THCP: what is this new cannabinoid arriving on the French market?

THCP: one cannabinoid among many

For the general public, the hemp plant is most often summed up in two high-profile molecules: THC, which is psychotropic, and CBD, which is non-psychotropic and bursting with soothing virtues. In reality, cannabis contains over a hundred cannabinoids, and although science is still trying to identify their characteristics, effects and therapeutic potential, many civilisations have used the hemp plant to treat themselves for thousands of years. Let's dive into the (very) recent history of cannabinoids for a moment.

Once upon a time... cannabinoids!

To understand what a cannabinoid is, we need to analyse the etymology of the word. The term "cannabinoid" comes from the word "cannabis" to which the suffix "oïde" has been added, meaning "similar to" or "related to". Cannabinoids are therefore chemical compounds related to the cannabis plant and responsible for its many properties, whether positive, such as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant or soothing effects, or negative, such as psychotropic, euphoric and intoxicating effects.

Despite the place occupied by the cannabis plant in the makeshift pharmacopoeia of many millennia-old civilisations, the 'scientific' discovery of cannabinoids is relatively recent, dating back to barely the middle of the 20th century. It was in 1964 that THC was isolated for the first time by the Israeli chemist Raphael Mechoulam and his colleagues. This discovery paved the way for the exploration of other cannabinoids and an understanding of their mechanisms of action, mainly for medical purposes. THCP was discovered much later. We discuss it below.

THCP and other cannabinoids: structure and mechanism of action

Cannabinoids are made up of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms. They interact with the endocannabinoid system, which is therefore a complex system of receptors and neurotransmitters distributed throughout the human body (but also in animals). This system regulates several bodily functions and conditions the way we feel pain, regulates our moods, our metabolism, our digestion, our sleep and so on. So it's a veritable metronome that has a direct impact on our quality of life on a daily basis!

More specifically, cannabinoids bind to CB1 and CB2 receptors in the endocannabinoid system to express different effects depending on their affinity and concentration. Research into these interactions is still ongoing, and each new discovery sheds more light on the "benefit-risk" pairing of these fascinating compounds!

Ancient civilisations, without knowing the science of cannabinoids, have in fact widely exploited the properties of hemp for a multitude of medicinal applications. Ancient texts from China and India record the use of cannabis to treat a number of ailments such as pain and digestive disorders. Today, modern science is beginning to understand why these treatments were effective.

But as you will have realised, the hemp plant is not a rudimentary plant organism. It's a complex reservoir of compounds that have the potential to revolutionise modern medicine as well as the wellness and relaxation industry... all the more so in a world where stress and anxiety undermine the daily lives of many millions of people. According to IFOP, 95% of French people over the age of 18 say they are "stressed or anxious". What role does THCP play in this joyous, hectic mess?

THCP: a cannabinoid discovered late

On the edge of scientific exploration of cannabinoids, a "new" cannabinoid has come to light under the curious gaze of researchers specialising in the therapeutic value of the cannabis plant. THCP, or tetrahydrocannabiphorol, was identified for the first time in 2019 by a team of Italian researchers, adding a new nuance to the already rich palette of cannabis.

This discovery is the result of a meticulous and targeted exploration of cannabis compounds by scientists at the University of Modena and the University of Salerno in Italy. Faced with the emergence of new cannabinoids and the need to understand more about their properties in order to advance research, particularly into the management of intractable pain associated with certain serious pathologies (cancers, multiple sclerosis, neuralgia...), these researchers set about analysing extracts of hemp of the Cannabis L. Sativa variety using advanced chromatography and mass spectrometry techniques.

THCP was isolated along with other cannabinoids, some of which were already known (CBD, CBG, CBN, CBC, THC), and some of which were new. It came as a great surprise when analyses showed that THCP had up to 33 times greater affinity with "CB 1" receptors than THC.

The discovery of THCP was published in the journal Scientific Reports in December 2019, marking an important milestone in the recent history of cannabinoids. Not only has it enriched our understanding of the complexity of cannabis, it has also raised new questions and sparked renewed interest in exploring this fascinating plant, which has arguably not been fully exploited by healthcare professionals. This is how THCP takes its place among the cannabinoids known to man.

THCP: focus on the chemical features of this "new" cannabinoid

As its name clearly suggests, THCP is a compound similar to THC, but it has chemical differences that give it slightly different properties. Let's take a look at the chemical specifics of this molecule to draw some conclusions and hypotheses.

Molecular structure: THCP vs. THC

THCP has the molecular form C₂₃H₃₂O₂, with an alkyl side chain of the "heptyl" type, thus with 7 carbon atoms. This is relatively close to THC, which has the molecular form C₂₁H₃₀O₂, but with a pentyl-type alkyl side chain, with only 5 carbon atoms. This difference explains THCP's high affinity for the "CB 1" receptors of the endocannabinoid system, mostly located in the brain (hence the psychotropic effect, but we'll come back to that).

Affinity for "CB 1" and "CB 2" receptors

The affinity of THCP for "CB 1" receptors is about 33 times greater than that of THC, which already has a particularly high affinity for these receptors. This specificity is undoubtedly the highlight of the Italian researchers' work, as it could have major implications for the molecule's therapeutic potential.

The increased affinity of THCP for "CB 1" receptors is a fascinating and complex subject that spans the fields of chemistry and molecular biology. We've scoured the scientific literature dedicated to this issue to bring you the most credible hypotheses to explain this novel affinity. If you're not a fan of chemistry and/or whimsical pleasures, you can skip this part:

• Alkyl chain length: the major difference between THC and THCP is the length of their alkyl side chains. THCP has a heptyl chain (7 carbon atoms) while THC has a pentyl chain (5 carbon atoms). Hypothesis : the longer chain could allow better interaction with the "CB 1" receptor, thereby increasing the affinity of THCP. The heptyl chain could in fact lodge more effectively in a hydrophobic region of the binding site, facilitating a more stable interaction;
• Conformation and flexibility : the three-dimensional structure of the molecule and its flexibility may affect how it binds to the receptor. Hypothesis : the specific conformation of THCP could be more compatible with the shape of the "CB 1" receptor binding site. This structural complementarity could facilitate and stabilise the interaction;
• Non-covalent interactions: the bonds between the molecule and the receptor may include hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonds and Van der Waals forces. Hypothesis: the heptyl chain of THCP could form additional non-covalent interactions with the amino acids of the "CB 1" receptor. These interactions could strengthen binding, thereby increasing affinity;
• Influence of the binding site microenvironment :The "CB 1" receptor binding site is complex and its microenvironment can affect how a molecule binds to it. Hypothesis : THCP may interact more favourably with this microenvironment, perhaps due to its structure or electrical charge. This could contribute to a greater affinity for the receptor.

Stereochemistry of the THCP molecule

The THCP molecule has isomers, molecules with the same chemical formula but a different arrangement of atoms. These stereochemical variations can have different effects on the body and offer new avenues of exploration for medicine and pharmacology.

Synthesis and isolation of THCP

The isolation of THCP requires advanced chromatographic techniques. The chemical synthesis of this molecule, therefore, can be complex and requires delicate handling by experienced chemists.

THCP: comparison with other cannabinoids

The structure of THCP differs from that of CBD, which remains THE mainstream cannabinoid due to the absence of any psychotropic or addictive effects, as indeed explained by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The heptyl chain gives THCP distinct properties, both in terms of binding to receptors and the potential effect on the body.

Challenges and research prospects surrounding THCP

ThCP, although similar to THC, presents particular challenges in terms of research. Its rarity in the cannabis plant and the complexity of its extraction and synthesis require advanced analytical methods. In addition, the clinical implications of its increased binding to "CB 1" receptors still need to be studied in depth.

Potential therapeutic applications of THCP

The unique properties of THCP open up interesting prospects for medicine. Its increased affinity for "CB 1" receptors suggests therapeutic potential at multiple levels.

Pain management is arguably the potential application of THCP that is attracting the most interest from the scientific community. Chronic pain, particularly that associated with conditions such as fibromyalgia, arthritis or nerve damage, is often difficult to treat with conventional drugs. THCP's affinity for CB1 receptors could give it a certain ability to modulate pain signalling in the central nervous system. This could result in more effective pain relief without the undesirable side effects of opioids, such as dependence and the risk of overdose. Remember that these drugs are responsible for 4 deaths a week and 7 hospitalisations a day in France according to Insee figures.

Inflammation is another area where THCP could have a significant therapeutic impact. Chronic intractable inflammatory diseases such as Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis could benefit from THCP's modulatory effect on "CB 1" receptors. Unlike non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which can have gastric side-effects, THCP could offer a safer and more targeted alternative if used under strict medical control.

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Finally, and like all other cannabinoids, THCP could play a role in neurological disorders such as epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease. Its high affinity for CB1 receptors could influence neuroprotection and neuroplasticity. Let's close the scientific parenthesis and now attack the legal status of THCP in France.

Despite its obvious psychoactive effect, THCP is... "legal" in France

On 13 June last year, former Health Minister François Braun announced a ban on hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), a synthetic derivative of cannabis, following its classification as a "narcotic" by the French National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM). In the wake of this, consumers and suppliers switched to other THC derivatives, including THCP and H4CBD, which are still 'legal' in France, in the sense that they are not classified as 'narcotics'. This legal grey area is causing concern and raising questions, including at Famous CBD.

Nicolas Authier, a doctor, explains to France TV Info: "These are bad copies of the chemical structure of THC, CBD, or both. Watch out for the risks! A risk of dependence and addiction, but also of neuropsychiatric or cardiovascular complications. This is what brings some users to hospital. These substances have not been studied enough, so the consumer becomes the guinea pig and generally, manufacturers forget to tell you".

For its part, the ANSM explains that these substances "are already under surveillance" and that "the expert report is due to deliver its conclusions before the end of the year."

THCP: Famous CBD's position

At Famous CBD, your online shop specialising in CBD and cannabinoid products, we make it a point of honour not only to comply with the law in force (products with less than 0.3% THC), but also to remain within the spirit of the law and not to take advantage of grey areas and commercial opportunities that exploit legal inconsistencies.

Our position on THCP is transparent and in line with our company values. While there has been some scientific and medical interest in this cannabinoid, it is not a component of our products. We understand the complexity of cannabinoids and appreciate the need for a cautious approach in a changing regulatory landscape.

At Famous CBD, our mission is to offer quality CBD and cannabinoid products that meet standards above and beyond the legal requirement. We advocate trust, safety and reliability, and we are committed to following legislative and scientific developments in the field to keep you informed and guide our offering, which must reflect at all times our commitment to helping you discover CBD with complete peace of mind.