What Is THCH? Everything You Need to Know

THCH is a naturally-occurring cannabinoid and hexyl homolog of THC present in certain cannabis cultivars. It was confirmed to be a natural cannabis compound in 2020 alongside THCP, CBDP, and CBDH. However, THCH was originally known as a synthetic homolog of THC created in 1941 by the famous chemist Roger Adams.

THCH will cause intoxication and will induce a euphoric high. Modern reports suggest its potency at CB1 receptors is roughly similar or equal to delta-9 and delta-8.

THCH interacts with your endocannabinoid system (ECS), specifically your cannabinoid 1 and 2 receptors, just as delta-9 does. These interactions promote the same potential benefits as delta-9 and delta-8, including pain relief, anti-inflammatory, sleep-promoting, and possibly anti-proliferative effects. 

What Is THCH?

THCH, short for tetrahydrocannabihexol and scientifically known as n-Hexyl-Δ⁹-THC or Δ⁹-THCH, is an intoxicating cannabinoid that’s roughly as potent as delta-9 and delta-8. 

It’s a Schedule I, synthetic homolog of THC developed in 1941. Back then, the older research indicated up to twice the potency of delta-9, so there is some discrepancy until more research is done. Another famous isomer with about the same estimated level of CB1 activity is delta-8 THCH (aka JWH-124, or Δ8-parahexyl, a purely synthetic cannabinoid). 

Chemical formula: THCH has the chemical formula C22H32O2, which is essentially identical to delta-9 THC’s C21H30O2 chemical formula aside from having one more carbon atom and two more hydrogen atoms. THCH also has a six-carbon side chain, unlike THC’s five-link chain. This extra carbon link in THCH’s chain suggests a roughly equal binding affinity with your CB1 receptors. 

Earlier research hypothesizes that this 6-carbon chain could make THCH more lipophilic and thus more bioavailable. This could theoretically make THCH more potent than THC from a drug delivery, not a CB receptor-based, point of view.  

Minor cannabinoid: THCH is a minor cannabinoid and only appears in cannabis in trace amounts (less than 1%). In fact, THCH is much less than 1%; the Italian researchers were only able to isolate 7 µg/g of THCH by weight from their FM2 chemovar. 

Because THCH naturally occurs in such small quantities, producers must chemically synthesize it from hemp-derived CBD or THC isolate to create enough for THCH products. This means quality controls, safety, and availability are not the same with semisynthetic THCH products as with natural delta-9 THC. 

Discovery: THCH was first recognized as a natural cannabinoid in Florence, Italy, by the same research team that uncovered THCP and CBDP in 2020. The team analyzed an FM2 cannabis sample provided by The Military Chemical Institute using mass-spectrometry and liquid chromatography technology. FM2 produces flowers with approximately 5-10% THC and 8-12% CBD. 

Many people use balanced or CBD-dominant strains to alleviate pain and symptoms of inflammatory diseases without a high or with a less intense high. THCH likely contributes to these benefits, but we don’t really know how.

Scientific Research on THCH

Research on THCH is limited and inconclusive, and there are currently no animal or clinical studies on its potential benefits or effects. This cannabinoid remains elusive and mysterious. 

However, we know it interacts with and binds to your CB1 receptors the same way as delta-9, delta-8, and delta-10 THC do. 

CB1 receptors are some of the most abundant G protein-coupled receptors within your central nervous system, particularly in brain tissue and neuronal cells, and are part of your endocannabinoid system. 

CB1 activation and subsequent biological responses can lead to positive benefits such as pain relief, sleep and sedation, and relaxation. It could also contribute to alleviating several diseases, including multiple sclerosis, Huntington’s disease, and Alzheimer’s. 

Whether THCH has the potential to cause these positive benefits and help combat nervous system diseases requires direct research. 

What Are the Benefits of THCH?

Thanks to the limited research on THCH, it’s currently unclear what THCH products are good for. We can reasonably assume it has similar benefits to delta-9, delta-8, and other THC isomers. 

Take delta-9’s benefits as an example. We know its ability to act at cannabinoid 1 receptors produces biological responses that facilitate several benefits, including:

• Pain relief
• Anti-inflammatory 
• Anti-anxiety (low doses)
• Anti-depressant (low doses)
• Anti-proliferative
• Increased appetite 
• General health and wellness, especially when combined with CBD 

All of these benefits might also be associated with THCH consumption. However, since THCH is roughly equal to delta-9, it might not be a suitable cannabinoid for anxiety, especially for beginners.

THCH and other THC isomers can cause heightened anxiety, among other side effects, depending on your dose, metabolism, and THC tolerance. We recommend you go as low as possible with dosing THCH products, particularly for anxiety or other anxiety-related symptoms. 

Effects: How Does THCH Make You Feel?

Like all THC variants, THCH will get you high. Some users state that low-to-medium THCH doses induce mild-to-moderate mental euphoria and physical sensations paired with relaxation, focus, and concentration. 

However, higher doses can generate some pretty intense side effects, especially if you’re a beginner or casual cannabis user. Side effects can include heightened anxiety, overwhelming paranoia, and noticeable impairment and short-term memory loss.

You might also experience a “green out” or “whitey”, which means lightheadedness, dizziness, nausea, fast heart rate, and vomiting — all of these side effects are self-limited, meaning they normally resolve on their own once the cannabinoid is metabolized.

It is also worth noting that semisynthetic compounds like THCH may carry unknown byproducts or compounds left over from the chemistry needed to make it. Those other substances present in synthetic products and vapes can cause unknown or serious health effects. 

THCH vs. CBD: Key Differences

• THCH and CBD are worlds apart. Unlike THCH, CBD doesn’t bind to CB1 receptors, meaning it’s a non-intoxicating cannabinoid incapable of inducing a euphoric high.
• However, CBD does interact with other receptor sites, including serotonin (anti-anxiety) and vanilloid (pain relief). It’s unclear whether THCH also interacts with these receptors, or more. 
• Taking CBD and THCH together is optimal. CBD can balance out a THCH high, resulting in maximized mental relaxation and physical calmness. 

THCH vs. THCP: Key Differences

• THCP and THCH were discovered simultaneously as natural substances by the Italian research team in Florence. However, there is one main difference between the two. 
• THCP is approximately 33 times more active at CB1 than delta-9, while THCH is roughly equivalent to delta-9.
• The reason for THCP’s higher potency is that it has a seven-link alkyl side chain, the longest recorded chain among all cannabinoids. The length of an alkyl side chain determines a cannabinoid’s binding affinity at CB1 receptors. 
• Natural THC from a dispensary is better for beginners and casual cannabis users than THCH or THCP, because the latter are semisynthetic and unregulated. 

Conclusion

While it’s too early to tell whether you should use THCH products for specific symptoms, the bottom line is it’s a very promising cannabinoid potentially capable of doing all the same things as THC. 

Beginners beware, though. THCH packs a punch and needs to be sourced from a quality manufacturer. Consume too much too quickly, and the negative side effects will kick in pretty quickly. Start low, and go slow.