What Does THC-O Feel Like? How Potent Is It?

Delta Munchies' Delta 9 Gummies.

Since the 2018 Farm Bill, new legal cannabinoids have taken the hemp scene by storm. With the different kinds of THC analogs and isomers flooding the market, you might wonder what sets different cannabinoids like HHC to THC-O apart.

Some cannabinoids like THC-O are believed to have up to 3 times the potency of regular THC, which can be a great deal if medicinal cannabis is unavailable in your state.

Because of the potential of this cannabinoid, we’ve gathered some of the most important things you have to know about THC-O. From what it is, how the high compares to other cannabinoids, to its legal and safety status. So if you’ve been wondering what THC-O feels like, you can keep reading below.

 

Key Takeaways

  • THC-O is a semi-synthetic, fully hemp-derived cannabinoid believed to have three times the potency of delta 9 THC.
  • Low doses of these cannabinoids might give you a mild euphoric feeling, while larger doses are reported to give borderline psychedelic effects.
  • Users have said to feel giggly, relaxed, and euphoric when using this cannabinoid.
  • THC-O is fully hemp-derived, legal at a federal level, and a good alternative to regular THC. However, it can depend on the state’s ruling on isomers and analogs.

 

What is THC-O?

THC-O is one of the newly found hemp-derived cannabinoids. It is classified as a prodrug, meaning it will only work when its metabolized by our system and has highly psychoactive effects.

Much like other hemp-derived cannabinoids, this compound is an analog to delta 9 THC. It has a similar structure and effects to regular THC, except for an oxygen particle added through a chemical process.

THC-O has been increasingly popular as it is described to be about three times the potency of delta 9 THC. While it is fairly new to the market, this cannabinoid has been studied since the 1940s and has been in isolated studies since then.

Because of this, there is not much research about this cannabinoid. Most research on THC-O comes from its original investigation and anecdotal evidence. 

Thanks to its hemp origin, it is fully legal at a federal level thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill. Just make sure your state allows for different cannabinoids to be consumed, as some states have changed their legislation since the delta 8 THC boom.

What Does THC-O Stand For

THC-O stands for THC-O Acetate or also known as ATHC. It is a semi-synthetic compound that derives from extracting delta 9 THC and inducing it through a chemical process. Unlike other major cannabinoids, most hemp plants do not produce THC-O on their own.

Instead, delta 9 THC is converted through specialized chemicals via structural isomerization. This process uses highly dangerous sulfuric acid and acetic anhydride, which are removed in the final product and require heavy laboratory equipment.

This results in THC-O, a cannabinoid with an acetate group that includes an oxygen particle. This oxygen particle is believed to add more potency and affinity to bind to our endocannabinoid system.

Is THC-O the Same Thing as THC?

No. While they share a similar structure, THC-O has an acetate group (two carbons linked by an oxygen atom). This changes THC-O’s effects and structure, which impacts how it interacts with our system.

However, users have said to get pretty similar effects in lower doses. This compound is also fully legal at a federal level, which could provide a solution to some states that have banned THC, even if it’s hemp-derived altogether.

Just make sure your state allows for hemp-derived cannabinoid consumption. While most states allow for hemp-derived cannabinoids, Idaho has a full ban on all (hemp and non-hemp derived) products. 

Other states have disputes about their legal status, like Kentucky or Vermont. Just make sure to double-check before trying any isomer that’s psychoactive.

 

Does THC-O Get You High

Yes, THC-O can definitely get you high. As a psychoactive compound, it interacts and binds with the proteins in our endocannabinoid system. This means that it alters how our nervous system works by relaxing the stress signals.

It is believed that the acetate part of its structure can facilitate binding to the proteins in the endocannabinoid receptors. Or, to put it in simpler words, the oxygen particle might play a role in the potency of this cannabinoid.

Besides, there is insufficient evidence to fully claim that THC-O can get you high or produce therapeutic effects. For now, we have few pharmacological effects from its original study and anecdotal evidence, so we can only speculate about its true potency.

 

What is the THC-O High Like?

Consumers have described the high as mildly sedating and euphoric at small doses. With larger ones, users have felt strong sedative effects that come with a strong borderline psychedelic experience. People who have taken small doses feel even more giggly than usual.

Some users also reported having a spiritual and deeply reflective moment thanks to this borderline psychedelic experience. This has happened with moderate to high doses. However, when taken in larger doses, it may include hallucinogenic effects with heightened emotions.

It is also important to say that in large doses, THC-O is believed to leave you incapacitated for extended periods, both mentally and physically. Some people even say it could have a similar effect to LSD, but this claim is not backed up by any research yet.

THC-O holds lots of potential, as it is one of the only cannabinoids that might produce psychedelic effects and hallucinations. But as many of the newly found cannabinoids in the hemp scene, more research is needed to fully understand the whole picture.

 

Does THC-O Cause A Psychoactive High?

Yes, THC-O can cause a psychoactive high. All kinds of doses will produce a psychoactive high, especially lower ones believed to induce mildly euphoric sensations. Some even compare it to delta 8 THC.

It is important to mention that THC-O is a prodrug. This means it stays inactive until it enters our body, meaning it might take a little longer to take effect compared to other cannabinoids.

This could mean it could take even longer with nonsmoking experiences, like edibles or tinctures. So if you commonly get D8 THC products, you’ll have to wait a little longer for the euphoric and psychedelic experience to kick in. 

And contrary to other products or strains that can be used to feel more energized, we would not recommend using this cannabinoid during working hours or managing. As mentioned above, large doses can produce borderline potential psychedelic experiences, which can be a different experience than just getting high.

 

How Potent is THC-O?

THC-O is believed to be around three times more potent than delta 9 THC. This is because the affinity to the proteins in our endocannabinoid system is three times stronger than regular THC.

However, some users might feel like it’s a similar experience to THC or even get slight psychedelic effects, as we mentioned above. There is also anecdotal evidence that people prefer this cannabinoid if they want to feel cheerful or giggly, as it is one of the reported feelings from users.

Consumers have generally experienced side effects similar to traditional delta 9 THC products, such as fatigue, dizziness, or anxiety. 

That said, there is not much research about this cannabinoid, so we can assume that the effects and side effects are much more likely due to THC-O’s potency. So just a little heads-up, try smaller doses if you don’t have a tolerance to THC.

 

Where to Buy THC-O Near You

Since this cannabinoid is fairly new, we recommend trying delta 9 THC or HHC products. They have similar effects, and more research is available on both, while hemp-derived D9 THC doses can be adjusted.

If you want a non-smoking experience, try edibles like our HHC Gummies or Delta 9 THC Gummies

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On the other hand, the hemp-derived Delta 9 THC Gummies are perfect for microdosing or trying several for larger doses. They come with 10mg of sweet, fully legal, and hemp-derived THC extract.

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