The cannabinoid industry is evolving into something bigger. According to Statista, the current market revenue for the hemp industry is 51.28 billion dollars. The medical and therapeutic cannabinoids make up 12.92 and 14.42 billion of that, respectively. Now that you know that, we can start talking about all the fancy cannabinoids that have been popping up. If you want to take cannabinoids for beneficial purposes, you don’t want them to have a strong effect. That leaves us with two popular options: Delta-8 and HHC. Both cannabinoids are cousins of the big Delta-9. However, their molecular structures are different enough that they both exhibit distinct effects. The choice would be overwhelming for anyone. We’ll cover everything about the HHC vs. Delta-8 puzzle so that you can easily decide what’s best for you.
Before we start, let’s look at the best brands for both products.
BinoidCBD - Best Variety of HHC Products - Editor’s Choice
IndaCloud - Finest Assortment of Delta-8 Gummies
Galaxy Treats - Best Delta-8 Gummies for Beginners
TRē House - Top Rated HHC Products
MoonWLKR - Best Delta-8 Products For Flavor
Premium Jane - Best Products for New Users
PureKana - Premium Delta 8 Gummies
What is HHC?
HHC, or hexahydrocannabinol, is an active cannabinoid. You can find small amounts of it in hemp plants. It was first created in the 1940s when Roger Adams synthesized it by hydrogenation. Most of the HHC on the market today is synthetic, not natural.
HHC Benefits
HHC is relatively new in the commercial space. We don’t have that much data on its effects on the human body, and scientists haven’t conducted many studies with this cannabinoid either. Still, we have anecdotal evidence and an idea of what it can do.
We’ll start by going over the usual effects.
HHC produces an effect that makes you calm and removes stress from your mind.
You’ll lose your sense of time and space. Plus, you might experience enhanced emotions. The nature of these emotions will depend on you. You’ll also feel very hungry.
You’re probably wondering about the medical benefits. We don’t have many studies on that. However, we know that HHC is related to THC. As such, its benefits should be somewhat similar.
We have a 2007 study from Japan. It shows that HHC has powerful pain-inhibiting properties. Of course, the test subjects were mice.
A later study from 2011 shed light on the compound’s anti-tumor properties. HHC worked to stop cancer cells from growing and spreading further. Of course, we need more studies to be sure. Other potential benefits include relief from nausea, weight gain for those with anorexia, decreased seizures for people with epilepsy, and more.
HHC Side Effects
Our information about the side effects comes from people reporting their symptoms. These include:
Red eyes
Anxiety
Dry mouth
Paranoia
Dizziness
Insomnia
They should dissipate in a while. We lack information about the long-term effects. Still, pregnant women and people on medications should consult a doctor before taking HHC products.
HHC could also enhance the symptoms of someone with mental illnesses like Schizophrenia. Of course, not all HHC products are pure HHC, so they also cause other effects.
What is Delta-8?
Delta-8 is the toned-down version of delta-9. It’s an isomer that naturally occurs in the hemp plant. However, its amount is too minuscule to be of actual use. Most brands use isomerization to convert D9 or CBD into D8.
Delta-8’s overall effects are very low-key compared to D9. You can find D8 in multiple products. These include gummies, tinctures, topicals, capsules, chocolates, and oils.
Delta-8 Benefits
Delta-8 is the nicer version of Delta-9. Some of the reported effects are:
Pain relief
Increased appetite
People use it for a ton of therapeutic purposes. We don’t have that many studies giving us evidence of its effectiveness, but the users seemed to be satisfied. They used it for anxiety, stress, depression, bipolar disorder, and chronic pain. Some said that the relief level was comparable to conventional medicine.
There are still more potential uses for delta-8. Of course, these hypothesized benefits are based on hemp’s usual medical uses. Technically, D8 should be able to help you with weight gain and insomnia. It can also relieve vomiting and nausea caused by chemotherapy and spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Delta-8 Side Effects
Delta-8 is as safe as other cannabinoids when taken in the recommended dosages. However, overdosing can cause a few issues. These include:
Increased heart rate
Cognitive dissonance
Short-term memory loss
Inability to concentrate
Dry mouth
Red eyes
We don’t know about the long-term effects. That’s because people haven’t been using it for that long. Still, people with pre-existing conditions and pregnant women should consult a doctor before taking any D8 products.
Delta-8 vs. HHC: The Difference
Delta-8 and HHC are distant cousins, sharing many of their properties. However, there are differences to consider. These are:
Chemical Structure
Both cannabinoids have a similar molecular structure to THC. The difference is that D8 has a double bond on its eighth carbon. However, HHC doesn’t have any double bonds. Instead, hydrogen atoms take the place of their double bonds.
Production Methods
Both Delta-8 and HHC that you find on the market are synthetic. These cannabinoids occur naturally but in minor quantities. It wouldn’t be profitable to extract that. Instead, companies will use delta-9 or CBD distillate to make D8 or HHC. Companies synthesize D8 through isomerization while synthesizing HHC through hydrogenation.
Effects
HHC is more potent than D8. However, that can be rectified by taking larger doses of D8. HHC also lasts longer than delta-8. Theoretically, HHC’s effects can last up to twelve hours. However, delta-8 is only effective for three to eight hours.
Both cannabinoids can take some time before showing their effects. However, your consumption method, weight, sensitivity to HHC or delta-8, and metabolic rate determine the final time. Usually, HHC edibles can take two to three hours to kick in. On the other hand, D8 edibles take thirty minutes to an hour.
Legality
The Farm Bill legalized all cannabinoids from hemp containing less than 0.3% delta-9. So, technically, D8 and HHC are legal. Unfortunately, the gray area means that the laws keep fluctuating. Some states have already moved to ban D8 in their jurisdictions. You’ll have to check your local laws to see which cannabinoids are legal or illegal.
How Do Delta-8 and HHC Work?
D8 and HHC are like other cannabinoids. So they work the same way. They express themselves by interacting with your body’s cannabinoid system. Both D8 and HHC have an affinity for the CB1 and CB2 receptors.
These receptors are present in your nervous and immune systems. The CB1 receptor controls your response to pain and inflammation. It also regulates your memory and your hunger. The CB2 receptor is involved in your body’s immune response. It regulates inflammation, pain, and other stuff.
When HHC or THC binds to these receptors, it activates them. That leads to several effects, which explains why both cannabinoids are rumored to have so many benefits. The intensity of the binding determines the extent of the results. HHC has stronger binding abilities, so its effects are more pronounced than those of D8.
