THCp - Guide: Effect & side effect

What exactly is THCP?

Everything you need to know before you try it

You have already heard of THCp and are wondering what exactly it is? This blog will tell you everything you need to know about the new cannabinoid - from its effects to the potential risks.

THCP, also known as tetrahydrocannabiphorol, is one of around 150 phytocannabinoids that occur naturally in the cannabis plant. These phytocannabinoids are similar in effect to the endocannabinoids produced naturally in your body.

The cannabinoid was first identified and isolated in 2019. The researchers gave it the name (-)-trans-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabiphorol (Δ9-THCP) and caused quite a stir. The reason for this is that THCP is the only phytocannabinoid to date that has seven carbon atoms in its side chain. How this affects the effect of THCP and possible side effects is explained below.

Does THCP really come from the hemp plant?

THC-P, also known as d9-THCP, is actually a natural component of some cannabis varieties, but only in very small quantities. This could be the reason why certain types of cannabis produce different effects despite having the same THC content.

If you're wondering whether the THCP you can buy in various stores also comes directly from the cannabis plant, you should be skeptical. The reason for this is that it is found in such tiny amounts in the plant that an enormous number of plants would be needed to extract a small amount of the active ingredient. It is therefore much more likely that commercially available THCP is produced semi-synthetically by chemically modifying CBD or THC in the laboratory. Due to the similarities with THC, it can also be assumed that THCP can be detected in a drug test.

How does THCp work?

Let's dive into the world of THCp and other cannabinoids:

First, let's give you a quick overview of cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system. This will give you a better understanding of what makes it so unique and how it differs from other cannabinoids such as H4CBD and CBG.

Cannabinoids, cannabinoid receptors and binding affinity

You may already know that the effects of THC are mainly mediated by CB1 receptors. If you want to learn more about cannabinoid receptors, check out our article on the endocannabinoid system.

Researchers have discovered that the binding affinity of THC to CB1 receptors increases as its alkyl chain lengthens. This finding was used to develop highly potent substances that mimic the effects of THC and even surpass them many times over.

For a long time, no naturally occurring cannabinoid with a side chain longer than five carbon atoms was known - until tetrahydrocannabiphorol was discovered, which has seven carbon atoms in its side chain!

THCP binding affinity - the impressive effect of THCP

But what does the longer alkyl chain mean for the binding affinity of THC-P? In one study, the binding affinity of (-)-trans-Δ9-THCP (d9 THCP) was compared with that of other cannabinoids. It was found that THC-P is up to ten times more active at CB2 receptors than THC, THCB and THCV. And at the CB1 receptors, which are decisive for the psychoactive effect, THCP:


Such high values have only been achieved with synthetic cannabinoids to date, although these can sometimes have severe side effects.

Side effects and risks of tetrahydrocannabiphorol

At present, studies on the side effects and potential risks of tetrahydrocannabiphorol are still few and far between. Because it binds to the same receptors as THC, it is reasonable to assume that it has similar side effects to THC - only more pronounced and longer lasting!

The side effects can vary depending on the individual, dose and method of consumption. Here are some of the most common side effects:

• Psychoactive effects: Regular weed is known for its psychoactive properties that can produce a "high" feeling, including euphoria, heightened sensory perception and sometimes hallucinations.
• Altered perception: Users may experience an altered perception of time, space and surroundings.
• Memory and cognition: It can cause short-term memory problems and difficulties with complex thought processes.
• Coordination and reaction time: It can impair motor coordination and slow reaction time, which is particularly risky when driving or operating machinery.
• Anxiety and paranoia: In some users, THC can cause feelings of anxiety, agitation or even paranoia, especially at higher doses.
• Dry mouth: Users often report dry mouth after consuming THC-containing products.
• Red eyes: Dilation of the blood vessels can lead to reddened eyes.
• Heart palpitations: THC can cause a short-term increase in heart rate.
• Altered appetite: THC is known to increase appetite, often referred to as "munchies".
• Drowsiness: Some users feel tired or drowsy after consuming THC.

A study with a synthetic cannabinoid (AM2389) gives us additional insight into the potential dangers associated with the use of tetrahydrocannabiphorol .

In this study, the effect of THC was compared with the stronger effect of AM2389. The result was surprising: THC acted as a partial agonist, while AM2389 acted as a full agonist.

What does this mean for you as a user? Partial cannabinoid receptor agonists like THC reach a ceiling in their dose-response relationship. In simple terms, this means that at a certain point you have reached the maximum effect and no further increase is possible. This ceiling effect is not present with full agonists, which means that they have a stronger and longer effect even at lower doses. Of course, this also applies to the potential side effects.

Interestingly, many synthetic cannabinoids previously found in the now banned "legal highs" are also full agonists.

Potential of the new cannabinoid

It sheds a whole new light on our understanding of the mode of action of the cannabinoid THC and its use in medicine as medicinal cannabis. Could it be that THC alone is not responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis flowers and other cannabis products? When using cannabis medicinally, patients often report varying degrees of reactions to different cannabis strains, even when the THC dose remains the same.

It seems necessary to determine other cannabinoids besides THC and CBD in medical cannabis extracts and flowers in order to more reliably treat patients using cannabis. The discovery of tetrahydrocannabiphorol could provide just the impetus needed for this development.

The fact that it is as potent - or even more potent - than THC, even at low doses, could also prove particularly valuable for medical applications.

The bottom line on tetrahydrocannabiphorol

As the new cannbinoid is a natural component of the cannabis plant, there is a possibility that breeders could try to develop new cannabis strains with particularly high THCP levels.

Despite the potential risks and concerns, we share the excitement of the researchers who discovered tetrahydrocannabiphorol and look forward to further discoveries that the world of the cannabis plant has in store for us.

Would you like to try high-quality THC-p products from the best manufacturers in Europe? In our store you will find everything your heart desires, from flowers and vapes to gummy bears, so you can get to grips with the new cannabinoid.