HHC has remained in the shade of its rockstar relative, THC, for almost a century now. Today, you can even order HHC disposables to your home whenever you like and wherever that’s legal. From what we have heard about its effects, it comes with an incredible high, with a potency somewhere in between delta-8 and THC.
It also promises quite a few health benefits if early research is correct.
However, the question of the day is – can HHC really elevate your heart rate?
The answer might tell us important things about how HHC affects the human body and help us advance cannabis science even further. More importantly, it may be of great significance to people with low heart rates and conditions related to bradycardia. HHC might be able to help there.
If you have tachycardia, you should know if trying HHC could be dangerous to you.
Here’s everything we’ve learned about this topic so far.
What Is HHC & Where Does It Come From?
HHC is yet another option on the growing list of cannabinoids, derived similarly to delta-8 and delta-10. To science, it’s known as hexahydrocannabinol. Even though you can find this molecule in cannabis, manufacturers opt for the less natural approach because it’s more cost-effective.
Like delta-8 and delta-10, HHC is made from hemp-derived CBD.
This method saves a lot of time and money, but it also ensures legality. What’s specific to HHC is that it results in a more resilient molecular structure. Because of that, HHC products have a longer shelf life. All that is achieved by taking CBD from hemp and altering a few atoms.
Unlike delta-8 and delta-10, HHC doesn’t contain any THC, not even trace amounts.
It’s been almost a century since HHC was first discovered. In the 1940s, chemist Roger Adams stumbled upon HHC in the lab while experimenting with the THC molecule. In the process called hydrogenation, he simply added hydrogen to it and created a chemical formula for HHC.
What Can You Expect from Taking HHC?
Today, Roger Adams’ discovery can be vaped or smoked.
Yes, HHC produces a high. According to some, the experience is similar to a delta-8 high, while others are finding it more potent. Both the high and the side-effects fall somewhere in between delta-8 and delta 9. If you need something slightly milder than THC, this is it.
However, there’s a catch.
Through hydrogenation, HHC manufacturers get two types of HHC molecules – active and inactive. And it seems that only the active type affects the human body in the same way that THC does. So, only active HHC binds to the right receptors to produce high.
The problem is HHC manufacturers still don’t know how to separate active HHC molecules from inactive ones. That basically means that every batch of HHC is different. Sure, there’s always enough active HHC to make you high, but the potency may vary from batch to batch.
Can HHC Make Your Heart Beat Faster?
We still don’t know enough to claim anything, but it seems that it might.
On a molecular level, HHC is very similar to THC. Active HHC molecules bind to the human receptors similarly to THC, too. Based on this and the research conducted on the health properties of THC, it might be possible that active HHC can lead to an elevated heart rate.
Following the same logic, HHC should also be able to provide adequate pain relief, ease nausea, improve the quality of sleep, relax your muscles, and treat PTSD. Other possible benefits include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anticonvulsant, and anti-tumor effects.
Sadly, this is all speculation for now.
Everything we know about HHC is anecdotal. It feels mildly intoxicating, which depends on the tolerance level and many other individual factors. Hunger, dry mouth, and dry and red eyes have been reported, as a few cases of insomnia, anxiety, and paranoia.
HP Thoughts: CBD supplements are still “under scrutiny” as far as wellness vitamins are concerned. What about calcium supplements? Do they have a good or an adverse effect on the body? Read our article — Calcium Supplements Heart Diseases.
Conclusion
It’s disappointing we don’t have more information about the substances that have the potential to help people eat, sleep, and live better. In their classic form, THC and CBD have been around forever, but we’re still waiting for science to prove what we already know from experience.
Hopefully, HHC users won’t have to wait for so long.
Until there’s data-backed evidence, please be careful when taking HHC. If you’re living with bradycardia, tachycardia, or any other health condition, be sure to talk to your doctor before trying anything new. If HHC can make your heart run faster, that can be both helpful and dangerous.