March 5, 2022

Jen Hight

Cannabis

CBD vs. HHC

The statements on this blog are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated any statements contained within the blog. ATLRx does not in any way guarantee or warrant the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any message. The information contained within this blog is for general informational purposes only.

Table of contents:

• Key Takeaways
• What is CBD?
• So what is CBD exactly?
• What is HHC? 
• What is the difference between CBD and HHC? 

Key Takeaways

• CBD is a non-psychoactive compound primarily derived from hemp, distinct from THC, and is popular for those new to cannabinoids. ATLRx offers a variety of full-spectrum CBD products that include additional cannabinoids, possibly affecting drug tests.
• HHC, a hydrogenated cannabinoid synthesized for enhanced stability and shelf life, resembles THC structurally but is modified to create more robust chemical properties. It’s primarily used in products like vapes, gummies, and seltzers.
• The blog differentiates between CBD and HHC in terms of origin, psychoactive potential, and product use. While CBD is derived and enhanced through solvent processing, HHC undergoes a chemical process to modify its structure for different effects.
• Despite the potential for both CBD and HHC to show up on drug tests, their chemical structures offer distinct user experiences—CBD for its potential calming effects without high, and HHC for a possibly indestructible, long-lasting component, commonly found in vapes and other products.

What is CBD?

CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that has seen tremendous growth over the last decade. But it wasn’t a quick jump into the market due to a misunderstanding of CBD. It’s been lumped into the same category as marijuana simply because it’s a hemp plant, and so is marijuana. We often have a first-time guest at ATLRx who wants to learn more about cannabinoids. Thankfully, others like them decide to give CBD the time of day. Those who give it the time of day often become huge CBD advocates.

So what is CBD exactly?

CBD is found in cannabis plants such as hemp and marijuana; between the two cannabis species, more CBD is readily available inside hemp. Hemp-derived simply means that it’s available within the hemp plant naturally; it doesn’t bring the quantity into the equation. As far as hemp-derived products go when pertaining to the federal farm bill, there needs to be 0.3% or less of Delta-9 THC in the hemp-derived product and Delta-9 is the psychoactive chemical compound found in marijuana. It should be known that there are three types of CBD products. You have an isolate, which has only one cannabinoid in it. You have broad spectrum which usually has all of the cannabinoids besides Delta-9 THC. Lastly, you have full-spectrum which includes all of the natural cannabinoids including THC. ATLRx has full-spectrum products, and yes, those extra cannabinoids can make you fail a drug-test that tests for THC.

What is HHC? 

HHC or is Hexahydrocannabinol, is a hydrogenated cannabinoid that can be found in hemp. HHC is a form of hydrogenated THC, making it an isomer. There are ten known types of isomers of HHC, and now HHC has a sibling out on the market called HHC-O. It’s all moving quickly! Delta-9 THC is HHC’s closest cannabinoid; overall, it is a modified structure of delta-9 THC, better known as the psychoactive component in traditional marijuana. HHC is found in hemp, primarily in its seeds and pollen. But like Delta-8 THC, and Delta-10 THC, HHC has to be manufactured through chemical processing to create an abundant amount for a product.

HHC has been out and about since 1947, thanks to chemist Roger Adams. This procedure wasn’t isolating THC found within the plant. Raphael Mechoulam, the Harvey Prize-winning Israeli organismic chemist, was the first to isolate THC from the plant. Roger Adams was responsible for being the first to synthesize THC through structural modification (i.e., adding a hydro molecule), so we have to thank both of these gentlemen. Oh, and don’t worry—Adams went on to win the National Medal of Science for Chemistry. If you are curious, unfortunately, there is no proof of avoiding a failed drug test with HHC. Drug test for metabolites, and metabolite show up with HHC as well.

HHC is considered to be indestructible due to hydrogenation. Hydrogenation is the oversaturation of hydrogen molecules within a molecule. The flooding of the hydrogen causes the double bond to break and then be replaced by another hydrogen molecule, leading to a double bond. Hydration ultimately provides structural stability that has a shelf life beyond other cannabinoids. UV rays and heat have a way of turning delta-9 THC to CBN.

What is the difference between CBD and HHC? 

If you are curious about why this is called the CBD Industry, all of the alternate cannabinoids on the market begin as CBD. Those cannabinoids exist in minuscule amounts; CBD brings the quantity through solvent processing. So CBD is the mother of all alternate cannabinoids, as CBGA is the mother of all cannabinoids. HHC begins as CBD. CBD is non-psychoactive; however, it can become psychoactive through organic solvents. HHC is no different. The processing is extensive because there are various conversions before you get to the final product of HHC. However, HHC is pushing two separate forms of itself. ATLRx uses Full-Spectrum CBD, which means there are other cannabinoids in our CBD products to maximize your bioavailability. Your bioavailability is the quantity of additional cannabinoids you receive. ATLRx has CBD, CBC, CBG, CBN, and traces of Delta-9 THC. All of these are compliant with the Federal Farm Bill of 2018.

HHC is only Hexahydrocannabinol; it doesn’t carry any extra cannabinoids. HHC is rolled out predominately in vape cartridges. Since its debut on the market in 2021, product options have expanded to concentrations, gummies, and there is HHC flower. HHC flower involves the same process as Delta-8 THC Flower and THC-O Flower. The distillate is frozen with dry ice then sprayed onto the buds, nothing too crazy. ATLRx has HHC carts, HHC dabs, & HHC seltzers!

We also have an extensive collection of CBD products that we can ship right to your door!

Related Articles:

• HHC vs. Delta-8 THC: What Are the Differences?
• HHC vs. Delta-9 and Delta-8 THC: What Are the Differences?
• Where Can I Buy HHC Online In The USA?