THC-P or Tetrahydrocannabiphorol is one of the latest cannabinoids in the market. Interestingly, it has garnered significant interest within the scientific and medical communities all over the world.
Even though delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is still leading the cannabinoids industry, THC-P is ready to make some upheaval with its greater potency.
In this article, we will be covering the discovery, chemical composition, occurrence, potential effects, ongoing research efforts as well as legal considerations of THCP.
Unveiling THCP: A Recent Discovery in the Cannabis Landscape
You will be surprised to know that even though THCP has gained a good reputation in the market, it is one of the most recent cannabinoids available.
- In 2019, a team of Italian researchers discovered a novel cannabinoid called THCP. The most interesting thing about THCP was that it was found to be 33 times more effective at inducing CB1 receptors.
- After the researchers published groundbreaking findings in the journal Scientific Report, THCP was introduced to the whole world for the first time.
- The root cause of THCP’s discovery was an investigation into the chemical makeup of various cannabis strains.
- Since current research doesn’t support a clear link between THC-P and THC levels in a particular cannabis strain, it makes isolating and studying THC-P a challenging task.
Chemical Composition: Subtle Differences with Profound Effects
The IUPAC name of THC-P is (6aR,10aR)-3-heptyl-6,6,9-trimethyl-6a,7,8,10a-tetrahydrobenzo[c]chromen-1-ol.
- Like many other cannabinoids, THCP also shares a deep structural similarity with THC. However, the key distinction that sets it apart from its close family members is the alkyl side chains in its molecule.
- The major difference between THC and THCP is how their alkyl chains are structured. THC contains a five-carbon alkyl side chain. On the contrary, THCP is composed of a seven-carbon chain.
- The significant difference between the molecular structure of THCP is believed to be behind its greater level of potency. It’s also believed that the extended side chain of THCP might be responsible for enhancing its binding affinity with CB1 receptors.
- Since CB1 is the primary cannabinoid receptor in the human brain, THCP might be more potent than its contemporaries.
Potential Effects: A More Potent Experience or Therapeutic Promise?
- Even though the research regarding THCP is limited, it still suggests that THCP is significantly more potent than THC.
- There have been some studies that suggest that THCP might exhibit 33 times greater binding affinity to CB, as compared to THC.
- The above data gives a slight idea about how potent THCP is and how intense the euphoria and intoxication induced by it can be.
- Despite the speculations and claims made by the limited research work done until now, the community of researchers must conduct extensive and rigorous research to understand the true functioning of THCP.
Exploring the Benefits: A Potential Therapeutic Agent?
Even though the therapeutic potential of THCP is in its nascent stages, some scientists speculate that it may offer similar benefits to THC.
- These benefits include pain relief, mitigation of nausea, and appetite stimulation. The analgesic effects that are associated with THCP might help patients who are suffering from chronic pain. However, more research needs to be done regarding the analgesic properties of THCP.
- Patients who are suffering from neurodegenerative diseases might also benefit from consuming THCP. Some of the neurodegenerative diseases include Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. THCP may showcase its ability to protect neurons from damage and inflammation. However, conclusive research still needs to be conducted on it.
- For purely medicinal purposes, further research needs to be done around THCP. Until then, it is crucial to not substitute THCP with physician-prescribed medications.
- To avoid the side effects that are associated with THC use, which can also translate to THCP, lower doses need to be taken on strict medical supervision.
Risks and Uncertainties: Navigating the Unknown
As we know the THCP is a relatively new cannabinoid in the market, and its safety profile remains largely unknown.
However, since THCP is a close relative to THC, there can be similar side effects if THCP is taken in mild to high doses:
- THCP can lead to car accidents as it can affect the cognitive abilities of a person. This can affect the reaction time of the recipient due to which it might become difficult to handle the vehicle.
- THCP can also affect a pregnant lady and her baby. Research suggests that females who consumed cannabis during their pregnancy gave birth to babies with a low birth weight.
- Since THCP is more potent than its contemporaries, the risks associated with its regular usage is always higher.
In Conclusion
To sum it up, THCP is still a young but strong contender in the world of cannabinoids. However, further research is crucial to understand the potential benefits and drawbacks of THCP.
As research progresses, THCP may evolve from a novel discovery to a player with a more defined role in the cannabis landscape. Until then, the wise thing would be to wait for more literature to emerge so that strong opinions can be made about its usage.
