I tried THC-O, also known as the “spiritual cannabinoid”. Here’s what happened.
The THC-O-Vape cart sat unopened on my desk for a few months. From time to time I eyed it suspiciously and was tempted to take a few hits. In a word, I was intimidated.
THC-O – also known as THC acetate – is drastically more potent than other synthetic cannabinoids such as delta-8 THC or HHC: research suggests it is three times more potent than traditional THC, earning it the nickname “the spiritual cannabinoid”. brought in.
If there was even the slightest chance that THC-O would affect me like other, more “spiritual” substances like LSD or psilocybin, I knew I only wanted to experience it outdoors, not at home or around many people.
On a moody early spring afternoon, when much of the winter snow and ice had finally melted, I took the THC-O wagon on a hike near Missoula with my good friend and cannabis connoisseur Ariana. It was time to put the spiritual cannabinoid to the test.
What is THC-O?
Although THC-O only started catching consumer attention in the last two years – sold primarily in e-cigarettes and edibles – the US military began studying its effects as early as the mid-20th century. The researchers wanted to find out if it would cause ataxia in dogs – a condition that damages the nervous system. Their guess was right: it sapped the dogs’ muscle coordination twice as badly as either regular THC or Delta-9.
Just like other synthesized cannabinoids, THC-O comes from hemp. To create the molecule, CBD is first extracted from raw hemp, which — thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill — is now completely legal. Then Delta-8 THC is extracted from the CBD. Finally, a highly flammable compound called acetic anhydride is added to the Delta-8 THC molecules to create THC-O-Acetate. Don’t try it at home.
Remember, just because THC-O is derived from legal hemp doesn’t make it legal in every state. Some have outright banned the sale and production of synthetic cannabinoids, and the federal government continues to send mixed messages about their legality. Our recommendation: Do your research before you buy synthetic cannabinoid products.
Start of the THC-O journey
NOTE: The following report is purely anecdotal and should not be taken as scientific or therapeutic evidence. Consumption results may vary.
When Ariana and I embarked on our maiden voyage of THC-O from a base south of Missoula, I felt a mixture of fear and excitement: this was something new. Neither of us knew what to expect.
As we climbed a series of switchbacks in the quiet, cool woods, I took a small hit from the Bearly Legal Hemp Co. THC-O wagon. It was listed on the packaging as Green Crack, but that was referring to its terp only Profile: mainly myrcene followed by alpha pinene. The wagon wasn’t particularly terpy, but it didn’t give off the brittle smell of some synthetic vapes either. It tasted like pear water.
In very small doses, THC-O proved to be mild, almost harmless. As a perpetual lightweight, I was relieved not to be hit by hurricane rockiness. Ariana has a much higher cannabis tolerance than me; She started with two powerful hits and reported feeling similarly unaffected.
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Thirty minutes later we emerged from the forest on a bluff looking north toward the city and southwest toward Lolo Peak. A light snowfall shrouded the summit even as the sun emerged from the clouds to bathe us in warm afternoon light.
It felt like the right time to dig a little deeper with THC-O. I took a big hit; Ariana took three or four. We walked out onto the cliff enjoying the view and turned back to the path.
And that’s when the THC-O kicked into high gear.
THC-O felt like a tiny shot of acid
THC-O initially provided an airy head high, similar to Jack Herer, but without the classiness that many consumers get from strong sativas. It also induces a light, almost buttery body high that I could feel in my thighs as we slowly walked down the muddy trail.
But its most striking effect turned out to be much more like a small dose of LSD than any marijuana I’ve ever tried. In other words, the THC-O made me feel like a wide-eyed kid: epically curious, playful, eager to touch and feel, and stare in wonder at everything.
The sun began to set behind us, throwing the pines and shrubs into beautiful and sharp relief. We both ran our hands through the soft pine needles on either side of the path as we passed, taking deep breaths of fresh, crisp air. Weed had never hit me like this before; Ariane agreed.
We stopped every few minutes to admire the views of snow-capped peaks framed by lush trees. I stared intently at the knots and whorls in the tree bark, at the texture of the shrubs and grasses, and at the billowing Pixar-esque clouds drifting overhead.
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The high developed as we made our way back to the car and we roomed out a bit. Ariana and I both stumbled a little along the way. It seemed like the military’s canine research applied to us too…
And then the binge eating came on strong. We spent the last twenty minutes of the hike arguing about nothing but warm cookies. When we got back to the car we made our way to the nearest restaurant hoping they would have something to satisfy our sweet tooth.
A pleasant and slow descent
We were both surprised by the duration of the THC-O high. Almost two hours after our big hits, we were still dizzy. The experience faded slowly and gently: I didn’t fully reconnect with reality until a good four hours after we smoked for the first time.
I’m really glad I finally gave this notoriously potent cannabinoid a try. I recommend trying it yourself. Definitely go slow.
Is THC-O really three times stronger than THC? It didn’t feel like that to me. Regardless, it offered an experience far more potent than insanely potent weed. For me it’s more interesting, more exciting and, to be honest, just better.
Max Savage Levenson
Max Savage Levenson probably has the lowest cannabis tolerance of any author on the cannabis beat. He also writes about music for Pitchfork, Bandcamp and other bespectacled people. He is the co-host of the Hash podcast. His dream interview is Tyler the Creator.
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