Introducing HHC - hexahydrocannabinol! HHC is a rare cannabinoid that has demonstrated an ability to bind to the CB1 receptors in our bodies in a similar way to that of CBD and THC. This is thought to give HHC mood- elevating properties.

HHC is a hydrogenated version of THC, meaning that hydrogen has been introduced to the THC compound, altering its chemical structure.

The process is described as “adding hydrogens across the double bonds, thus changing the molecular weight, the molecules geometry, and also its effects on the body.”

"Hexahydrocannabinol has a saturated (full hydrogen capacity, no double bonds) top ring. In this sense, it is the opposite of CBN. CBN is oxidized THC and HHC is reduced THC."

One major benefit to hydrogenation is that it increases molecular stability, in turn increasing the molecule's shelf-life and its resistance to heat. The chemical transformation of unsaturated compounds improves the compound's ability to prevent thermo-oxidative breakdown when in the presence of air.

One study that looked at the different effects of cannabinoids and hydrogenated cannabinoids found that "in reference to tumor growth in mice...the hydrogenated cannabinoids showed significant improvement in the reduction of tumor sizes."

Another study concluded that "hydrogenated cannabinoids exhibited good binding to CB1, but have varying effects on inflammation – which could spring opportunities for anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties in murine collagen-induced arthritis...This is because the hydrogenated cannabinoids seem to have a strong effect on hyper- inflammation, which would reduce pain and swelling of the joints."

It is also be possible that "hexahydrocannabinoid (HHC), being more stable than tetrahydrocannabinoid (THC), and less prone to dehydrogenation (converting to DHC and CBN), may have an impact on resistance towards oxidative metabolic breakdown in the liver."