Will THC-O Get Me High?

by Kat Austin February 09, 2022 5 min read

Will THC-O Get Me High? - VO Inc

THC-O, otherwise known as THC-O acetate, is the newest hemp-derived THC analogue to join the party, and even the most avid hemp consumers have some questions. Most importantly, consumers want to know “Will THC-O get me high like traditional THC? And what should I expect from the THC-O experience?”

The quick answer is yes! THC-O will indeed get you high, but the effects are different from what you may experience with traditional THC, and definitely different from the effects of other hemp-derived THC products, like Delta-8.

Before you dive in, here’s what you need to know about THC-O effects:

Table of Contents

What is a THC-O High Like??
Does THC-O Have Therapeutic Benefits?
Does THC-O Have Side Effects?
How Long Does it Take for THC-O to Kick In?
Will THC-O Fail a Drug Test?
Frequently Asked Questions

Key Takeaways

  • THC-O is an incredibly potent cannabinoid that will produce a strong mental and physical euphoria.
  • It’s best to start with low doses to gauge how you will respond to THC-O before taking larger doses.
  • Although THC-O is a legal hemp-derivative, it will trigger a positive drug test result just like other THC products.
  • Using a product that combines THC-O with Delta-8 or other mild hemp-derived cannabinoids is a great way to test the waters with a milder, more balanced THC-O experience.

What is a THC-O high like?

THC-O-acetate is classified as a prodrug, which means it’s entirely inactive until it's metabolized by the body. That means that the effects may take a bit longer to kick in compared to other THC products. Some claims also suggest that THC-O is more bioavailable than most other forms of THC, which means more of the THC-O you ingest actually makes it to the bloodstream.

According to the general consensus, THC-O is around three times more potent than traditional Delta-9 THC products. At lower doses, the effects are often described as euphoric and mildly sedating, and larger doses are described as borderline psychedelic and having potent sedative-like effects.

Some people describe THC-O as an equal mix of mental euphoria and body high, sometimes even describing the experience as a heightened spiritual or introspective sensation. Some of the effects you may experience from THC-O include:

  • Body high sensation
  • Mental euphoria
  • Increased happiness or boosted mood
  • Relaxed body and mind
  • Mild visual effects
  • Increased creativity
  • Sleepiness

Keep in mind that the effects of THC-O vary by dose and THC tolerance, and that every individual will have a unique experience with different THC-O products.

A Note About THC-O Effects:

It may go without saying, but THC-O is an incredibly potent psychoactive compound, which means you should not take THC-O (or any other THC products) before driving, operating machinery, or performing other activities where it would be otherwise unsafe to be intoxicated.

Vida Optima THC-O Vape

We also recommend that new THC users, or those with a low THC tolerance, start with very small doses of THC-O, or perhaps find a product that combines THC-O with Delta-8 for milder, more balanced effects.

Our Delta-9-THC Disposable Vapes contain a moderate dose of THC-O, so they are stronger than typical Delta-8 products, but still unlikely to be overwhelming for new THC consumers.

Does THC-O have therapeutic benefits?

There's currently very little research available to evaluate the potential medicinal benefits of THC-O. However, it interacts with the body in a similar manner to traditional THC products, and experts believe that it is likely to produce many of the same therapeutic effects.

Specifically, some reports suggest that THC-O may have powerful anti-inflammatory, anti-nausea, and sleep-supportive properties. In general, though, more research is needed to understand the full potential of THC-O as a therapeutic substance.

Does THC-O have side effects?

Because THC-O produces incredibly potent psychoactive effects, it's fair for consumers to wonder whether there are any THC-O side effects to be concerned about.

In general, THC-O side effects may be similar to the potential side effects experienced with traditional THC products, like Delta-9-THC. Some of the most common side effects reported with THC dosing include:

  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Anxiety
  • Paranoia

Although research is yet to delve into THC-O risks and it's hard to say how common side effects may be, it is fair to assume that some people may be more sensitive to feeling anxious or paranoid after a THC-O dose. This is simply because the psychoactive effects are stronger. Similarly, Delta-8-THC is thought to be lesslikely to cause paranoia and anxiety because it's less potent than traditional THC products.

We always suggest starting with small doses and working your way up to larger amounts after you understand how THC-O affects you. In many cases, adverse effects can be linked to taking too much THC-O and side effects can be avoided with proper dosage.

A selection of hemp dosing styles, including some popular dosing styles used to experience THC-O

How long does it take for THC-O to kick in?

In general, THC-O may take a bit longer to kick in than most other THC products, but the exact amount of time it takes depends on the dosing method you use.

For instance, a Delta-9-THC tincture can take about 30 minutes to kick in, while smoked or vaped Delta-9 may kick in after only 5 minutes. On the other hand, THC-O tinctures may take around 45 minutes to begin to take effect, and a THC-O vape dose may kick in after about 20 minutes.

Will THC-O fail a drug test?

Most likely, yes, THC-O will cause a failed drug test. This is because drug tests usually look for 11-hydroxy-THC, a THC metabolite produced by the body after THC consumption.

Delta-9, Delta-8, THC-O, and most forms of THC will all produce this same metabolite, although at different rates. Therefore all different forms of THC will cause a positive result on most drug tests.

Keep in mind that even though THC-O is a legal cannabinoid, a drug test will not be able to determine what type of THC you ingested.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is THC-O stronger than THC?

Yes! According to some research, THC-O is around three times as potent as traditional THC. Because it is much more potent, the effects you experience from THC-O are often described as “borderline hallucinatory,” although it’s unclear what dose size produces these effects.

Does THC-O have psychedelic effects?

Although THC-O is sometimes described as having hallucinatory or psychedelic effects, this can be somewhat misleading.

While it's true that the potent psychoactivity may produce a stronger euphoria that is somewhat hallucinogenic, the experience is not necessarily psychedelic. In other words, you're not going to experience a potent psychedelic trip like many people experience from the psilocybin found in "magic mushrooms." In general, most people experience an intense mental high, light visuals, and general euphoria after taking THC-O.

How much THC-O should I take to get high?

THC-O is incredibly potent, so the typical dosage can start as low as 1-5 mg. If you have no THC tolerance, you may want to start with 1-3 mg of THC-O (oral) or 0.5 mg (inhaled) and wait to feel the effects before deciding to adjust your dosage. More experienced THC users may enjoy doses of 25 mg or higher.


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