What is THCO? Effects, risks and production
- What is THCO and what is the production process?
- Back to the past: where did the news come from that it is a psychedelic cannabinoid?
- What are the effects of THCO?
- Side effects and other risks
- Available THCO products
- Conclusion: we lack research and regulation...
What is THCO and what is the manufacturing process?
THCO stands for Tetrahydrocannabinol Acetate, it can also be seen with the designation: THCO-O, THC-O-acetate, ATHC, THCOA and other names depending on whether it comes from delta-8 or delta-9-THC: delta-8-THC-O-acetate/delta-8-THC-O or delta-9-THC-O-acetate/delta-9-THC-O.
THCO is a derivative of the well-known cannabinoid THC (tetrahydrocannabinol, delta-9-THC), specifically the acetate ester form of THC. What does the ester consist of? In the case of THCO, the ester is made up of either delta-8-THC or delta-9-THC, the latter being more potent than THC itself and therefore probably exerting a pronounced psychoactive effect.
The various esters are found everywhere, occur naturally in plants and fruits and are added, for example, to perfumes. If we look at it from a chemical point of view, the term ester refers to chemical compounds that are formed in a reaction between an acid and an alcohol.
THCO is a (semi)synthetic cannabinoid that is produced in a laboratory with a vacuum fume hood. First, CBD (cannabidiol) must be extracted from the cannabis plant, then the CBD is transformed into delta-8 or delta-9-THC molecules and then these molecules are combined with acetic anhydride (acetic anhydride) to form THCO. The final form is a thick brown liquid that resembles engine oil in appearance.
Other acetate variants of cannabinoids include HHCPO and THCPO.
Back to the past: where did the news come from that this is a psychedelic cannabinoid?
Between 1949 and 1974, the US Army conducted experiments with THCO at Edgewood Arsenal. The reasons why the Army conducted experiments with this substance, as well as the results, remain a mystery in the archives. Reports of recreational use of THCO also emerged during this time period.
Between 1975 and 1977, THCO's reputation as a psychedelic cannabinoid apparently began to take shape. In 1975, chemist David Gold stated in a publication that acetate has more spiritual and psychedelic effects than other common substances and that it takes about 30 minutes to take effect. In 1977, Michael Starks further elaborated on the potency and characteristics of the substance in his book Marijuana Chemistry: Genetics, Processing, Potency .
The designation of a psychedelic cannabinoid that is 3 times more potent than conventional THC also appeared in the American magazine High Times, which has been covering cannabis since 1974. This statement apparently comes from the aforementioned book by Michael Starks. However, scientific data are still lacking to confirm that THCO is 3 times more potent than THC.
What are the effects of THCO?
In 2023, a survey was published to investigate whether THCO has psychedelic effects. Researchers at the University of Buffalo, led by Daniel J. Kruger, surveyed 300 THCO users to learn to what extent users experienced different experiences, changes in time perception, and whether they felt a reduction in symptoms from pain, euphoria, hallucinations, or paranoia.
Respondents completed the Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ) and also reported their experiences with other psychedelics such as LSD or psilocybin mushrooms. The survey revealed that 79% of participants experienced no or only mild psychedelic effects, indicating that THCO does not appear to have any psychedelic effects on most users.
It has been reported that for some users, THCO effects may slightly resemble low dose psychedelic drugs such as mushrooms (psilocybin) or LSD, while for others it produces no psychedelic effects.
Let us refer to yet another survey, namely the Content Analysis of Social Media Discussions on THC-O-Acetate from July 2023, again led by Daniel J. Kruger, which examines users' views and experiences with THCO.
In this analysis, users most frequently compared the effects of THCO to those of delta-8 and delta-9-THC, with some stating that THCO was not psychedelic at all or only mildly so. Coughing and anxiety were most frequently mentioned as negative experiences. Most users also noted that the effects of THCO come on relatively late and that it lasts longer.
User experience suggests that THCO acts similarly to delta-8 or delta-9-THC, but apparently has effects about 3 times stronger than delta-9-THC and about 6 times stronger than delta-8-THC. However, this information is not scientifically substantiated.
THCO acts similarly to other cannabinoids with psychoactive properties, such as HHC, THCJD, HHCH, THCB and THCH. It can affect perception, induce intense feelings of euphoria and relaxation, relieve pain symptoms and help with sleep problems as it has a sedative effect on some users.
How long does it take for the effects to take effect?
THCO earns the label "prodrug", which means that it is activated only after it has been metabolized by the liver, and thus takes longer to take effect. Once the compound has been metabolised, only the THC is retained. So how is it possible that THCO is more potent than THC? There are a lot of questions surrounding this so far, but one theory suggests that the acetylated version of THC has better bioavailability than regular THC.
If THCO is vaped or smoked from joints, the effects usually appear in about 20 minutes. For oils, effects take about 30 minutes, while edibles can take 1-2 hours to take effect.
However, before ordering THCO products, you should also be aware of certain risks that may be associated with this type of substance.
Side effects and other risks
Whether side effects occur and to what extent depends on the specific product, the dose, the method of consumption, as well as the age, gender, metabolism and sensitivity of the user.
Possible side effects of THCO:
- Drowsiness
- dry mouth
- red eyes
- changes in colour and brightness perception
- increased heart rate
- low blood pressure
- disorientation
- dizziness
- unpleasant psychological effects such as panic, paranoia, anxiety and hallucinations
At this time, it cannot be excluded that other as yet undetected side effects will not occur.
Keep in mind that it takes time for the effects of THCO to become apparent, so it is important to wait a sufficient time before possibly taking another dose to avoid intoxication or overdose, which can result in a so-called bad trip.
The main risk of similar (semi)synthetic compounds is the possible contamination with undesirable substances such as heavy metals, pesticides or solvents. Daniel J. Kruger, author of the above mentioned surveys, noted that it is a risk if we do not know the actual content of the products, as some undesirable extreme effects can be triggered by contamination.
Use caution when using these substances and approach them responsibly. In any case, it is not recommended to drive or operate any machinery after use, as this is a substance that can affect perception.
Available THCO products
The following THCO products are most commonly found on the market:
- Oils: THCO extract with carrier oil
- Vapes: vape pens either in the form of disposables or refillable devices with liquid or replaceable cartridges
- Dabs: concentrated forms of cannabis (concentrates) such as wax, shatter, crumble, butter, honeycomb, sugar or crystals that are vaped through a vaporizer or dab rig
- THCO flowers: sticks of technical cannabis infused with THCO distillate
- Edibles: for example, snacks and gummy candies infused with THCO
Conclusion: we lack research and regulation...
THCO is the acetate form of the THC ester. This ester is much more potent than THC itself, and therefore probably produces a significant psychoactive effect.
A 2023 survey found that THCO has little or no psychedelic effect. These effects depend on the chosen method of consumption, the size of the dose, as well as the age, body proportions, sensitivity and metabolism of the user.
At present, it cannot be stated with certainty that it is a completely risk-free substance. Researcher and chemist James Stephens points out that vaping the compound in a cartridge raises a number of safety issues, as heating and combustion can trigger other chemical reactions. Some research points out that acetate forms produce a chemical called ketene when exposed to heat, which can cause serious lung damage.
Experts have also noted that the compound, which is about 3 times more potent than delta-9-THC, poses a higher risk in that users fail to estimate the dose and develop negative psychological effects and other manifestations.
Because research and development is in its early stages, we emphasize the need for rigorous, controlled, peer-reviewed research to evaluate the effects and safety profile.
If you want to try new compounds, shop at stores with which you have positive experience and choose companies that have their products tested by an independent third party.
At the moment, in the absence of research and regulation, it is left to users to assess the potential risks and benefits of similar substances for themselves.
THCO compound is only suitable for experienced users, if you are a novice, choose products with CBD, CBN, CBG, possibly CBDP or H4CBD.
Author: HorseHog&Cow
Photo: Shutterstock
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