Researchers Discover Cannabis Compound That May Be 30 Times More Potent Than THC
New research out of Italy suggests there could be a much more potent cannabis compound than tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Scientists have found a new psychoactive substance in the plant called tetrahydrocannabiphorol (THCP), which they believe could be more than 30 times stronger. Researchers measured the impact of THCP in a lab and found that like THC, the compounded attached to cannabinoid receptors in the body but bonded to them 33 times more strongly, indicating it's possible for THCP to disrupt mental and physical functions even more than THC.
Dr. Cinzia Citti, who is the study's lead author, believes this helps explain why some strains behave differently than one would expect based solely on their THC levels. Citti said, "In cannabis varieties where THC is present in very low concentrations, then we can think that the presence of another, more active cannabinoid can explain those effects."
While this discovery of THCP suggests the potential for creating marijuana products that give users a more intense high, the researchers are also optimistic about the possibility of uncovering health benefits related to THCP.
Source Fool.com