THCP vs THC: What’s the Difference Between THC and THCP?
You’re probably plenty familiar with THC, but what about THCP? We’ll compare THCP vs THC below to help you understand the similarities, the differences, and most importantly, which is right for you.
The long and short of it is that THCP is much stronger than good ol’ delta 9 THC (which, whether it comes from hemp or marijuana, is the “real deal” form of THC). It’s synthesized from other cannabinoids since THCP occurs in such trace amounts in cannabis. And because of that, it sits in this sort of legal gray area. That’s why you may not find many THCP products around.
The good news is you have no shortage of delta 9 gummies to choose from, though! Our gummies here at Snoozy are made for specific moments, from sleep to stress, energy, and even intimacy. Learn more about the difference between THC and THCP below, or order now.
THCP vs THC (Fast Facts)
|
|
THC (Delta-9) |
THCP |
|
Full Name |
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol |
Tetrahydrocannabiphorol |
|
Alkyl Side Chain |
5 carbons |
7 carbons |
|
Strength |
Baseline |
33x stronger |
|
Typical Dose (Gummies) |
5-25mg |
1-5mg |
|
Natural Occurrence |
Primary cannabinoid |
Trace amounts (<0.1%) |
|
Federal Legal Status |
Legal if hemp-derived |
Unscheduled, gray area |
|
Drug Test |
Triggers positive |
Triggers positive |
Some Background on THC
There are two cannabinoids pretty much everyone knows about - CBD and THC. But what most people don’t realize is just how many different types of THC there are, and how much this cannabinoid is capable of. It’s not just for getting high.
Let’s cover some quick background on THC before diving into our THCP vs THC comparison.
Hemp vs Marijuana
Whether it comes from hemp or marijuana, THC is THC. The only real difference is how the product is looked at in the eyes of the law.
Hemp-derived THC products are now legal on a federal level, all thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill. The product just has to contain less than 0.3% THC by dry weight, but the law doesn’t say anything about how much THC the gummies can actually contain. That’s how you’re able to buy THC gummies online right here at Snoozy and get them shipped to your door.
On the other hand, marijuana-derived THC products are illegal on a federal level. Most states have come up with some sort of adult-use program by now (medical, recreational, or both). But marijuana is heavily regulated, so you have to buy products from a dispensary. They’re taxed like crazy.
That’s why even if you have access to a dispensary in your city, you may prefer to buy THC gummies online instead. More affordable and convenient with zero compromise on the experience.
Delta 8 vs Delta 9 THC
Delta 9 THC is the “real deal” form of THC everyone knows about. This is what you associate with that unmistakable euphoric high from cannabis. It’s one of the most studied cannabinoids in the world, second only to maybe CBD.
But then there’s delta 8 THC - a milder version of delta 9 THC. It’s popular with people who find that delta 9 can be a little too intense. However, delta 8 is only found in really trace amounts, so it has to be synthesized from another cannabinoid.
You can learn more about delta 8 vs delta 9 for sleep in our blog. Just know we’re referring to delta 9 specifically for the remainder of this THCP vs THC comparison.
How Does THC Affect You?
THC locks onto receptors in your body and brain, known as CB1 receptors. They’re a part of your endocannabinoid system (ECS), and this is how THC produces that classic high.
How it feels all depends on the dose and what other cannabinoids are in the mix, though. It can lean toward relaxation or full-on euphoria. Lower doses feel chill, while higher doses can definitely tip into anxiousness if you’re not careful.
But THC also has real therapeutic potential. Whether you’re struggling with aches and pains, stress, sleeplessness, or poor appetite, you should consider trying THC!
Ways to Enjoy THC
You know you can smoke weed to tap into all that THC has to offer. You might even be familiar with the idea of vaping or dabbing. But edibles - and more specifically, gummies - are the way to go. Precise dosing, discreet usage, and zero impact on your lungs. Plus, effects can last 4-8 hours! This is perfect for sustained relief.
Our THC gummies for sleep pair THC with CBD and CBN for deep rest without morning grogginess. But we also make some amazing THC gummies for energy which combine THC with CBG to take the edge off while still empowering you to get stuff done. Our THC gummies for stress mellow you out through a combo of THC, CBD, L-theanine, and ashwagandha.
There’s something for everyone at Snoozy. But you came here curious about the difference between THC and THCP, so let’s look at the other half of the coin.
What is THCP?
THCP shares quite a few similarities with THC. Pretty much the same basic molecular skeleton, with one little nuance that changes everything - a longer alkyl side chain. This completely transforms the way THCP feels compared to regular THC.
Where Was it First Discovered?
We have to admit, we don’t know a ton about THCP. This rare cannabinoid was just discovered back in 2019 by Italian researchers at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia.
They used advanced mass spectrometry on a cannabis strain called FM2 to isolate the compound. Then, they tested it head-to-head against delta 9 THC to see how it bound to receptors. The results were jaw-dropping - THCP has 33x the binding affinity of THC!
Does that mean THCP is 33 times stronger than THC? Not necessarily. We’ll talk more about intensity when we compare THCP vs THC side-by-side below.
Is THCP a Naturally-Occurring Cannabinoid?
Technically, you could be consuming THCP anytime you smoke raw flower. It’s a naturally occurring cannabinoid in both hemp and marijuana. The problem is, it occurs in too trace of amounts to really notice it. It’s also not concentrated enough for companies to extract it directly.
That’s why most THCP on the market is created using a semi-synthetic conversion process. It usually involves taking CBD and turning it into THCP. This “man-made” element of THCP production has certainly raised eyebrows, as it introduces a lot of extra variables that aren’t there with delta 9 THC, CBD, and other more abundant cannabinoids.
What is the Difference Between THC and THCP?
The biggest differences between THC and THCP are:
- How they get from the plant into your hands
- How strong they bind to your receptors
- How easy they are to find in legal, lab-tested products
Chemically speaking, THC has a five-carbon alkyl side chain while THCP has a seven-carbon alkyl side chain. Those two extra carbons make a world of difference in how the two cannabinoids interact with your ECS.
Is THCP Stronger Than THC?
This is the question everyone asks us about THCP vs THC. Which hits harder? THCP, without question. That 33x stronger binding affinity is well-documented.
But like we said earlier, it’s not going to get you 33x higher than delta 9 THC. Binding affinity doesn’t directly correlate to how the high feels. We’ve found that someone who needs a 10mg delta 9 THC gummy might only need 2.5-5mg of THCP.
This is to say that THCP is definitely not for beginners. Even regular THC can be overwhelming if you get the delta 9 dosage wrong. It’s so important to start low and slow. We’ll share more dosage guidelines for delta 9 THC and THCP later on.
Comparing Onset and Duration
We’ve seen a lot of misconceptions about the difference between THC and THCP from an onset and duration perspective. For all intents and purposes, there is no difference here. What matters more is how you consume the cannabinoid: orally or by inhaling it.
Inhaled cannabis can be felt within minutes, but it fades pretty quickly as well - usually in less than 2 hours. On the other hand, edibles take anywhere from 45-60 minutes to really start working, but the payoff is effects that last between 4-8 hours.
There is a caveat here, though. A lot of gummies these days are specially crafted to kick in faster. For example, our edibles here at Snoozy are made with nano-emulsified cannabinoids so you’ll feel something in as little as 15-20 minutes!
Accessibility and Cost
This is one of the bigger distinctions between THCP vs THC that you need to know about. It’s way easier to find high-quality delta 9 THC products than it is THCP products. Mostly because of how rare THCP is in cannabis. This makes it more work (and more expensive) to produce, since the brand has to first extract CBD and then convert it into THCP.
In contrast, THC products are just a few clicks away at Snoozy and at countless other online retailers. You can probably even find THC products locally since most states have legalized marijuana in some way or another.
But with how discreet and convenient it is to buy edibles online these days, there’s no need to go wait in line at a dispensary and pay all the extra taxes. Order at Snoozy today!
Legal Side of Things
The legal landscape is a bit tricky as it pertains to THCP. Gummies and other edibles that have THCP can technically be hemp-derived and contain less than 0.3% THC by dry weight, so they check the Farm Bill box.
The issue is some states have made their own rules banning synthetically manufactured cannabis products, which is ultimately what THCP is. Same for delta 8 THC. These types of cannabis products live in a more legal gray area.
Meanwhile, delta 9 THC products are pretty straightforward. As long as they’re made from hemp and lab-tested to confirm they have less than 0.3% THC by dry weight, you have nothing to worry about. You can get THC gummies shipped to your door, right now, right here at Snoozy.
Possible Side Effects
There are some similar side effects when comparing THCP vs THC. Both can get you high, which means you should prepare for an altered sense of perception and impaired motor skills. Probably not really a “side effect” as much as it is a benefit, though.
But it can quickly become uncomfortable if you overshoot your comfort zone, and as you can imagine, this is much more likely with THCP given its stronger binding affinity. Getting too high (or greening out as it’s often called) can lead to paranoia and anxiety.
It’s not dangerous, and it’s totally temporary. But it’s very uncomfortable, and it can feel as if time drags on forever while you’re stuck feeling that way. Other possible side effects are
- Dry mouth
- Red eyes
- Grogginess
Whether you go with THCP vs THC, you can avoid side effects with smart dosage.
Guidelines For Dosing THCP vs THC
THC dosing is super simple. Start with 2-2.5mg of THC if you’ve never used cannabis before. You might not even feel anything from this dose, and that’s fine. You’re just trying to work your way up slowly to find the sweet spot where you feel effects without overshooting your comfort zone. A lot of people settle in the 5-10mg of THC range.
Things are a little trickier with THCP since the margin for error is lower. The difference between 2.5mg of THCP and 5mg of THCP can be dramatic. That’s why we honestly don’t recommend THCP for beginners. Only for very experienced users.
The Bottom Line on THCP vs THC
There you have it, everything you need to know about THCP vs THC. This lesser-known cannabinoid has a much stronger binding affinity, so it’s not for the faint of heart. THC is the more predictable, easily available cannabinoid on the market. It’s what we specialize in.
Whether you’re looking for the best sleeping gummies or something to take the edge off without derailing your day, take a look at what’s in store for you at Snoozy!
Frequently asked questions
What is THCP?
It’s a rare cannabinoid that shares THC’s basic structure but with a subtle difference that leads to up to 33x more binding affinity for CB1 receptors in the brain.
Does THCP actually get you high?
Big time! It’s said to get you much higher than delta 9 THC, so definitely approach it with caution for your very first time - or avoid it altogether if you’re new to cannabis.
Does THCP occur naturally in cannabis?
Yes, but not in very high amounts. Most THCP products are made through a conversion process, where CBD is transformed into THCP.
How much stronger is THCP than THC?
That 33x stronger binding affinity doesn’t translate to 33x stronger effects. We typically see people say they need half (or even less) the THCP dose relative to their usual delta 9 dose, though.
Does THCP take longer to kick in?
No - onset is no different in looking at THCP vs THC. This is influenced by the consumption method more than anything else. Smoking is felt right away; edibles take 45-60 minutes (unless they use nano-emulsified cannabinoids like we do at Snoozy - ours only need 20ish minutes).
How long do you stay high on THCP?
Again, it depends on the consumption method. Only a few hours with inhaled cannabis; 4-8 hours with edibles.
Is THCP legal to buy online like THC?
Yes, at the federal level that is. But some states have restricted THCP since it’s technically man-made and has a few more question marks than standard delta 9 THC.
Does THCP show up on a drug test?
It’s very likely. We don’t have a ton of information on this since THCP is so new, though. It’s better to be safe than sorry and assume THCP metabolizes similarly to THC, and will linger in the body for around as long (if not longer).
