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- THCP
This article will take you about 8 minutes to read.
Where does THCP come from?
THCP was isolated in a laboratory by Italian scientists. The research was conducted on a medical cannabis strain, FM2, grown exclusively for the military. The procedure utilized a mass spectrometer and metabolomics—processes used to detect basic chemical substances in samples or molecules.
At the end of 2019, the study authors published their findings in the journal Nature. They assessed THCP's ability to bind to human cannabinoid receptors located in the endocannabinoid system.
The endocannabinoid system.
Let's dwell on this for a moment. The human endocannabinoid system has a very important role, as it is responsible for maintaining balance throughout the body. It is responsible for, among other things, regulating energy metabolism, neurohormonal connections, neuroimmune connections, motor activity, mood, motivation, hunger and satiety, and the control of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. It's safe to say that these are processes directly responsible for life
The endocannabinoid system consists of CB1 and CB2 receptors. THCP binds very strongly to both, but especially strongly to the CB1 receptor. According to expert calculations, THCP binds to the human endocannabinoid system 33 times faster than THC and 63 times faster than another compound called THCV.
The Alkyl Carbon Chain – That's the Difference!
Both THC and THCP are chemical substances found in cannabis, responsible for the psychoactive and medicinal effects of cannabis. They differ primarily in the number of carbon atoms.
The alkyl side chain is the driving force behind the effects of cannabinoids on humans. The study's authors claim that for most of the nearly 150 compounds found in cannabis, including THC, the alkyl chain has only five atoms. The alkyl chain of THCP differs and contains seven of these atoms, meaning that in its natural form it exceeds the potency of THC.
A first of its kind!
According to the scientists responsible for this discovery, a cannabinoid with more than five atoms has never before been reported as naturally occurring. Furthermore, most of them have never been isolated or characterized, as this is no simple task even with today's technology.
The researchers believe the discovery of THCP paves the way to understanding why some cannabis strains produce a stronger effect than would be expected based on the strain's THC content.
It's possible that many cannabis users have unknowingly encountered cannabis containing THCP. A much faster and stronger effect than usual, one that could not be replicated, is something almost every smoker has experienced.
Medical Potential
We are in the early stages of marijuana research. Years of deceptive anti-drug campaigns have taken their toll, among other things, by blocking research into the medical potential of this incredible plant for years.
We don't yet have any studies on the effects of THCP on humans, but due to its unique properties, it holds great potential. This discovery could in the future enable the production of cannabis extracts focused on physical and psychoactive effects, allowing for more targeted treatment of specific patient problems. The experts conducting the study emphasized that during the tests, traces of other, previously unisolated compounds were discovered. They announced further analytical work on their findings.
By testing THCP on rats, scientists found effects very similar to THC. Among the observed effects were:
- Reduced pain perception.
- Specific muscle stiffness.
- Slightly lowered body temperature.
- Reduced mobility.
Based on the above findings, it was concluded that THCP produces the same effects as THC, although these effects appear significantly faster in the case of THCP. It was found that THCP is 33 times more potent than THC, binding significantly faster and more strongly to cannabinoid receptors, particularly CB1.
This discovery could prove particularly groundbreaking for people struggling with chronic, severe pain. Studies on rats have shown that with THCP, half the standard dose of THC is sufficient to achieve the same therapeutic effect. This means the patient is less intoxicated, yet the therapeutic effect of marijuana is preserved. This will be a breakthrough for many, as the most pain-relieving strains are typically also highly psychoactive, often making it impossible to maintain a demanding daily schedule.
"It is reasonable to assume that other cannabis varieties may contain even higher concentrations of THCP. It should also be noted that there is astonishing variability in patient response to cannabis-based treatments, even with a constant dose of THC."
We can only hope that the momentum of all cannabis research will continue to grow and lead us to further breakthrough discoveries.
Best regards, Hemp.
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