Italian researchers published their findings in the latest edition of Nature after analyzing a medical marijuana strain grown exclusively by Italy’s military, dubbed FM2, the researchers found unusual chemical signatures, which eventually led to identifying and isolating the previously unknown cannabinoid, called tetrahydrocannabiphorol or THCP
The Cannabis sativa plant makes more than 400 chemicals, but only one, called ‘THC’, gets you high…or so we thought that was until a group of Italian researchers announced on December 30th the discovery of two new cannabinoids, chemicals produced by cannabis like THC and CBD.
It is called, tetrahydrocannabiphorol (THCP), which is allegedly 30 times more potent than THC, they claim. Whether that means it gets you 30 times as stoned—or if it’s even psychoactive at all—is still unknown. It does appear that the Cannabinol ‘THCP’ was more active than THC at lower doses. The scientists also found cannabidiphorol (CBDP), a close cousin to CBD, the popular wellness additive.
The amounts of THCP and CBDP found in the study were also low. The researchers analyzed a low-THC cannabis variety called FM2, which is grown by Italy’s military.
For now, what CBDP and THCP could be useful for is still unknown, but it is possible these chemicals could treat certain conditions better than their counterparts. They could also have entirely novel medical applications—or none at all. We won’t know more without doing clinical trials, which could be years away.
For more information on this article:
https://merryjane.com/news/scientists-just-discovered-a-more-potent-natural-form-of-thc
https://www.vice.com/en_asia/article/akwd85/scientists-discover-two-new-cannabinoids