Key Takeaways
- THCP can get you very high, binding to brain receptors much more effectively than THC.
- The high you get from THCP is typically more intense and euphoric than regular THC.
- Caution is key when taking THCP, and smaller doses tend to go a long way.
The latest and greatest headline-making cannabinoid for ultra-high seekers over the past few years has been THCP. And even though it's only been a few years since it was discovered, it's garnered quite a reputation for how potent it is.
If this is your first time exploring it, you may be wondering if THCP gets you high and if so, what makes it different from regular THC?
The THCP High
THCP will get you high, and while your specific THCP experience can differ from the next person's, that doesn't mean there aren't a few common effects people have.
For starters, THCP can be a great mood-booster and offer a heightened sensory awareness. Other people say that they tend to feel relaxed when taking THCP, and at higher doses, it can even be sedating.
Some people find it stimulates their creativity at first, then feels calming as it settles in.
Taking THCP can feel like many things, though anecdotally, it’s often a lot more “body-heavy” than THC. If you don’t like the overwhelmingly “too high” feeling, start slowly to find your ideal dose.
How Strong Is THCP?
It's pretty intense.
Of course, just because science says “33 times stronger” doesn't mean it produces 33 times the high of other types of THC. It just means that it's more in line with the CB1 receptors and your brain.
What Exactly Is THCP?
THCP is a naturally occurring cannabinoid found in cannabis, similar to THCA. It’s a trace compound, meaning there's a very low amount of it found in the plant.
Interestingly, tetrahydrocannabiphorol (THCP) was only discovered in 2019, and there's still a lot of research yet to be done on it. What we do know is that it has seven carbon atoms in its side chain, compared to five in THC, helping it bind better to our CB1 receptors. Some studies suggest it binds 30-33 times more effectively than regular THC, so you get a much stronger response.
Because there’s such a low percentage of THCP pulled from the cannabis plant, there's no such thing as THCP-dominant flower. Most commercially available forms are derived from hemp-based cannabinoids (typically CBD). This means it's possible to produce THCP in usable quantities while staying within the legal hemp framework.
How THCP Works in the Body
THCP works with the endocannabinoid system, which basically manages everything from mood to appetite to sleep using CB1 and CB2 receptors.
CB1 receptors are found primarily in the brain, while CB2 receptors are found in the immune system.
With a longer molecular chain, THCP has a greater impact on neural activity, which is why some people think it lingers in the body longer.
However, as we’ve said, there aren’t many large-scale studies to pull from.
How Long Does a THCP High Last?
The duration of your THCP high will depend mainly on how you consume it.
When vaped, effects can appear within minutes and last anywhere from 4 to 8 hours. Edibles or gummies typically take longer to kick in, somewhere in the ballpark of 30 to 90 minutes, and last for 8 to 12 hours, depending on your digestion and metabolism.
This is a good deal longer than your typical Delta-9 THC high.
Some users even report a residual calmness the morning after taking THCP, which may be linked to its prolonged receptor interaction.
As we always say, starting with a low dose of THCP and waiting for the full onset is the safest way to gauge how you'll react.
How Much THCP Is Too Much?
Because it's so strong, THCP is not a “more is better” cannabinoid. Even if you increase your dose a little bit, it can still create unexpectedly strong results.
Unfortunately, there are no official dosing guidelines, though anecdotal evidence suggests beginners should start at:
- 1-2mg for edibles
- One small puff for vapes
If you're an avid THC user, you might think, “That’s a tiny amount.” However, it’s best to remember that these are different cannabinoids and these small amounts are often enough to produce noticeable effects.
We have a handy guide on THCP’s safety that takes a deeper look at safe use, tolerance, and the importance of buying lab-tested products.
The Bottom Line
THCP can absolutely get you high. It's one of the most potent cannabinoids identified to date.
With that said, there's still plenty left to discover about how our minds and bodies respond to it, making it one of the most exciting frontiers in cannabinoid science.
FAQs
1. Is THCP Legal?
Under the 2018 Farm Bill in the United States, THCP is legal. This is because it's typically made from hemp-derived CBD, which falls under the bill’s legal parameters.
That said, laws can change quickly, and regulations can vary by state, which is why it's always best to verify local policies before you buy THCP products.
Because of THCP’s strength and similarity to Delta-9, it may eventually attract more attention from lawmakers as more research emerges.
2. Is THCP Synthetic or Natural?
THCP exists naturally in cannabis, but in amounts so small that direct extraction isn’t commercially viable. To produce it in usable quantities, scientists have had to use hemp-derived cannabinoids like CBD and convert them through a controlled chemical process.
This process doesn't make THCP synthetic, though. It's still a plant-based compound that's been chemically refined. Essentially, it's the same kind of conversion method used to create cannabinoids like Delta-8 and Delta-10 from hemp.
3. Are There Any Risks or Side Effects of THCP?
Because research on THCP is still in its early stages, we don't have comprehensive documentation of its side effects. With that said, given its close relationship to Delta-9 THC, users may experience:
- Dry mouth
- Red eyes
- Anxiety or paranoia in high doses
- Increased heart rate
- Drowsiness
- Next-day grogginess
The most considerable risk of taking THCP is taking too much. Since THCP hits harder and lasts longer than expected, it's important to moderate.
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