UCLA Scientists Uncover the Truth About Cannabis Products Containing HHCs

UCLA Researchers Unveil Insights Into Cannabis Products Containing HHCs

With the increasing trend of legalizing marijuana, various compounds like hexahydrocannabinols (HHCs) are emerging in the market. The recent investigation conducted by UCLA has shed light on the properties of HHCs and introduced a safer method for their production. However, legal clarification and further research remain necessary, as the U.S. DEA has classified HHCs as illegal.

Scientists at UCLA have developed a more consistent and predictable production approach for a specific form of HHCs.

In the rapidly expanding market for recreational marijuana and associated items, products featuring HHC cannabinoids are becoming increasingly popular. Nevertheless, the effects of HHCs on the nervous system and body functions are not well comprehended. A novel study from UCLA chemists is the first to elucidate how HHCs interact with receptors within the human body. Furthermore, the researchers have devised a safer means of producing HHCs compared to the current standard process.

As marijuana legalization advances across the nation, a plethora of products is flooding dispensaries. These products commonly contain THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana, as well as other cannabinoids derived either from THC itself or the plant.

Cannabinoids constitute a group of substances that interact with cannabinoid receptors found in the brain and body. While THC, extracted from the cannabis plant, is the most recognized cannabinoid, there is a wide array of other classes being sold in dispensaries today. The effects of many of these classes on the nervous system and body functions remain unclear.

This lack of clarity has given rise to a chaotic situation in the marijuana market, posing challenges for governments attempting to regulate these products and establish comprehensive laws governing their use.

Research Endeavors and Discoveries

UCLA chemist Neil Garg is part of a group of scientists swiftly expanding their knowledge of emerging cannabinoids. Their objectives encompass ensuring the safety of products available to consumers and aiding governmental bodies in formulating evidence-based regulations for this swiftly growing industry.

A recent research paper by Garg and his colleagues delves deeply into one group of these emerging cannabinoids: hexahydrocannabinols, or HHCs. The study systematically assesses the affinity of HHCs to receptors in the human body.

Garg, UCLA’s Kenneth N. Trueblood Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry and a distinguished professor, mentioned, “The compounds have been tested in animals before, but the basic binding assays of each isomer were somehow not done or not reported.” He further noted, “That is unusual for a product that’s widely available to consumers, and it reflects the need for more fundamental research in this rapidly evolving field.”

HHC products currently available in the market typically contain a mixture of two different versions, or isomers, of the HHC molecule. In their study, the scientists found that while both isomers bind to the same cannabinoid receptors in the body as THC, only one of the isomers exhibits binding capabilities comparable to THC. This suggests that this specific HHC isomer is the only one with effects akin to THC.

Published on August 14 in ACS Chemical Biology, the paper also introduces a novel method for synthesizing the more biologically active of the two HHC isomers.

Production Methods and Safety Considerations

Most commercially available HHCs are synthesized from THC by manufacturers using a process called catalytic hydrogenation. This technique yields both isomers of HHC in varying proportions. Consequently, the amount of each HHC isomer in these products lacks consistency, not only between different brands but even among batches produced by the same manufacturer. Due to the variability, some HHC products sold to consumers contain relatively small quantities of the more biologically active isomer.

Garg and Daniel Nasrallah, a UCLA assistant adjunct professor of chemistry, have developed an alternative method based on a chemical process known as hydrogen atom transfer. Implementing their approach to produce HHCs results in approximately 10 times more of the biologically active isomer compared to the less active one.

The new method is also safer than catalytic hydrogenation, which employs hydrogen gas and can pose a risk of laboratory fires if mishandled. This traditional process often employs potentially toxic heavy metals like platinum or palladium. Nasrallah emphasized that HHCs marketed for recreational use are typically not screened for the presence of these metals.

The Imperative for Additional Research and Legal Clarifications

Garg emphasized the necessity for further research into cannabinoids and their effects. He stated, “These studies are crucial if we are to have laws and policies that are fair and allow for consumer safety, while allowing scientists and society alike to explore the potential therapeutical effects of new cannabinoids.”

The paper underscores that although there’s a widespread belief that HHCs are lawful under federal regulations, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) categorizes them as illegal.

The study on HHCs received funding from ElectraTect Inc., a startup originating from Garg’s UCLA research, and was conducted under a valid DEA license. Earlier in the year, Garg and his UCLA collaborators secured a $2 million grant from the California Department of Cannabis Control to investigate new cannabinoids.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Cannabis Research

More about Cannabis Research

• UCLA Newsroom: Uncovering Properties of HHCs in Cannabis Products
• ACS Chemical Biology: Research Paper on HHCs
• UCLA Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
• U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)