HHC (hexahydro cannabinol) is among the new-age intoxicating cannabinoids from the hemp plant, taking the hemp market by storm. Although the psychoactive cannabinoid induces the same effect as delta-9 THC, the HHC experience is milder, featuring a pleasant, mellow high.
Consequently, the cannabinoid is available in diverse consumable forms, including HHC gummies and vape carts. However, is there a superior HHC delivery method users should use to consume HHC, and how much HHC is enough to induce the desired effects?
Below is an overview of HHC products, including a dosage guide chart to suit diverse HHC tolerance levels.
What is HHC?
Image Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/h3PWUqxpP_0
HHC, or hexahydro-cannabinol, is among the 100+ identified cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant. It is a naturally occurring cannabinoid featuring a chemical structure that makes it a hydrogenated form of delta-9 THC.
However, natural HHC occurs in trace amounts, making retrieving pure HHC extract for commercial use impossible. Consequently, HHC manufacturers use a chemical process called hydrogenation to generate commercial HHC for use in products like edibles and vapes.
Hydrogenation entails adding hydrogen atoms to a compound to reduce its volatility, making it more stable. Therefore, commercial HHC has more resistance to degradation, giving a longer shelf life than delta-9 THC.
However, while hydrogenation enhances HHC’s stability, it reduces its affinity for cannabinoid receptors, limiting its psychoactive properties. Nonetheless, although the new cannabinoid has milder psychoactive properties than delta-9 THC, it still induces intoxicating effects.
Image Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/0XFKtw5Pwnk
Moreover, a new cannabinoid consumer may find HHC’s intoxicating effects potently intoxicating compared to milder cannabinoids like delta-8 and delta-10 THC.
However, there are no reports of an adverse negative experience associated with HHC, even from a new cannabinoid user who may have low HHC tolerance.
As earlier stated, HHC is immensely popular in the hemp market, given its status as a legal psychoactive cannabinoid derived from hemp plants. Consequently, multiple HHC products exist, each consumed via a different delivery method.
Anecdotal evidence on the HHC experience suggests that an HHC high entails a sense of euphoria and relaxation. However, an individual processes cannabinoids differently, meaning that a cannabinoid user may have a different experience after consuming different HHC products; some people tolerate high HHC doses better than others.
Moreover, many factors, like the terpene profiles infused into pure HHC extract for flavor and synergistic effects, also affect an HHC product’s potency.
Also, while the effects of HHC are milder than delta-9 THC’s, avoid taking it before you operate heavy machinery or undertake other sensitive duties. Second, any cannabinoid consumer should consider their HHC tolerance. In this article, you can read more about HHC low, medium, and high tolerance and the number of milligrams recommended for each tolerance level.
Is HHC legal?
Image Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/yCdPU73kGSc
HHC’s legality is a somewhat grey area for various reasons. First, the 2018 Farm Bill’s promulgation into law made it federally legal for licensed farmers, manufacturers, and distributors to produce, consume, and distribute hemp and hemp products.
As per this definition, HHC and other psychoactive substances derived from hemp plants, like delta-8 THC, delta-10 THC, and THC-O, are federally legal. The law facilitates more HHC supply into the hemp market.
On the other hand, the Federal Analogue Act classifies any controlled substance analog produced via chemical means and intended for human consumption as a Schedule I or Schedule II controlled substance.
Although HHC occurs naturally in the cannabis plant, the Federal Analogue Act’s proponents argue that the hydrogenation process utilized in retrieving the cannabinoid extract makes it a scheduled cannabinoid, like delta-9 THC.
Moreover, state cannabis regulation laws trump federal laws. Consequently, HHC’s legality varies across state lines. According to one report, HHC is only categorically legal in 25 US states.
However, one unique feature of this specific cannabinoid is that it does not contain delta-9 THC. Anecdotal evidence suggests that HHC does not appear in standard drug tests, although no empirical evidence supports this notion.
HHC Dosage: How much HHC should you take?
Image Source: https://pixabay.com/photos/gummies-cbd-gummies-thc-gummies-6105638/
How much hexahydrocannabinol should you take to avoid the adverse effects of HHC and enjoy a sublime high? Like with other hemp-derived cannabinoids, there is no standardized HHC dose because HHC consumption is not a cookie-cutter affair.
As stated above, everyone processes cannabinoids differently, meaning that a dose that works for you may not work for your friend or family member.
The cannabinoid absorbs differently based on individual pharmacokinetic characteristics. Below is an overview of the phytochemical characteristics that influence HHC dosing instructions.
- Body weight: One study on pharmacokinetics and obesity shows that a higher body weight characterized by increased body fat affects how the body processes drugs, including cannabinoids. According to the study, the body’s adipose tissue absorbs lipophilic compounds like HHC and other cannabinoids.
Therefore, cannabis consumers with more weight must take a higher HHC dose to accommodate their IBW plus a percentage of the excess body weight. Moreover, body mass also affects other physiological functions crucial to drug metabolism, including blood circulation. A higher body weight slows down blood circulation, building drug tolerance by lowering bioavailability.
- Age: Ageing increases body fat, affecting HHC metabolism, as highlighted above. Additionally, aging reduces the first-pass metabolism for some drugs, increasing their bioavailability.
- HHC product type: HHC is available in diverse consumable forms, including HHC vape cards, edibles, HHC gummies, and sub-lingual products. Each HHC delivery method had a varying bioavailability affecting the ideal dose to induce the desired effects.
- Diet/ Food drug interaction: According to one study, consuming cannabinoids alongside or after a fatty meal increases the enzyme lipase’s activity and bile salts concentration, increasing the cannabinoid’s bioavailability.
- Genetics: Individual gene pools influence multiple pharmacokinetic characteristics, including body weight and metabolism levels.
- Cannabis strain type: HHC production entails adding hydrogen atoms to hemp-derived THC molecules. Different hemp strain types have varying THC concentrations and terpene profiles, affecting the final HHC product’s potency. Certain strains can cause an HHC product to be potently intoxicating.
Lastly, people consume HHC for various reasons ranging from recreational to therapeutic. Each need dictates the ideal HHC dose to induce the desired effects.
Although a universal HHC dose is unavailable, manufacturers issue an HHC dosing guide chart with dosing information to help consumers avoid negative effects. You can explore the chart and its wealth of HHC dosing information later in this post. Nonetheless, the rule of thumb is to start slow on the dose.
HHC Strength Vs. HHC Dosage
Image Source: https://pixabay.com/photos/e-cigarette-vaping-blu-cigs-blu-1301670/
Although most people use the terms dose and strength interchangeably when referring to drug administration, the two words have different meanings. In HHC’s case, dosage refers to the HHC content in a single administered in one go, expressed in milligrams, while the strength is the proportion of HHC per dose.
For example, an HHC dose (typically expressed in milligrams) is 10mg, while the strength is 50mg/ml of an HHC vape cart. It would be best to consider the HHC strength and dose before purchasing any HHC product.
HHC Tolerance Level
The HHC tolerance level for each individual goes hand-in-hand with dosage and strength. Essentially, as a cannabis consumer, you fall into one of three tolerance level categories, low tolerance (beginner), medium tolerance (intermediate), and high tolerance (advanced). Below is the HHC dosage guide chart for new and experienced cannabis users to choose the ideal HHC dose to meet the desired effects.
- Beginner HHC Dose
As a new HHC consumer with no previous experience, start slow with a smaller dose to gauge tolerance. The ideal smaller dose for consumers with a low tolerance is 5mg-12mg per use. You can adjust the dose within the range to achieve your desired effect because even a smaller dose can overwhelm a newbie.
- Intermediate HHC Dose
You fall within the intermediate/ medium tolerance level range if you tolerate higher doses than the dose recommended for beginners. Consider taking a higher dose ranging from 12mg to 30mg of HHC to feel that special kick.
- Advanced HHC Dose
Use advanced HHC dosing if the above medium tolerance level fails to induce the desired effect. The recommended HHC dosage instructions propose taking 30mg-40mg of HHC per use but do not exceed this dose.
6 Different Ways to Enjoy HHC
Below is an overview of HHC products available in different dosages and strengths to suit diverse needs.
image Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/bc9DFiU7b00
HHC Drinks
HHC drinks, primarily seltzers, are delicious, low-carb beverages in fruity flavors. They have a low HHC concentration and are ideal for consumers of every tolerance level.
HHC Cigarettes
HHC cigarettes contain raw cannabis flowers in various strains and terpenes infused with HHC extract.
HHC-infused Diet
You can add HHC extract to your favorite recipes, including baked goods, smoothies, and salads.
HHC Vapes
HHC vapes are e-liquids infused with HHC extract and various flavorings, including fruits, baked goods, and cannabis terpenes.
HHC Gummies
HHC gummies are arguably the most popular HHC products on the cannabis market. They are delightful chewy HHC-infused treats available in various fruity flavors.
HHC Vape Cartridges
HHC vape cartridges come pre-filled with HHC-infused e-liquid and are compatible with most vape pens and pods.
What does pure HHC extract feel like?
Although experiences vary, HHC typically induces a cerebral high characterized by mild euphoria and mental relaxation. It may also induce body relaxation, and some users may experience sedation.
Things to Consider Before Taking HHC
- The HHC product type and its bioavailability; inhaled products have the highest bioavailability but last the shortest, and vice-versa for ingested products.
- Consider the product dosage/strength and your tolerance level.
- Consider the intended use (smaller doses are better for therapeutic HHC uses).
- Ensure the product has undergone independent lab testing.
Conclusion
HHC’s mild and mellow high packed in the variety of HHC treats available on the market is worth experiencing. However, follow the tips above to enjoy HHC responsibly and induce the desired effects.
References
https://www.businessmodulehub.com/blog/ways-to-consume-hhc/
https://www.magneticmag.com/2022/11/what-is-the-best-way-to-take-hhc/
https://sweettntmagazine.com/hhc-in-your-diet-5-ways-to-incorporate-it/
