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People hear THC-O referred to as the "spiritual cannabinoid" and wonder: Can THC-O make you hallucinate? It's a fair question, especially since THC-O'S effects are nearly three times more potent than traditional THC.
Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on your stance), THC-O does not make you hallucinate–usually.
We're here to clear up any confusion about THC-O hallucinations and help you understand what to expect from this ultra-potent cannabinoid.
Table of Contents
What is THC-O?
Will THC-O Make You Hallucinate?
Why is THC-O Nicknamed the Spiritual Cannabinoid??
Which THC-O Products are Most Potent?
Where to Buy THC-O
Before we can dig into the details of THC-O's potential hallucinogenic effects, let's discuss some important distinctions, like where THC-O comes from and exactly how potent it is.
Thanks to its structural similarities to traditional THC, THC-O is able to interact with the body's endocannabinoid system in a similar fashion, inducing psychoactive effects that impact both the body and mind. These effects are thought to be nearly three times more potent, and the high from THC-O is described as being more uplifting and not as sedating as traditional THC products. Some people have even described the effects to be significantly different, more on the spectrum of "psychedelic" substances–but will it give you a visionary experience akin to mushrooms or LSD?
THC-O is sometimes described as “borderline hallucinogenic,” and this may be an accurate description of the effects of THC-O when taken in large doses, but it isn't always the case.
THC-O interacts with CB-1 receptors, the same psychoactive receptors responsible for Delta-9’s psychoactivity. For comparison, hallucinogenic substances like lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) bind to serotonin receptors and have a particular affinity for B-arrestin signaling pathways.
Of course, some evidence exists that proves that some people experience hallucinogenic effects after using THC, even if experts don’t understand how it may work. One case study followed a 30 year old man who claimed to experience hallucinogenic effects similar to other hallucinogenic drugs after taking only 25 milligrams of Delta-9-THC. The subject was confirmed to be “functionally incapacitated for about 90 min and experienced strongly aversive and disorienting effects” after dosing.
So, what about THC-O?
The University at Buffalo-led study examined the alleged psychedelic effects of THC-O-acetate. According to lead author Daniel J. Kruger, PhD, the study aimed to investigate whether THC-O-acetate truly produces psychedelic effects, stating, "We wanted to study this and see, is there really a psychedelic cannabinoid? Can we find evidence that THC-O-acetate has this effect? And the answer is, not so much."
The study surveyed nearly 300 participants, asking about their experiences with THC-O-acetate, including altered sense of time, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, euphoria, hallucinations, pain relief, paranoia, and relaxation. Results showed that most participants did not experience psychedelic effects, with 79% responding that using THC-O-acetate is "not at all" or "a little" of a psychedelic experience.
The truth is, the effects of THC-O are likely dose dependent, and the doses used to experience hallucinogenic effects are probably much higher than the average doses used.
The hallucinogenic effects are also likely milder than other hallucinogenic drugs, although some auditory and visual hallucinations are possible. In many cases, the visual effects of THC-O may be due to the increased dilation of the eye, which causes you to be more sensitive to light, color, and movement.
THC-O does not usually produce hallucinations at regular doses. However, users have found that higher doses of THC-O may produce a sort of hallucination effect.
THC-O hallucinations can vary widely from person to person but are often described as mild, but vivid experiences that may include visual distortions, auditory hallucinations, and alterations in perception of time and space. Users may feel transported to alternate realities or experience a heightened sense of introspection and self-awareness.
Additionally, THC-O hallucinations can be accompanied by feelings of euphoria, relaxation, or even anxiety and paranoia in some cases, depending on individual sensitivity and environmental factors. Overall, the sensations produced by THC-O hallucinations may leave a lasting impression on those who experience them.
It’s not surprising that this extremely potent cannabinoid has gained a reputation for enhancing the “spiritual connection between body and mind.” In fact, cannabis has a history of “enhancing spiritual enlightenment” and is often used as a tool during certain spiritual practices, like meditation.
Generally speaking, though, we believe that this nickname simply comes from the fact that THC-O is so potent, much more so than other THC products on the market.
In order to reap the most potent THC-O effects possible, you’ll need to find a potent dosing method. We want to note, of course, that increasing your THC-O dosage also increases the risk of THC-O side effects, so it’s important to understand how much THC-O to take to reach the desired effects without going overboard.
If you want a potent dosing method, though, we have two recommendations: edibles or vapes. Here’s the difference:
A THC vape was the delivery method used in the study involving hallucinogenic doses of THC that we referenced above. There are several benefits to mention here. First, THC-O vaporizers are an instant delivery method, which means the effects should begin to creep on only minutes after each dose. You should feel the full effects of your dose after approximately 20 minutes.
Because this method allows a "low and slow" approach to dosing, its a great method for “building up” to a higher dose without losing sight of the effects. Our THC-O + Delta-8 Vape Cart is an expertly balanced formula that makes it simple to stack doses until you reach the perfect lift level.
THC-O edibles are much different, but some evidence suggests that they offer more potent effects by default because of the way they are metabolized in the body.
Many edibles (like cookies and other infused foods) are designed to be processed by digestion, which means they will take effect more slowly. Although it varies for every person, these types of edibles may take 1-3 hours to kick in. On the other hand, some edibles (like hard candies and chews) are designed to dissolve slowly in the mouth for sublingual absorption, similar to tinctures. That means you could begin to feel effects after roughly 45 minutes.
The downside to edibles is that you can’t easily stack on another dose if the effects aren’t quite what you hoped by the time they kick in. You can, however, combine a THC-O vape pen with an edible dose to help gently lift you to exactly where you’d like to be.
Thanks to its natural hemp source, THC-O is federally legal and legal in many U.S. states, which means it's far more accessible than traditional cannabis products. It's important that you source from trustworthy hemp manufacturers that provide third-party lab tests for every batch. If you're interested in trying THC-O, we also recommend that you take dosing slowly and feel out the effects of this highly potent THC product in order to ensure a safe, positive experience.
Looking for THC-O products you can buy online? Check out ourDelta-8 + THC-O Vape Cart.
THC-O, or THC-O acetate, is a potent cannabinoid known for its ability to induce intense hallucinogenic effects in some users. While not everyone may experience hallucinations from THC-O, it has the potential to cause profound alterations in perception, including visual distortions, auditory hallucinations, and changes in the perception of time and space.
THC-O interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system, particularly with cannabinoid receptors in the brain. This interaction can lead to disruptions in neural activity, resulting in the perception of hallucinations. The exact mechanisms by which THC-O induces hallucinations are not fully understood but are believed to involve alterations in neurotransmitter release and signal processing within the brain.
THC-O hallucinations can manifest as a wide range of visual effects, including vivid colors, patterns, and shapes, as well as distortions in the perception of size and distance. Users may also experience visual hallucinations such as seeing objects that are not present or perceiving their surroundings in a distorted or altered manner.
While CBD (cannabidiol) is generally considered non-psychoactive and is not known to induce hallucinations, there is some evidence to suggest that high doses of CBD may exacerbate psychotic symptoms in individuals predisposed to psychosis or certain psychiatric disorders. However, more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between CBD and psychosis.
CBD is not considered a hallucinogen. Unlike THC-O and other cannabinoids that can induce hallucinations, CBD does not typically produce psychoactive effects or alter perception in the same way. Instead, CBD is often valued for its potential therapeutic effects, including its ability to reduce anxiety, inflammation, and seizures, without causing intoxication or hallucinations.
1. "THC-O-acetate's psychedelic effects may be greatly exaggerated" https://www.news-medical.net/news/20230711/THC-O-acetates-psychedelic-effects-may-be-greatly-exaggerated.aspx
2. "Hallucinations Following Acute Cannabis Dosing: A Case Report and Comparison to Other Hallucinogenic Drugs" https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5908416/
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