What is THC-O and is it harmful?

Since the 2018 Farm Bill opened the floodgates for hemp products to go to the free market in most states, there have been new cannabis products that have caught the attention of cannabis users, left and right. The amount of new cannabinoids on the market today is getting harder and harder to keep up with. Since this is the case, it is possible that you didn’t realize there is a new THC-O on the market.

THC-O is increasingly being found on the internet and in the neighborhood vape and smoke shops. Typically, THC-O is found in the form of tinctures or cartridges.

The introduction of a new product into the cannabis landscape is likely to generate interest among cannabis users far and wide. Some realizations about THC-O include:

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How THC-O makes users feel

One of the ways THC-O differs from other cannabinoids is that it takes longer for users to feel the effects. Research says users should expect to feel the effects of THC O within about 15-20 minutes of their first inhalation. The reason it takes so long for users to feel the effects of THC-O is because it is a prodrug. That means it has to be metabolized in the liver before it becomes active.

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After that, it’s time for users to buckle up and prepare for a cannabis experience that is second to none. Part of the experience of using THC-O products is hallucinations, along with an intense body high similar to that of a strong sativa. This cannabinoid is meant to be too up to 300 times stronger as natural THC.

How THC-O is made

Along with the higher potency levels, THC-O also differs from normal THC in the process that manufacturers go through to create it. The process of making THC-O can be very dangerous and even more complicated. In the production of THC-O, acetic anhydride is mixed with Delta-8 THC. This process allows the acetyl group to be added to the cannabinoid, which is what provides the psychedelic effect THC-O is known for.

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Unlike growing your own marijuana, this process is best left to the professionals who have the laboratory equipment necessary to handle the flammable chemicals used to make THC-O such as acetic anhydride.

The dangers of THC-O are unknown

There are numerous factors that explain why the jury has not yet decided whether or not THC-O should be considered safe for public consumption. First, it’s still a relatively new substance that has only just begun to get on scientists’ radar.

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Second, unlike regular pot, users are more likely to indulge in too much THC-O. Why? Because the compound could have higher bioavailability, which means an increased ability to reach its intended target, the cannabinoid receptors, more quickly.

After all, THC-O is made using chemicals that could have negative health effects, although many retailers advertise products as “100% natural”. Ultimately, cannabis users who choose to try THC-O should do so at their own risk.