The cannabis sector is quickly becoming one of the most swiftly growing and buzzing industries in a healthy lifestyle, with ever more legalization and increasing acceptability and awareness regarding the use of cannabinoids. And following this, new derivatives, compounds, and techniques for using cannabis are yet being revealed constantly. THC-P (also seen as THCP) has the latest buzz of a new cannabis compound breaking onto the scene.
Unless you’ve been living in a remote place away from your family, friends, and internet network, CBD (cannabidiol) is probably familiar to you. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is a cannabinoid component. This type of chemical is responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis as it interacts with the endocannabinoid system of our body.
But, there are other hemp-derived cannabinoids that aren’t CBD actually, like THC-P. This latest hemp-extracted cannabinoid was first derived recently in 2019. But, the THC-P is turning out to be a powerhouse faster and is probably more effective and more potent than delta 9 THC.
So let’s get down to brass tacks and know the basic facts of THC-P. What is THCP and why is it so popular already?
What is THC-P
THC-P stands for Tetrahydrocannabiphorol. It is an organic cannabinoid and counterpart of THC found in cannabis types. Nevertheless, the total concentration of THC and THC-P can be responsible for some strains being more potent than others. Delta 7, Delta 8, Delta 9, and Delta 10 are the different THC versions.
The inclusion of two additional carbons in the molecular structure of THC-P differentiates it from “conventional” THC. THC-P has seven carbons on its alkyl side chain, compared to THC’s five. This simple distinction is enough to render THC-P far more potent than THC.
Even though this cannabinoid was only found in 2019, it is thought to have existed for a long time undiscovered. Dr. Giuseppe Cannazza believes that THC-P may be why some marijuana strains are far more psychotropic than others and yet have similar or slightly lower THC contents.
How Does THCP Work?
THCP is a phytocannabinoid you can find naturally in the cannabis plant from the compound cannabigerolic acid, a.k.a “the mother cannabinoid.” THC-P is often made in a lab from hemp, comprising a limit of 0.3 percent delta-9-THC. According to recent studies, THC-P has only yet been detected in the FM2 cannabis strain.
Almost all cannabinoids in hemp plants and cannabis, including CBD, THC, and THC-P, start their entity as CBGA (cannabigerolic acid). Let’s not turn all this on to be any chemistry lecture; adequate to say that cannabigerolic acid goes through an enzymatic reaction and other cannabis acidic compounds to make THCPA (tetrahydrocannabiphorolic acid), a forerunner particle.
Then gradually, THCPA converts to THCP by the hemp plants or cannabis through decarboxylation.
The endocannabinoid system in your body interacts with THC-P. Cannabidiol sensor type one (CB1) and cannabinoid sensory receptor type two (CB2) are the two receptors in the endocannabinoid system. Both of these receptors have diverse behaviors and outcomes.
CB1 sensory receptors are throughout the neurological system and play a part in THC and THC-P’s psychotropic effects.
THC-P is a potent CB1 agnostic, meaning it generates an effect by binding with the receptor, similar to THC. Both THC and THC-P share similar pharmacological effects due to their CB1 behavior.
One of several 140 phytocannabinoids present in cannabis is THC-P.
Natural THC-P levels, on the other hand, are far lower, at less than 0.1 percent. For example, the Italian-bred FM2 strain contains over 0.1 percent THC-P.
THC concentrations in marijuana range from 25 percent to 30 percent, while hemp contains only 0.3 percent or less.
CBD exists in cannabis in amounts ranging from 20% to 30% and in marijuana in concentrations of around 15%.
Why Is THC-P Gaining Popularity?
THCP is an endocannabinoid that has recently been identified but is quickly gaining popularity because of its potency. The very first research on it is from 2019 and reveals that its bonding causes it to interact with CB1 receptor sites 30 times stronger than delta-9 THC, making it nearly 33 times more powerful.
It’s a game-changer in the cannabis market because of its strength and how well it binds to Cb1. THC aficionados will also like to learn that THCP requires lower doses to have the same effects as THC.
Why Is THCP So Expensive?
THC-P is currently selling for roughly 50 cents per milligram. The price of each strain of THC depends on two factors: how accessible it is to produce and how high the market demand is.
However, THC-P is challenging to produce in large quantities, and there yet to be a huge demand on the open market. Due to these reasons, it is highly costly.
The good point is that, as it’s powerful, you won’t require as much as you’d with those other strains of THC. The price of THC-P is constantly changing as additional goods reach the market.
Final Thoughts
The realm of THC-P is still in its development. With so much interest in the substitute cannabinoid area over the last year, it’s difficult to envision THC-P not becoming more readily available as the market matures.
This is not a restricted substance in the US as things currently stand. However, in the next 12 months, we expect to witness a significant increase in interest in THC-P. The size of the public market sector depend on whether or not the government decides to intervene and begin enforcing laws against THC analogs.