It is hard to keep up with all these new cannabinoids! HHC is one of several that have gone mainstream recently, offering a new way for cannabis and hemp lovers to get high without breaking the law. In this post, I’ll dig into what the HHC cannabinoid is and where it came from and then answer some frequently asked questions.
But before we get into the effects of HHC and how to take it, here are my top three HHC products:
1. ELYXR LA – HHC Disposables (1000mg)
These Premium HHC Disposables from ELYXR LA contain 1000mg hemp-derived HHC distillate but no THC whatsoever. Federally legal, ELYXR LA’s pens deliver an intense, cannabis-style high, with the effects getting to work within seconds.
For maximum flavor, they mix the HHC distillate with natural terpene profiles from popular marijuana strains, such as Amnesia Haze. Choose sativas, indicas, and hybrids, all of which produce a unique HHC high.
Ritually, Pure and KCA Labs provide third-party analyses for ELYXR LA’s HHC products. All looks good, with the correct levels of HHC in each and no detectable THC.
Strains: 99 Problems (Sativa), Amnesia Haze (Sativa), Apple Fritter (Indica), Pink Rozay (Indica), Bonkers (Hybrid), Kush Mints (Hybrid)
2. HHC E-Liquid by Genesis (1000mg)
The vape juice in a separate bottle rather than in a cartridge allows you to mix it with other e-liquids and fine-tune your HHC experience.
At 10mg HHC per ml, this is a medium-strength vape juice. With 100ml e-liquid in total, each bottle contains 1000mg HHC extract. You could vape it like it is in a vape tank or combine it with nicotine e-liquid, delta-8, or even CBD.
Available in four flavors. All HHC E-Liquids are independently tested and have less than 0.3% THC.
Flavors: Blue Raspberry, Bubble Gum, Starburst, Watermelon
3. HHC Disposables by Genesis (2000mg)
If you’re always on the go and want an easy way to take your HHC, look no further than these disposable vape pens.
Containing 2000mg of top-shelf, hemp-derived HHC distillate and a dash of natural terpenes, their vape pens will get you seriously stoned and light up your tastebuds.
The 2ml pen comes ready to use – simply inhale to activate the device! Use a USB type C charging cord to top up the battery. Third-party tested with less than 0.3% THC.
Strains: Purple Urkle (Indica), Slurricane (Indica), Maui Wowie (Sativa), Ekto Cooler (Hybrid), Pink Kush (Hybrid)
What Exactly is HHC?
Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) is a naturally occurring cannabinoid found in low quantities in both cannabis and hemp. Even so, HHC is generally described as semi-synthetic since it’s also made in laboratories.
Natural HHC is the hydrogenated derivative of delta-9-THC (THC), the main component in cannabis that gets you high. HHC and THC share a similar psychoactive profile, although HHC is thought to be around 20% weaker.
Scientists have conducted few studies on HHC, but research shows that cannabinoid is a CB1 receptor agonist. This receptor, which is part of the endocannabinoid system (ECS), is the gateway to marijuana’s psychoactive effects.
HHC doesn’t bind with CB1 receptors as strongly as THC, which is why its effects aren’t quite as intense. HHC may also interact with the endocannabinoid system and other biological systems in ways we have not yet discovered.
Why is HHC Suddenly so Popular?
Without the 2018 Farm Bill, HHC would have stayed an obscure compound with no practical use. Even though HHC is psychoactive, its effects aren’t unique, and cannabis plants don’t make enough HHC for it to be typically useful.
But in legalizing hemp and its derivatives, the Farm Bill has brought all the psychoactive parts of the plant to our attention. While hemp-based products are limited to 0.3% THC, there’s no cap on HHC, delta-8, and similar substances.
Innovative hemp companies recognized they could start making products rich in HHC for recreational use. Even better, they could do so while remaining within the confines of the Farm Bill.
And that’s precisely what has happened. If your state doesn’t currently allow THC products, HHC has emerged as a like-for-like alternative. The high is almost identical, and even though it’s not as potent, you can easily take a higher dose to compensate.
What Does HHC Do to You?
HHC produces classic, mind-altering psychoactive effects. Expect to experience euphoria and get the giggles, along with substantially increased appetite – known in cannabis circles as the “munchies.”
Since HHC is new, we rely on user reports to understand the compound’s subtler effects. Anecdotes suggest HHC is more sedative than regular marijuana and considerably more relaxing than delta-8, another popular hemp-based high.
Does HHC Have Any Health Benefits?
HHC is mostly about the high, but the substance may also have interesting health benefits. Again, we’re making assumptions and educated guesses here based on what we know about HHC’s likeness to THC.
As a CB1 receptor agonist, HHC may relieve pain by reducing pain sensation. In theory, HHC could help with chronic and neuropathic pain and potentially tackle conditions like fibromyalgia and arthritis. But we need more research.
From a recreational perspective, the appetite stimulation from HHC tends to result in gorging on fast food and sugary snacks. However, the appetite boost could hold benefits for those with eating disorders.
Does HHC Have Any Side Effects?
As with all psychoactive substances, you may experience side effects from taking HHC. Anxiety and paranoia are commonly reported side effects, especially after a high dose.
Other side effects include low blood pressure, dry mouth, and dry eyes. The increased appetite could also be considered a side effect, depending on your situation.
Don’t take HHC if you have a family history of psychosis or schizophrenia. The same advice applies to all recreational psychoactive drugs and is not specific to HHC.
As HHC works similarly to THC, we can assume it carries some addiction potential. Around 9% of cannabis users become dependent. While there’s no research on HHC, the chance of getting addicted is likely lower. The risk may be higher for younger users.
How does HHC Compare with Other Cannabinoids?
HHC vs. THC
As mentioned earlier, the best estimates suggest that HHC is about 80% as powerful as the better-known THC. Since HHC won’t get you as high, the lower potency decreases the risk of side effects, which is ideal if you’re extra sensitive to marijuana.
Legally speaking, HHC is preferable to THC since you can buy it just about anywhere. The federal government doesn’t restrict HHC, whereas THC is classed as a Schedule 1 drug if it makes up more than 0.3% of a product’s total weight.
HHC vs. Delta-8
HHC appears to be stronger than delta-8 – the latter is only half as intense as THC. While delta-8 has an energizing and stimulating effect, HHC is more soothing. That said, the terpenes in a product also influence the overall effects.
I recommend HHC for late afternoons and evenings when you want to calm down and chill out after a stressful day. But if you need a morning burst or an afternoon pick-me-up, a revitalizing delta-8 high may suit you better.
HHC vs. Delta-10
Delta-10 is even milder than delta-8 and much less intense than HHC. If you want a marijuana-style high that closely matches THC, then HHC is streets ahead of delta-10.
However, there’s still a market for hemp-based delta-10, with the milder psychoactive properties perfect if weed makes you anxious. But as a THC analog, delta-10 is more likely to trigger a positive drug test.
What is the Best Way to Take HHC?
The best HHC product depends on personal preference and on the high you want to enjoy. Let’s explore the four main ways of consuming HHC.
Smoking
For quick HHC effects and an authentic marijuana experience, try smoking the HHC flowers. This describes CBD-rich hemp flower soaked or sprayed with federally compliant HHC distillate.
You can smoke HHC flower in a joint or pack a bowl and smoke it in a pipe or blunt. Smoking ensures the HHC cannabinoids get fast-tracked into your system, leading to a speedy and intense high. But we all know that smoking is bad for the lungs.
Vaping
Reduce the harmful effects of smoking while maintaining that rapid HHC delivery by vaping it instead. You can vape HHC cartridges, regular HHC e-liquids, or even HHC flowers if you have a compatible dry herb device.
Studies have repeatedly shown that although vaping is not “safe,” it’s significantly less dangerous than smoking. Vaping HHC is an effective way of managing your risk without compromising your trip.
Tinctures
If smoking and vaping are off the table, tincture oils replicate the fast-acting effects more closely than any other HHC product. HHC oil generally consists of HHC distillate extract, a carrier oil like MCT or vegetable glycerin, and natural terpenes.
Hold HHC oil under the tongue for as long as possible to maximize sublingual absorption. The effects should start kicking in within 10 to 15 minutes.
Mix HHC oil with a hot or cold beverage for a longer-lasting high. It may take an hour or so before you start feeling stoned, but the effects will ultimately last for several hours!
Edibles
Taking HHC in an edible makes for a more gradual and extended high while also giving you control over the dosage. In edible form, HHC effects are less intense but steadily build over several hours, keeping you stoned for much longer.
HHC gummies are already selling well, and as the HHC industry expands, expect to see baked goods like brownies and cookies. Edibles are a tasty way to get with HHC and more discreet than vaping or smoking.
Is HHC Legal?
Yes, but only when it comes from hemp. Cannabis-derived HHC (i.e., HHC extracted from plants with more than 0.3% THC) is a Schedule 1 drug under the Controlled Substances Act.
The 2018 Farm Bill did not legalize HHC specifically, but all components of hemp. However, since companies mostly manufacture HHC products from lab-produced HHC rather than naturally extracted HHC, some accuse products of being synthetic.
Crucially, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has stated that synthetic cannabinoids are those made from “non-cannabis materials.”
Even lab-produced HHC is synthesized from natural CBD or THC, so we can safely assume it’s natural and not synthetic.
Is HHC Safe?
Don’t be put off by the fact that HHC undergoes laboratory processing. Trained professionals must carry this out, and checks are in place to ensure HHC products are safe for human consumption.
Independent laboratories conduct these checks because the FDA does not regulate hemp products. You’ll need to research the various brands selling HHC before you buy, and you should only purchase from companies that provide recent third-party reports.
I hope I’ve made things easier by listing my top three HHC products at the beginning of this post! When scrutinizing an HHC e-liquid, edible, or tincture, always look for reports that analyze purity, not just HHC potency and legality.
Where Can I Buy HHC Products?
Businesses – inside and outside of the hemp industry – are spotting the potential of HHC, recognizing that it could be “the next big thing.”
But with everyone sensing a chance to make money, it’s even more important to only buy from reputable brands and vendors. I suggest buying HHC products from an online vendor that has been in the game for a long time.
Avoid convenience stores, gas stations, and similar brick-and-mortar shops trying to hop on the HHC bandwagon. These non-specialist stores rarely scrutinize the brands they stock or supply relevant third-party certificates of analysis.
