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People often refer to THC-O as the "spiritual cannabinoid" and wonder: Does THC-O make you hallucinate? Despite its potency—nearly three times stronger than traditional THC—THC-O does not typically induce hallucinations.
In this article, we'll clarify any confusion about THC-O hallucinations and explain what you can 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
Limited Evidence on THC-O Hallucinations: While there's limited evidence suggesting THC-O is not hallucinogenic, some anecdotal reports mention mild hallucinations.
Individual Response Varies: Hallucinations from THC-O depend on individual response and dosage, similar to how traditional THC can affect people differently.
Dosage Caution: Start with a low dose of THC-O and gradually increase to avoid potential adverse effects and manage your personal response effectively.
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? Nope! Here are the facts:
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 is a synthetic cannabinoid believed to be up to three times more potent than Delta-9 THC. It interacts with the brain’s endocannabinoid system, producing stronger psychoactive effects, potentially leading to heightened euphoria, altered sensory perception, and even mild psychedelic experiences at higher doses. However, research on its long-term impact is limited.
THC-O is considered one of the most potent cannabinoids, but THC-P is thought to be even stronger, with some estimates suggesting it could be up to 30 times more potent than Delta-9 THC.
The effects of THC-O can last anywhere from 4 to 8 hours, depending on the dose, the method of consumption, and individual metabolism. Edibles tend to have a longer-lasting effect compared to vaping or smoking.
THC-O can be safely consumed in edibles if the dosage is properly controlled. However, because THC-O is much stronger than Delta-9 THC, consuming edibles with high THC-O concentrations can lead to intense effects, so it's important to start with a low dose.
Yes, 25mg of THC-O is considered a high dose, especially for beginners. Due to THC-O's potency, even small amounts can produce strong effects, so it's generally recommended to start with lower doses (5-10mg) for those new to it.
THC-O is significantly stronger than Delta-8 and may produce more intense psychoactive effects. Some users may find THC-O overwhelming, especially compared to the milder effects of Delta-8. However, "worse" depends on individual preferences and tolerance levels.
No, CBD (cannabidiol) is not known to cause hallucinations. It is a non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis that does not produce the mind-altering effects associated with THC.
Delta-9-THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) can potentially cause hallucinations, particularly at high doses or in sensitive individuals. Its psychoactive effects may lead to altered perceptions and, in some cases, hallucinations.
Delta-8-THC may cause mild hallucinations or altered perceptions, but it is generally less potent than Delta-9-THC. The likelihood of hallucinations with Delta-8 is lower, but individual responses can vary.
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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