THCp - Guide: effects & 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? In this blog, you can find out everything about the new cannabinoid - from the 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 effects to the endocannabinoids produced naturally in your body.

The cannabinoid was identified and isolated for the first time 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 effects 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 indeed 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 that you can buy in various shops also comes directly from the cannabis plant, you should be sceptical. 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 the commercially available THCP is produced semi-synthetically by CBD or THC can be chemically modified 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:

Firstly, we'll give you a quick overview of cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system. This will help you better understand 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 from THC is 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 capacity of THC to CB1 receptors is increased by lengthening its alkyl chain. This finding was used to develop highly potent substances that mimic the effects of THC and even surpass it many times over.

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

THCP binding affinity - the impressive effects 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 is. And at the CB1 receptors, which are crucial for the psychoactive effects, THCP is:


Such high levels have so far only been achieved with synthetic cannabinoids, some of which can have severe side effects.

Side effects and risks of tetrahydrocannabiphorol

Studies on the side effects and potential risks of Tetrahydrocannabiphorol is still rare. Because it binds to the same receptors as THC, it can be assumed that it has similar side effects to THC - only more pronounced and longer lasting!

Side effects can vary depending on the individual, dose and method of use. 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 can 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 down reaction time, which is particularly risky when driving or operating machinery.
• Anxiety and paranoia: In some users, THC can cause feelings of anxiety, restlessness or even paranoia, especially at higher doses.
• Dry mouth: Users often report dry mouth after consuming products containing THC.
• Red eyes: Dilation of the blood vessels can lead to reddened eyes.
• Palpitations: THC can cause a short-term increase in heart rate.
• Altered appetite: THC is known to increase appetite, often referred to as "munchies".
• Fatigue: Some users feel tired or sleepy after consuming THC.

A study with a synthetic cannabinoid (AM2389) gives us additional insights into the potential dangers associated with the use of Tetrahydrocannabiphorol could go hand in hand.

In the aforementioned study, the effects of THC was compared with the stronger effects 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 such as THC reach an upper limit in their dose-effect relationship. In simple terms, this means that at a certain point you have reached the maximum effects 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 medicinal cannabis extracts and Flowers in order to be able to treat patients who use cannabis more reliably. The discovery of Tetrahydrocannabiphorol could provide exactly the necessary impetus for this development.

The fact that it is as effective - or even more effective - than THC, even in small doses, could also prove to be particularly valuable for medical applications.

The conclusion to Tetrahydrocannabiphorol

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

Despite the potential risks and concerns, we share the enthusiasm of the researchers who Tetrahydrocannabiphorol]] and are looking 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 shop you will find from Flowers via Vapes up to Gummiebärchen everything your heart desires and you can get to grips with the new cannabinoid.