Over 100 cannabinoids have been discovered from cannabis, and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are by far the most popular. But there are plenty of other cannabinoids in the plant that boast several health and medicinal properties.
Scientists are always discovering new cannabinoids from time to time, and one of the latest to come onto the scene is tetrahydrocannabiphorol (THCP).
What is THCP?
THCP is a phytocannabinoid that was first extracted from Cannabis sativa by a team of Italian researchers who were studying industrial hemp and came across THCP and cannabidiphorol (CBDP) somewhat by accident and published their findings in Scientific Reports in 2019. [1]
This THC homologue can also be synthesized in the laboratory.
THCP: More Potent Than THC
Interestingly, it was found that the recently-discovered cannabinoid may be even more potent than THC. In fact, THCP is believed to be 33 times more active than THC at CB1 receptors.
Since THCP is more psychoactive than THC, the same effects are experienced when consumed in lower doses. The team also believes that THCP has potential health benefits, like its homologue.
What is CBDP?
While the main focus of the Italian study was THCP and its effects, the scientists also stumbled upon another cannabinoid during the research: CBDP. Unlike THCP, however, it is not yet sure whether or not CBDP is more potent than CBD. There is also a lot more to discover about its potential therapeutic effects.
Isolating all the different cannabinoids in the cannabis plant has taken years, and it’s likely that others are still yet to be discovered. In the meantime, the researchers believe that THCP and CBDP could potentially clarify reasons why cannabis may affects consumers in different ways.
References:
[1] Citti, C., et al, “A novel phytocannabinoid isolated from Cannabis sativa L. with an in vivo cannabimimetic activity higher than Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol: Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabiphorol“, Scientific Reports, December 2019, Vol. 9. [Journal Impact Factor =4.996] [Times Cited = 91]
Image: https://pixabay.com/photos/seedling-cannabis-marijuana-1062908/
