THCP: What Is THCP? Answers to All Your Questions

The universe of cannabinoids is constantly changing, and with THCP, also known as tetrahydrocannabiphorol, a remarkable new addition has arrived. Researchers all over the world recognise the extraordinary potential of this cannabinoid, which is said to be 33 times stronger than THC, and have already called it the “king cannabinoid” or the “monarch among cannabinoids”.

What is THCP?

THCP is a cannabinoid that was only discovered recently. It occurs in small quantities in some marijuana strains but can also be produced in the laboratory using CBD obtained from hemp – and that is legal. The discovery of THCP was actually a coincidence. Italian researchers found it in 2019 while analysing a particular marijuana strain.

The cannabis plant contains many natural compounds (phytocannabinoids), of which around 150 have been identified so far. THCP, whose full name is (-)-trans-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabiphorol (Δ9-THCP), was isolated for the first time in this study. What makes THCP special is its longer “side chain” of seven carbon atoms (C7).

THCP is sometimes also called Δ9-THCP, (C7)-Δ9-THC or THC-heptyl, and its chemical formula is C23H34O2. Interestingly, THCP occurs in nature only in very small quantities in certain strains of cannabis. This suggests that the THCP found on the market is probably semi-synthetic and produced by chemically modifying CBD or THC.

How does THCP work?

To understand how cannabinoids work, it helps to know the endocannabinoid system. Cannabinoids such as THC exert their effect mainly via CB1 receptors. According to research, the binding affinity of cannabinoids to these receptors is increased by lengthening their alkyl chain.

The high binding affinity of tetrahydrocannabiphorol.

A fascinating aspect here is the remarkable binding affinity of THCP. As already mentioned, THCP has a side chain with seven carbon atoms (C7). This length and structure of the side chain influences the ability of a cannabinoid to bind to the cannabinoid receptors in the endocannabinoid system. Research findings suggest that a longer alkyl chain can increase the binding affinity to certain cannabinoid receptors, in particular to CB1 and CB2 receptors.

This higher binding affinity to CB2 receptors and especially to CB1 receptors is responsible for the psychoactive effects. In some cases the binding affinity of THCP even exceeds that of synthetic cannabinoids, although synthetic cannabinoids can have considerable side effects.

So how strong is THCP?

According to the researchers who discovered it, THCP binds to CB1 receptors up to 33 times more often than conventional THC, which means that THCP is potentially up to 33 times as potent as THC.

How dangerous is THCP?

Research on THCP so far is limited, and there are only a few studies on the associated side effects and possible dangers. Given that THCP binds to the same receptors as THC, it is likely that it can trigger similar side effects to THC, but in a stronger and longer-lasting form.

What are full agonists?

Full agonists are substances or molecules that bind to a specific receptor in an organism and trigger a maximum biological response in that tissue or organ. This response is usually as strong as possible and reaches the peak of activity that the receptor can achieve. Full agonists therefore activate the receptor completely.

The effects of THC and full agonists have been studied and compared several times. THC has been identified as a partial agonist. This means that it works like a light switch that is only partially switched on. At a certain dose it reaches its maximum effect and does not get any stronger after that, regardless of how much you take.

Full agonists, on the other hand, act like a light switch that is switched on completely. This means that very strong and long-lasting effects occur even at lower doses, and even stronger effects can occur at higher doses. This can be risky, as it can be more difficult to find the right dose and it can easily lead to intense and unwanted effects.

It is important to know that some synthetic cannabinoids found in products such as “legal highs” act as full agonists. This increases concern about their safety, as they can have strong and potentially dangerous effects, even at low doses. It is therefore crucial to be extremely careful with such substances and to avoid using them.

Is THCP a full agonist?

This study explains that THCP shows a binding activity similar to that of synthetic cannabinoids. These have been classified as full agonists.

Legal aspects and conclusions

Is THCP detectable?

Whether THCP causes you to fail a drug test is not 100% certain, as this has not yet been investigated. However, there is no reason to assume that THCP does not produce the typical THC breakdown products in the human body that would show up in the usual police drug tests.

Is THCP legal?

In Austria, THCP has already been covered by the law on new psychoactive substances since 2011. In Germany, THCP is currently still in a legal grey area. That is how it seems when you look at the increasing number of THCP-containing products on the market. As THCP is not yet explicitly listed in the German Narcotics Act (Betäubungsmittelgesetz, BtMG), many manufacturers and consumers seem to assume that THCP is legal.

Our recommendation

It is always advisable to be well informed about the potential and risks of cannabis use and always to pay attention to your own safety. In view of the potency of THCP, the limited scientific knowledge and the legal uncertainties, we strongly advise against consuming products containing THCP.

At MAGU, the safety and quality of our products are particularly close to our hearts. We have all our products comprehensively tested and make our certificates transparently available. At the same time, we support research and innovation in the field of the cannabis plant and continuously strive to expand our range. Innovative products such as Irie Water fascinate us because they offer new possible applications and have the potential to drive exciting developments in this field.