What Are THCP Gummies? The Ultimate Guide

Humans have been using cannabis for centuries, but it has just recently begun to be studied by scientists and medical professionals in the past half a century. Even then, CBD and THC were the main subjects of these studies.

But in 2019, a team of Italian researchers discovered the true potential of cannabis when it comes to potent psychoactive effects, when they accidentally stumbled upon tetrahydrocannabiphorol, or THCP, while inspecting a cannabis plant.

Since then, this minor yet mighty cannabinoid has entered the mainstream and exploded in popularity, especially in the form of THCP gummies. But what exactly makes this cannabinoid so different from the rest, and why are so many people crazed about THCP gummies?

What is THCP?

THCP, short for tetrahydrocannabiphorol,is a novel compound found in cannabis that has recently drawn significant attention from the scientific community and cannabis enthusiasts alike.

While structurally similar to THC, the primary psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, THCP has a unique feature in its molecular structure: a longer alkyl side chain. This chain consists of seven carbon atoms, whereas THC has only five.

Research suggests that this elongation could potentially increase its affinity for CB1 cannabinoid receptors located throughout the brain and nervous system, which are responsible for mediating the psychoactive effects of cannabis.

The implications of this are profound, as the increased potency of THCP could lead to heightened therapeutic effects—making it particularly effective for pain relief, reducing anxiety, and managing insomnia.

Additionally, the stronger binding to CB1 receptors might result in more intense psychoactive experiences, necessitating new guidelines for dosing and use.

In short, because THCP has a longer alkyl side chain than THC, it can bind much better, and much more frequently, with cannabinoid receptors, resulting in a more pronounced and longer-lasting high.

The Discovery of THCP

THCP was discovered in a lucky accident by a team of Italian researchers in 2019. They were trying to study the compounds found in cannabis when all of a sudden there it was: the glorious THCP compound never before seen by humans.

Uncovered through sophisticated extraction and analysis techniques, THCP’s identification was published in a 2019 study that highlighted its distinctiveness from other known cannabinoids.

The researchers employed methods such as liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry to isolate and identify the molecular structure of THCP, confirming that it possesses a longer side chain than its cousin THC.

This structural difference is critical as it potentially explains why some cannabis strains have unexpectedly powerful effects. They believe that cannabis strains with higher concentrations of THCP– which are often minimal– create more powerful effects than others despite having similar THC contents.

The scientific community has speculated that THCP could contribute to the entourage effect, where various chemical components in cannabis work together to enhance the plant’s overall psychoactive and therapeutic impact.

This previously unsung hero has been making us higher than normal for years, but now we know exactly what compound we owe that pleasant buzz to.

The Effects of THCP

While the effects of THC are well-documented, those of THCP are only beginning to be understood due to its recent discovery and the limited scope of research conducted thus far.

However, anecdotal evidence and preliminary studies suggest that THCP could induce effects similar to THC but with potentially greater intensity and duration.

This is primarily due to its stronger affinity for CB1 receptors, which could amplify typical THC effects such as euphoria, relaxation, and sensory alteration, as well as side effects like anxiety and paranoia.

Although research on THCP is still in its infancy, as the compound was only recently discovered, scientists strongly believe it to possess the same effects as THC, with an increased potency. THCP is essentially just THC that hits you much, much harder.

Exactly How Strong Are THCP Gummies?

The short answer is: THCP gummies are very dang strong.

For the longer answer, let’s compare THCP to THC as a baseline cannabinoid.

As mentioned before, THCP’s unique molecular structure allows it to bind more effectively to CB1 receptors, potentially making it significantly more potent than THC.

Although not much research has been conducted on the compound yet, it is estimated that due to its longer alkyl chain, THCP may be able to bind to CB1 receptors with up to 33 times more frequency than THC, making THCP potentially over 30 times stronger than THC.

This increased potency means that THCP gummies could provide profound effects at much lower doses than one might expect with THC-infused products. In essence, if these estimates are correct, 1mg of THCP could be equivalent to over 30mg of THC!

But again, these are just preliminary, educated guesses about THCP’s psychoactive potential. Anecdotal evidence, however, supports this theory, with users claiming small doses of THCP cause intense psychoactive effects.

Dosage Guide: Finding Your Perfect THCP Gummy Dose

The potent nature of THCP necessitates careful consideration regarding dosage.

For those new to THCP gummies, it is advisable to start with a very small amount—perhaps even just a small piece of a gummy—to assess tolerance and effect before proceeding with a larger dose.

Remember, dealing with THCP isn’t the same as dealing with THC. You may be able to handle 25 or even 50 milligrams of THC just fine, but THCP is potentially 30 times stronger, meaning your regular THC dosages will not translate.

Even just 1mg of THCP is enough to cause potent psychoactive effects, so to stay on the safe side, simply dose THCP as if each milligram is 30 milligrams of THC.

Mainly, dosing depends on your tolerance level. You may be able to handle lots of THC, while your friend may only want a few milligrams, or vice versa. What works for you won’t necessarily work for everyone else, and it’s always best to start low and slowly work your way up to the effects you want.

It’s advisable to wait at least 2 hours before taking more THCP gummies after your original bite, as it can take that long for your body to fully metabolize the compound. And keep in mind, you can always take more THCP, but once you go overboard, all that’ll be left to do is ride out the high and wait for the effects to dissipate.

Are THCP Gummies Legal?

Navigating the legal landscape of cannabis and its derivatives can be complex, but it is crucial for anyone interested in using THCP gummies to understand their legal status.

In the United States, THCP derived from hemp (cannabis containing less than 0.3% THC by dry weight) is legal under federal law according to the 2018 Farm Bill. This means that as long as your THCP product contains no more than 0.3% THC, it is legal for you to purchase and consume.

However, state laws vary, and THCP’s legality may differ depending on where you live. While some states agree with the federal government’s stance, others disallow hemp, making THCP gummies illegal in those jurisdictions.

Before attempting to purchase any THCP products, it’s best to check your local legislation to avoid any trouble with the law.

Are THCP Gummies Safe?

Generally, THCP gummies are considered safe as long as they’re acquired from reputable sources.

When it comes to purchasing THCP gummies, you need to look out for a few indicators that the company you’re buying from is adhering to safety standards and cares more about giving you safe, clean, high-quality products than about making a quick buck:

1. Lab Reports: Any reputable company selling cannabinoids will provide third-party lab tests to ensure that the product you consume is clean and safe to use. These tests usually include a full panel of the compounds and compound traces found in the product.
2. Co2 Extractions: There are many ways to extract cannabinoids from hemp, but the cleanest– and most expensive– by far, is Co2 extractions. Employing this extraction method is generally a good sign; it tells you that a company is committed to quality over cutting corners.
3. Clean Plant Material: Hemp in particular is a remarkably absorbent plant, meaning any chemical sprayed on or near it during the growing process is at risk of ending up in your byproduct. Opt for clean, organic hemp grown with no pesticides or herbicides.
4. Reviews: Often, the reviews of a company will tell you how they treat their customers. Are they satisfied with the product they receive? How does the company react to issues with customers?

What You Need to Know About THCP Gummies

THCP gummies have grown in popularity in recent years, and it’s no wonder why: they offer increased psychoactive potency and longer-lasting effects.

While THCP gummies are safe to consume as long as they’re sourced from a reputable company, the most important thing to remember when consuming any THCP product is dosing.

Due to its increased potency, THCP must be dosed carefully and accurately, lest you wound up with the undesirable effects of getting too high like anxiety and paranoia. Always start low and work your way up to your perfect high.

THCP is an incredible, albeit recently discovered, compound, and you can enjoy it as much as you want as long as you exercise caution. Have (responsible) fun!