{"id":31336,"date":"2021-08-04T19:43:23","date_gmt":"2021-08-04T19:43:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dailycbd.cc\/en\/?p=31336"},"modified":"2021-10-04T17:38:57","modified_gmt":"2021-10-04T17:38:57","slug":"thcc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dailycbd.com\/en\/thcc\/","title":{"rendered":"What is THCC? How is it Different From THC?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

<\/a>What is THCC?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

THCC (\u03949-tetrahydrocannabiorcol) is a naturally occurring cannabinoid<\/a> found in the pollen of the cannabis plant. This means this cannabinoid comes from the male cannabis plants rather than the female plants like most other cannabinoids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Currently, the only commercial application of the male plants is breeding and the production of hemp seeds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THCC is not well studied, so it\u2019s unclear where this cannabinoid falls in terms of safety and efficacy. There\u2019s been some interesting preliminary research that suggests this cannabinoid could be a powerful painkiller and neuroregulator. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>What Are the Effects of THCC?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

THCC is non-psychoactive but may offer powerful analgesic effects for certain types of pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preliminary studies have shown this cannabinoid doesn\u2019t have a strong affinity for the CB1 or CB2 receptors [1<\/a>]. Therefore, THCC doesn’t produce the characteristic high from other forms of THC, such as delta 9 THC, delta 8 THC<\/a>, THCV<\/a>, THCP<\/a>, or THC-O<\/a>. THCC is more similar to CBD than it is to THC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What makes this cannabinoid unique is its ability to bind to the vanilloid receptors (TRPA1). These receptors are intimately involved in the regulation of pain, as well as other functions like body temperature regulation and nerve transmission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A study published in Nature in 2011 explored the potential painkilling activity of THCC against another known TRPA1 agonist, acetaminophen (AKA, Aspirin) [2<\/a>]. The study concluded that THCC and other TRPA1-mediators are promising candidates for new forms of analgesic medicines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>What is TRPA1 & What is its Significance?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

TRPA1<\/a> is a protein structure that forms on cell membranes. It acts as a receptor and also forms ion channels that transmit information into the cell when certain conditions are met [3<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This receptor acts as a sensor for detecting noxious stimuli and converting that signal into pain and inducing a cascade of other effects such as tearing, coughing, sneezing, and inflammation.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

TRPA1 is often referred to as the “wasabi receptor” or the “capsaicin receptor,” \u2014 which gives you a clue as to the type of noxious chemicals this receptor is designed to detect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whenever you eat foods like chili, mustard, or wasabi or are exposed to other noxious chemicals like tear gas or pepper spray, your body’s reaction relies on the activation of the TRPA1 receptors. You feel the urge to cough, inflammation causes warmth and pain, and you start to sneeze or feel your nose start to run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s also some indication this receptor serves as a sensor for noxious hot or cold temperatures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ultimately, the role of TRPA1 as a potential new pain-management pathway looks promising, but there’s still a lot we don’t know. Thanks to dedicated researchers at UCSF, including David Julius<\/a>, Yifan Cheng<\/a>, Candice Paulsen<\/a>, Jean-Paul Armache<\/a>, David Agard<\/a>, and others, we\u2019re starting to make some real headway in the therapeutic potential of this unique receptor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>Can THCC Manage Chronic Pain?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There isn\u2019t enough research to make any claims, but the current evidence suggests THCC as a promising candidate for treating certain types of pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ability of this compound to target the TRPA1 receptors makes it especially promising.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TRPA1 mediators are currently being explored as a new target for the next generation of painkillers [10<\/a>] \u2014 especially neuropathic pain<\/a>, chronic inflammatory pain<\/a>, and osteoarthritis-related pain<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>1. THCC For Migraine Headaches<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Migraine headaches<\/a> are still poorly understood by modern medicine. While there are several leading theories, no specific cause has been established. The mechanism of action for migraines is thought to involve an abnormal release of serotonin, changes in cerebral blood flow, or a spasm of the blood vessels that feed blood to the brain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are also some well-established triggers<\/em> for the cascade of effects that lead to migraine headaches. Exposure to cigarette smoke, various aromas, medications, and a compound called glyceryl trinitrate are all examples of triggers for migraine headaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some studies suggest the reason these triggers cause migraine attacks is because they activate the TRPA1 receptors. Additionally, several of the effective treatment options available today for treating migraines work by desensitizing or blocking the action of TRPA1 [9<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While THCC has yet to be studied for this specific application, its potent TRPA1-mediating activity makes it a promising candidate for future migraine treatment and prevention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>2. THCC For Osteoarthritis Pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The role of TRPA1 and osteoarthritis pain is particularly interesting. Current evidence suggests the TRPA1 receptor is involved with the pain originating from the inflamed chondrocytes in arthritic joints [8<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TRPA1 mediators, such as THCC, may provide a new form of treatment for managing osteoarthritis pain directly, as well as through a reduction in pain hypersensitivity that often forms with chronic pain conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>3. THCC For Chemotherapy-Induced Pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s common for chemotherapeutic medication to induce a certain type of nerve pain called allodynia. This condition makes people extremely sensitive to touch as well as changes in temperature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are many chemotherapy medications that can have this effect, but some of the most notable are paclitaxel and oxaliplatin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TRPA1 activation is thought to be the primary cause of this form of nerve pain [7<\/a>], so it\u2019s possible that TRPA1 mediators like THCC could provide direct relief for this form of chemotherapy pain. More research is needed to understand this effect in more detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>4. THCC For Diabetic Neuropathic Pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Diabetic neuropathy<\/a> is a condition in which elevated blood sugar levels (as a result of diabetes mellitus) causes damage and destruction to the cells in the surface of the skin, especially in the toes and fingers. As the nerve cells are damaged along with surrounding tissue, it causes intense, persisting pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A recent study found that TRPA1 mediators were able to attenuate diabetic neuropathy-induced pain in rats [6<\/a>]. The effect was especially remarkable in TRPA1 mediators with action on the TRPA1 receptors located in the spinal cord rather than strictly in the affected area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THCC hasn\u2019t been studied for this effect directly, but current evidence suggests it interacts with both the peripheral TRPA1 and spinal TRPA1 receptors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>5. THCC For Sleep-Deprivation-Induced Pain Hypersensitivity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Studies have shown loss of sleep can make us more sensitive to pain [4<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a bit of a catch-22. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

More pain = less sleep; and less sleep = more pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THCC has not been studied for this effect specifically \u2014 but similar TRPA1 mediators have been shown to reverse sleep deprivation-induced hypersensitivities to pain in rats [5<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>Why Isn\u2019t THCC Psychoactive?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Structurally, THCC is very similar to THC. The only difference is the number of carbon atoms attached to its functional side chain. Instead of having five carbons, like THC, it has 1. This is why THCC is sometimes referred to as THC-C1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The potency of THC largely relies on the number of carbons in its side chain:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n