Italian scientists have discovered a new cannabis compound which could be 30 times more powerful than Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) the main substance in Bhang which causes euphoria, appetite, heightened sensory perception, relaxation, impaired memory, blood pressure as well as impaired concentration and coordination.
Scientifically identified as tetrahydrocannabiphorol (THCP) the scientists while assessing its ability of THCP to bind to human cannabinoid receptors found in the endocannabinoid system, noted that this compound strongly bound to the receptors over 30 times the THC, which got them alluding that this could be the explanation as to why some particularly potent cannabis varieties have a stronger effect than can be explained by the presence of THC alone.
“This means that these compounds have a higher affinity for the receptors in the human body. 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,” said Dr. Cinzia Citti, lead author of the research.
Of the nearly 150 cannabis compounds, most are said to have a five atom chain including THC, but THCP was found to have a seven-atom chain in its natural form surpassing. But it becomes challenging to isolate this compound because of the rare sources and its presence in small amounts.
The authors have linked THCP to potential health benefits based on their stronger binding abilities and potency. These new discoveries recently published in the journal Nature, Scientific Reports, could trigger the production of cannabis extracts and more testings that could further the discovery and identification of new compounds.
