is a chemistry reduction reaction between hydrogen and the molecules of a second compound in the presence of a catalyst.
The second compound loses atoms during hydrogenation and replaces them with hydrogen atoms, forming a new hydrogenated molecule. Therefore, the newly-formed molecules have a different chemical structure and physical properties, including enhanced stability and resistance to deterioration.
Industrial hydrogenation reactions to retrieve HHC from the cannabis plant entailed adding hydrogen molecules to delta-9 THC. However, delta-9 THC is a Schedule 1 controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act, and any products derived from it are illegal under the Federal Analogue Act.
Therefore, using THC in hydrogenation would limit the legal market for HHC products since THC and its analog derivatives are only permitted in 19 US states. Hence, HHC manufacturers use CBD, a hemp-derived cannabinoid, as a THC alternative in the hydrogenation process because CBD is federally legal.
Although hydrogenation is the industry standard for retrieving HHC extract from hemp, other techniques are available. These techniques include using artificial gastric juice rather than hydrogen to convert CBD to other cannabinoid products, including THC and HHC.
Second, it is also possible to conduct a hydrogenation reaction on cannabis-derived terpenes like citronellol in the presence of a catalyst and convert the terpene into HHC molecules. However, limited information on artificial gastric juice and terpene hydrogenation HHC extraction methods is available.
After retrieving the HHC extract, more processing is necessary to convert it to HHC distillate and infuse it with delicious flavors from natural terpenes. HHC extraction methods are more costly than typical methods for other hemp-derived cannabinoid products. Therefore, HHC costs more than other hemp-derived cannabinoids, including THC-O.
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Is HHC As Safe As We Think?
“Is HHC safe?” is among the most prevalent queries on the hemp-derived cannabinoid. So, is HHC? Like with most cannabinoids, the answer to that question depends on multiple factors.
HHC is a new product in the hemp market, and most research on its effects is anecdotal or borrows from the effects of other psychoactive hemp-derived cannabinoids. Therefore, it is currently insufficient research to categorically assess its long-term effects. Nonetheless, below are a few considerations when weighing HHC’s safety.
First, Although HHC is among the legal cannabinoid products in the hemp market, there is no standard recommended HHC dose. The Food and Drug Agency (FDA) does not recommend HHC for therapeutic or adult-use consumption. According to the FDA, HHC is a dietary supplement; the FDA does not regulate the amount of active ingredients in nutritional supplements.
HHC and delta-9 THC share some chemical properties, including psychoactive properties. Although HHC has milder psychoactive properties than delta-9 THC, both compounds are biphasic, exerting a pleasant HHC high at low doses and undesirable side effects at higher doses.
Therefore, HHC’s safety depends on how much HHC distillate is in a product. Thus, the safest way to consume an HHC product for a pleasant but safe HHC high is to start with a low dose and adjust the dose gradually according to your previous experience.
Second, the FDA’s hands-off approach in regulating the cannabis industry means that not every HHC vape pen, vape cart, or disposable vape is high-quality. Trustworthy brands like Astro Eight submit their HHC extract and all consumable products like an HHC cart, disposable vape pens, HHC gummies, and sour candy to government-certified labs for independent lab testing.
An independent lab test examines an HHC product to ensure it is free of contaminants like pesticides, heavy metals, herbicides, and mold. Second, the lab test examines the HHC extract quality and potency to help you avoid purchasing overwhelming or underwhelming products.
Some lab tests examine the HHC vape pen or cartridge’s vape battery to ensure they meet the advertised capacity. Therefore, only purchase lab-tested HHC vapes and HHC gummies to avoid consuming impure, potentially toxic products.
Third, brand reputation matters when purchasing safe HHC due to the unregulated nature of the cannabis industry. Astro Eight attaches a certificate of analysis (COA) to all their lab-tested products. Therefore avoid brands that claim to sell lab-tested products but have no certificate of research attached to them.
On the one hand, no research categorically states whether HHC induces toxicity and its long-term effects. However, there are also no reports of adverse consumer effects associated with HHC consumption.
Therefore, follow the tips above to consume HHC products safely. Also, avoid taking HHC products while pregnant, breastfeeding, or on medication for a previously diagnosed condition. Lastly, while rare, consult a doctor immediately if you experience undesirable side effects after taking HHC.
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Is It Legal To Consume HHC?
Cannabinoid legality in the US is precarious at best, with different laws across state lines and contradictions between Federal and state laws. So is HHC legal?
HHC’s legality is straightforward for two reasons. First, HHC is among the hemp-derived cannabinoids that are federally legal, according to the 2018 Farm Bill.
The 2018 Farm Bill stipulates that it is federally legal to cultivate, produce, and distribute hemp products, including cannabinoids, with a THC content not exceeding 0.3%. Therefore, HHC is a federally legal substance.
Hence, the federal declassified hemp from the Schedule 1 controlled substances list; the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) classifies substances under the Controlled Substances Act due to their limited health benefits and a high potential for abuse. So, HHC is a federally legal hemp product.
Second, unlike other cannabinoids, HHC contains no THC molecules due to hydrogenation. Consequently, it is more challenging for state lawmakers to push laws prohibiting HHC distribution and consumption since HHC contains no federally illegal substances.
However, while HHC is legal in most US states, some states, including Texas, Florida, and New York, ban it. Legislators in such states argue that although HHC is a naturally-occurring cannabinoid, its production process contravenes the Federal Analogues Act.
According to the Federal Analogue Act, a compound produced via chemical processes in a lab setting are synthetic drugs. Consequently, legislators argue that hydrogenation makes it a synthetic product and that synthetic cannabinoids have more inherent health risks than natural cannabinoids.
On the other hand, hemp producers and HHC vendor associations argue that hydrogenation is only a tiny segment of the HHC production process. According to them, the CBD used in hydrogenation occurs naturally in hemp plants, qualifying HHC products as non-synthetic cannabinoids.
In a nutshell, HHC is federally legal, but cannabis state laws trump federal laws governing cannabinoid use. Therefore, whether HHC is legal or not depends on your jurisdiction.
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How Can HHC Affect Your Health?
As earlier stated, HHC is biphasic, and like delta-9 THC, it has therapeutic effects when taken in low doses. Consequently, high-potency HHC gummies are popular wellness products among cannabis consumers.
However, the available research on HHC is anecdotal because most research on its therapeutic benefits is in the preliminary stages. Therefore, the top purported benefits of consuming HHC gummies and disposable vape pens are below.
Different Benefits Of Consuming HHC
1. Has Analgesic And Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Analgesia or pain relief is the second reason cannabis consumers buy HHC products. Pain and inflammation go hand-in-hand because while pain is the body’s alarm system, alerting the brain that everything is not okay, inflammation is the brain’s response to pain-causing stimuli.
According to one study, cannabinoids like HHC have potent effects against pain and have acceptable adverse effects. Therefore, they qualify as potential adjunctive pain treatment alongside prescription medications.
However, the HHC form affects its pain-relieving capacity. HHC disposable vapes are best for instant pain relief due to fast delivery, while its tasty gummies are ideal for sustained pain relief.
2. Can Aid In the Reduction Of Tension And Stress
Although most of the evidence on HHC’s benefits is anecdotal, it overwhelmingly suggests that an HHC high induces relaxation. An HHC disposable pen is ideal for stress relief because it facilitates the cannabinoid’s accelerated absorption into the bloodstream.
However, as a biphasic compound, HHC varies in its capacity to induce relaxation. It is more effective at lower doses and might have the opposite effect at higher doses.
3. May Help Decrease The Growth Of Cancer Cells
According to one study, HHC and other cannabinoids can potentially slow the growth of a cancerous tumor by accelerating cancerous cell death. However, most research on cancer and HHC is preliminary, with researchers conducting in-vitro experiments and animal model studies. So, consider consulting your oncologist on the best HHC vape carts to use if diagnosed with cancer.
4. Can Help People Sleep
Besides pain relief, sleep is the second most studied HHC benefit. According to one study, cannabinoids like HHC reduce the time spent on rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep while increasing the time spent in non-REM (NREM) sleep.
NREM sleep is restful and facilitates minimum brain activity, memory consolidation, and healing. Therefore, incorporating an HHC cart vape experience into your sleep routine can help you sleep better.
5. Can Be Effective In Relaxing The Body
Besides a euphoric buzz, an HHC’s psychoactive properties include full-body relaxation and a calm brain. Therefore, HHC carts are perfect for ending a long day, helping to eliminate muscle tension and curb running thoughts.
However, empirical research on HHC and relaxation remains in the preliminary stages. Although Astro Eight features multiple cannabinoids in its product catalog, the brand recommends its HHC vape cartridges for inducing relaxation.
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Time It Takes For HHC To Show Effects
How long it takes HHC products to induce their psychoactive and therapeutic benefits depends on the product type. Inhalation products like an HHC cartridge, HHC vapes, and a disposable vape pen kick in within 20 minutes because they bypass the first pass or metabolism process and flow directly from the lungs to the bloodstream. However, their effects last approximately 2-3 hours.
On the other hand, HHC edibles like gummies and sour candy take approximately one hour to kick in due to the first-pass metabolism. However, the metabolism process breaks down edible HHC into potent metabolites with effects that peak at the four-hour mark and can last up to 12 hours.
How Does HHC Interact With the Drug Test?
Besides being federally legal, HHC’s second selling point is that it does not appear in standard drug tests like the 5-panel and the 12-panel drug tests. Drug test kits scan biological samples like urine, saliva, blood, and hair for traces of drug metabolites rather than the drug itself.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that HHC will not appear in a drug test, including a follow-up lab test. However, no empirical research supports the popular opinion about HHC and drug tests.
Second, while HHC contains no THC, it shares some THC metabolites, including 11-hydroxy-THC, the primary metabolite in THC. Therefore, take HHC products before a scheduled drug test at your own risk.
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What’s the Right Dosage Of HHC?
The highly unregulated cannabis industry means no standardized HHC dose for recreational and therapeutic use. Moreover, different brands make HHC products with different HHC distillate doses.
Additionally, similar products from two brands may have an equal HHC distillate dose but induce completely different effects. Pharmacogenetic factors like body mass, weight, age, gender, and cannabis tolerance affect how your body interacts with HHC.
Therefore, the best way to dose HHC products is to start with lower doses and monitor your reactions before adjusting the dose. Nonetheless, some brands recommend ideal doses for specific therapeutic benefits.
What Are The Different Ways To Consume HHC?
HHC is a relatively new product in the cannabis market, and manufacturers are yet to diversify their HHC product portfolio. Therefore, the cannabinoid is primarily available in HHC carts and HHC disposable pens for inhalation, edible gummies, and sour candy.
What Is An HHC Vape pen?
An HHC vape pen is a pen-like device designed to consume HHC via inhalation. The HHC vape pen comes pre-filled with a certain percentage of HHC distillate and natural terpenes and features an integrated vape battery.
HHC disposable vape pens have multiple advantages, including a compact size for discreet use and zero maintenance. Therefore, HHC disposable vapes are the best HHC products for beginners.
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What are HHC vape Cartridges?
An HHC vape cartridge is a pre-filled capsule containing a mixture of HHC isolate and natural terpenes. It also features an atomizer or heat source for vaporizing its liquid contents.
Vape carts fit into reusable vape devices, including vape pens and modes. HHC cartridges come in multiple flavor options to suit consumer preferences.
What Type Of HHC vapes are available?
HHC vapes, like the vape pen, are either disposable or reusable. Below is an overview of each HHC vape category.
1. Rechargeable
Vape carts feature a rechargeable battery and a cavity for holding the HCC cartridge. They are the best HHC vapes for experienced users due to the multiple controls for a customized experience.
2. Disposable
Disposable HHC vapes are minimalist devices with a precharged battery and a breath-activated draw feature. You dispose of the vape after it runs out of HHC liquid and battery charge.
How To use HHC Vape Pens?
HHC vapes have a learning curve for newbies, but it gets easier with practice. HHC disposable vapes are straightforward because they utilize draw activation. A single draw powers the battery to heat the vape coils, vaporizing the HHC liquid into an inhalable vapor.
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To 10 Flavors Of HHC Vapes
1. Black Mamba
Black Mamba HHC vape is an Indica-dominant vape that induces mild euphoria and relaxation. The vape contains terpenes from the Black Mamba strain, particularly Myrcene, a terpene famous for its grape, floral, and earthy notes.
2. Blue Dream
Blue Dream is a hybrid strain bred by merging Blueberry and Haze strains. Farm Bill-compliant Blue Bream HHC vapes are Sativa-dominant, inducing pleasant euphoria.
3. Jack Herer
Jack HererHHC vapes are Sativa-dominant but offer the perfect balance of cerebral high and body relaxation. The vape has pleasant citrus notes with hints of pine.
4. Lemon Drop
Lemon Drop is among the best HHC vapes for an energetic buzz. The Sativa-dominant strain has a pleasant citrus and sour candy flavor.
5. Mango God
The Mango God HHC vape has detailed Mango notes with hints of pine. The Indica-dominant vape is the best disposable strain for an uplifting experience.
6. Maui Wowie
Maui Wowie is among the best HHC vapes for fruit-forward flavors, thanks to its signature pineapple taste. The vape induces an energetic, happy buzz.
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7. Pineapple Express
Pineapple Express HHC vapes begin with fruity, woody notes characterized by apple, pineapple, mango, and cedar notes. The vapes end with a euphoric, energetic high.
8. Purple Punch
Purple Punch is the best disposable pen for the ultimate full-body relaxation. The vape pen features terpene from a hybrid strain with two indica-dominant strains.
9. Strawberry Dream
Sativa-dominant HHC Strawberry Dream is the perfect balance of relaxation, energy bouts, and delightful flavor aroma.
10. Watermelon
Watermelon is an Indica strain, and HHC gummies infuse with distillate and extract from this strain induce calm and relaxation.
What are HHC Gummies?
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HHC gummies are edible chewy sweets infused with HHC extract and natural flavoring from cannabis strains and fruits. Each gummy contains approximately 10mg-60mg of HHC distillate.
How To consume HHC Gummies?
HHC Gummy consumption is straightforward; take a piece of candy and chew. However, don’t eat the whole pack; adhere to the brand’s dosage recommendations.
Top Gummies To Choose From
1. Elderberry
Elderberry-flavored HHC gummies coat the palate with bittersweet, earthy notes while delivering HHC goodness into your system. The gummies induce euphoria and a clear head. Each gummy contains 25mg of HHC extracted from premium Colorado hemp.
2. Strawberry
Strawberry is a classic gummy flavor, and Astro Eight produces the most effective HHC strawberry-flavored gummies. The brand’s strawberry sour belts are popular for inducing relaxation, energy, and euphoria.
3. Peach Rings
HHC peach rings combine sweet peach and honey flavors with an uplifting buzz to create a pleasant experience.
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4. Rainbow Belts
HHC rainbow belts are delicious treats with fruity or sour flavors and deliver a mild and pleasant high.
5. Sour Bears
HHC sour bears are sour-tasting candies that tickle your taste buds while inducing mild euphoria.
6. Sour Worms
HHC-infused sour warms are chewy treats with the perfect blend of sweet and sour flavors to induce uplifting feelings, relaxation, and mental clarity.
7. Watermelon Rings
HHC watermelon rings may have terpenes from the cannabis HHC strain or the watermelon fruit. Either way, they are delicious and uplifting.
8. Fruit Punch
HHC fruit punch gummies combine delicious fruit cordial flavor with a pleasant, mellow high.
9. Blueberry
Blueberry HHC gummies start the palate with a sour flavor and end with sweet berry flavors and a pleasant buzz.
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The bottom line
HHC vapes, carts, and gummies are fantastic cannabinoid treats that allow you to enjoy a controlled physical and mental buzz without legal ramifications. However, like with any cannabinoid, responsible consumption yields a better experience. Although there is no standard HHC dose, adhere to brand dosage recommendations and exclusively purchase lab-tested products.
Reference Links:
https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/what-is-hhc
https://www.astroeight.com/?product_cat=hhc-cartridges&s=&post_type=product
https://vapingfacts.health.nz/vaping-to-quit-smoking/what-vape-should-i-get/
https://www.leafly.com/news/strains-products/what-are-pre-filled-cannabis-oil-vape-cartridges
https://www.fda.gov/news-events/congressional-testimony/hemp-production-and-2018-farm-bill-07252019
