THCP: A potent cannabinoid with great potential

New cannabinoids are appearing on the market all the time. One of the hottest new cannabinoids is THCP, which is currently one of the most potent cannabinoids in the world. However, scientists have so far mainly studied its effects in animals and the first scientific studies in humans are still to come. What do we know about THCP?

• THCP production
• THCP and the endocannabinoid system
• Lack of scientific studies
• THCP and safety
• Effects of THCPs known so far
• THCP vs. THC vs. CBD
• Is THCP legal
• Available THCP products
• Conclusion

Note: In the Czech Republic, THCP was classified as an addictive substance at the beginning of 2024. This cannabinoid is now also banned in most European countries.

THCP production 

An article published in the prestigious journal Scientific Report shows that the cannabinoid THCP is present in very small quantities in cannabis and extracting it directly from the plant would not be financially viable in most cases.

The cannabinoid THCP is therefore extracted in special laboratories using more complex chemical processes. 

The production of THCP is carried out by first naturally extracting the cannabidiol CBD from the cannabis plant and then converting it into THCP using solvents or acids. 

THCP and the endocannabinoid system

The discovery of THCP was only made in 2019, when a group of Italian researchers discovered that this substance interacts with the endocannabinoid system and binds perfectly to receptors in the brain. 

The cannabinoid THCP has been shown to have up to 33 times stronger effects on the endocannabinoid system than the better-known THC. The researchers made this finding in an experiment using cultured cells when they investigated the binding of THCP to CB1 and CB2 receptors in the brain.

 

 The cannabinoid THCP was present in much lower concentrations in the medical cannabis strain studied than THC. Even so, THCP showed much more pronounced activity compared to THC. 

THCP has a half-life of between two and three days and thus remains active in the human body for a longer period of time compared to competing cannabinoids. 

Lack of scientific studies 

The potential of THCPs is undermined by the fact that there are as yet no comprehensive scientific studies that look more closely at the short- and long-term effects of use.

THCP products should only be purchased from reputable manufacturers, which are at least a partial guarantee of the safety, quality and correct labelling of the products offered.

THCP and safety

THCP is one of the strongest cannabinoids in the world and can cause strong psychoactive effects. The experience with THCP may therefore be more intense than with regular THC, even at relatively low doses.

Given that THCP is still underexplored, maximum caution is advised:

• Never drive a car or operate machinery after consuming THCP.
• THCP is not suitable for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
• THCP use can also be dangerous in combination with medications and alcohol.

  

Effects of THCPs known so far

It appears that THCPs can cause changes in auditory and visual perception and changes in the interpretation of time, and users may experience euphoric states when consuming them.

Amongst other things, the cannabinoid THCP could be a pain reliever and a good companion for unpleasant nausea. As studies show, THCP can also positively affect sleep.

If you want to use THCP, it’s best to start with very low doses — the THCP dosage calculator can help you with the approximate dosing.

THCP vs. THC vs. CBD

THCP is not the only cannabinoid found in hemp. In the table below, we summarize how it differs from THC and CBD.

Characteristic	THCP	THC	CBD
Chemical formula	C23H34O2	C21H30O2	C21H30O2
Origin	newly described phytocannabinoid, present in the cannabis plant only in trace amounts	main psychoactive component of cannabis	non-psychoactive cannabinoid naturally occurring in the cannabis plant
Structure	seven-carbon side chain	five-carbon side chain	natural molecule
Receptor binding	very high affinity for the CB1 receptor (up to about 33× higher than THC)	high affinity for CB1 and CB2 receptors	low affinity for CB1 and CB2 receptors
Psychoactivity	may have the strongest effects of all cannabinoids known so far	psychoactive; causes a high, altered perception, hallucinations, etc.	does not cause psychoactivity, does not alter consciousness
Potential effects	apparently similar effects to THC	relief of pain and inflammation, reduction of anxiety, antioxidant effects and more	relief of pain and inflammation, reduction of anxiety and stress, improvement of sleep and more

Is THCP legal?

THCP is currently prohibited in most European countries — it has been added to the list of banned substances in, for example, the Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia, Spain and Italy.

In some countries, THCP is still in a grey area. An exception for now is the Netherlands, where THCP is not yet explicitly listed in the opium law – however, its legal status may change at any time.

Available THCP products

THCP products are becoming increasingly popular among cannabis enthusiasts. THCP oils, flowers, liquids, gummies, vapes and cartridges are available. They are available for purchase in a variety of flavours.

Conclusion

The cannabinoid THCP appears to have considerable potential. The scientific studies to date point to possible positive effects, dominated by sleep aids or pain relief. THCP oils, flowers, drops, liquids, gummies, vapes or cartridges are available on the market.

However, the importance of THCP is currently weakened by the fact that the first scientific study on the cannabinoid THCP was only conducted in 2019. A more precise analysis of the short- and long-term effects is still pending, which is why it is advisable to approach the use of THCP products with caution.

  

Author: Jiří Lacina

   

Photo: AI

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