By Steven Voser


Thanks to changing perceptions and legislation, our understanding of cannabis is growing immensely. It seems that not a day goes by without news of a discovery related to cannabis making national or international headlines.

One of the latest subjects generating hype is hexahydrocannabinol, or HHC. But what exactly is this cannabinoid, how is it made, and what effects does it have on the body? Keep reading to learn all of this, and much more.

What Is HHC (Hexahydrocannabinol)?

Hexahydrocannabinol, or HHC, is a cannabinoid found in tiny concentrations in hemp seeds and pollen. However, the HHC making headlines across the world isn't derived from either of these sources. Instead, it is made in a laboratory using natural cannabinoids or cannabis extract.

Hence, HHC is often described as a semi-synthetic cannabinoid; while it isn't made solely using synthetic agents (e.g. K2 or Spice), the HHC sold in certain parts of the US and elsewhere around the globe undergoes a fair amount of human processing and isn't naturally present in cannabis plants.

While HHC has only recently jolted the attention of the media, it is actually far from a new discovery. HHC was first synthesised in the US in 1944 by Roger Adams, who created the compound by adding hydrogen molecules to delta-9-THC—a process known as hydrogenation. Since then, HHC hasn’t received much attention; that is, until recently, when manufacturers started selling it as an alternative to THC.

How Is HHC Made?

There’s a lot of misinformation about how HHC is made, and many manufacturers are very anxious about revealing their processes for producing this cannabinoid. However, the basic principle all manufacturers use to create HHC is the above-mentioned hydrogenation.

The process involves mixing a cannabis extract rich in cannabinoids and other compounds with hydrogen gas in a pressurised container. The hydrogen then naturally breaks down the double carbon bonds in the cannabinoids, creating a rich, dark-golden oil known as HCO (hydrogenated cannabis oil).

In order to accelerate the hydrogenation process, manufacturers typically use catalysts to speed up the chemical reaction between the hydrogen gas and the natural cannabinoids. Common catalysts used for this purpose include nickel, platinum, palladium, and illidium.

Depending on whether the cannabis extract used at the beginning of the process was decarboxylated or not, HCO manufacturers are left with a substance rich in either hexahydrocannabinolic acid (HHCA), or HHC. This oil can then be further refined according to the criteria of the manufacturer.

It’s also important to note that HCO contains two types of HHC: 9R HHC, which naturally binds to cannabinoid receptors, and 9S HHC, which, due to its odd chemical structure, doesn’t have a high affinity for CB1 or CB2 receptors. The ratio of 9R to 9S HHC in retail products such as gummies or vape cartridges, for example, can therefore greatly affect a product's potency and effects. More information about potency can be found further below.

How Is HHC Made?

How Similar Are HHC and THC?

In terms of chemical structure, THC and HHC are very similar. The only notable difference between the two is that HHC has hydrogenated carbons, an extra carbon bond, and an ester atom.

According to Boston Hemp Inc[1], a retailer from Massachusetts selling CBD, delta-8-THC, and HHC products, these minor molecular differences make HHC a much more stable compound than THC. In turn, they claim that HHC products may be less susceptible to heat and light degradation, which could boost their shelf life.

HHC’s structural similarity to THC is likely what allows the compound to bind to both CB1 and CB2 receptors (remember that cannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors work in a lock-and-key fashion), and may also be why it produces effects similar to those of THC.

What Are the Supposed Effects of HHC?

HHC is so new to the market that most of the information available on its potential effects is anecdotal. Hence, you should take most of what you read about HHC with a very large grain of salt.

Manufacturers and retailers claim that HHC has a very high affinity for both CB1 and CB2 receptors, and that by binding to these receptors, the compound delivers many of the same effects as THC, including:

Euphoria Altered mood
Laughter Hunger
Changes in perception of reality Increased sensory pleasure
Fatigue Intoxication



How Potent Is HHC?

How HHC actually works in the body isn’t so straightforward. While it likely affects cannabinoid receptors, there is still a lot we don’t know about the cannabinoid’s potency, how to dose it correctly, whether it is as safe as other cannabis compounds, and more. Furthermore, different sources provide contradicting information about HHC’s properties and potency.

Some sources, for example, claim that HHC has roughly 70–80% the potency of delta-9-THC, which would make it roughly 20–30% more potent than delta-8 or delta-10. Others, however, claim that HHC is less potent than delta-8, and that high doses are needed for HHC to produce similar results to other types of THC.

As mentioned above, one potential reason for these contradictions is that different HHC products contain different ratios of 9R to 9S HHC, the former of which binds well to cannabinoid receptors, and the latter of which doesn’t. Therefore, products with higher concentrations of 9R HHC are likely to be perceived as more potent than those with higher concentrations of 9S HHC.

Manufacturers often tout HHC as a legal alternative to THC, seeing as it can be derived from delta-8-THC, which is typically found in high concentrations in hemp flowers. Retailers and HHC manufacturers also argue that HHC is legal because it is naturally present in cannabis pollen and hemp seeds, which therefore qualifies it as a natural hemp-derived extraction.

The reality, however, is much more complicated. The way cannabis is legislated varies greatly around the world and is subject to a lot of fine print. In the US, for example, some may argue that HHC is analogous to THC and is therefore subject to the Federal Analogue Act. If that were the case, HHC would, like THC, qualify as a Schedule 1 drug under US federal law.

Outside of the US, the laws governing HHC and similar cannabinoid alternatives can vary. In the EU, for example, there is no overarching law governing the control of cannabis across the union, and many European countries make exemptions for cannabis varieties containing low concentrations of THC (such as hemp). In these countries, HHC might technically be legal due to loopholes in the legislative system.

Does HHC Have Benefits?

Given its novelty (despite being discovered many decades ago), it is simply too early to come to conclusions about HHC's effects. The few hemp and cannabis retailers selling HHC products claim that they may have similar properties to THC-rich products, but there are no clinical trials or studies to back up any of these claims.

Is HHC Safe?

HHC retailers and manufacturers obviously advertise their products as safe and reliable. And to date, there have been no reports of HHC being toxic or producing negative effects. The truth is, however, that due to the lack of studies into HHC and its toxicology, we can’t make any claims regarding its safety.

HHC — The Bottom Line

HHC is a very new, semi-synthetic cannabinoid. And while it’s generating a lot of hype, and may prove to be an exciting and unique way to enjoy cannabis, we know very little about the compound and how it affects the body.

We recommend erring on the side of caution when experimenting with HHC, or any substance that hasn’t been studied extensively, until more information is available on its safety and effects profile.

External Resources:
  1. Boston Hemp Explains HHC And Its Effects https://www.prnewswire.com
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources.

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Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: