Beyond its status as a popular legal high, HHC can also assist with several mental and physical health conditions. Anxiety is one of them, with many HHC products well-placed to manage the notorious mental health disorder.
If you are new to HHC or perhaps only know about its intoxicating effects, this is the guide for you! I will be taking you through HHC’s chemistry and exploring why it eases anxiety before discussing which products offer the most therapeutic value.
Let’s start with the five hottest HHC products for anxiety.
1. Binoid – HHC Tincture (1000mg)
Binoid has professionalized the hemp-based legal high scene with an array of stunning products, including this 1000mg HHC Tincture Oil. The 92% HHC distillate extract pairs with an MCT carrier, making HHC more bioavailable than usual.
With 1000mg HHC in a 30ml bottle, this naturally-flavored Binoid tincture administers a substantial 33.3mg HHC per 1ml dropper. Binoid promises a similar experience to delta-9, although the relaxing effects of HHC will help wash any anxiety away.
For fast relief, take Binoid’s HHC Tincture sublingually. For lasting benefits throughout the day, I suggest consuming it in a drink. First-timers should start with ¼ or ½ a dropper and only increase if needed. This tincture is third-party tested and has no detectable THC.
2. Wild Orchard Co – HHC Pen (275mg)
Soothe your anxiety with an HHC Pen from Wild Orchard Co! They infuse these disposables with a moderate 275mg HHC. Such a concentration will take the edge off any anxious feelings without sending symptoms into overload.
Wild Orchard Co uses HHC extract sourced from American-grown hemp for maximum vapor quality. The classic cylindrical disposables have a white casing with just the brand logo and strain name imprinted onto them. The pen has a built-in battery and works via air activation.
These HHC Pens from Wild Orchard Co come in five unique strains – choose from indica, sativa, and hybrid effects. Every vape pen is third-party tested for Farm Bill compliance.
Strains: Butterfly Effect (Sativa), Mad Honey (Sativa), Chunky Skunk (Indica), Venom Cocktail (Indica), Alien Piss (Hybrid)
3. ELYXR LA – HHC Tincture
ELYXR LA is a leading brand for legal hemp highs like HHC, and these HHC Tincture Oils prove why. The Premium Enhanced Oil has a hefty 1000mg of HHC with boosted efficacy thanks to cutting-edge nanotechnology. They also make different blends with varying effects.
All blends help with anxiety, but I recommend the Relax or Sleep tinctures if you don’t need to be physically active. Try taking this ELYXR LA tincture in a beverage to relieve chronic anxiety and under your tongue to combat sudden anxious surges and panic attacks.
Experienced HHC consumers can dive in with a full 33.3mg serving, but first-timers should begin with just a few drops. KCA Labs provides a detailed third-party analysis for ELYXR LA’s HHC tincture, checking HHC potency, tincture purity, and Farm Bill compliance.
Blends: Awake (Lemon Verbena), Relax (Blueberry Lavender Lemonade), Sleep (Mellow Grape), Citrus Orange, Peppermint
4. CBD Genesis – HHC E-Liquid (1000mg)
Nearly all HHC vaping products are cartridges or disposable pens – but this bucks the trend with this 100ml bottle. The total 1000mg HHC concentration breaks down to a mild 10mg/ml, an ideal amount for tackling anxiety.
Available in four unique flavors, these HHC e-liquids are suited to solo vaping or enjoying a blend. Indeed, those prone to experiencing anxiety from psychoactive substances could mix this HHC vape juice with a complementing CBD e-liquid.
It has created a unique HHC product for vaping connoisseurs. Novices might not like the do-it-yourself nature of vaping bottled e-liquids. But enthusiasts who like mixing and matching will love them. Third-party tested by Marin Analytics.
Flavors: Blue Raspberry, Bubble Gum, Starburst, Watermelon
5. CBD Genesis – HHC Disposables (2000mg)
Enjoy potent, fast-acting anxiety relief with an HHC Disposable vape pen. These hard-hitting 2-gram vapes come loaded with psychotropic HHC and plant-derived terpenes, making for delightful effects with complex flavors.
These disposables have sleek and discreet aesthetics and convenient breath-activated functionality. In the rare event that you find performance dipping, you can recharge the pre-installed battery via the USB type C port.
Choose from five strains, all of which can combat anxiety. Some prefer the deep relaxation of an Indica, while others get more benefit from a Sativa that leaves them feeling euphoric and present. HHC Disposables are third-party tested.
Strains: Ekto Cooler (Hybrid), Maui Wowie (Sativa), Pink Kush (Hybrid), Purple Urkle (Indica), Slurricane (Indica)
What is HHC?
Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) is a psychoactive cannabinoid and hydrogenated derivative of delta-9-THC (THC). Cannabis researchers have identified naturally occurring HHC in plants, but it’s usually processed from legal hemp extract with less than 0.3% THC.
Since 2018, hemp-derived HHC has become a popular legal high and natural medicine in the United States. As with all hemp-based products, HHC vape juices, tinctures, and edibles must have less than 0.3% THC – but most don’t have any.
Relative to THC, the HHC cannabinoid is a little mild. But it’s still capable of generating potent psychoactive and euphoric effects. HHC is more intense than delta-8 and more sedating than delta-8 and THC.
HHC has two enantiomers: 9-alpha-HHC and 9-beta-HHC. Studies show that the latter is more active at the CB1 receptor in the endocannabinoid system, the receptor that unlocks the mind-altering effects of psychoactive cannabinoids.
Benefits of Different HHC Products for Anxiety
Each type of HHC product has unique traits and benefits and, therefore, eases anxiety in different ways. Your favorite product will depend on the kind of anxiety you suffer from and good old personal preference! Let’s discuss.
Vape juices: All vaping products provide the same fast-acting effects, reaching peak HHC intensity within 30 minutes. If you need immediate relief or have particularly severe symptoms, puffing on a cartridge or disposable pen will do the job.
Of course, vaping isn’t totally safe, even though it’s nowhere near as harmful as smoking. Likewise, e-liquid vapor has a noticeable smell, but it’s not nearly as obnoxious as cannabis smoke.
Tincture oils: With an HHC tincture, you can enjoy sublingual effects that hit almost as quickly as when vaping. You can also swallow HHC oil or have it in a drink for lasting relief – this is ideal for folks affected by constant, lingering anxiety.
Edibles: Yummy HHC gummies and other sugary treats are more serious than you might think! They are perfect for extended anxiety relief and keep you fully aware of your intake, thanks to the precise serving sizes. But the delayed effects don’t suit those with acute anxiety.
Does HHC Work for Anxiety?
Yes, HHC is effective for anxiety, although there’s no guarantee it will work for everyone. Indeed, if small THC doses make you anxious and paranoid, the less potent and more sedating HHC could still cause problems.
But otherwise, HHC is well-placed to send your anxiety packing. The euphoric, mood-boosting effects will help break your brain out of a slump, dissolve unwanted thoughts, and get your mind back into the here and now!
With no HHC-specific studies for anxiety to draw on, we can only make educated guesses on why it helps. HHC’s calming properties are likely key to keeping your mind at peace as the heady mind-altering effects kick in.
If you love the HHC-induced euphoria but still feel a little edgy when high, you could take CBD oil alongside your HHC product. The CBD will help dial up the relaxation!
Will HHC Products Stay Legal?
As with other psychoactive hemp-based products, nobody knows if the federal government or any state legislatures will ban HHC. But it hasn’t happened anywhere yet, which already gives HHC an advantage over delta-8, which is now restricted or prohibited in 20 U.S. states.
At the state level, much may depend on how mainstream HHC goes. If the substance stays under the radar, lawmakers might not take any interest. But if word of a hot new legal high gets around too much, the politicians that targeted delta-8 may go for HHC, too.
Interestingly, the federal government – specifically the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) – has done nothing to stop the spread of Farm Bill-compliant legal highs. Given the agency’s long war on marijuana and any drug like it, many people anticipated swift action.
In the short to medium term, HHC looks like a sure bet to remain legal. But whether that will still be the case in a few years is up for debate.
HHC Products and Drug Tests
Nobody has researched whether drug tests used by employers and sporting bodies can detect HHC. But the likelihood, considering our understanding of cannabinoids and drug tests, is that HHC does show up. However, I appreciate you may have heard differently.
Much has been made about HHC avoiding detection, although this seems to have originated from online anecdotes rather than an authoritative source. Ultimately, HHC and THC have chemical similarities, and we know that drug tests can pick up many THC-like substances.
These anecdotes could come from people taking fake HHC products or doses low enough to keep them below the detection threshold. But until we have concrete data on HHC and drug tests, it’s not worth the risk.
If you need a natural anxiety remedy, try high-strength CBD products instead – just make sure they don’t contain any THC!
What to Look for When Buying HHC for Anxiety
As more brands recognize the lucrative potential of HHC, expect to see more products come onto the market. But quantity doesn’t necessarily mean quality, and you’ll have to keep your wits about you when shopping for anxiety-relieving HHC products.
Third-Party Certificates of Analysis (COA)
Don’t let anyone understate the importance of third-party testing. No COA means you have no way of knowing how much HHC a product has, if it’s Farm Bill compliant, or if it’s clean, pure, and safe. The best HHC brands don’t neglect this optional step.
You may find budget HHC products with no COA, but that should cause alarm bells to ring. They could be fakes, they could contain low-quality HHC distillate, or they may be less potent than stated. You might think you are getting a bargain, but you are probably just getting ripped off.
HHC Potency
The total HHC amount tells you if a product is of good value or not, but the quantity per milligram or per serving is the stat that determines its suitability. New HHC users should take no more than 10mg at a time for anxiety, but regulars may be happier with 30mg or above.
Carrier Oils
This applies specifically to vaping products. Bottled e-liquids should consist of propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG), or a mix. They should not have MCT oil or vitamin E acetate.
Do not buy HHC vape carts or disposable pens made with carrier oils. It’s just the manufacturer’s way of diluting the HHC and selling you short.
How to Store Your HHC Products
Keep all HHC products in a dry, cool, and dark storage unit that is protected from direct sunlight. I recommend refrigerating HHC edibles, especially if you live in a hot region.
How Long do HHC Products Last?
HHC products have a long shelf life and can stay fresh and active for two years. But even with HHC’s durable nature, you still need good storage!
Purchasing HHC for Anxiety Online vs. Shops Near Me
Compared to other cannabinoids, HHC still has a low profile, and you will struggle to find it in local stores. Regardless, I don’t advise purchasing HHC or any other hemp-derived products from smoke shops, gas stations, or other non-specialists.
With so many HHC retailers at your fingertips, the internet is the best place to find HHC products for anxiety. You will stumble across intriguing new products you may otherwise have missed at prices the brick-and-mortar stores cannot match.
