Have you heard of these new popular cannabinoids called HHC or Delta 8 THC? Chances are maybe you’ve heard of Delta 8 since it’s one of the most popular. Both of these cannabinoids can be great for you depending on your preferences, however, there are some significant distinctions between them. In this blog, we’ll examine the main differences between HHC and Delta 8, so you can choose which option is best for you. Who knows, maybe you’ll try them both.
What’s the difference between Delta 8 THC and HHC?
Let’s start by explaining that every one of the 100+ cannabinoids consist of the same elements. This includes carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen. Their difference lies in how they are assembled. In each one of these two cannabinoid structures there’s a presence of a double bond. They vary however, in the location they’re found.
While Delta 8 THC has its double bond at the eight carbon, HHC does not even contain one at either position. Besides that, virtually everything else is identical between these molecules. Now in terms of their effects, they both can produce sedation, help with sleep, and make you feel “high”. HHC, however, has a distinctly higher potency than Delta-8. While Delta-8 is nearly half as potent as THC (marijuana), HHC is roughly 70–80% stronger.
In a nutshell, we made a table summarizing the similarities and differences between HHC and Delta 8 THC, while also include the famous THC cannabinoid as a frame of reference:
|
|
HHC |
Delta 8 |
THC |
|
Strength |
Strong |
Mild |
Strongest |
|
Legality |
Each State Differs |
Each State Differs |
Medical & Recreational in some stats |
|
Main Effects |
Slowness, Euphoria |
Sleepiness, Milder High |
Hunger, Head Buzz |
|
Available Elyxr Products |
Gummies, Carts, Dabs, Flowers, and more |
Gummies, Disposables, Tinctures, and more |
Not Available |
How do HHC and Delta-8 work in your body?
The internal functioning of HHC and Delta-8 is virtually identical to that of Delta-9 (THC), with a few minor exceptions.
- Your endocannabinoid system, an intricate biological network made up of receptors, endocannabinoids, and enzymes, is affected by both cannabinoids producing similar highs differentiating in strength
- Your brain and central nervous system are covered in cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptors, which HHC and delta-8 exclusively target.
- Targeting the CB1 receptor results in a euphoric high in addition to several advantages like anti-inflammation, pain reduction, sleep promotion, and general health and wellness.
Will HHC get you higher than Delta-8?
HHC will give you a stronger high than Delta-8 THC. HHC is approximately 70-80% more powerful than Delta-8, so it is recommended to start slow and prepare yourself before dosing yourself in high amounts. In tiny doses, HHC can produce potent feelings of euphoria with palpable bodily effects. Lower dosages of Delta-8, on the other hand, have milder and less intense euphoric effects.
The best place to start with HHC is tinctures. They are simple to use and won't result in an excessive high when taken in tiny amounts. Overall, we advise Delta 8 products to beginners and occasional cannabis users because they are significantly gentler than HHC. Now, if you’re a total novice, we’d recommend our standard CBD gummies and tinctures.
Is it Wise to Mix Delta 8 & HHC?
At the end of the day it’s going to come down to what experience you’re looking for and how hard you’re looking to go. Keep in mind also that overall these are primarily all producing the same effects just with different levels of intensity.
If you’ve heard of the “Entourage Effect”, it’s when multiple cannabinoids are combined to provide a stronger overall experience. Sometimes we may combine strong and weaker cannabinoids together to create a nice balance between them.
Is HHC or delta-8 better for sleep?
The capacity of HHC and Delta-8 to induce sleep and support a healthy sleep pattern is not well understood due to not having too many studies out there. The studies that have been done are on CBD and THC, which have demonstrated that both cannabinoids can promote sleep when used separately or in combination. Again, we’d recommend you start off with HHC or Delta 8 tinctures to incorporate into your sleeping routine and track your sleep before increasing or decreasing dosages.
Is HHC or Delta 8 better for pain relief?
In our opinion, Delta-8 is a superior option for treating pain compared to HHC, and it works best when combined with CBD to produce stronger analgesic benefits.
According to a poll, 41% of Delta 8 users use it to treat severe pain problems, frequently choosing it over Delta-9 THC and prescription medications due to the decreased likelihood of negative side effects. Delta 8 dosages of 40–80 mg are more effective at treating mild chronic pain symptoms than severe chronic pain.
It works best when 40 mg of Delta 8 gummies are combined with taking a CBD topical cream. To deliver localized anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects, CBD topical solutions target cannabinoid receptors and other receptor locations in the skin and muscle tissue.
We will say however, that the effectiveness of HHC and Delta-8 for pain alleviation has not yet been compared in any official trials.
Final thoughts:
The main difference between HHC and Delta 8 THC is their chemical composition and the strength of the high they produce.
Both cannabinoids bind to CB1 receptors in the brain, which are important regulators of critical processes like sleep, memory, and metabolism, despite their structural variances.
It all depends on your personal preferences and what you're looking for at the time when deciding which to consume. HHC is more effective than Delta 8 for a stronger high, so feel free to try both to find which one works best for you.