A hydrogenated form of THC, HHC stands for hexahydrocannabinol. It’s naturally found in cannabis varieties. The chemical hydrogenation of THC into HHC also makes it semi-synthetic. According to some estimates, it’s roughly 70-80% as strong as THC, making it more potent than delta-8 and delta-10. A mild-to-moderate dose of HHC induces a euphoric high like THC but with relaxed, sedative effects similar to delta-8.

There’s a question about HHC’s federal legality, and it’s unknown how safe it is. HHC products are currently available in the United States from a few CBD companies.

HHC Causes a High, but How Strong Is It?

The high from HHC is similar to THC but with the sedating and relaxing properties of delta-8 (and maybe delta-10). 

HHC’s alkyl side chain has more carbons than THC or delta-8, which is why it’s similar to both. There’s a good binding efficiency between the three cannabinoids because all have five-carbon side chains. 

A mild-to-moderate dose of HHC will probably make you feel euphoric, dizzy, and impaired cognitively. The effects aren’t overwhelming, though. 

HHC is approximately 70%-80% stronger than THC, so high doses might give you a euphoric high that’s sometimes uncomfortable. 

HHC Benefits: What Are They?

HHC has largely unknown benefits. Early preclinical studies suggest HHC has pain-relieving and cancer-fighting properties, but little research exists on how it can help you. 

Since HHC and THC have similar molecular structures and affinity for cannabinoid receptors, we can argue that the benefits of HHC and THC are mostly the same. There are a lot of benefits, like:

• Induce feelings of euphoria
• Alter your visual and auditory perception
• Boost appetite, and temporarily increase heart rate.
• Feeling good

How safe is HHC?

Research on HHC’s safety profile is nonexistent, and HHC’s safety is unknown. HHC or its products haven’t caused any adverse effects, overdoses, or deaths. 

HHC Side Effects

We don’t know much about HHC’s long-term and short-term side effects. The use of HHC and its products hasn’t been associated with severe or life-threatening side effects. 

HHC has similar effects to THC, so we assume the side effects will be the same. You might get these side effects from HHC:

• Feeling anxious
• Feeling paranoid
• Insomnia and sleep disturbances
• Lowers blood pressure
• Heart rate is fast
• Appetite increase
• Eyes red
• Mouth feeling dry
• Feeling nauseated

HHC is promising, but its safety isn’t known

Chemically hydrogenated HHC (hexahydrocannabinol) is used in all HHC products. Cannabis semi-synthetics aren’t dangerous per se, but how they’re made can be. Poor production or hydrogenation techniques might lead to more contaminants or impurities in your HHC product. It’s best to buy from credible and legitimate vendors and test their products third-party.