What is THCP?

There are over 100 different chemicals found in weed. However, if you like using weed to get high, you can say thanks to the cannabinoid known as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) for that. THC is the main psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis. When people refer to THC, they’re talking about delta 9 THC but delta 8 THC is getting a lot of attention these days too. However, there is a newly discovered cannabinoid like delta 9THC on the block called (-)-trans-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabiphorol (Δ9-THCP). Here’s what you need to know about it. 

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What is THCP?

THCP is a recently discovered cannabinoid. Through mass spectrometry and metabolomics, it was identified and isolated from the Italian medical cannabis called FM2.

According to the study, it seems to bind to the same receptors that THC does. The study says, “THCP binds with high affinity to both human CB1 and CB2 receptors”. As a matter of fact, the study stated that THCP is 5-10 times more active at CB2 receptors than delta 9 THC. In addition to that, THCP is said to be 33 times more active than delta 9 THC at the CB1 receptor. That’s why you may hear people saying that THCP is more than 30 times more potent than delta 9 THC.

The reason for the potency is probably because THCP has seven carbon rings in its alkyl side chain. According to Live Science, “a cannabinoid equipped with more than five carbon rings would fit even more snuggly into the receptor, and eight carbon rings would supply the absolute perfect fit, eliciting the strongest biological response.” 

What are the Expected Effects of THCP?

The researchers tested THCP on rats and found that THCP caused:

• Hypomotility (slowed movement)
• Analgesia (pain relief)
• Catalepsy (loss of voluntary motion)
• Decreased rectal temperature

These effects are similar to delta 9 THC. However, it’s not clear whether or not THCP will have the same effects that THC has on humans. According to Vice, we simply don’t know if THCP will get you 30 times as high as delta 9 THC. As a matter of fact, it is still unknown whether or not THCP will even be psychoactive in humans. It’s not even certain if this newly discovered cannabinoid will have some of the same health benefits that THC gives us. Vice said that we simply won’t know what THCP can and cannot do until clinical trials. Clinical trials may not happen for several years. 

Takeaway on THCP

The discovery of this cannabinoid may provide us with a clue. According to the study, “The presence of this new phytocannabinoid could account for the pharmacological properties of some cannabis varieties difficult to explain by the presence of the sole Δ9-THC.”

Vice also pointed out that this proves that there is still so much to learn about cannabis. However, cannabis remains an illicit substance in most places, hindering research. The article said, “Illegal drugs are expensive to study, and in the case of cannabis, a lot of weed available for study is low quality…”

The good news is, we could benefit from these newly discovered compounds. Dr. Jane Ishmael, associate professor in Oregon State University’s College of Pharmacy was quoted in a CNN article saying, “Historically, many of our medicines have been derived by or inspired by natural products. By having new compounds that bind with very high affinity, that will give scientists a new probe into biological sciences.”

Where to Buy THCP For Sale

In case you’re looking to score some THCP, we have some bad news. According to a Reddit thread, it’s not available to consumers. Therefore be skeptical of anyone saying they can provide THCP, it’s highly unlikely they can. 

In addition to that, remember, we don’t know the possible effects on humans. There is a chance it doesn’t even make you high. We have to wait on clinical trials and more research. This will take a while so for now, you’ll just have to stick to the readily available cannabis with delta 9 THC or delta 8 THC. 

Conclusion

THCP is a newly discovered cannabinoid that binds better to the CB1 and CB2 receptors than delta 9 THC. It’s believed to bind better because of its long alkyl side chain. According to the tests on rats, it seems to mirror many of the effects of delta-9-THC but we can’t be sure that it will have the same effect on humans. In order to know what THCP means for humans, we will have to wait on further research and clinical trials. It’s also not available for use right now so you’ll have to wait to try this new cannabinoid in its isolated form or a more concentrated form.