We read a few years ago in youmaysayiamadreamer when research by a broad inter-university team revealed a new component of cannabis ( which has over 400 constituents ) that could radically change the potential for therapeutic use of the plant.
Italian researchers have formalised the discovery of the plant's constituents that go by the names THCP (tetrahydrocannabiphorol) and CBDP (cannabidiphorol).
THCP was learned to interact specifically with the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 of the endocannabinoid system of the human body and that THCP may be responsible for the variety of different effects of different varieties of the plant on a number of diseases.
Following the overwhelming commercial success of D8 THC, the cannabis industry has found a variety of cannabinoids derived from hemp fibre capable of competing with D9 THC. These cannabinoids-D8, Δ10 THC and HHC-are all popular in the cannabis market and THCP is perhaps ready to join in.
What is THCP?
THCP is an organic cannabinoid (or phytocannabinoid) very similar to D9 THC, which is the most abundant cannabinoid in most marijuana strains. Although first identified in a specific strain of marijuana, THCP can also be prepared in a laboratory by chemically manipulating CBD extracted from legal cannabis plants.
In fact, in order to produce enough THCP to have any real commercial value, it has to be made in a lab, because there simply isn't enough of it in the actual cannabis flower to extract it economically.
The molecular structure of THCP is significantly different from D9. It has a longer alkyl side chain (the "tail" of atoms extending out from the bottom of the larger part of the molecule). The oversized side chain - seven carbon atoms versus five in Δ9 - allows THCP to bind more easily to the human cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2, meaning that its effects are likely to be more potent in the brain and body.
The Italian researchers who discovered organic THCP found in experiments on cultured human cells that THCP binds 33 times more efficiently to the CB1 receptor than D9THC-possibly because of the extended seven-atom side chain. The CB1 receptor is the most important cannabinoid receptor for producing psychoactive effects, but THCP also binds more readily to the CB2 receptor.
This does not mean that THCP will get you 33 times as high as the traditional D9THC. There is probably a limit to the ability of any cannabinoid to stimulate endocannabinoid receptors, and every individual reacts differently to each cannabinoid anyway. However, while some of the 33 times greater binding affinity of THCP may be wasted on already overloaded cannabinoid receptors, it still seems likely that THCP will be more potent than D9 THC for many people. Already there are reports from consumers of effects lasting high 24 - 48 hours!
Of course, the strong binding affinity of THCP could also magnify the typical unwanted side effects of THC-such as dry mouth and dry eyes or anxiety and paranoia. It could even create new risks for users.
THCP is very new. There has been no comprehensive research (or many real-world observations) describing the experience of using THCP as a stand-alone cannabinoid. Many people have not used it on its own, as almost all current commercial products containing THCP are mixtures of multiple cannabinoids.
Finally, although the products with THCP contain less than 0.2% THC we do not yet know if they will be available in our country.
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