What Is THCP? What are the effects of THCP? Is it really 30 times stronger than Delta 9 THC?

What is THCP?

Tetrahydracannabiphorol - At least 30 times the affinity for CB1 and CB2 receptors, which makes this cannabinoid highly effective!

Why Is THCP Exciting?
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The issue with most minor cannabinoids is one of the main reasons why the scientific community and industry at large are so excited about THCp. Through the discovery, extraction, and experimentation with THCp, the team of scientists showed that THCp may mimic the effects of THC, but at a much more effective rate. They theorize that the presence of THCp in cannabis may also help explain why different strains of marijuana produce such different types of “highs.”


How Was THCP Discovered
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While analyzing a medicinal cannabis strain known as FM2 provided by the Military Chemical Pharmaceutical Institute in Florence, the Italian scientists accidentally discovered CBDp and THCp. THCp is homologous to THC, meaning it shares a similar molecular structure and function, but it differs slightly by a fixed group of atoms.

Before the recent discovery, THC contained the longest known alkyl side chain, which consisted of five atoms. But THCp contains a seven-atom side chain. According to the report, the length of a cannabinoid’s alkyl side chain of atoms may directly influence its biological activity in the human body. So, in terms of human health, what could that mean for THCp’s greater potential to heal?

First, let’s review how cannabinoids such as THC and THCp work within the body.


How Does THCP Work With The Endocannabinoid System?
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Like THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids, THCp exerts therapeutic effects through interaction with chemical receptors in nearly every system of the body. The two primary chemical receptors are called CB1 and CB2, which make up what is known as the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system is involved in regulating a wide range of our body’s functions required for optimal balance and health.

CB1 receptors are found throughout the body but are concentrated in the brain and nervous system, while CB2 receptors are more prevalent in the immune system. When they communicate with chemical signals known as cannabinoids, they help regulate a variety of functions including pain, appetite, hormones, inflammation, and blood pressure. This process is what defines cannabinoids’ powers to promote healing.


THCP v.s. Delta 9 THC In The Body
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THC, with its five-atom side chain, has one of the strongest binding affinities to CB1 receptors. This helps explain its psychoactive effects. THC’s binding affinity also explains its unmatched ability to reduce nausea, promote pain relief, and support better sleep.

When scientists discovered the seven-atom side-chain chemical known as THCp, they theorized it may have an even higher binding affinity for CB1 receptors. They also wondered if it could be even more potent than THC in terms of psychotropic and medicinal effects. In order to investigate, they conducted in vitro tests on mice.


Is THCP Stronger Than Delta 9 THC?
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As a result of the in vitro tests, the team of researchers found that THCp binds easily to both human CB1 and CB2 receptors. In particular, THCp was 33 times more active than THC against the CB1 receptor and up to 10 times more active against the CB2 receptor compared to THC.

Scientists also found that THCp was as active as THC, but at lower doses. For example, 10 mg/kg of THC produced the same effects as 5 mg/kg of THCp in three of the four tests they conducted.

But the next question is, how much THCp is needed in order to produce noticeable therapeutic and psychoactive effects? And do cannabis strains contain enough of this minor cannabinoid to make a difference?

How Much THCP is Present In Cannabis?
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In short, scientists don’t really have the answer—yet. In their analysis of the FM2 military strain, scientists found merely trace levels of THCp and CBDp compared to THC and CBD. That said, the report indicated that “it is reasonable to suppose that other cannabis varieties may contain even higher percentages.” However, up until now, no one has looked.

But even if the search for naturally occurring strains with high-THCp levels falls short, science may have a solution. Through agricultural genetics research, it is theoretically possible to produce cannabis varieties with high content of this powerful cannabinoid in the future.