{"id":16947,"date":"2023-11-21T20:58:53","date_gmt":"2023-11-21T20:58:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/?p=16947"},"modified":"2024-03-05T21:00:50","modified_gmt":"2024-03-05T21:00:50","slug":"new-cannabis-compound-30-times-more-potent-than-thc-found-in-one-marijuana-variety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/2023\/11\/new-cannabis-compound-30-times-more-potent-than-thc-found-in-one-marijuana-variety\/","title":{"rendered":"New Cannabis Compound 30 TIMES More Potent Than THC Found In One Marijuana Variety"},"content":{"rendered":"

A NEW cannabis compound has been discovered and it may be 30 times more potent than THC.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Scientists aren’t yet sure whether the compound causes a high or has medical benefits so they’ve been conducting tests to try and figure this out.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Little is known about the potential effects of the new strong compound Credit: Getty – Contributor<\/span><\/p>\n

The compound is one of two newfound cannabinoids that have been discovered in the Cannabis plant glands of the sativa L species.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cannabinoids is the collective term for the group of diverse chemical compounds that act on the cannabinoid receptors of the brain.<\/span><\/p>\n

THC is just one of these cannabinoids and it’s currently considered to be the principal psychoactive component of cannabis.<\/span><\/p>\n

THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, plugs into brain receptors and can alter our ability to co-ordinate movements, reason, record memories and perceive things like time and pleasure.<\/span><\/p>\n

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THC in cannabis is what can give smokers a high feeling Credit: Getty – Contributor<\/span><\/p>\n

It’s thought that cannabis contains over 140 similar chemicals that can interact with receptors all over the body.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, THC is currently the only one we know can result in a high spaced out feeling.<\/span><\/p>\n

Of the two new cannabinoids discovered, one looks similar to the compound CBD, which isn’t psychoactive.<\/span><\/p>\n

The other appears similar to THC but may even produce stronger mind-bending effects.<\/span><\/p>\n

This THC lookalike is called tetrahydrocannabiphorol (THCP).<\/span><\/p>\n

Recent research<\/a>\u00a0suggests that it interacts with the same brain receptor as THC but has slight differences in its chain of atoms.<\/span><\/p>\n

The slight difference in shape of THCP means it can technically fit more snugly into its preferred brain receptor than THC.<\/span><\/p>\n

A test showed that the compound can actually bind 30 times more reliably than THC.<\/span><\/p>\n

When given to lab mice, the THCP made them behave as if they were on THC with slower movements and decreased reactions to pain.<\/span><\/p>\n

The mice reached this state with a much lower dose than would have been required with THC meaning the new compound is stronger.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, this lab experiment still doesn’t mean that the same effect would happen in humans.<\/span><\/p>\n

THCP doesn’t appear to be present in large amounts in cannabis plants but even if it was, increased psychoactive properties would still not be guaranteed. <\/span><\/p>\n

Being caught with cannabis comes with a maximum of five years in prison, an unlimited fine, or both.<\/span><\/p>\n