HHC is among the best-selling hemp-based legal highs on the market right now. But in addition to having potent psychoactive effects, the cannabinoid also has an array of lesser-known therapeutic uses. Indeed, with its relaxing properties, HHC is particularly effective at promoting sleep. But what makes HHC more beneficial than other cannabinoids for sleep? And which products provide the best experience? Welcome to the comprehensive guide to HHC for sleep!
Here are my top five HHC products for sleep:
1. ELYXR LA – HHC Tincture (1000mg Sleep Blend)
ELYXR LA has a stellar set of Premium Enhanced HHC Oils, including a blend specifically designed for sleep! The Mellow Grape nano-infused tincture boasts a substantial 1000mg HHC extract and a soothing terpene blend that will have you asleep in no time.
A full 1ml dropper delivers a hefty 33.3mg HHC dose, but less experienced users can squeeze the rubber bulb to administer smaller amounts in single drops. Nanotechnology breaks down the HHC molecules to enhance bioavailability, giving you better value for money.
Tincture oils are always a superb option, easy to use and safe to consume. But ELYXR LA has gone the extra mile with this HHC Sleep Tincture, which performs well in all areas. KCA Labs provides the third-party report – ELYXR LA passes it with flying colors!
2. Binoid CBD – HHC Softgels (750mg)
Introducing another Binoid CBD success! An industry-first, these softgel capsules make HHC dosing less stressful than ever. Binoid packs 25mg HHC into each vegan capsule, enough for sustained relaxation and sedation throughout the night.
The softgel capsule design makes this product more accessible than a theoretical hard capsule product would be. A full tub comes with 30 servings (i.e., a month’s supply) and 750mg total HHC extract.
Binoid uses non-GMO, US-grown hemp extract and gluten-free ingredients in these capsules. The HHC distillate has an unmatched 92% purity, created using gold-standard extraction and synthesizing techniques – and it’s third-party tested by Gobi Hemp.
3. CBD Genesis – HHC Worms
Treat yourself to a better night’s sleep with tasty, sugar-coated HHC Worms! Infused with an even spread of 25mg HHC, these moreish edibles promise deep mind and body relaxation that lasts until the sun comes up.
Flavor and quality-wise, the worms stack up well against the candy specialists, with an authentic taste and texture. Crucially, the HHC distillate doesn’t dominate the flavor, as often happens with low-grade edibles.
With years of experience making hemp-based products, the brand oozes quality and consistency. If you need a long-lasting sleep aid with a slow cannabinoid release, this is an ideal HHC edible. Third-party tested for Farm Bill compliance.
Sizes: 20-count (500mg), 40-count (1000mg)
4. Jolly Green Oil – HHC Gummy Watermelon Bomb (750mg)
And let’s not forget Jolly Green Oil! It’s no shock to see this creative and pioneering hemp brand dipping into the HHC market, even if these Gummy Watermelon Bombs are not elite. But they still taste good and are solidly potent, with 25mg per gummy.
Each pack contains 30 watermelon-flavored candies and 750mg of HHC distillate extract. JGO seals them in an airtight glass jar for freshness. If I am being picky, I would have preferred to see a tinted jar design to prevent light degradation.
But apart from that, JGO has manufactured a decent edible product that should please most HHC users. These third-party tested gummies have no detectable THC.
5. CBD Genesis – HHC Disposables (Indica Strains)
It makes many delightful HHC Disposable Vape Pens, but you should stick with the indica strains for a good night’s sleep. These beauties have a mighty 2-gram pre-filled cartridge packed with enough HHC distillate and juicy terpenes to keep you going for weeks!
The indicia terpene profiles in Purple Urkle and Slurricane pair with sedating HHC cannabinoids to promote calm and relaxation. Disposables do not require preparation or maintenance, making them the perfect vaping product for winding down at night.
These HHC Disposables have a smooth, ergonomic mouthpiece that emits HHC-rich vapor via breath activation. The battery may lose power over time, but you can top it up using a USB-type C cord. These disposable pens are third-party tested and THC-free.
What is HHC?
Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) is a cannabinoid that occasionally occurs naturally but is mostly made from hemp extract in laboratory conditions. The molecule has comparable psychoactive properties to THC, although it is less intoxicating and more relaxing.
Hemp-derived HHC is federally legal despite its mind-altering effects. The 2018 Agriculture Improvement Act (Farm Bill) only regulates THC, capping the cannabinoid at 0.3% – all other cannabinoids were de-scheduled.
With its psychotropic reputation, HHC is booming from California to Connecticut. But while HHC initially acquired turned heads as a legal high, it’s increasingly gaining recognition as a therapeutic tool. Indeed, HHC’s sedative effects make it an attractive natural sleep aid.
Chemists concoct HHC distillate from CBD extract via a hydrogenation process. Naysayers argue this makes HHC synthetic and illegal while ignoring that the cannabinoid originates from natural hemp grown in the ground!
HHC engages with the endocannabinoid system’s CB1 receptors. Both HHC enantiomers – 9α-HHC and 9β-HHC – bind to CB1 receptors, although the beta enantiomer displays a higher binding affinity. Hemp-derived HHC distillate contains both molecules.
Types of HHC Products for Sleep
The HHC experience varies depending on the product type – each promotes sleep in different ways. Let’s explore how various HHC products work and determine which would be most effective for your sleep issues.
Edibles: Gummy bears, worms, and other edibles all induce long-lasting HHC effects, providing sleep benefits for several hours. Ideally, take your dose one hour before bed, giving the HHC time to kick in when you are ready to sleep.
If you keep waking up in the night, enduring edible effects will do the trick by ensuring the HHC doesn’t wear off before your natural wake-up time.
E-liquids: Hard-hitting HHC vaping products suit those who struggle with getting to sleep. The near-instant, sedating HHC blast will fast-track your mind and body into a deep sleep, the vital phase that revitalizes and refreshes you for the day ahead.
There is no need to pre-plan your dose when vaping HHC. The effects start hitting within minutes, and you will be asleep before you know it!
Capsules: These HHC products compare closely to edibles, but the relaxation takes longer. The additional delay comes from your body having to digest the capsule before it can benefit from the HHC.
Tinctures: Perhaps my favorite HHC product type, tinctures help with all sleeping troubles. If you cannot get to sleep, the fast-acting sublingual absorption approach works wonders. If you cannot stay asleep, mixing HHC oil into your cup of cocoa will sort you out.
Why HHC products can help you sleep
I know what you are thinking: why is such an obscure cannabinoid so beneficial for sleep? Sadly, the scientists don’t yet have the answers, with HHC research scarce and foundational. But we can learn from the anecdotes of daily HHC users.
HHC is more sedating than THC and hemp-derived legal highs, hence why it’s the cannabinoid of choice for sleep. The calming properties slow down the brain and ease muscle tension, especially when paired with soothing indica terpenes.
Research shows that the endocannabinoid system regulates the body’s sleep-wake cycle – this probably explains HHC’s sleep-inducing qualities. While we know nothing yet about HHC specifically, studies suggest that the chemically similar THC also acts as a sedative.
The Legal Status of HHC
HHC is federally legal, but it faces an unpredictable future in the U.S. – although that’s no different from any other intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoid. The Farm Bill accidentally legalized HHC and similar products, but putting the genie back in the bottle could be tough.
HHC distillate originates from natural hemp extract, so a ban on synthetic grounds wouldn’t stand. Nor is HHC a THC analog as delta-8 and delta-10 are, which rules out a simplistic blanket analog ban.
But if HHC gets too popular, nothing stops state legislatures from introducing specific legislation to ban it. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) could also update the Farm Bill. Thankfully, HHC’s legal situation looks secure enough for now.
HHC Products and Drug Tests
Although there’s no definitive evidence yet, don’t expect HHC to save you from drug test dramas. There is hype about HHC being an undetectable cannabinoid. But this viewpoint has likely emerged as a sneaky marketing ploy or due to anecdotes from uninformed HHC users going viral.
Let’s flip it around. There is no guarantee that HHC won’t appear on a drug test. It probably does, and even if there was only a small chance that it does, that is still too high a risk to put your job or career on the line.
Not to mention, some brands add delta-8 and delta-10 into HHC products, two cannabinoids that we know tests can detect.
But don’t give up on getting a better night’s sleep. You could take HHC and cover your traces with detox drinks or synthetic urine. Or you could try THC-free, broad-spectrum CBD products mixed with melatonin, a natural sleep agent.
What to Look for When Buying HHC for Sleep
HHC is still a young and fast-developing market. When an industry takes off, we see tons of exciting products and an influx of low-quality brands hitting the shelves. I have some handy tips to help you navigate this intriguing but occasionally frustrating scene.
Third-Party Certificates of Analysis (COA)
Third-party lab testing helps HHC users stay physically safe, legally protected, and away from scam artists. The makeshift system compensates for the absence of standardized, industry-wide regulation and has lifted market standards.
Lab testing works because it is voluntary. Genuine HHC product manufacturers like maximum transparency, distinguishing them from shoddy opportunists. COAs detail the HHC and THC concentrations in a product and often its purity, too.
Enough renowned companies are making legit HHC nowadays, so you shouldn’t settle for products without third-party lab reports.
HHC Concentration
An HHC product’s effectiveness for sleep mostly depends on its strength. For best effects, you need potent (e.g., 20mg+ HHC per serving). You will require a high HHC dose for sleep unless you only suffer from minor issues.
Other Sleep-Promoting Ingredients
We have seen delta-8 and CBD sleep products blended with other natural sleep agents, and there’s no reason why the same cannot happen with HHC. Look out for HHC edibles, capsules, and tincture oils made with melatonin, lavender, and chamomile!
How to Store Your HHC Products
Find a cool, dark, and dry storage spot for your HHC. If you have kids, keep products out of reach or in a locked cupboard. Like marijuana, HHC is only for adult use.
How Long do HHC Products Last?
HHC products have a longer shelf life than typical cannabis and hemp products, potentially lasting two years. But you will need a perfect storage set-up to keep them fresh for that long. Opened products may only last a few weeks or months.
Purchasing HHC for Sleep Online vs. Shops Near Me
So far, HHC products have mostly appeared in specialist online hemp stores. But as the cannabinoid’s popularity grows, convenience stores, gas stations, and the other usual suspects will inevitably jump on the bandwagon. Avoid these stores like the plague!
You can get everything you need – and for less! – from established hemp stores with proven track records selling CBD, delta-8, and more. Top vendors can sniff out dodgy HHC brands from a mile off and won’t even consider stocking them.
In contrast, non-specialist brick-and-mortar stores will sell anything and don’t care about quality control. It’s not worth gambling when there are so many legit HHC retailers around.
