Cannabis Science

Does HHC Get You High?

HHC cart

Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) is a hydrogenated tetrahydrocannabinol derivative that is naturally occurring. However, HHC products are typically created in a lab by professionals. It’s believed to be more stable than both delta 9 THC and delta 8 THC due to its hydrogenation. Unfortunately, there is not a lot of information out there on this cannabinoid and so we are waiting for more scientific research. At the same time, there are some basic questions we know the answer to like the million-dollar question: does HHC get you high? Here’s what we know. 

Photo: Unsplash

Can HHC Make You High?

Absolutely. If you’re worried you won’t get buzzed, put those fears to the side because you can. 

According to WebMD, “HHC gives many people an enjoyable feeling when they take it. Some people report similar effects to conventional THC products, but there is not enough data to be sure whether this is true.”

Elevate Holistics says that people who use HHC report the following side effects:

  • Mild high
  • Relaxation
  • Clear mind
  • Pain relief
  • Lack of paranoia or anxiety

People use HHC in many ways such as dabbing and with weed carts. 

Is HHC Strong?

That depends on who you ask. Generally speaking, HHC is not thought to be as strong as delta-9 THC but others disagree. 

According to Elevate Holistics, “HHC isn’t very potent compared to delta-9 THC or other THC variants like THCO on the market.”

In other words, using it in a more concentrated form could get you a stronger high. One Reddit user said they used an HHC raw distillate dabs on an e-nail. They said it was almost as strong as delta-9 THC. Another Reddit user in the same thread said it was almost as strong as delta-9 THC as well. On the other hand, another user tried HHC as a Forge Hemp Cart Guava Jam and said it was almost as strong as delta 9 THC.

In addition to that, we know the type of cannabis product can impact how strong it feels. For example, dabs provide a stronger effect than a blunt. 

Is HHC Stronger Than Delta 8

We’ve already compared HHC to Delta 8 and Delta 9 THC. However, to summarize, it’s believed to be stronger than delta-8 THC. 

If you’re unfamiliar with delta 8 THC, it’s just a cannabinoid structurally similar to delta 9 THC. However, it’s believed to not be as potent as its counterpart but reported to cause less anxiety. 

Many stoners report that HHC is stronger than Delta 8 THC on Reddit. In terms of effects, it seems to be similar to delta 8. 

One Reddit user said, “Two hits initially got me where Delta 8 gets me now. With hits 3&4 I exceeded D8 but not D9.”

Is HHC Stronger Than THC?

It’s not typically believed to be stronger than THC (delta 9). The stoners on Reddit say that it’s close but not stronger. 

At the same time, while some compare the effects to delta 8, others think it’s comparable to delta 9. One Reddit user said, “It’s super euphoric, cerebral, uplifting, and yet stony all at the same time in a nice balance. It’s VERY reminiscent of D9, but also feels more uplifting than D9 at the same time.”

How Long Does HHC Take to Hit? 

While there isn’t a lot of research on this, we’ll say it depends on the method. There is a thread on Reddit where stoners speak about how long HHC takes to hit and what method they used. 

Some of the responses say that it took 15 minutes while others who dabbed said they felt the effects in around 5 minutes. In terms of duration, we’ve seen that most stoners say that it lasts for more than an hour.

However, how long this cannabinoid will take to hit takes depends on your body chemistry and the method you use. Those factors will also impact the duration.

Does HHC Show Up on a Drug Test?

Yes. Again, there is not a lot of information on this. However, we believe it would show up on your drug test. 

One reason we think that is, after consumed, HHC converts it into THC metabolites, which is what a drug test is looking for, then it will show up. CFAH says, “This cannabinoid is a THC analog with a similar structure and nearly identical effects to delta 8 and delta 9. Scarce research shows the similarities in their metabolites as well.”

In addition to that, CFAH says that HHC products are sometimes contaminated with other THC products. 

If you have a test coming up, we can’t give you a definite time that the HHC will be out of your system. That will depend mostly on how much HHC you’ve consumed and how long ago since you’ve used it. In addition to that, your body’s own chemistry plays a role in that. Finally, the type of test you use will matter. For example, hair follicle tests can detect weed for months while a blood test, typically only for a couple of days. 

Takeaway

Does HHC get you high? Yes, it does. The high is comparable to delta-9 THC and generally stronger than a delta-8 THC high. Unfortunately, there is not a lot of information out there on HHC. If you’re going to be using HHC, the best advice we can give is to get it from a reputable place. 

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About Trevann

Trevann is Stoner Rotation’s Jamaica-based lead writer for the Science section of our cannabis blog. She graduated with honors receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular Biology from the University of West Indies, Mona. For the last three years, she has covered some of the biggest questions around cannabis and health underpinned with research from supporting studies, medical journals and scholarly articles. Got something on your mind? You can reach her at [email protected].