Delta 9 THC was the first compound to be used in cannabis products, followed by delta 8 THC. If that wasn't enough, we now have delta 10 THC. There are so many different types of THC floating around that it's difficult to imagine there'll be another one popping up out of nowhere: THC-O. Short for THC-O Acetate
THC-O is a less common variant of THC that occurs through the formation of THC-O Acetate, which is a cannabinoid that differs significantly from the other three mentioned above in terms of its structure and effects. In this blog post, we'll be discussing what THC-O is, how it's different from other THCs, and how safe it is?
Table of Contents
- A brief history of THC-O
- What is THC-O?
- Does THC-O get you high? THC-O Effects
- How long does it take to kick in?
- Extraction process
- Is THC-O safe?
- Is THC-O Legal?
- Conclusion
A brief history of THC-O
THC-O-Acetate is a cannabinoid that has been around for several decades but is new to most of us. In the 1950s, it was used in an experiment by the US military to see if it could be utilized as a weapon against enemy soldiers. It was tested on dogs and found to greatly impair their muscular function, and was found to be much more potent than typical Delta-9 THC.
What is THC-O?
THC-O-Acetate is a manmade cannabinoid, which means it cannot be extracted from the cannabis plant as can pure Delta-8 or Delta-9 THC.
It must be created through a specific procedure. Acetic anhydride, a highly flammable and corrosive liquid, is used in this method.
(More on the extraction process in the sections to follow)
It's supposed to be three times more powerful than delta-9 THC and five times more powerful than delta-8 THC.
The most common question people ask is whether or not it gets you high.
And you will be surprised to know that Yes it does!
Let's dive right into it.
Does THC-O get you high? THC-O Effects
What does THC-O feel like?
THC-O, as the name implies, is psychoactive. All THC compounds are psychoactive, of course. While Delta-8 and Delta-10 are not particularly powerful in terms of potency, THC-O is anything but mild. This cannabinoid's strength is about three times as psychoactive as Delta-9 THC.
Can you believe 300% more potent? That's a pretty big difference. The effects of THC-O are also different from those of other THCs. Unlike Delta-THCs, which tend to produce more of a "body high," THC-O produces more of a cerebral high.
THC-O in moderate doses produces a euphoric high comparable to that of delta-9 but with distinct hallucinogenic and psychedelic effects.
According to users, a small amount of THC-O is rumored to give users a slightly euphoric feeling, much like delta-8 THC would.
It's believed that consuming a moderate amount of THC-O will cause more psychedelic and intense trips.
And beware, THC-O is a behemoth, and if you take too much of it, it can overpower your body and mind, leaving you physically and intellectually incapacitated for lengthy periods.
How long does it take to kick in?
When you consume THC-O products, it takes longer for your body to feel the effects than it does with Delta-9. With Delta-9, you can start feeling the effects within 20 to 30 minutes after oral consumption, but THC-O can take up to an hour or more. Inhalation of Delta-8 THC products has almost immediate results while inhalation of THC-O could take up to twenty minutes.
Extraction process
So, as we mentioned above, although THC-O is a cannabinoid, it is not naturally occurring in the cannabis plant.
There are various extraction processes involved in producing THC-O.
To obtain Delta-8 THC, Hemp plants with less than 0.3% Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are first used to extract Cannabidiol (CBD). Following that, Delta-8 THC is then extracted from the CBD..
Last, acetic anhydride is added to the Delta-8 THC molecules as a solvent. This process eliminates all terpenes and flavonoids from the final product, resulting in a flavorless and odorless thick THC-O isolate.
Because THC-O is still relatively new, we don't have a lot of information about it at this point. Unfortunately, the majority of what we know about THC-O is anecdotal and lacks evidence.
Experts agree that this procedure is only safe when done under strict laboratory conditions, as volatile, flammable, and combustible chemicals are required to create THC-O. They advise consumers against manufacturing it at home.
Is THC-O safe?
The three most important factors to consider when it comes to THC-O safety are: firstly THC-O is still relatively new, we don't have a good understanding of its short and long-term effects on the body; secondly because quality can vary significantly from batch to batch, and thirdly, there are some hazardous processes involved in making THC-O which makes it dangerous to produce on your own.
Delta 9-THC has a long history of research and study. We have a tremendous knowledge of how THC affects the body in both the short and long term.
THC-O is a newer formulation, and our knowledge of it is still growing. This implies that there might be additional threats associated with THC-O usage when compared to Delta 8 or Delta 9-THC.
This implies you'll need to conduct extensive research on the THC-O provider you're considering. You want to be sure they're delivering a clean product that hasn't been tainted with remnants from the manufacturing process.
Looking for a safe and reliable way to get your THC-O fix?
Look no further than Delta 8 Emporium. Our products are lab tested and approved, so you can be sure you're getting a high-quality product.
Plus, we have a wide range of products to choose from, so you're sure to find something that fits your needs. So why wait? Check out our collection of THC-O products today
Is THC-O Legal?
Now, this is one question no one is sure about.
The 2018 Farm Bill federally legalized all derivatives, isomers, analogs, and cannabinoids in hemp plants with a THC concentration of 0.3% or less.
However, this does not include THC-O, as it is not a naturally occurring cannabinoid in the hemp plant.
Because the cannabinoid was produced from a process of extraction that began with lawfully grown hemp plants, producers of THC-O-Acetate products argue they are protected under the 2018 farm bill, which legalized hemp nationwide.
More research is required on this topic, but as of now, the legality of THC-O is still murky.
Conclusion
So what does all of this mean for THC-O? Well, it’s still relatively new on the market so the jury is still out as to whether or not it will be accepted by consumers and become a mainstream product.
It seems that THC-O may have a slightly different effect than regular THC, which could make it more appealing to some users. However, because its legal status is in such a gray area, there are no definitive answers yet.
What do you think about THC-O? Comment below and let us know your thoughts!