When the 2018 Farm Bill was passed, legalizing hemp on the federal level, it paved the way for companies in the cannabis industry to expand their product offerings and explore additional cannabinoids that could be turned into new merchandise for their customers. While many of these have no psychoactive effects, there are some that do, allowing for products to potentially provide a similar – or even stronger – experience to one felt when taking THC. The new hot product everyone is raving about? The “spiritual cannabinoid,” THC-O!
What is THCO?
THC-O (THC-O acetate or ATHC) is a synthetic cannabinoid noted as being three times stronger than Delta 9 THC. While still relatively new to the cannabis community, THCO is picking up steam and gaining popularity due to its high potency that can result in mild hallucinations and visuals.
Does THCO Get You High?
To put it simply: BIG TIME! While still derived from hemp, THCO is commonly known to be 300% stronger than Delta 9 THC (traditional marijuana) and even noted as being up to 500% stronger than Delta 8 THC. (If you’re new to THC in general, read that last part again – and then one more time.) Even for seasoned THC users, this cannabinoid is very powerful and intoxicating, packing a massive punch in very small amounts.
As with any THC product, it’s best to start with a small amount (even a tiny amount in this case) to see how THCO impacts you before adjusting your dosage as desired.
How is THCO Made?
THC-O is not a naturally occurring cannabinoid which means that it’s created by humans in ISO-certified laboratories. CBD is first extracted from a hemp plant. From here, Delta 8 THC is extracted and this is added in with acetic anhydride. This formula creates THC-0 acetate! The process of creating THCO also requires removing elements such as terpenes and flavonoids which leaves an unscented and flavorless isolate.
Sounds easy, right? (It’s most definitely not.) This procedure requires complex chemistry formulas and processing in a specialized lab to create the end product. Acetic anhydride is an extremely flammable and volatile chemical compound so handling this must be left to the professionals. (Read: Please don’t try making THCO at home!)
What Does a THCO High Feel Like?
Like your standard Delta 9 THC, THCO typically gives users the feeling of euphoria, a “body high,” and an altered sense of reality. Dosage is key here, as many people report that higher doses result in mild hallucinations and visuals along with an increase in energy and feeling uplifted. Because of this, THC-O is sometimes referred to as “the spiritual cannabinoid.” These sensations can differ person to person due to things such as physiological factors and the user’s tolerance to THC. Many people look to THC-O for assisting in deeper self reflection and awareness, creativity, and medicinal effects like pain, stress, and anxiety management.
There is still a lot of research to be done around the benefits and side effects of THCO. In the meantime, here are some first hand accounts from our Moonwlkr customers about what our THC-O products feel like:
Oh my, what a fun ride!
“I have been using Delta 8 gummies, I went from 12.5mg to 25mg. Sometimes I would even take 1 1/2 to really feel it. I am relatively new to edibles, so I don’t have much (any) tolerance. And along came a sweet deal from Moonwlkr and wanted to see if THC O was really more potent that D8/D9. All I needed was one 25mg THC O gummy and about 2 hours to feel “it”. Once it did it was a pleasant experience to say the least. I put on headphones and watched trippy videos on YouTube, and I was Lovin’ Life! I can’t say you will feel it like I did (do) but it had some wonderful psychotropic effects.” – Christopher D.
Mind food
“Relaxing, yet energizing, long tripping and pleasant.” – Lee H.
Be prepared
“Took only one and I got really focused at work to the point I made an assembly line to streamline my process faster. Got a little too high but turned on some blues rock and calmed down and put my energy into working and I was just dandy. Take one if you are an occasional user. I smoke daily and this was intense but awesome nonetheless.” – Quentin P.
Smooth!
“Let me begin by saying I am an old school stoner. I worked on a farm in CA back when only medical was legal and I am now a daily hemp products user to help with chronic pain and avoid the need for opiates. So I have a strong tolerance and extensive experience. I had tried THC-O previously, with another company, and it was alright but nothing to what it was described as. So I didn’t have exceptionally high hopes for this product. I stand pleasantly corrected! I like everything I’ve tried from Moonwlkr so far. This one was certainly no exception! It was a very smooth high for me. Subtle in the takeoff, then a calm but extremely enjoyable flight! No anxiety. No worries. All chill and it ushered me into a very nice philosophical state that I’m still thinking about. I had some pain relief as well, to ice the cake. Taste was nice! It didn’t have that overwhelming chemical taste, nor was it overly strong in the hempy flavor that’s almost unavoidable in such products. One was a nice, very light buzz for me (probably would be quite enough for more casual users), two was exactly where I wanted to be! I will definitely be revisiting this product soon!” – Lori
Looking for more about THCO? Head on over to our guide to the most common THCO FAQs.
Many of our Moonwlkrs who love the high of THCO, have explored our THCP products and have reported feeling an elevated high. THCP was discovered in 2019 and is said to be 10x more potent that regular THC. Find out how THCP compares to THC in our comparison guide here.
Different Highs: THCO Edibles vs THCO Vapes
THC products, including THC-O, can offer a different kind of “high” depending on the method of consumption, among other factors. Some people may prefer edible THC-O goodies whereas others might favor a vape cartridge. While both methods (and others, such as oil tinctures) will have the same result – feeling high! – how long it takes for the effects to set in and how long they last can vary.
THCO Edibles
THC Gummies are among the most popular types of THC edibles products, and THC-O Gummies are no different! Many people find gummies to be their preferred method of consuming THCO not only due to being discreet but also due to the convenience of having a predefined amount of THC-O in each piece. This offers users consistency and control over how much THCO they’re consuming.
On average, the onset of effects from eating THCO Gummies can take one to two hours to kick in since your body requires time for metabolizing them after ingestion. The effects can last anywhere from three to six hours, though this will vary person to person.
THCO Vapes
Many people find that vape cartridges are the way to go for consuming THCO or other THC products. On average, when vaping THC-O, users experience the effects within 10-20 minutes with these increasing in intensity for up to an hour for some. Effects from THCO Vape products can last anywhere from three to five hours. As noted previously, this can vary person to person so it’s highly recommended to start with one or two small puffs and wait for 20 minutes to see how you feel before increasing your dosage.
Ready to Try THCO?
THC-O is a powerhouse cannabinoid that more people are discovering and enjoying. At Moonwlkr, all of our THC-O products, including THC-O Vapes and THC-O Gummies, are made in-house at our state of the art facility in Nevada, using the highest quality THC-O on the market. If you’re interested in trying THC-O but aren’t sure where to start, our THCO Gummies Sample Pack is the perfect choice. This assortment of flavors allows users to try out THC-O in the tastiest way possible while maintaining control over their dosage. Get ready for blastoff!
Did you know Moonwlkr also offers bulk and wholesale THCO products? Head on over to our bulk thco guide to learn more.