THCjd: A Potent and Mysterious Cannabinoid

The cannabis world’s excitement surrounding the therapeutic benefits of cannabinoids have triggered a revolution of sorts. For years, THC was the focal point in cannabis discussions in regards to its psychoactive qualities and various therapeutic benefits. Then came CBD, a non-psychoactive cannabinoid offering further benefits. These two compounds are the heavy hitters of the cannabis plant and the most well-known therapeutic cannabinoids. 

More recently, a huge upsurge in cannabinoid research has led to the discovery of many other beneficial cannabinoids such as THCP, THCV, CBG, etc. Scientists, cannabis users and medical patients alike are excited about the research, as each cannabinoid offers slightly different effects. 

That being said, there are still many cannabis compounds yet to be discovered, and research is very limited. Lack of funding and resources, stigma around cannabis and the every-shifting regulatory status of cannabis and cannabinoids are all factors that contribute to the limited scientific information involving cannabinoids. 

What We Know About THCjd

THCjd is one of the more recent cannabinoid discoveries, taking place in 2020. Unfortunately due to the above-mentioned research hurdles, little is known about THCjd.

What we do know is that it’s a naturally occurring compound found in hemp. Despite it supposedly being 19x more psychoactive than THC, it's still considered a “minor” cannabinoid. This means that the cannabis plant contains much less of these compounds in comparison to major cannabinoids such as THC and CBD. That being said, THCjd can boast of being the most psychoactive compound to exist in the hemp plant. 

THCjd is a homolog of THC. “Homo” is a latin prefix meaning “same.” Homologs are chemical compounds that share the same functional group and similar chemical properties, but differ in composition by a fixed group of atoms.  

THCjd is thought to be 19x stronger than THC due to its longer side-chain which has 8 carbon molecules (octyl side chain) attached vs. only 5 molecules (alkyl side chain) in THC. The longer the side chain, the more powerful the compound. 

The full name of the THCjd cannabinoid is tetrahydrocannabioctyl. Naturally you would think that the acronym should be THC-O, but THC-O (aka ATHC) already exists as an acetate. It is an ester of THC and is a synthetic compound derived from hemp. THCjd is naturally occurring and it’s thought that “jd” is the initials of the researcher that discovered the compound in 2020. 

THCjd is available in liquid and powder forms and can be consumed in edible form, smoked or vaporized.

THCjd Effects (and Side Effects)

The proven effects and benefits of THCjd remain shrouded in mystery due to the lack of formal research and data. 

We do know that THCjd is one of the most potent hemp-derived psychoactive cannabinoids to have been discovered thus far. It is thought to be 19x stronger than regular THC. It is runner-up to THCP which is thought to be 33x more potent than THC. It gets you much higher than Delta-9 and Delta-8 THC. 

It is commonly found in products where it is combined with other cannabinoids such as Delta-8 THC. With strategic combinations of cannabinoids it is possible to accentuate desirable effects such as euphoria, relaxation and length of the buzz, and minimize undesirable effects such as anxiety. 

Anecdotal claims reveal that THCjd produces a strong body high/couch-lock sensation similar to cannabis indica strains, accompanied with feelings of happiness and contentment. The high is said to last longer than other THC highs. 

THCjd likely shares the same effects as THC such as euphoria, lightheartedness, calmness and relaxation. On the flip-side, it potentially comes with some of the same undesirable side-effects such as anxiety, paranoia, grogginess and lethargy. 

Legal Status of THCjd

The 2018 Farm Bill allows for the sales on a federal level of all hemp-derived cannabis products as long as the THC content is 0.3% or less. Since THCjd is a hemp-derived phytocannabinoid, it complies with the Farm Bill regulations. 

The laws vary state by state when it comes to buying hemp-derived cannabis products. For example; in Virgina, you can only purchase and possess hemp-derived cannabis products if you have a prescription. Because hemp-derived cannabis products are legal on a federal level, but the laws still vary on a state level, there are some gray areas and blind spots when it comes to regulations. Things change seemingly on a weekly basis and it is best to research your specific state’s specific cannabis regulations before embarking on a THCjd shopping spree. 

Some Crucial Considerations

The discovery of THCjd is exciting and promising to say the least. A hemp-derived compound that is oh-so-potent could offer huge benefits to people suffering from various ailments, as well as folks who just want a calming yet powerful, long-lasting buzz at the end of the day. 

We all can look forward to hearing about new studies in the future as scientists trod forward with their research endeavors. 

As always when experimenting with novel cannabis products, it’s best to start slow. Dosing should be approached with respect, starting small and gradually working your way up to your ideal amount. Keeping a cannabis journal by documenting your experience with different doses is a great way to monitor the effects of different doses. 

The knowledgeable staff at The Green Dragon CBD can be reached here to answer any of your THCjd inquiries. As mom would say, have fun and be safe ;)

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