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Cannabis never fails to surprise us as we continue to uncover more and more cannabinoids and ways to use the plant. This past year has seen big breakthroughs in the hemp marketplace with new products popping up left and right. One of those newer cannabinoids is HHC. Consumers love this product because it is hemp-derived, meaning it's legal for sale and use outside of regulated dispensary channels. And the fact that it gets you high. Not like a slight buzz from full-spectrum CBD, but an actual THC high. 

While there’s no such thing as an HHC drug test, that doesn’t necessarily mean it won’t show up one. So, what do you need to know about this new cannabinoid to consume it safely and pass a drug test? Read on to find out. 

HHC Overview

Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), is one of over 100 cannabinoids found in cannabis. It’s naturally occurring (in trace amounts) and more concentrated in the seeds and pollen. Since it is only found in minute quantities, it’s typically manufactured in a lab to produce enough volume for infusing into edibles, vape pens, and tinctures.

We say that HHC is a newer cannabinoid, but it was actually first synthesized by Roger Adams in 1947. Nothing ever really came of the discovery until recently as the demand for hemp-derived products is on the rise. 

How is HHC Made?

HHC is made from Delta-8 or Delta-9 THC, or CBD. It’s technically a hydrogenated form of THC, and while Delta-8 and Delta-9 have double bonds on the carbon chain, HHC has zero. The hydrogenation process breaks these bonds and inserts hydrogen atoms in their place. This isn’t a rare process and is exactly how vegetable oil is turned into margarine. 

It might seem like a subtle molecule shift, but it offers solid stability to HHC, making it much more shelf-stable than THC. If you have any HHC products around, know that they will last for a very long time even when exposed to light or heat.

Will HHC Get You High?

Yes, HHC does get you high, but it’s not exactly the same as THC. HHC is much milder, and often compared to the effects of Delta-8 as opposed to Delta-9. It has five carbon side chains that attach to the CB1 cannabinoid receptors, though with a weaker affinity than Delta-9. Many people describe the high as mood-boosting with only mild alterations to the mind and cognition. It’s usually more energetic than sedative, with less psychoactive effects than Delta-9. 

Is HHC Legal?

Like all hemp-derived cannabinoids, HHC falls into a bit of a legal gray area. However, so long as the products are made with hemp starting material and the end result contains less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC, then it’s perfectly legal in most states. Some states have opted to outlaw certain hemp products despite their protection under the Farm Bill. 

Passing an HHC Drug Test

Taking drug tests is usually not a fun experience. It’s either for legal reasons or involving your job or future job. Drug tests are stressful, and even when you haven’t been over-consuming, can lead to stress and anxiety. So let’s say you’ve been experimenting with new HHC products and are now wondering how to pass an HHC drug test. Here’s what we know about HHC and drug tests.

How Long Does HHC Stay in Your System?

There are currently no studies indicating that HHC will cause you to fail a drug test because there is no such thing as an HHC drug test. However, that’s not to say it might not lead to one. Standard drug tests are not very sophisticated and are only looking for metabolites that point to recent or past drug use. The metabolites are what remain after the substance has been used up and metabolized in the body. 

Some people have even reported failing a drug test after only consuming CBD. How can that happen? Well, a full-spectrum CBD product contains trace amounts of THC (less than 0.3%) that can add up and lead to THC toxicity. Unfair, we know. The same can be said for HHC. If it is at all a full spectrum product, it can cause the same buildup. In addition, HHC is very similar to THC in molecular structure and even though the research does not yet tell us how it impacts drug tests, it’s better to be safe than sorry. 

So, assuming HHC has the potential to trigger a positive test, how long does HHC stay in your system? It’s wise to use the standard timetable for how long weed stays in your system. That means it can take up to 30 days to fully detox. However, that’s assuming you use HHC products fairly regularly. If you only use it once or twice a week, you can expect a reduced timeline of a couple of weeks. 

How to Detox from HHC

If you have a drug test coming up, it’s best not to place bets on whether or not you’ll pass. A failed drug test can mean losing your job, family, or major life privileges. In preparation for a drug test, the first thing to do is stop using all cannabis products immediately. No weed, no hemp gummies, no vape pens—just put it all away until you pass your test. 

Our bodies are constantly detoxing through sweat, urine, and feces. We digest, metabolize, and detoxify constantly to stay healthy and vital. Yet when you need to speed things up, there are several tips and tricks to help you get rid of toxins faster.

1. Stay hydrated - drug metabolites leave the body via feces and urine so staying hydrated helps move these detox processes along a bit quicker. If you are not properly hydrated your body cannot detox effectively. Aim for half your body weight in ounces of water per day.

2. Avoid trouble foods - this means saying no to fatty and fried foods, red meat, sugar, wheat, alcohol, and caffeine. During detox, these items can slow down your metabolism and put extra strain on your liver and digestive system. Stick to leafy greens, lean meats like fish and chicken, and load up on antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables.

3. Increase your workout - if you don’t like to exercise, now is the time to find a new program you can commit to. If you do exercise, shift to more fat-burning exercises to speed up your metabolism. Drug metabolites reside in our body’s fat cells so burning them will speed up detox time.

Be sure to rest and recuperate when you’re tired. A healthy body purges toxins faster than an unhealthy body. If you don’t have the luxury of a natural detox because your test is coming up soon, you are best advised to check out a detox program. Same-day cleansers and 5-day or 10-day kits can be the lifesaver you need to pass your drug test. 

Final Words on HHC

HHC offers therapeutic and recreational benefits to many people. It’s so great to have an option that doesn’t have to be purchased in a dispensary, opening up access to helpful cannabis goods to such a large audience. As legalization continues on and cannabis research catches up to the market, there’s no telling how many incredible things we’ll learn. For now, always use cannabis products safely and if you think you have a drug test coming up, keep a detox kit or at-home drug test on hand just in case. 

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