Cannabis contains a lot of compounds, and many of them are cannabinoids – active chemicals that interact with our body’s endocannabinoid system. Below is a complete list of naturally occurring and synthetic or semi-synthetic cannabinoids.
| Abbreviation | Full Name | Effects / Potency |
| THC | Tetrahydrocannabinol | Classic cannabis high |
| THCA | Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid | Non-psychoactive; turns into THC with heat |
| THCV | Tetrahydrocannabivarin | Mildly psychoactive, may suppress appetite |
| THC-P | Tetrahydrocannabiphorol | Super potent (30x stronger binding to CB1) |
| THC-B | Tetrahydrocannabutol | Possibly stronger than THC (research limited) |
| THC-H | Tetrahydrocannabihexol | Potent, rare, very strong effects |
| THC-M | THC Monomethyl Ether | Uncommon; synthetic |
| HHCP | Hexahydrocannabiphorol | Potent hydrogenated THC-P |
| HHC | Hexahydrocannabinol | Milder, relaxing high; semi-synthetic |
| THP (THP 420) | Tetrahydropyran 420 | No confirmed chemical identity |
THC (Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol): The primary psychoactive compound in cannabis. It binds to CB1 receptors in the brain, resulting in euphoria, relaxation, altered perception, and causes the “high” (the classic cannabis high). Its benefits include pain relief, appetite stimulation, nausea reduction and sleep support. It risks include anxiety/paranoia in high doses, impaired coordination and potential dependency. THC is federally illegal in the US, but legal in many states. THC exists in several forms, like delta-9 THC (the most common), delta-8, and delta-10.
THCA, THC-A (Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid): The non-psychoactive precursor to THC found in raw cannabis. When heated (through smoking, vaping, or cooking), decarboxylation turns THCA into THC and becomes psychoactive. It is thought to have anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. THCA could possibly help with nausea & appetite. THCA is often not regulated like THC and sits in legal grey area.
THCV, THC-V (Tetrahydrocannabivarin): THCV is similar to THC but with a slightly different structure. It is psychoactive at high doses, but effects are often described as clear-headed (i.e. not hard, more like a light, clear high) or stimulating. THCV may may suppress appetite (opposite of THC), possibly useful for weight loss or diabetes. It is only mildly psychoactive in high doses. THCV improves energy and focus and could serve as a potential treatment for diabetes and obesity. THCV is usually legal where CBD is legal. It is found in strains like Doug’s Varin, a rare sativa (a subspecies of the cannabis plant) strain.
THC-P (Tetrahydrocannabiphorol): Discovered in 2019, THC-P is claimed to be up to 30 times more potent than delta-9 THC at ultra-strongly binding to CB1 receptors. It occurs naturally in very small amounts in the plant and causes intense psychoactive effects, even in small doses. THC-P leads to deep relaxation and heavy body high. It is more sedating than stimulating and can be overwhelming (way too potent) for new users. It can increase anxiety at high doses. As a new compound, the research on THC-P is extremely limited. THC-P often falls into legal loopholes like Delta-8. It is frequently sold online in vapes and edibles.
THC-B (Tetrahydrocannabutol): THC-B is a less known cannabinoid, similar to THC but with a butyl side chain instead of a pentyl chain. Early research suggests it’s psychoactive, possibly stronger (more potent) than regular THC, but research on THC-B is limited. THC-B is a THC variant with a shorter side chain, but it still binds strongly to cannabinoid receptors. It provide a fast onset of strong head and body high. THC-B could possibly be used in pain relief. It is widely unregulated.
THC-H (Tetrahydrocannabihexol): THC-H is a rare, very potent cannabinoid (- thought to be 10–20x stronger than delta-9 THC). It occurs naturally in trace amounts, sometimes synthetically produced. THC-H is similar to THC-P, but 6-carbon side chain makes it bind tighter to receptors. There is very little clinical research on THC-H. It leads to intense euphoria, long-lasting body high and potential couch-lock (intense, overwhelming physical sedation). THC-H stis in the legal grey zone and appears in vapes and dabs (concentrated forms of cannabis).
THC-M (Tetrahydrocannabinol Monomethyl Ether): It is an unknown, unverified substance which could be synthetic or lab-specific variant. There is not much verified info available.
HHC (Hexahydrocannabinol): A semi-synthetic cannabinoid, made by hydrogenating (adding hydrogen to) THC. HHC doesn’t bind quite as hard to receptors but is more stable and has a longer shelf life. It provides a milder (less intense) high than THC and it is described as relaxing but clear. It is legal in the U.S. at the federal level as a result of the 2018 Farm Bill.
HHCP (Hexahydrocannabiphorol): A hydrogenated version of THC-P. HHCP is typically stronger than delta-9 THC, with longer-lasting effects. It is a synthetic cannabinoid designed to mimic and enhance THC-P’s binding. HHCP leads to heavy, intense body high and may cause a slightly more “trippy” feeling. Long-term effects of HHCP are unknown. HHCP is unregulated, sold online and often mislabeled or under-tested.
THP (THP 420, Tetrahydropyran 420): A synthetic cannabinoid claimed to have benefits like mood enhancement and appetite stimulation. No confirmed chemical identity.
