What is THCO and how is it produced? Does it really have psychedelic effects?
- What is THCO and how is it produced?
- The history of THCO is shrouded in mystery: Why is it called a psychedelic cannabinoid?
- What does research say about THCO's psychedelic properties?
- THCO effects: How does it work in the body and how long does it take to take effect?
- Side effects and other risks
- Available THCO products on the market
- Conclusion
What is THCO and how is it produced?
THCO (THC-O, THC-O-acetate) stands for tetrahydrocannabinol acetate, a (semi)synthetic cannabinoid that is produced in a technical laboratory with a vacuum fume hood. Acetic anhydride (acetic anhydride), a colourless substance that is extremely flammable and potentially explosive, is used for production. It is also used in the production of pharmaceuticals, dyes, fibres, plastics and explosives, among other things.
The compound THCO is an analogue of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, delta-9-THC), specifically the acetate ester form of THC. The term ester refers to a chemical compound formed by a reaction between an acid and an alcohol, known as esterification. During this reaction, a droplet of water is released. The esterification process increases lipophilicity (the ability to dissolve in fat), which can affect the effects and bioavailability of the substance.
Esters are a common part of our lives, used as flavourings in perfumes and found naturally in fruits and plants. In the industrial sector, they are used as solvents and plasticizers (increasing the flexibility of plastic products).
TheTHCO ester is usually formed from delta-8-THC or delta-9-THC and acetic anhydride. It is much more potent than conventional THC and therefore probably has stronger psychoactive effects.
Producers create THCO by first extracting cannabidiol (CBD) from the cannabis plant and then converting it to delta-8 or delta-9-THC, then combining the acetic anhydride with molecules of these compounds to form THC acetate. The result is a thick brown liquid that resembles motor oil.
The history of THCO is shrouded in mystery: Why is it called a psychedelic cannabinoid?
The first mention of THCO dates back to 1949 to 1974, when the US Army conducted experiments with the substance at Edgewood Arsenal. There are also reports of recreational use during this time frame. Interestingly, the official reasons why the military researched this substance have never been made public, nor have the results of the experiment been revealed.
Thereputation as a psychedelic cannabinoid probably began sometime between 1975 and 1977. In 1975, chemist David Gold published a paper on the effects of THCO, stating, "Acetate has more spiritual and psychedelic effects than ordinary substances. The most striking characteristic is the 30-minute delay before the onset of effects." Another reference to the psychedelic effects and potency of THCO appeared in a 1977 book by Michael Starks, "Marijuana Chemistry: Genetics, Processing, Potency".
TheAmerican magazine High Times also reported that THCO is a psychedelic cannabinoid and that it is 3 times more intoxicating than conventional THC. That THC acetate is 3 times more potent than THC itself can be found in various sources on the internet, but there is no study or research to confirm this figure. This figure is apparently based on the aforementioned book by Michael Starks.
Present: What does the research say about the psychedelic properties of THCO?
The year 2023 has shed more light on whether or not THCO is a psychedelic cannabinoid. Researchers at the University at Buffalo in New York, led by Daniel J. Kruger, Ph.D., associate research professor, conducted a survey to determine the extent to which users experienced changes in time perception, pain relief, euphoria, hallucinations, and paranoia.
"We wanted to explore this and see if there really is a psychedelic cannabinoid. Can we find evidence that THC-O-acetate has this effect? And the answer is: not really," said Daniel J. Kruger.
The research involved 300 THCO users, and respondents also completed data from the Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ), a classic tool for assessing psychedelic experiences. Participants also answered what psychedelics, such as LSD or psilocybin mushrooms, they may have used. The result?
79% of respondents said THCO had no or only mild psychedelic effects. This finding thus suggests that THCO is unlikely to produce any psychedelic effect in the majority of users.
THCO effects: How does it work in the body and how long does it take to take effect?
There is currently no research available that examines how THCO works in the body. Scientists have already discovered that most of the effects of cannabinoids depend on how they work with the endocannabinoid system (ECS)
Daniele Piomelli, professor of anatomy and neurobiology and director of the Center for the Study of Cannabis at the University of California, Irvine, said, " The chemical reaction that produces THC acetate causes the cannabinoid to be unable to bind directly to the receptors (CB1) in the brain that are normally responsible for the psychoactive effect. However, the chemical treatment will allow the compound to more easily enter the cells and the brain, and once in the brain, the acetate should wear off and the remaining THC can bind to the correct receptors."
THCO earns the designation of "prodrug," a substance that is activated only after it is metabolized by the liver. Because of this, ittakes longer to take effect.
If THCO is vaped with vaporizers and dab rigs, or smoked through joints or pre-rolls, the effects usually kick in within 20 minutes. Use in oil form takes about 30 minutes, while edibles such as gummies and cookies may take 1 to 2 hours to take effect.
THCO can affect perception, induce strong feelings of euphoria and relaxation, relieve pain symptoms and help with sleep problems, as some users describe it as having a strong sedative effect.
User experience suggests that THCO has similar effects to delta-8 or delta-9-THC, but probably has effects estimated to be about 3 times stronger than delta-9-THC and 6 times stronger than delta-8-THC.
There are also suggestions that the effects of THCO may be somewhat similar to low dose psychedelic drugs such as mushrooms (psilocybin) or LSD. Some claim that THCO has no psychedelic effects.
At the moment, only opinions, user feedback and information on other cannabinoids such as HHCPO and THCPO that have undergone similar chemical treatments give an idea of the effects.
Also of interest is a July 2023 survey entitled Content Analysis of Social Media Discussions on THC-O-Acetate, which looks at the specific opinions and experiences of THCO users. The analysis lists the effects, their onset and duration, methods of use, as well as users' concerns about the substance.
In this survey, users most often compared the effects of THCO to those of delta-8/delta-9-THC, with some describing it as having no or only mild psychedelic effects. Coughing and anxiety were mainly reported as adverse experiences. The majority of users reported that it takes a relatively long time for the effects of THCO to take effect and that it also has a long duration of action.
The THCO compound is definitely not suitable for novices, but only for experienced users. It isnot allowed to drive or operate any machinery after use.
Side effects and other risks
Possible side effects of THCO:
- Dry mouth
- red eyes
- drowsiness
- increased heart rate
- low blood pressure
- changes in colour and brightness perception
- dizziness
- disorientation
- negative psychological effects (panic, paranoia, anxiety and hallucinations)
Approach similar products with respect and consideration, and remember that the effects come on later than with most other cannabinoids, so always wait a sufficient amount of time before deciding on your next dose. Otherwise there is a risk of intoxication and overdose, which can result in a bad trip.
From a public health perspective, scientists are particularly concerned that the product may be contaminated. Daniel Kruger, author of the aforementioned THCO surveys, said, " It's possible that some of the extreme effects are due to some kind of contamination, and that's one of the real dangers of these products if you don't know what's in them." He went on to say that there is tremendous interest in THC acetate and claims are being made that are not scientifically based.
Some studies point out that when acetate variants are heated, they can release ketene, a chemical that can cause severe lung damage.
Complicating the overall situation is the fact that the vast majority of states do not currently have regulatory regulations regarding cannabinoids. This means that there is a lack of legislation to ensure safety, quality and legality. Based on the 2018 US Farm Bill, some define cannabis as legal, while others believe it is a controlled substance because it is produced synthetically. In general, the legality of THCO is disputed, it is probably in a grey legal zone in most European countries, and is an illegal substance in Bulgaria, the UK and Sweden, for example. There is a lack of legislation on these new substances within the EU, with legislation varying from country to country.
THCO products available on the market
Although there is no research on how THCO acts in the body, products are sold on the cannabis market. The truth is that until there are regulations for THCO and other derivatives, it will be up to consumers to judge for themselves the potential risks and benefits of these compounds.
Available THCO products:
- THCO oils
- Daby (dabs)
- THCO vapes
- Flowers
- Edibles (snacks, gummy candies)
If you want to buy any cannabis products, always look for the following information:
- Third-party lab results: these reports contain objective data on product purity, safety and compliance with legal standards (maximum THC limit).
- Ingredients.
- Reputation of the company: Investigate and find out information about the manufacturer/seller. Rely on trusted and established companies that are not hesitant to provide you with third-party lab results.
Conclusion
Tetrahydrocannabinol acetate is the acetate form of the THC ester and is produced exclusively in the laboratory. Itis synthesized from delta-9 or delta-8 THC molecules, which are usually derived from CBD. To these molecules, acetic anhydride is added to produce THCO acetate.
THCO is not found in trace amounts in the cannabis plant, unlike other cannabinoids such as CBDP, THCB, THCJD, THCH, HHC and THCP (however, for commercial purposes, these compounds are also produced in the laboratory).
Recent research has shown that they are only mildly psychedelic or not at all. The effects mentioned will depend on the user, or rather depend on the consumption method and dose, age, body proportions, sensitivity and metabolism of the user.
Finally, we would again like to point out that substances of this type can be much more intense than natural cannabinoids, and this multiplies the potential risk of overdose and intoxication. Remember that THC acetate has a 'prodrug' label , so it is only activated after it has been metabolised in the liver. When vaporized, the effects of THCO take 20 to 30 minutes to take effect, while for edibles it can take 1 to 2 hours.
If you want to buy cannabis products, always rely on verified and reputable companies and ask for third-party laboratory analysis. And because repetition is the mother of wisdom, we stress again: approach these substances with caution and respect.
Author: HotHouse Cucumber
Photo: Shutterstock
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