THC-O is the acetate ester form of THC that also causes psychoactive effects when consumed. This specific form of THC has recently been banned in a number of areas in the USA as it has been found to cause potential lung damage when vaped. Since this compound has a very high potency and due to the lack of research, concerns about THC-O have skyrocketed due to the apparent side-effects it produces.
The Origin Of THC-O
Tetrahydrocannabinol acetate, or THC-O, is a non-natural cannabinoid. While cannabis products such as CBD, CBG, and CBN are derived naturally from the hemp plant, THC-O is not found naturally within the hemp plant. Instead, acetic anhydride is used to synthesize THC-O.
Acetic anhydride is a clear, highly flammable liquid that is most commonly used in making dyes, pharmaceuticals, plastics, fibres, and explosives.
Because chemicals are involved in the process of creating THC-O, its production requires specialized equipment. Companies that work to create THC-O also run the risk of starting dangerous fires or explosions due to the use of acetic anhydride.
The process starts by extracting the Delta-8 THC compound from the hemp plant. The Delta-8 molecules bind to the added acetic anhydride molecules to create THC-O. THC-O acetate resembles a viscous, brown liquid that looks similar to motor oil when produced correctly.
Why Is THC-O Dangerous?
There is very little scientific research on the effects of using THC-O. On top of that, THC-O is around three times more potent than regular THC and can produce much more psychedelic effects than any other cannabinoid.
With little research, most of what we know about the effects of THC-O is through those who have used the compound. Some positive side effects that have been reported include:
- Pain relief
- Boost of appetite
- Reduced anxiety
However, users have also reported that the potential benefits are outweighed by the negative side effects of using THC-O, including:
- Dizziness
- Hallucinations
- Anxiety
- Paranoia and increased sensory perception
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sedation and muscle weakness
- Seizures
The Concern With The Popularity Of THC-O
Public interest in THC-O has grown in areas where cannabis is legal, especially in the United States. THC-O can be found in tinctures, edibles, and vape cartridges. The availability and easy accessibility of THC-O poses quite the risk.
THC-O is not regulated in any manner and is manufactured without any quality standards. Since this compound cannot be derived naturally from the hemp plant, synthetic chemicals are always utilised in the production of THC-O.
Consumers have no way of knowing which or how many chemicals were used during the production of THC-O. This means that there is no way to know how potent the compound may be or what reaction your body will have to these chemicals.
Why Is THC-O Seen As A Potential Health Risk?
On top of the lack of regulations regarding products containing the compound, THC-O is classified as a prodrug. This means that you will not be able to notice the psychoactive effects until the chemical is transformed after use. THC-O can take up to 30 minutes to produce noticeable effects.
The risk of prodrugs lies within the waiting period. Many users end up thinking that they did not take enough, leading to a second dose. Naturally, the more THC-O you consume, the more your risk for experiencing intense side effects is increased. This is especially dangerous when consuming THC-O edibles, as its effects can take anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours to kick in.
Another factor that has made THC-O so popular is its legal status, or the lack thereof. There are currently no laws or regulations regarding THC-O, making it the perfect option for curious users to test out without knowing the potential harmful effects. THC-O can be found in e-liquids, or you can use it in a dry herb vaporizer, so it is also easily accessible despite its potential side effects.
Will THC-O Show Up On A Drug Test?
Yes, it is extremely likely that THC-O will show up on drug tests. This is because the compound contains Delta-8 THC, which can be detected by various drug tests. It is even possible that THC-O has a higher chance of showing up on a drug test, as it is much more potent than regular THC products.
Is THC-O Legal?
The answer is a bit tricky – in areas where the use of cannabis is legal, a number of different cannabinoid mixes have become popular. Due to the sheer amount of different cannabis varieties, it is difficult to control the production, distribution, and use of products like THC-O.
The fact that there are very few regulations and very little research regarding products like THC-O makes it difficult to define its specific risks, which would be necessary to determine its legality. The lack of regulations also makes it difficult to know which chemicals are involved in production or how potent the product is.
One of the main concerns regarding THC-O is the fact that it could lead to addiction and developing higher tolerances. This usually leads to an excessive use of these substances to maintain the original feeling of using them. However, we have no confirmation of the legal status of THC-O as it is still a new development in the cannabis field.
The cannabis compound known as THC-O is still very under-researched, and most of what we know about it comes directly from user experiences. The production of THC-O requires the use of harmful chemicals, and there is no way of knowing whether purification steps were followed or if other chemicals were added to the end product. THC-O also takes a relatively long time to kick in, so users are at risk for using too much of the compound in a single sitting.
Despite the positive side effects of THC-O that have been reported, it is best to stay away from the product until further scientific research has been conducted. The negative side effects and the sheer potency of the compound currently outweigh any of its potential benefits. There are many other safer options out there.
Be sure to check out Cannarite for more information on anything cannabis-related. We also have a wide range of cannabis-related products to boost your cannabis experiences to the next level. Enjoy cannabis safely and responsibly with Cannarite.
