Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

HHC

Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) is a semi-synthetic cannabinoid produced primarily through the hydrogenation of cannabidiol (CBD) extracted from low-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) hemp, resulting in a hydrogenated analog of delta-9-THC with psychoactive properties mediated via partial agonism at the CB1 receptor.^[1]^[2]^[3] First synthesized in the 1940s during early investigations into cannabis constituents, HHC exists as two diastereoisomers—(9R)-HHC and (9S)-HHC—with the former exhibiting greater potency in binding to cannabinoid receptors.^[4] HHC gained prominence in the 2020s as a commercially available alternative to regulated THC products, often marketed in vape cartridges, edibles, and flower infusions due to its derivation from federally legal hemp under provisions like the U.S. 2018 Farm Bill, though its legal status remains contested and subject to evolving prohibitions in regions such as the European Union.^[5]^[6] Users report effects akin to THC, including euphoria, relaxation, and altered perception, but empirical data from self-reports and limited pharmacokinetic studies indicate variable onset, duration (up to several hours via inhalation), and detectability in standard drug tests.^[7]^[8] Despite sparse long-term research, HHC has been associated with acute adverse effects such as anxiety, dizziness, and tachycardia, alongside emerging case reports of precipitated psychosis in vulnerable individuals, mirroring risks observed with high-potency cannabis.^[9]^[10]^[11] Toxicology profiles from animal models suggest potential for systemic toxicity, including cardiovascular strain, though human data remain preliminary and confounded by polydrug use; regulatory bodies like the WHO Expert Committee on Drug Dependence have highlighted the need for further scrutiny given its rapid market proliferation and incomplete safety characterization.^[12]^[3]^[13]

History

Discovery and early research

Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) was first synthesized in 1940 by American chemist Roger Adams and his research team at the University of Illinois through catalytic hydrogenation of Δ⁸-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ⁸-THC) or Δ⁹-THC, employing platinum oxide as the catalyst in acetic acid solvent, which yielded a racemic mixture of diastereomers at the C9 position.^[1]^[5] This method involved reducing the double bonds in the THC structure under atmospheric pressure, marking HHC as one of the earliest semi-synthetic cannabinoid derivatives explored from cannabis extracts.^[1] Adams' work built on his prior isolations of cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinol (CBN) in the late 1930s, amid efforts to characterize active principles in marijuana predating the pure isolation of THC.^[14] Initial bioactivity evaluations accompanying the synthesis indicated that HHC possessed cannabimimetic properties, though detailed pharmacological profiling was rudimentary and focused on structural analogs rather than isolated effects.^[1] These early assessments, conducted in the context of Adams' systematic hydrogenation studies on cannabinoid scaffolds, highlighted HHC's stability relative to unsaturated counterparts but did not prioritize it over naturally occurring THC variants.^[5] Subsequent research interest waned after the 1940s, as scientific focus shifted toward the structural elucidation and isolation of primary natural cannabinoids like THC and CBD in the 1960s, alongside challenges in scaling synthetic HHC production and its absence as a major native constituent in cannabis.^[14] By the 1970s, cannabinoid studies emphasized THC's psychoactive mechanisms and therapeutic potential, relegating hydrogenated derivatives like HHC to marginal exploration in animal models, where preliminary tests noted attenuated activity compared to Δ⁹-THC.^[2] The synthetic complexity and lower priority amid regulatory scrutiny on natural extracts further limited dedicated early investigations.^[14]

Commercial emergence and market growth

The enactment of the 2018 U.S. Farm Bill, which legalized hemp production and derivatives containing less than 0.3% delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) by dry weight, created a regulatory framework enabling the conversion of cannabidiol (CBD) extracted from hemp into semi-synthetic cannabinoids like hexahydrocannabinol (HHC).^[15] This loophole facilitated the emergence of HHC as a psychoactive alternative, with commercial products first appearing in U.S. markets around 2021 through hydrogenation processes applied to hemp-derived precursors.^[16] Prior to 2021, HHC lacked documented recreational use or widespread human consumption.^[5] HHC gained traction rapidly from 2022 onward, particularly in vape cartridges, disposable pens, and edible formats such as gummies, which were distributed through smoke shops, convenience stores, and online retailers.^[17] Marketed explicitly as a "legal THC alternative" due to its derivation from federally compliant hemp and absence of detectable delta-9-THC above threshold limits, HHC products appealed to consumers seeking intoxicating effects amid state-level restrictions on delta-8-THC.^[18] Sales proliferated under this ambiguity, contributing to the broader U.S. hemp-derived cannabinoid sector's explosive expansion, with retail estimates reaching $5.5–$6.5 billion in 2022 alone.^[19] By 2023–2024, HHC achieved peak market saturation within the intoxicating hemp derivatives category, which grew over 1,200% in recent years to generate billions in annual U.S. sales, driven by online accessibility and minimal federal oversight.^[20] Projections indicated the overall hemp-derived intoxicants market, including HHC, could double to $11 billion by 2027, though emerging state bans and international scheduling efforts—such as the UN's 2025 classification of HHC as a Schedule II substance—signaled potential contraction amid safety and potency variability concerns in commercial products.^[17]^[16]^[4]

Chemical properties

Structure and synthesis

Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), with the molecular formula C₂₁H₃₂O₂, possesses a core structure consisting of a dibenzo[b,d]pyran scaffold where the cyclohexene ring present in delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is fully saturated, forming a hexahydro ring system that includes six additional hydrogen atoms compared to THC's C₂₁H₃₀O₂ formula.^[1] This saturation eliminates the double bond at the 9-position (or equivalent), resulting in the IUPAC name 6a,7,8,9,10,10a-hexahydro-6,6,9-trimethyl-3-pentyl-6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran-1-ol for the parent compound.^[1] The molecular architecture retains the phenolic hydroxyl group, pentyl side chain, and geminal dimethyl groups characteristic of cannabinoids, but the absence of unsaturation imparts distinct chemical properties.^[4] Synthesis of HHC primarily occurs through catalytic hydrogenation, often starting from cannabidiol (CBD) via acid-catalyzed isomerization to Δ⁸-THC or Δ⁹-THC, followed by reduction using hydrogen gas and a palladium on carbon (Pd/C) catalyst under moderate pressure (1-5 bar) and temperature (25-50°C).^[3] This process saturates the double bond, yielding a racemic mixture of the 9R and 9S stereoisomers at the chiral center introduced during hydrogenation.^[21] Alternative routes may directly hydrogenate THC isomers, but the CBD-derived pathway leverages legal hemp sources compliant with low-THC regulations.^[14] The saturated hexahydro structure confers greater chemical stability to HHC relative to THC, as it resists oxidation, UV-induced degradation, and conversion to cannabinol (CBN) under exposure to air, light, or heat, thereby extending product shelf life without significant potency loss.^[21] This stability arises from the lack of reactive double bonds prone to auto-oxidation in unsaturated cannabinoids.^[14]

Isomers and stability

Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) exists primarily as two diastereomeric isomers, (9R)-HHC and (9S)-HHC, arising from stereochemical differences at the C9 position of its cyclohexyl ring.^[4] The (9R)-HHC isomer features an equatorial orientation of the C9 methyl group, conferring greater thermodynamic stability compared to the (9S)-HHC epimer.^[22] In pharmacological assays, (9R)-HHC demonstrates higher binding affinity to CB1 and CB2 receptors and more pronounced THC-like effects, such as reduced locomotion in the tetrad test, indicating greater potency relative to (9S)-HHC.^[23]^[2] Commercial HHC products, derived from catalytic hydrogenation of delta-9-THC or CBD, typically contain a mixture favoring the (9R)-HHC isomer, with ratios ranging from approximately 7:3 to 2:1 (9R:9S), reflecting synthetic yields where the trans-like (9R) form predominates.^[14]^[24] These variable ratios influence product consistency, as higher (9R)-HHC content correlates with enhanced receptor affinity and bioactivity, while inconsistent isomer proportions can lead to variability in overall cannabinoid potency across batches.^[25]^[23] The saturated cyclohexene ring in both HHC isomers imparts superior chemical stability compared to unsaturated cannabinoids like delta-9-THC, resisting oxidation, UV degradation, and thermal breakdown, which extends shelf life in unregulated markets.^[26] This stability arises from the absence of the reactive C9-C10 double bond present in THC, reducing susceptibility to environmental factors and enabling longer storage without significant potency loss.^[27]

Pharmacology

Mechanism of action

Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) primarily exerts its effects through interaction with the endocannabinoid system's G-protein-coupled receptors, CB1 and CB2. The (9R)-HHC isomer, which predominates in psychoactive activity, binds to human CB1 receptors with high affinity (Ki = 15 ± 0.8 nM) and acts as a partial agonist, eliciting submaximal receptor activation with an EC50 of 144 nM and efficacy (Emax) of 37% relative to full agonists like CP55,940 in functional assays using cells expressing human CB1.^[3]^[28] In contrast, the (9S)-HHC isomer exhibits lower CB1 affinity (Ki ≈ 176 nM), contributing less to overall receptor engagement in racemic mixtures typical of commercial products.^[4] HHC also binds CB2 receptors, with (9R)-HHC showing comparable nanomolar affinity (Ki = 13 ± 0.1 nM) to CB1, while (9S)-HHC has moderately lower potency (Ki ≈ 105 nM).^[3]^[4] This binding profile reflects hydrophobic and van der Waals interactions in the receptor's orthosteric site, stabilized by the saturated hexahydro ring structure distinguishing HHC from unsaturated analogs.^[29] Metabolically, HHC undergoes phase I oxidation primarily in the liver, yielding active metabolites such as 11-hydroxy-HHC (11-OH-HHC) via cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, mirroring the hydroxylation pathway of structurally related cannabinoids.^[30] Human liver microsomes and in vivo studies confirm 11-OH-HHC as a key intermediate, with further carboxylation to 11-nor-9-carboxy-HHC (HHC-COOH), an inactive form excreted in urine.^[8]^[31] Specific CYP isoforms involved, such as CYP2C9 and CYP3A4, facilitate the 11-position hydroxylation, though direct isoform contributions for HHC remain under characterization and are inferred from analogous substrates.^[30]

Psychoactive and physiological effects

Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) elicits acute psychoactive effects characterized by subjective intoxication, including feelings of euphoria and relaxation, as observed in controlled human administration of low doses. In a preliminary pharmacokinetic study involving healthy volunteers, inhalative administration via three puffs from a vape pen (estimated low milligram dose) and oral intake of 25 mg HHC in fruit gum form produced a reported "high" rated 4.5 to 8 on a 0–10 scale, with effects resembling those of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).^[8] User surveys corroborate these findings, with participants frequently perceiving relaxation and euphoria as predominant outcomes following typical recreational doses.^[32] The (9R)-HHC isomer demonstrates greater potency in inducing these central nervous system effects compared to (9S)-HHC, consistent with differential binding affinity at cannabinoid receptors.^[1] Onset of psychoactive effects varies by route: 2–6 minutes for inhalation and 1.25–2 hours for oral administration, reflecting rapid absorption through pulmonary vasculature versus gastrointestinal metabolism.^[8] Duration is subject to inter-individual variability, influenced by factors such as isomer ratio in the administered product and metabolic differences, with subjective peaks occurring within hours and detectability in serum persisting beyond 24 hours via immunoassay.^[8] Physiologically, HHC induces dry mouth in all tested subjects following both routes, a common cannabinoid-mediated effect attributable to CB1 receptor agonism in salivary glands.^[8] Coordination impairment manifests as deficits in balance and motor tasks, evidenced by reduced performance in walk-and-turn and one-leg stand tests peaking at 40 minutes post-inhalation and 2 hours post-oral dosing.^[8] Case reports from poison control centers document tachycardia and palpitations as acute cardiovascular responses, alongside dizziness, linking these to HHC intake at self-reported doses of 50–100 mg.^[3] No significant pupillary changes were noted in controlled settings, distinguishing HHC from some opioids but aligning with partial CB1 agonism profiles.^[8] Approximately 17% of surveyed users report adverse acute effects, though perceived benefits outweigh harms for most.^[32]

Comparison to delta-9-THC

Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), particularly the (9R)-HHC isomer, demonstrates binding affinity and functional agonism at the CB1 receptor that is broadly comparable to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), though with distinct signaling biases that may contribute to nuanced downstream effects.^[21]^[4] In contrast, the (9S)-HHC epimer exhibits stronger binding but lower intrinsic activity, resulting in reduced efficacy relative to both (9R)-HHC and Δ9-THC.^[4] In rodent behavioral assays, (9R)-HHC substitutes for Δ9-THC in drug discrimination procedures with approximately equipotent ED50 values, indicating similar subjective cannabimimetic stimulus effects, while also eliciting comparable cataleptic responses indicative of CB1-mediated motor inhibition.^[33] However, (9R)-HHC produces greater hypothermia than Δ9-THC at equi-effective doses, suggesting differential engagement of thermoregulatory pathways.^[33] These findings from controlled murine models highlight HHC's overlapping yet not identical pharmacological profile, with (9S)-HHC showing markedly lower potency in discrimination tasks.^[33] Limited human data from pharmacokinetic and psychophysical studies report HHC's onset as more gradual than Δ9-THC's, potentially correlating with reduced peak anxiety or paranoia, though direct comparative trials are scarce and rely heavily on self-reported outcomes in small cohorts.^[8] Structurally, HHC's saturation of the Δ9 double bond yields metabolites like 11-hydroxy-HHC and HHC-carboxylic acid that partially cross-react in immunoassays but often require targeted GC-MS confirmation, as standard thresholds calibrated for Δ9-THC's unsaturated analogs may yield false negatives or inconclusive results without epimer-specific validation.^[34]^[35] This detectability gap stems from metabolic divergences, with HHC producing lower concentrations of canonical THC biomarkers in some matrices.^[36]

Production and consumption

Manufacturing processes

Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) is produced on an industrial scale primarily through the catalytic hydrogenation of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) isomers, which are themselves derived from cannabidiol (CBD) extracted from industrial hemp containing less than 0.3% delta-9-THC by dry weight.^[5]^[21] The process begins with CBD isolation via solvent extraction from hemp biomass, followed by acid-catalyzed cyclization to yield a mixture of delta-8-THC and delta-9-THC, which is then hydrogenated using catalysts such as palladium on carbon or platinum oxide under elevated pressure and temperature conditions.^[5]^[37] This semi-synthetic route enables large-volume output, with reactions scalable to kilogram quantities, but relies on unregulated facilities often operating clandestinely to circumvent legal restrictions on THC handling.^[38] Quality control in HHC manufacturing is compromised by the prevalence of non-pharmaceutical production environments, leading to variable purity levels and introduction of contaminants. Analyses of commercial HHC products have detected residual heavy metals, including palladium and platinum from incomplete catalyst removal during hydrogenation, as well as traces of silicon and other impurities originating from solvents or equipment.^[39]^[5] A 2023 European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) technical report highlighted these risks, noting that contaminants in seized and market samples pose potential health hazards beyond the cannabinoid itself, exacerbated by inconsistent purification steps in semi-synthetic workflows.^[5] Scale-up from laboratory to industrial production introduces challenges in controlling stereoisomer formation, resulting in inconsistent ratios of the 9R-HHC (more psychoactive) and 9S-HHC (less active) diastereomers in end products. Certificates of analysis from over 60 commercial HHC items examined in 2023 revealed wide variability in these ratios, often deviating from predictable outcomes of catalytic hydrogenation, such as the approximately 1:7 (9S:9R) mixture observed under optimized conditions with Adam's catalyst on delta-9-THC.^[4]^[14] This inconsistency arises from factors like variable reaction times, catalyst efficiency, and precursor quality in high-volume operations, undermining product uniformity and potency reliability.^[4]^[40]

Forms and methods of use

Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) is most commonly consumed via inhalation through disposable vape pens, which provide estimated bioavailability of 30-50% due to efficient pulmonary absorption, followed by oral ingestion in edibles like gummies and candies, and sublingual tinctures.^[5]^[41] Surveys of users indicate vapes as the predominant method, with 85.4% reporting their use, compared to 34.1% for edibles, reflecting market availability in pre-filled cartridges and devices since HHC's commercial rise around 2022.^[9] Smoked forms, such as sprayed hemp flower or infused resins, account for a smaller but notable portion of consumption, often via joints or pipes.^[3] Typical dosing for HHC ranges from 5-20 mg per serving, with lower amounts (5-10 mg) recommended for novices and higher (10-20 mg) for experienced users across inhalation and oral methods.^[42] Inhalation remains the preferred route for its quick delivery, enabling effects within minutes versus 30-90 minutes for edibles or tinctures, which influences user selection based on desired onset speed.^[43] Market data from 2023-2024 shows disposable vapes dominating sales due to portability and discretion, comprising a significant share of HHC products in European and U.S. hemp-derived markets.^[5] HHC packaging frequently employs designs resembling popular cannabis product aesthetics, such as sleek vape hardware and branded edibles, which enhances retail accessibility and consumer familiarity in unregulated or gray-market channels.^[44] This approach, observed in products since 2022, leverages visual cues from established hemp cannabinoid lines to appeal to users seeking alternatives to delta-9-THC, facilitating widespread distribution via online vendors and smoke shops.^[32]

Legal status

United States federal and state regulations

Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), a semi-synthetic cannabinoid derived from hemp-extracted cannabidiol (CBD) via hydrogenation, occupies a federally ambiguous status under the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized hemp and its derivatives provided the source material contains no more than 0.3% delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on a dry-weight basis.^[15] This provision has enabled HHC production and distribution as a hemp-derived product, exploiting a loophole for intoxicating semi-synthetics not explicitly classified as controlled substances by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).^[45] In guidance issued around 2023-2024, the DEA noted that HHC does not occur naturally in Cannabis sativa L. and requires synthetic processing, yet it has not pursued nationwide scheduling or enforcement against hemp-compliant formulations as of October 2025.^[46] ^[47] States have responded more aggressively, with bans or restrictions on HHC in at least 11 jurisdictions by mid-2025, including Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Utah, and Washington.^[45] These measures often classify HHC as an unregulated synthetic or analog substance, overriding federal hemp allowances due to its psychoactive effects comparable to delta-9-THC.^[48] A 2025 legislative wave expanded prohibitions on semi-synthetic cannabinoids, exemplified by New Mexico's August emergency regulations banning their manufacture and sale irrespective of hemp origin.^[49] Such state actions were informed by emerging public health data, including reports of increased emergency department visits among youth linked to unregulated cannabinoid products and concerns over impaired driving incidents.^[50] In October 2025, attorneys general from 39 states and territories urged Congress to close the Farm Bill loophole by redefining hemp to exclude intoxicating derivatives, highlighting bipartisan consensus on enforcement challenges posed by semi-synthetics like HHC.^[51] Ongoing federal and state litigation centers on the interpretation of "total THC" under USDA testing protocols, which calculate delta-9-THC plus its acidic precursor (THCA) but may exclude hydrogenated forms like HHC from aggregate limits, allowing products with negligible delta-9-THC to evade restrictions despite potency.^[52] Court challenges, including those in the 4th Circuit, have upheld similar hemp-derived synthetics when delta-9-THC remains below 0.3%, but disputes persist over whether hydrogenation constitutes conversion to a controlled form, fueling appeals against state bans.^[52]

European and international developments

In response to emerging data on its prevalence and properties, the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) issued a technical report in April 2023 assessing hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) and related substances, prompting EU-wide scrutiny and subsequent national prohibitions.^[53] This report documented seizures and market availability, contributing to regulatory actions across member states. By February 2025, HHC had been listed as a controlled substance in at least 22 EU countries.^[54] France enacted a prohibition on HHC in June 2023, classifying it alongside other semi-synthetic cannabinoids to close regulatory loopholes, with intensified enforcement measures implemented in 2024.^[55] Germany followed with a ban effective June 21, 2024, incorporating HHC under the New Psychoactive Substances Act (NpSG), which restricts manufacture, distribution, and possession.^[56] Ireland classified HHC as a controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act on July 29, 2025, following reports of 221 treatment cases involving the substance from January 2024 to July 2025.^[57] At the international level, the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), during its 68th session in March 2025, scheduled HHC under Schedule II of the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, aligning its controls with those for cannabis due to determined psychoactive equivalence.^[58] This decision mandates signatory states to impose strict limitations on production, trade, and non-medical use, effective upon national implementation.^[59] Regulatory approaches vary, with the Netherlands maintaining HHC's legality as of September 2025 through exemptions not explicitly covering it under the Opium Act, alongside experiments in controlled sales frameworks.^[60] This contrasts with the broader trend of prohibitions driven by harmonization efforts post-EMCDDA assessments and UN scheduling.

Health effects

Claimed therapeutic benefits

Users of hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) have reported perceived therapeutic effects including pain relief, reduced nausea, and improved relaxation, often attributed to its partial agonistic activity at cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1).^[32] These anecdotal accounts stem from self-reported experiences in surveys, where approximately 83% of respondents indicated more positive than negative outcomes, such as euphoria and relaxation potentially aiding conditions like chronic pain or chemotherapy-induced nausea.^[61] However, such reports lack analytical confirmation of isolated HHC use and are influenced by subjective bias.^[3] Preliminary preclinical investigations, including binding assays on HHC isomers, suggest potential CB1-mediated mechanisms akin to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) but with possibly moderated efficacy, prompting exploration in rodent models for antinociceptive effects.^[4] For instance, studies on hydroxylated HHC derivatives have demonstrated analgesic properties in mouse models of pain, hinting at broader applicability though not directly tested for plain HHC in recent (2023–2024) nausea-specific paradigms.^[62] Claims of reduced tolerance development compared to THC arise from isomer-specific pharmacological assays indicating lower intrinsic activity at CB1, but these remain unverified in chronic dosing studies.^[1] Despite these purported benefits, HHC lacks approval from regulatory bodies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for any medical use, with no registered clinical trials evaluating its efficacy in humans as of 2024.^[63] Vendor marketing frequently promotes unsubstantiated therapeutic applications, such as for anxiety or sleep, without supporting randomized controlled trials (RCTs), underscoring the preliminary and non-robust nature of evidence.^[64] Specific isomers show promise in targeted applications like colon cancer treatment leads, but general claims extrapolate beyond available data.^[47]

Adverse effects and toxicity

Acute intoxication with hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) has been associated with a range of neurological, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal effects reported in U.S. poison center data from 2023 to 2025. Analysis of National Poison Data System records identified 185 HHC exposures and 11 hexahydrocannabiphorol (HHCP, a related analog) cases, predominantly involving inhalation via vaping or oral ingestion, with symptoms including altered mental status, tachycardia, hypertension, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness; no fatalities occurred among cases with known outcomes.^[65] Specific severe acute risks encompass psychosis, cardiovascular events such as arrhythmias and myocardial injury, and seizures, particularly in high-dose vaping incidents documented in case series from 2023 onward, where causality is inferred from temporal association and resolution upon cessation.^[10]^[66]^[67] The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) evaluated HHC in 2025, concluding a high probability of acute health impairments at typical consumer doses (e.g., 10-50 mg in edibles or vapes), including cognitive deficits like impaired concentration and memory, psychomotor disturbances, and euphoria transitioning to anxiety or paranoia; these effects stem from HHC's partial agonism at CB1 receptors, akin to delta-9-THC but with potentially greater variability due to stereoisomer mixtures in commercial products.^[56] Case reports from Europe corroborate this, documenting coma, recurrent seizures, and prolonged sedation following HHC-C8 intake, with hospital admissions required for supportive care.^[56]^[67] HHC's overdose potential appears lower than that of delta-9-THC based on preclinical rodent studies showing mild systemic toxicity and dose-dependent behavioral effects without lethality at exposures up to 300 mg/kg, yet real-world risks are amplified by adulterants like synthetic cannabinoids or heavy metals in unregulated vape products, complicating attribution of causality in poisonings.^[68] French poison center data from 2022-2023 reported 37 self-identified HHC cases with diverse acute symptoms, underscoring the challenges of verifying purity in semi-synthetic formulations derived from CBD.^[3]

Dependence and long-term risks

Tolerance to HHC develops through downregulation and desensitization of cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1), similar to delta-9-THC, as HHC ligands activate CB1 receptors with effects broadly comparable to THC.^[69] This receptor adaptation occurs with chronic use, leading to diminished psychoactive responses and necessitating higher doses for equivalent effects, a pattern observed in observational surveys of HHC users where frequent consumption was reported.^[7] Withdrawal symptoms upon cessation are reported in approximately 20% of HHC users who discontinue, primarily among those with regular or daily use, manifesting as irritability, insomnia, anxiety, and appetite disturbances—symptoms milder in severity and duration than those associated with opioids but akin to cannabis withdrawal in daily users from cohort studies.^[7]^[70] These effects stem from abrupt CB1 receptor upregulation rebound, with resolution typically within 1-4 weeks of abstinence, though epidemiological data remain limited to self-reported surveys lacking long-term follow-up.^[71] The potential for cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS)—characterized by cyclic nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain—exists analogously to THC due to shared CB1 agonism, though no confirmed case series specifically link HHC to CHS as of 2024; chronic heavy use patterns in observational reports suggest risk, but verification requires further clinical data.^[72] Long-term risks include unknown carcinogenicity from hydrogenation byproducts during semi-synthetic production, which may introduce trace impurities or catalysts like heavy metals without established toxicology profiles, precluding definitive safety assessments.^[73] Neurocognitive impacts are understudied for HHC specifically, but parallels to THC indicate potential deficits in memory, attention, and executive function with prolonged heavy use, as inferred from cohort studies showing persistent impairments in chronic cannabinoid users even after abstinence.^[74]^[7] Overall, epidemiological patterns from user surveys highlight dependence risks in daily consumers, underscoring the need for prospective cohorts to quantify incidence.^[7]

Controversies and societal impact

Regulatory debates and enforcement challenges

Advocates for stringent regulation of hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) emphasize empirical evidence of public health risks, including documented cases of poisoning and intoxication that have prompted international controls. The United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs in March 2025 placed HHC under the same scheduling as cannabis and methamphetamine, citing sufficient evidence of its contribution to public health and social problems through widespread intoxicating use.^[58] Post-prohibition data from regions like France showed a decline in HHC-related poisoning cases following bans, alongside a shift to related isomers, underscoring causal links between availability and adverse incidents.^[11] These proponents argue that unregulated access, particularly via hemp-derived loopholes, exacerbates vulnerabilities such as mental health deteriorations observed in Ireland, justifying prohibitions over individual freedoms when balanced against population-level harms like emergency poisonings.^[75] Opponents of outright bans counter with harm-reduction perspectives, asserting that HHC's acute lethality profile is comparatively lower than that of legal substances like alcohol, which carries a higher margin-of-exposure risk based on toxicological analyses.^[76] They invoke libertarian principles of adult autonomy, critiquing regulatory overreach in the post-2018 U.S. Farm Bill hemp era, where semi-synthetic cannabinoids emerged as alternatives to traditional cannabis amid prohibition's historical failures—echoing alcohol Prohibition's lesson that bans foster illicit markets without eliminating demand.^[77] Experts have advocated targeted regulation, such as testing and labeling, over blanket prohibitions to mitigate risks while preserving consumer choice, noting HHC's semi-synthetic nature does not inherently preclude managed markets akin to regulated pharmaceuticals.^[78] Enforcement remains hampered by persistent online sales channels and structural loopholes in hemp legislation, allowing HHC and analogs to proliferate despite 2024-2025 crackdowns. U.S. states like California imposed emergency rules limiting online hemp sales and intoxicating products to curb youth access, yet interstate e-commerce evades fragmented state controls.^[79] Isomer variants, such as hexahydrocannabiphorol (HHC-P), have surged post-HHC restrictions, exploiting ambiguities in "synthetic THC" definitions under federal law, as seen in ongoing legal challenges to the 2018 Farm Bill's delta-9 THC exemptions.^[11]^[15] These gaps highlight enforcement's reactive nature, with regulators struggling against rapid chemical innovations and cross-border distribution, often outpacing legislative updates.^[80]

Public health concerns and youth exposure

HHC products, frequently available in flavored vape cartridges and edibles, exhibit characteristics that enhance their appeal to adolescents, including discreet inhalation and palatable fruit or candy-like flavors designed to mask the underlying psychoactive effects. Such formulations mirror broader trends in intoxicating cannabinoid vaping, where marketing emphasizes sensory attractiveness, potentially increasing initiation among youth in markets with lax oversight. In Ireland, where HHC remained unregulated until mid-2025, approximately one-fifth of teenagers entering addiction treatment services were linked to chemically modified cannabis products, including HHC-infused vapes and edibles, highlighting elevated exposure risks in vulnerable demographics.^[81]^[82] Surveillance data from treatment centers underscore causal associations between HHC use and adverse mental health outcomes in adolescents, with reports of heightened anxiety, paranoia, and severe psychosis episodes. Clinicians have observed devastating impacts on young users' mental health, including persistent psychotic symptoms requiring intervention, attributed to HHC's potency as a semi-synthetic cannabinoid mimicking THC but with variable metabolism and prolonged effects in developing brains. A 2025 analysis of European web surveys and national treatment registries noted disproportionate harms among youth, including exacerbated vulnerability to paranoia and cognitive disruptions, prompting warnings against adolescent consumption due to immature endocannabinoid system sensitivity.^[83]^[84]^[82] Pre-ban emergency department burdens in jurisdictions like Ireland revealed patterns of acute intoxication among youth, with HHC implicated in hospital admissions for psychosis, cardiovascular distress, and behavioral crises, straining pediatric resources and informing regulatory responses. Between early 2024 and June 2025, 169 young people sought specialized treatment for HHC-related problems, many presenting with emergency manifestations tied to overuse in unregulated vape forms. These incidents contributed to policy shifts, including Ireland's nationwide ban on HHC effective July 29, 2025, explicitly citing youth mental health deterioration and hospitalization risks as primary drivers, alongside emerging U.S. state measures restricting intoxicating hemp derivatives to curb similar demographic vulnerabilities.^[85]^[86]

Economic and policy implications

The unregulated market for HHC and analogous hemp-derived cannabinoids contributed significantly to the broader hemp sector's expansion, with U.S. retail sales of such products reaching approximately $5 billion in 2022, projected to grow to $11 billion by 2027 before intensified 2025 restrictions.^[17] This gray-market activity often bypassed state-regulated cannabis taxation frameworks, diverting consumer spending from licensed dispensaries where excise taxes average 15-37% and generate billions annually in state revenues, thereby reducing fiscal inflows from legal marijuana sales exceeding $36 billion in 2024.^[87] In states like Texas, hemp-derived cannabinoid retail alone yielded $267.7 million in sales tax revenue by 2024, underscoring the sector's contribution to local economies while complicating enforcement against untaxed alternatives.^[88] Proposed 2025 federal and state bans on intoxicating hemp products, including HHC, highlight policy trade-offs between sustaining hemp industry growth—estimated at $5.5 billion in annual national revenue and supporting over 400,000 jobs—and addressing externalities like elevated enforcement and public resource burdens.^[89] ^[90] For instance, California's impending restrictions could eliminate $2 billion in hemp business revenue over five years and 18,500 jobs, illustrating the potential contraction of a sector that amplified U.S. economic output by over $79 billion in prior assessments.^[91] Such measures aim to close Farm Bill loopholes exploited for semi-synthetic intoxicants, yet they risk undermining incentives for agricultural innovation in non-intoxicating hemp applications.^[92] Regulatory pursuits of HHC have spurred ongoing chemical innovation, with producers developing variants like HHC-O-acetate and hexahydrocannabiphorol (HHC-P) to evade definitions of controlled substances, perpetuating a cycle of enforcement challenges and resource allocation for agencies like the DEA.^[93] This dynamic incentivizes a cat-and-mouse paradigm, where short-term bans prompt rapid analog proliferation, potentially inflating long-term compliance costs for regulators while sustaining underground or quasi-legal markets that elude taxation.^[94] Policymakers face incentives to harmonize hemp definitions under the 2018 Farm Bill with stricter THC thresholds, as disjointed state approaches—evident in varied tax treatments—exacerbate market distortions and fiscal inefficiencies.^[95]

References

[1]
Hexahydrocannabinol Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Analysis
Due to the pharmacological activity of cannabinoids, HHC was initially considered a potential alternative to Δ9-THC, the principal constituent of Cannabis ...
[2]
Synthesis and pharmacological activity of the epimers of ... - Nature
Jul 8, 2023 · The first semi-synthetic cannabinoid to appear in the EU was obtained through cyclization and hydrogenation of CBD, and is known as hexahydrocannabinol (HHC).
[3]
[PDF] Hexahydrocannabinol 47th ECDD Critical Review Public Version
Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) is a semi-synthetic cannabinoid that is typically synthesized from cannabidiol as a precursor, although it is also found in trace ...
[4]
Studies Pertaining to the Emerging Cannabinoid ...
Aug 14, 2023 · We report studies pertaining to two isomeric hexahydrocannabinols (HHCs), (9R)-HHC and (9S)-HHC, which are derivatives of the psychoactive cannabinoids Δ 9 - ...
[5]
[PDF] Technical report: Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) and related substances
According to laboratory studies in vitro, and in several animal species in vivo, HHC appears to have broadly similar effects to cannabis and THC products. • The ...
[6]
Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC): pharmacokinetics, systemic toxicity ...
Jul 11, 2025 · Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) is a new psychoactive substance known for its mind-altering effects and temporary legal status.
[7]
A Survey Study of Individuals Using Hexahydrocannabinol Cannabis Products: Use Patterns and Perceived Effects | Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research
### Summary of HHC Survey Study (https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/can.2023.0143)
[8]
Preliminary pharmacokinetic and psychophysical investigations after ...
Mar 24, 2025 · This study aimed to investigate the pharmacokinetics, effects, and immunological detectability of HHC after oral (25 mg HHC fruit gum) and inhalative (three ...
[9]
Short Report Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) use and harms in Ireland
Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) is a semi-synthetic cannabinoid (SSC) that is synthesised from cannabidiol (CBD), which in turn is extracted from low-THC cannabis ( ...
[10]
HHC-induced psychosis: a case series of psychotic illness triggered ...
Feb 14, 2024 · Use of both cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids has been regularly linked to the development of psychotic illness.
[11]
Hexahydrocannabinol and Hexahydrocannabiphorol Poisonings ...
Aug 25, 2025 · This study analyzed 236 self-reported cases of exposure to HHC, primarily through ingestion. A notable increase in incidents was observed toward ...
[12]
pharmacokinetics, systemic toxicity, and acute behavioral effects in ...
Aug 1, 2025 · Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) is a new psychoactive substance known for its mind-altering effects and temporary legal status. It is widely used ...
[13]
Novel substance, same old problems: admissions of psychosis ...
Jul 10, 2025 · To investigate the impact of the widespread availability and use of the semi-synthetic cannabinoid hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) on hospital admissions owing to ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[14]
Saturated Cannabinoids: Update on Synthesis Strategies and ...
A background on the discovery, synthesis, and pharmacology studies of hydrogenated and saturated cannabinoids is described.
[15]
The 2018 Farm Bill's Hemp Definition and Legal Challenges to State ...
Aug 20, 2025 · After passage of the 2018 farm bill, hemp is no longer a controlled substance under the CSA. The 2018 farm bill defines hemp as any part of the ...
[16]
World Leaders Vote to Ban HHC, List as Schedule II Drug
Mar 14, 2025 · ... 2021, when manufacturers began selling products with HHC converted from hemp-derived cannabinoids such as delta-8 THC. Advertisment: Frank ...
[17]
HHC vs THC: Consumer Usage, Trends & Market Challenges
The hemp-derived cannabinoids market is only warming up as market size is predicted to grow from $5 billion in retail sales in 2022 to $11 billion by 2027.
[18]
The Unregulated Designer Drug Market Following the 2018 Farm Bill
Feb 13, 2024 · Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) reached markets soon after Δ8-THC. Hydrogenation of CBD-derived Δ8-THC or Δ9-THC forms a mixture of the 9R and 9S ...Missing: post- | Show results with:post-
[19]
[PDF] HEMP DERIVED CANNABINOIDS - Hemplitude
Mar 10, 2023 · From the period from 2019 through 2022, sales of hemp-based cannabinoids exploded and is estimated to be between $5.5 - $6.5 billion in the ...
[20]
How Big Is the U.S. Market for Delta-8 THC and Other Intoxicating ...
Mar 6, 2024 · The U.S. market for Delta-8 THC and other hemp-derived cannabinoids has increased a whopping 1,283% in just three years, growing from $200.5 ...<|separator|>
[21]
Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9 ...
Apr 22, 2024 · Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), currently available over the counter in many countries to adults and even children, is of great interests to policy ...
[22]
and (9S)-hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) via GC–MS in serum/plasma ...
Oct 17, 2025 · 11 These isomers differ in stereochemistry at the C9 position. The R-epimer (9R)-HHC, with the equatorial methyl substituent, is primarily ...
[23]
and 9S-hexahydrocannabinols and their metabolites in human ...
Mar 15, 2024 · Studies have shown that the (9 R)-HHC has a higher affinity to the endocannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 than its epimer, (9 S)-HHC. As a result, ...
[24]
[PDF] Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) on the light cannabis market - AIR Unimi
Despite the lack of in-depth studies about HHCs activity, potency, toxicity, and safety, these cannabinoids are emerging on the light-cannabis (hemp) market ...
[25]
Identification and quantification of both isomers of ...
Feb 11, 2024 · In seized materials, (9R)-HHC levels ranged from 2.09% to 8.85% and (9R)-HHC/(9S)-HHC ratios varied from 1.36 to 2.68. In whole blood sample ...Missing: commercial | Show results with:commercial
[26]
What is HHC and How Does it Compare to THC? - Vaping360
May 17, 2023 · According to Mark Scialdone, a chemist and BR Brands Chief Science Officer, hydrogenation improves “stability ... shelf life and is less prone to ...
[27]
What Is HHC? Exploring Newer Cannabinoids - 3CHI
Nov 18, 2024 · Thanks to hydrogenation, HHC is more resistant to heat and light degradation, which means it has a longer shelf life than non-hydrogenated THC ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[28]
[PDF] Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) and related substances
For the CB1 receptor, HHC and Δ9-THC displayed similar high calculated binding affinities, while Δ8-THC bound to this receptor with lower affinity. In summary, ...<|separator|>
[29]
Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) for the CB1 and CB2 Cannabinoid ...
Aug 16, 2025 · Origin of the Different Binding Affinities of (9R)- and (9S)-Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) for the CB1 and CB2 Cannabinoid Receptors.
[30]
Evidence of 11-Hydroxy-hexahydrocannabinol and 11-Nor-9 ... - NIH
Nov 23, 2023 · Thus, it appears that human liver microsomes can metabolize Δ9-THC and 11-OH-THC to HHC-COOH, preferentially producing the 9R-epimer of HHC-COOH ...
[31]
Insights into the human metabolism of hexahydrocannabinol by non ...
Based on the LC–MS-MS data, the study was able to identify 11 HHC metabolites, and an overview of the compounds detected in the analyzed plasma and urine ...
[32]
A Survey Study of Individuals Using Hexahydrocannabinol ...
Nov 7, 2023 · HHC was perceived to yield more good than bad effects, including relaxation and euphoria. Approximately 17% of the sample reported adverse ...
[33]
Cannabimimetic and discriminative stimulus effects of ... - PubMed
Apr 2, 2025 · Separate mice were trained to discriminate Δ9-THC from the vehicle in drug discrimination and subsequently tested with 9(R)-HHC and 9(S)-HHC.Missing: comparison rodent
[34]
and (9S)-hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) via GC-MS in serum/plasma ...
Aug 31, 2023 · Urine test strips and ELISA tests for the detection in serum seem to be beneficial to detect HHC consumption in comparison with saliva tests.
[35]
Detection of 11-nor-9-carboxy-hexahydrocannabinol (HHC-COOH ...
Aug 15, 2025 · In Germany, HHC is offered as a "legal substitute" for cannabis or Δ9-THC and, until 2024, was not subject to the “German Narcotics Act” or the ...
[36]
and (9S)‐hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) via GC–MS in serum/plasma ...
Aug 31, 2023 · Urine test strips and ELISA tests for the detection in serum seem to be beneficial to detect HHC consumption in comparison with saliva tests. ...
[37]
Hexahydrocannabinol and closely related semi‐synthetic ...
Jun 2, 2023 · Current large-scale manufacture of HHC is based on hemp-derived CBD extract, which is converted first by cyclization into a Δ8/Δ9-THC mixture, ...Missing: sources | Show results with:sources
[38]
EP4373800A1 - A method for preparing hexahydrocannabinol
May 29, 2024 · The reactions disclosed herein have been performed safely at large scales (up to 10 kg), and offer a means for producing kilogram-scale amounts ...<|separator|>
[39]
Consumers who buy cannabis products containing HHCs could be ...
Aug 14, 2023 · Labs that use catalytic hydrogenation also often use potentially toxic heavy metals like platinum or palladium as part of the process. “If a ...
[40]
What is HHC? Complete Guide to Effects, Safety & Comparison
Apr 18, 2022 · Independent analyses of commercial products have shown wide inconsistencies, not only in isomer ratios but also in total cannabinoid content. In ...
[41]
The Bioavailability of Cannabis Through Various Delivery Methods
Aug 12, 2024 · Within inhalation methods such as smoking a joint or vaping, the THC bioavailability averages about 31% per a 2018 systematic review (8).
[42]
How to Select the Right HHC Milligram Strength: Your 2024 Dosage ...
Aug 24, 2024 · Beginner: 5-10mg of HHC per dose. Intermediate: 10-20mg of HHC per dose. Advanced: 20-40mg of HHC per dose. Calculation: Determine the ...
[43]
https://eightysixbrand.com/blogs/news/how-does-dosing-hhc-work
[44]
(PDF) Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) use and harms in Ireland
Sep 20, 2025 · Results: In total, 36.2 % reported lifetime HHC use, 33.5 % last-year use, and 17.8 % last-month use. The primary motive for first using HHC was ...
[45]
Is HHC Legal? A Guide to State & Federal Laws - Elevate
Sep 1, 2025 · According to the 2018 Farm Bill, any cannabinoid must be derived from hemp containing less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC to be federally legal. HHC is ...
[46]
Hemp Provisions in the House Farm Bill and FY2025 Agriculture ...
Jun 17, 2024 · The 2018 farm bill (Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018; PL 115-334, §12619) legalized hemp by establishing a statutory definition for hemp.
[47]
Studies Pertaining to the Emerging Cannabinoid ... - NIH
HHCs are derivatives of THC, known since the 1940s, and are now increasingly available. Studies show they can be prepared using HAT reduction.
[48]
HHC Legal States 2025 - World Population Review
HHC is illegal in Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Mississippi, Nevada, New York, Utah, and Washington. While it is not explicitly stated, it is most ...
[49]
The 2025 Analog Ban Wave: How States Are Targeting HHC, THCP ...
Sep 16, 2025 · New Mexico: Emergency regulations (Aug 2025) ban manufacture and sale of all synthetic cannabinoids, regardless of origin. ... semi-synthetic ...
[50]
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/39-bipartisan-state-and-territory-attorneys-general-push-congress-to-ban-intoxicating-hemp-products/
[51]
39 Attorneys General Tell Federal Lawmakers to Ban Hemp THC ...
October 27, 2025. The chief law officers from 37 states and two U.S. territories sent a letter Oct. 24 to U.S. House and Senate committee leaders, ...Missing: United | Show results with:United
[52]
Breaking Down Popular Cannabis Compounds - Baker Institute
Dec 6, 2024 · While delta-8 THC derived from hemp is widely considered legal under the 2018 Farm Bill, delta-8 THC derived from marijuana is included in the ...
[53]
Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) and related substances
Apr 17, 2023 · During 2023, a number of developments, such as reports of important law enforcement seizures and changes in legal status, have already taken ...
[54]
Cannabis – the current situation in Europe (European Drug Report ...
Jun 5, 2025 · HHC is listed as a controlled drug in at least 22 EU Member States as of February 2025, and in March 2025 the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs ...
[55]
France Becomes Latest European Country To Move To Ban HHC As ...
May 17, 2023 · France is set to become the latest European country to ban the increasingly prevalent semi-synthetic cannabinoid and 'legal high' hexahydrocannabinol, better ...
[56]
Psychoactive effects to be expected following consumption of ...
Jun 4, 2025 · Intake of products containing HHC with the amounts of HHC typically offered for sale are linked to a high probability of the occurrence of health impairments.
[57]
HHC (Hexahydrocannabinol) - Government of Ireland
Jul 29, 2025 · Between 1 January 2024 and 25 July 2025, 221 treatment cases were reported to the NDTRS where HHC was recorded as main or additional problem ...
[58]
UN Places HHC Under Same Regulations as Cannabis and ...
Mar 18, 2025 · HHC is now banned in all UN member states, which are now required to implement strict regulation on its distribution and manufacture.
[59]
https://www.unodc.org/unodc/frontpage/2025/March/cnd-68-concludes_-six-new-substances-controlled-six-resolutions-adopted.html
[60]
HHC and Semi‑Synthetic Cannabinoids in Europe, 2025
Sep 16, 2025 · Where HHC is (narrowly) legal, such as in the Netherlands, products must adhere to stringent labeling, notification, and product-safety ...
[61]
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1089/can.2023.0143
[62]
Antinociceptive effects of 9α-OH-HHC and 8-OH-iso- HHC in mice
Medicinal cannabis investigations on their anti-inflammatory characteristics have not been consistent with reports from laboratory studies with murine models.
[63]
HHC (Hexahydrocannabinol): Uses, Side Effects, and More - WebMD
Dec 5, 2023 · HHC, which is sometimes called HXC, is chemically like Delta-9 THC, but it's a semisynthetic CBD. It's made in a lab from CBD taken from low-THC ...
[64]
Research On Health Benefits Of HHC: An Emerging Cannabinoid
THC is found in high concentrations in cannabis naturally while HHC is in very low amounts. HHC is often made through hydrogenation. HHC is a more stable ...Hhc Vs Thc · Hhc Vs Cbd · Common Hhc Benefits<|control11|><|separator|>
[65]
Hexahydrocannabinol and Hexahydrocannabiphorol Poisonings
Aug 25, 2025 · Although marketed as a less potent alternative to THC, the adverse effects observed—primarily neurological, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal ...
[66]
Cannabinoids and Adverse Convulsive Effects - PubMed Central - NIH
Jun 20, 2025 · Seizures after the use of cannabinoids are reported, but no precise descriptions of the characteristics of subjects and factors that may ...
[67]
Prolonged sedation and unconsciousness after intoxication with the ...
Novel semisynthetic cannabinoid HHC-C8 caused two acute intoxications in Denmark. Symptoms included coma, recurring seizures and pronounced sedation.
[68]
pharmacokinetics, systemic toxicity, and acute behavioral effects in ...
Anecdotal reports describe the effects of HHC as mind-numbing, relaxing, and sleep-inducing. It is considered less intense than Δ9-THC, but more potent than Δ8- ...Missing: peer- | Show results with:peer-
[69]
THC) driven activation of cannabinoid receptor 1 results in biased ...
Apr 22, 2024 · (B) The synthesis of HHC from CBD, schematically via transformation of CBD into Δ8-THC and further reduction to obtain HHC epimers. Full ...
[70]
Clinical management of cannabis withdrawal - PMC - PubMed Central
The most common features of cannabis withdrawal are anxiety, irritability, anger or aggression, disturbed sleep/dreaming, depressed mood and loss of appetite.Missing: hexahydrocannabinol | Show results with:hexahydrocannabinol
[71]
Rapid Changes in CB1 Receptor Availability in Cannabis ...
Jan 1, 2017 · Cannabis dependence is associated with CB1R downregulation, which begins to reverse surprisingly rapidly upon termination of cannabis use and ...Missing: hexahydrocannabinol | Show results with:hexahydrocannabinol
[72]
Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome - JAMA Network
Oct 10, 2024 · CHS causes acute onset of recurrent episodes of severe nausea, bouts of vomiting, and intense abdominal pain that last less than 1 week.Missing: HHC | Show results with:HHC
[73]
Factcheck Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC)-Institut für Hanfanalytik
Mar 22, 2023 · There are currently no study data on the toxicity, neurotoxicity or carcinogenicity of HHC or its production by-products. We therefore do not ...
[74]
Cannabis effects on brain structure, function, and cognition
In long-term users, lasting impairments in memory and attention worsened with increasing years of regular cannabis use (135,140,149,150). Contrary to these ...
[75]
Ireland Bans HHC Over Mental Health Concerns
Aug 13, 2025 · Ireland has become the latest to ban the use of the semi-synthetic cannabinoid HHC raising concerns related to risks to mental health.
[76]
The Best Arguments For and Against Legalizing Cannabis
Mar 10, 2025 · Based on “margin of exposure” analysis, alcohol sits with cocaine and heroin in the “high risk” category while marijuana is “low risk.” If the ...
[77]
https://www.canatura.com/a/cannabis-and-the-lessons-of-alcohol-prohibition
[78]
Experts Call For HHC To Be Regulated Rather Than Banned
Jun 21, 2023 · He told local media at the time: “HHC is a synthetic substance that is in the grey area for now. I don't see a reason to necessarily ban it, but ...Missing: arguments | Show results with:arguments
[79]
Making CDPH's Emergency Hemp Rules Permanent—Age 21 ...
Sep 1, 2025 · California 2025: Making CDPH's Emergency Hemp Rules Permanent—Age 21, Serving Sizes, and Online Sales Crackdown · What CDPH's 2024–2025 emergency ...Missing: challenges | Show results with:challenges
[80]
The Farm Bill Fight Over Intoxicating Hemp: What Delta-8 and THCA ...
Sep 1, 2025 · The Expanding Patchwork of State Crackdowns. Even before Congress acts, many states have tightened rules on intoxicating hemp: Virginia: ...
[81]
Content Analysis of Derived Intoxicating Cannabis Vape Product ...
Oct 2, 2025 · Common marketing strategies promoting appealing flavors and positive vaping experiences may increase their appeal to young people. Features ...
[82]
Teenagers being treated for 'severe psychosis' from synthetic ...
Sep 16, 2024 · A fifth of teens being treated in addiction services are there because of chemically modified cannabis-products found in vapes and edibles.
[83]
HHC and your mental health - The HRB National Drugs Library
It is initially seen to be a harmless drug but can have devastating effects on a young person's mental health; we have treated young men suffering from severe ...
[84]
HHC Side Effects: A Clear-Headed Guide - Elevate
Sep 5, 2025 · For some, this can lead to feelings of anxiety or paranoia, especially with larger doses. It's also possible to experience some confusion or ...
[85]
169 young people sought treatment for HHC drug since 2024 - RTE
Jun 30, 2025 · Figures from the Health Research Board show that 169, mostly young people, sought treatment for problems with HHC over the past year and a half.
[86]
HHC drug banned by Govt over youth mental health concerns - RTE
Jul 29, 2025 · HHC drug banned by Government over youth mental health concerns. Updated / Tuesday, 29 Jul 2025 17:26.
[87]
United States Cannabis Market Report 2025-2033 - Yahoo Finance
Aug 7, 2025 · The United States Cannabis Market is anticipated to surge from USD 36.94 billion in 2024 to USD 91.10 billion by 2033, driven by a CAGR of ...Missing: HHC | Show results with:HHC
[88]
[PDF] HEMP DERIVED CANNABINOIDS IN THE LONE STAR STATE
Jul 13, 2025 · The objective of this report is to ascertain the total economic impact the hemp-derived cannabinoid retail industry is having on the Texas ...
[89]
The Death of Innovation: Why Banning THCa and Alternative ...
Jul 28, 2025 · Congress is threatening to ban THCa, Delta-8, and more - risking 400K+ jobs and crushing U.S. hemp innovation built from the ground up.
[90]
New Report Reveals Texas Hemp Market Contributes $10 Billion to ...
Mar 25, 2025 · The 2025 report further estimates the industry's total revenue at $5.5 billion* and its overall economic impact at $10.3 billion. Other sector ...Missing: fiscal | Show results with:fiscal
[91]
California Moves to Permanently Ban Hemp THC: What Comes Next?
Jul 22, 2025 · According to state estimates, hemp businesses could lose more than $2 billion in revenue over the first five years. Nearly 18,500 jobs could be ...Missing: HHC economic
[92]
Closing the Loophole: Updates on Federal and State Attempts to ...
Jul 18, 2025 · In June 2025, the U.S. House Appropriations Committee advanced a spending bill with provisions designed to redefine “hemp” and ban most THC ...
[93]
Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) and Δ-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ-THC ...
Apr 3, 2024 · The SSC market is developing rapidly, with HHC acetate (HHC‐O), hexahydrocannabiphorol (HHC‐P) and others recently identified. These ...Missing: size | Show results with:size
[94]
The Unregulated Designer Drug Market Following the 2018 Farm Bill
Feb 13, 2024 · Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) reached markets soon after Δ8-THC. Hydrogenation of CBD-derived Δ8-THC or Δ9-THC forms a mixture of the 9R and 9S ...Missing: size revenue
[95]
Tax Treatment of Hemp and Other Intoxicants (THC) - Tax Foundation
Apr 24, 2025 · Discordant state tax treatment of hemp products disrupts legal transactions, increases compliance costs, and distorts competition between hemp ...Missing: fiscal | Show results with:fiscal