Scientific research on the different cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant does not stop, and new compounds are being discovered and studied continuously, each with its characteristics and potential benefits. One of these emerging compounds is THC-JD, also known as Tetrahydrocannabioctyl. This relatively unknown cannabinoid is beginning to attract the attention of researchers and plant enthusiasts for its potential unique effects and medicinal applications.
THC-JD, unlike its more famous relatives such as THC and CBD, is found in much lower concentrations in the cannabis plant. However, its chemical properties and therapeutic potential have sparked great interest in the scientific community. Early studies suggest that THC-JD could have more potent and specific effects, offering new opportunities for the treatment of various medical conditions.
This article will explore in depth what THC-JD is, how it differs from other cannabinoids, its potential benefits and effects, and what its discovery could mean for the future of medicinal and recreational cannabis. As we advance our understanding of cannabinoids, THC-JD could play a key role in developing new treatments and expanding knowledge about cannabis use.
What is THC-JD or Tetrahydrocannabioctyl?
Many sources report that this molecule, an isomer of THC, was first discovered in 1941, although it was then called THC-Octyl because of its 8 carbon atoms. Over the decades, research on this substance has grown, until – presumably – in 2020 a way was found to synthesize it in the laboratory.
THC-JD, also known as Tetrahydrocannabioctyl, is a cannabinoid that is produced from the cannabis plant, although in very low concentrations. The production of this compound follows a process similar to that of other cannabinoids, beginning with the biosynthesis of cannabinoids in the plant. Thus, THC-JD has clear similarities with other cannabinoids such as THC-B or THC-P, all of them being part of the same family but presenting important differences in terms of their structure and effects.
THC-B has a 6-carbon side chain, THC-P has a 7-carbon side chain, and THC-JD has an 8-carbon side chain (hence the -octyl suffix), being the largest of the three. This is not an unimportant trait, since the length of this carbon chain directly influences the ability of these cannabinoids to bind to the body’s endo receptors, that is, their way of affecting your body:
- THC-JD may form a stronger bond with endocannabinoid receptors, which could result in more potent effects than THC-P and THC-B.
- THC-P, with 7 carbons, also has a strong interaction, surpassing THC-B, but less potent than THC-JD.
- THC-B has the shortest chain length (6 carbons) and therefore produces less intense effects compared to the other two.
In practical terms, this greater binding capacity of THC-JD means that it could exert a more significant influence on the endocannabinoid system than THC-P, and this in turn more than THC-B. If we compare it directly with delta-9-THC, THC-JD would be noticeably more powerful, it is said to be between 10 and 20 times more potent depending on the source, opening up an interesting range of therapeutic possibilities in the hopefully near future.
What is the endocannabinoid system? (ECS)
Do you know what regulates hunger, sleep, menstrual pain and also libido in our bodies? The endocannabinoid system is responsible for the balance of all these functions on which our health and emotional well-being depend so much. In this article, we explain what it is, how it works and what to do to keep it healthy.
THC-JD Production Process
The synthesis process of this compound begins as we have already seen in other cannabinoids, with precursors such as cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), which is the “mother cannabinoid” from which many other cannabinoids are synthesized. Through a series of enzymatic reactions within the plant, CBGA is converted into various cannabinoids, including THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid), which breaks down into THC with heat (decarboxylation).
Identification and Isolation of THC-JD
THC-JD can be detected in very small quantities in the cannabis plant. Using advanced chromatography and mass spectrometry techniques, scientists can identify and isolate this specific cannabinoid.
THC-JD Extraction and Purification
Extraction methods, such as supercritical CO2 or solvent extractions, are used to isolate the cannabinoids from the plant. Subsequently, the extract is purified using techniques such as chromatography to concentrate THC-JD and separate it from other compounds.
Chemical Analysis and Synthesis
Laboratories analyze THC-JD to understand its chemical structure and properties. Sometimes chemical synthesis methods can be used to produce larger quantities of THC-JD from its precursors or other cannabinoids.
As we see, THC-JD is produced naturally in the cannabis plant through biosynthetic processes. However, due to its low concentrations in the plant, careful isolation and purification are required to obtain usable quantities. Advances in extraction and analysis techniques allow scientists to study and potentially synthesize this cannabinoid from other plant compounds to investigate their effects and applications, most likely through processes such as isomerization.
In principle, a molecule like CBD would be taken and its version with more carbons would be formulated, thus obtaining CBD-JD. From here, and through isomerization, THC-JD could be obtained in quantities much greater than those produced by the plant.
Effects and Applications of THC-JD (Tetrahydrocannabioctyl)
Although THC-JD is a relatively new and understudied cannabinoid, it is believed to have psychoactive effects similar to those of THC, but potentially more potent due to its unique chemical structure. If you do a little research, it will probably happen to you like us, who have found sources that speak of an effect 10 times more powerful, while others speak of up to 20 times more powerful. Be that as it may, what seems clear is that you can expect a much more intense effect than that of “traditional” THC. Thus, the expected effects include:
- Euphoria: Feeling of happiness and well-being
- Relaxation: Calming and relaxing effects on the body
- Alteration of perception: Changes in the perception of time and the environment
- Increased appetite: Similar to typical munchies associated with THC
Possible therapeutic applications of THC-JD
Therapeutic applications of THC-JD are still in the research phase, but based on the properties of other cannabinoids, it can be expected to have potential in several areas:
- Pain relief: Could be useful in treating chronic pain due to its analgesic properties
- Treatment of anxiety and depression: Potentially beneficial for mental health disorders
- Nausea and vomiting: It may effectively control nausea and vomiting, especially in chemotherapy patients.
- Appetite stimulation: Useful for people with loss of appetite due to various medical conditions
The munchies: cannabis and a craving for food
It is well known among marijuana users that the hunger unleashed after a cannabis session is inevitable, and can often be a really pleasant experience, especially if you’ve got something tasty close at hand. In this article we explain what science has to say about this phenomenon, commonly known as ‘getting the munchies’, and we also explore its strange relationship with sleep.
Research and Future
Since THC-JD is an emerging cannabinoid, more research is needed to fully understand its effects and applications. Future studies will focus on its efficacy, safety, and therapeutic potential, which could open new avenues for the treatment of various medical conditions and improve our understanding of the endocannabinoid system. However, given the low quantities of this compound produced naturally by the plant, it will probably have to be synthesized in the laboratory to be able to prepare medicines and studies or tests based on them.
If you want to do more research on this molecule, keep in mind that it is known in many different ways, such as THC-JD, Delta 9 THC-C8, Delta-9-THCJD, JWH138, or tetrahydrocannabioctyl.
THC-JD Legality
As has been happening with other cannabinoids, this compound burst onto the market thanks to the existing legal vacuum, since being an uncontrolled substance, its sale cannot be understood as an illegal act. However, following the same path as many of these compounds, for example in France THC-JD became considered a narcotic as of June 3, 2024, thus being considered an illegal substance.
Once again, we find substances that are not regulated and that are marketed until the relevant authority controls them, at which point they become illegal and, therefore, their sale is prohibited. Our advice, as always, is that you inform yourself well about both the legality of the substance you want to take and its effects on the body. It can save you more than one scare!
References:
- Recent trends in the identification of psychoactive substances. Issue 45. September 2023, Ruslan Yurchenko, Любовь Юрченко, Inna Galetskaya, Matsvei Navitski
- Navigating the Complexities of Hemp & Cannabis Regulation: The New Cannabinoid Industry, Pamela N. Epstein
- Tetrahydrocannabinol Homologs and Analogs with Marihuana Activity, Roger Adams, S. Loewe, C. M. Smith, W. D. McPhee
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