THCP vs THCO: Which Is Stronger?

Nikhil Goswami

THC-O, also called delta-9’s synthetic analog and pro-drug, is not a naturally occurring cannabinoid. Instead, it is synthetic. Like all synthetic cannabinoids, it is made in a lab from delta 9, also called tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA). When you take a lot of THC-O, you get a strong high that makes you feel happy and hallucinate.

But THCP is a cannabinoid found naturally in some strains of cannabis, most notably FM2. The high from THC-P is stronger than from THC-O and other THC isomers because it has a seven-link alkyl side chain. THCP does not make people feel high like its cousin THC-O does.

THC-O and THCP can make you very high if you take them alone or together. People who aren’t used to cannabis or highs shouldn’t use them. If you want something safer and more fun to do, go with delta 8.

What is THC-O?

THC-O is the name for the ester form of THC. THCO is the name for THC that changes at a molecular level by adding acetic anhydride and sulfuric acid. THCO Acetate (ATHC) and THC-O are two other names for THCO that people often use. THC-O is just delta-9 or delta-8 with a few changes.

People tried to make THC-O for the first time between 1955 and 1975. There are rumors that the United States Army Chemical Corps did a series of questionable, top-secret medical tests on THC-O. However, this is not confirmed.

THC-O has a similar structure to THC; both are changed into THC-COOH, which can be detected. Both THC-O and delta-9 share a lot of the same molecules. “Analogs” are groups of chemicals that are similar but not the same. They always have something unique about them that makes them stand out.

THC-O works so well because of the way its molecules are put together. The THC-O version has an acetate molecule, but the delta-9 version does not. It’s important to remember that, generally, THC-O can’t be made anywhere but in a lab.

What is THCP?

THCP is another THC analog. The natural cannabinoid THCP is found in cannabis plants but in lower concentrations than THC. THCP is different from THC only because it has one extra pair of carbon atoms in its chemical structure. This very useful cannabinoid just made its way into the cannabis industry.

For example, THC has an alkyl side chain with five carbons, whereas THCP has an alkyl side chain with seven carbons. What does it imply? This is another way to say that THCP is stronger than conventional THC. Theoretically, a small dose could give the same euphoric effects as stronger stimulants.

Italian researchers from UNIHEMP found it for the first time in 2019 when they isolated it in trace amounts occurring naturally in Cannabis sativa. However, we have reason to think that this cannabinoid has been around for a long time. Also, many people say that this is why some CBD strains are much more psychoactive than others, even though they all have the same amount of THC or less.

The discovery of THCP in the UNIHEMP trial was a total accident. When scientists looked at the chemicals in the FM2 strain for the first time, they found THCP and CBDP. Studies show that CDBP doesn’t interact with the endocannabinoid system very much. So, it’s not a top priority to look into it.

Researchers are especially interested in THCP because they think it has 30 times more binding power than THC. So, THCP can be ten times more powerful than THC.

How Potent is THCP?

The empirical and experimental data for THCP shows that it is much more potent than its shorter homolog, THC. The extent to which this potency is emphasized in various claims may vary widely. Experimental research suggests that delta-9 THC-P binds to the endocannabinoid receptor CB1 at around 33 times the strength of delta-9 THC. Some have incorrectly said that this means THCP is 33 times as potent as THC. For a complete guide on THCP, you can go through about what is THCP?

Empirical evidence suggests that THCP is more potent than THC, but only under particular contexts. For instance, THCP was usually diluted to 20% or less. Most consumers claim that even at this low concentration, it is more potent than delta-9 THC. The effects often last 12 to 24 hours, much longer than THC’s effects. Compared to THC, THCP’s effects last far longer and are much more potent. There have been no reports of psychedelic effects, and it is not 33 times as strong as THC. However, it is the undisputed cannabinoid king because it only needs a small dose and lasts a long time. You can also look for delta-9 vs delta-10 THC, for more information.

THCP is more psychoactive than THC-O because its alkyl side chain is longer. THCP has seven links, while THC-O only has five. The alkyl side chain, sometimes called the “backbone” or “main chain,” determines how a cannabinoid interacts with your body’s receptors, especially your cannabinoid receptors.

For a cannabinoid to affect your cannabinoid and endocannabinoid receptors, its side chain must have at least three carbon atoms. Since the amount of carbon atoms in a molecule determines how well it works on your cannabinoid receptors, THCP is the most powerful natural form of THC in cannabis.

The Major Differences Between THCP and THC-O

Tetrahydrocannabinol is the group name for both THC-O and THCP. This group includes delta-8, delta-10, THCV, and HHC. The molecular structure of these two natural cannabinoids is similar to delta-9 THC, but there are a few key differences. These two hemp-derived cannabinoids are THC analogs. Because of these differences, how they work inside the body is also different.

THC-O is a cannabinoid that occurs partially in nature, although not in high doses. It’s a prodrug, which means it’s not fully active until the body fully breaks it down. On the other hand, THCP is a cannabinoid found naturally in cannabis plants and works in the environment before it gets into the body.

The effectiveness of THCP is higher than that of THC-O. THCP is about ten times stronger than delta-9 than THC-O (THC). On the other hand, THC-O has a two to three-times stronger effect than THC.

High doses of THC-O can make you feel hallucinogenic and psychedelic, which shows up as distorted vision and a heightened emotional state. Still, no one knows what causes these side effects.

THC-O and THCP are not for people who are new to cannabinoids. When used together, the combined euphoria of these intoxicating cannabinoids may be so potent and overwhelming. Some side effects that could happen are anxiety, panic attacks, and other unpleasant feelings. It would be best if you used either delta-8 or delta-9.

The benefits of THC-O and THCP are about the same. At lower doses, they might make you feel calmer and less stressed. They might also help with inflammation, pain, and inability to sleep. When you take more, your anxiety and tension may get worse.

The Discovery of THCP and THC-O

Scientists found THCP and THC-O in almost 70 years. During the Edgewood Arsenal Experiments, which took place from 1949 to 1975, the US Army was the first to look into THC-O. Like delta 9, it caused dogs to become very unsteady. Ataxia is a condition in which the brain and nervous system don’t work well together to control how muscles move.

However, the story of THCP’s discovery is very different. In 2019, the Italian military discovered THCP in its FM2 strain of cannabis. For a detailed look at the plant parts, the researchers used cutting-edge techniques like mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography. They also discovered CBDP, which is a type of CBD.

THC-O and THCP: How They Work

The endocannabinoid system is a complex biological network that controls basic functions like sleep, mood, hunger, and body temperature. Both THC-O and THCP interact with this system.

Cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptors are all over the brain and central nervous system, so THC-O and THCP can easily attach to them. Researchers have found that THC-O and THCP can help patients in many ways. Targeting the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) makes you feel good and helps alleviate pain, anti-inflammation, remedies insomnia, and physical and mental tranquillity.

When Will I Feel The Effects Of The THCP?

When you consume THCP in the form of gummies or tinctures, the effects don’t start to show until about an hour later. The effects build up and reach their peak in the third hour. These effects reach their peak in about two hours, and then they go away slowly. The event will last between four and six hours.

Inhaled THCP binds to the receptors much faster. So, if you inhale THCP, like through vapes, THCP flower, or other THCP products, you may feel its effects much sooner, usually within 15 minutes. After being at its best for the first hour, the experience worsens around the two-hour mark. When you inhale THCP, you can expect to feel its effects for three to five hours.

How Much THCP Should I Take?

So far, there are no rules about how much THCP to take. There isn’t enough information from scientific studies or anecdotal evidence from people who have used this substance to suggest effective doses.

Many users say it is five to ten times as strong as delta-9 THC. This lets us roughly figure out a safe and effective range of doses. About 5 milligrams of delta-9 THC is enough to start feeling its effects. Most of the time, between 10 and 40 milligrams of THC is sufficient to get high. So, the right amount of THCP could be anywhere from 1 – 4 milligrams. Patients gradually increase their dose as needed starting anywhere from 1 – 4 milligrams.

Because this drug is so strong, it’s easy to take too much of it. A change of just one milligram in the dose could be enough to kill. Even though THCP doesn’t pose any immediate health risks, using it too much can cause unpleasant side effects like being unable to move, feeling anxious, getting dizzy, and feeling sick.

Is THCP Legal?

Let’s say you want to know if THCP is legal in your area or not. Kudos for being careful. Even though THCP isn’t on the list of illegal drugs, that doesn’t make it okay.

The United States and the United Kingdom are just two of many countries whose laws say that legal alternatives to illegal drugs are the same as the illegal ones. Consequently, THCP is likely to be illegal at the federal level in the United States, just like other drugs similar to THC.

Several countries in the European Union (EU) have laws that are very similar to each other. But there is a movement in several EU countries to make THC legal. On the other hand, North America is far ahead of it.

Canada is an exception because they don’t have the same laws against drugs. But there is still a big problem: finding THCP providers all over the country. But that could change in the coming years.

Final Thoughts: Which Is The Best Cannabinoid?

Even though THCP and THCO are both types of THC, they do not mean the same thing. THCP is the best cannabinoid, and THCO is a very helpful form of THC. THCP is a molecular structure with a seven-carbon chain tail. THCO involves adding acetate to the chemical structure of THC, which can be done to almost any cannabinoid, including THCP. Even though there are a lot of exaggerated claims about how strong the effects of these two chemicals are, there is no doubt that they are more potent than THC.

Based on the facts, the most noticeable difference seems to be the length of time. Users say that THCP’s effects can sometimes last up to 24 hours, while THCO’s effects can sometimes last up to 3 hours. We hope you’ll have a better idea of what these terms mean when you decide whether to buy THCP or THCO the next time you purchase cannabis.

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