Kratom vs. HHC-P: How Do They Measure Up Against One Another?

More and more people are gravitating toward natural solutions to their daily needs, whether they be therapeutic (pain relief, stress relief, etc.) or recreational. And, two of the staples of the “natural” market as of late have been kratom and cannabis – more specifically, cannabinoids found in hemp that offer a rich selection of valuable properties. We are going to compare kratom to one cannabinoid in particular: HHC-P, which has taken the market by storm with its impressive potency.

Contender #1: Kratom

Kratom is a substance made up solely of dried and ground leaves of the evergreen Mitragyna speciosa tree which grows in Southeast Asia, and is a close relative of coffee. The leaves of the tree contain a unique variety of alkaloids known for their properties which can change how we feel, both mentally and physically. When we take kratom, its alkaloids attach to opioid receptors, known to regulate functions like pain tolerance, emotional state, and more.

Kratom naturally exists in numerous strains, referring to the specific cultivar of the tree (which varies between different regions). It also comes in three “veins”, referring to the color of the leaf’s vein at the time of harvest. While the leaves mature, the veins change color, and this color tells us how developed specific alkaloids are. This means that color of the vein can tell us how potent the product is, and which effects are the most prominent depending on which alkaloids are most abundant at any given time during the process of the leaves maturing.

Can I Get High off of Kratom?

Kratom is innately psychoactive, and so you can get high off of it. and how high you get will depend on the dosage, as well as the vein and the strain. Like we said, it works on opioid receptors, and when affected, these receptors can induce intoxication, as we know from opiates.

Is Kratom Legal?

Kratom is a federally legal substance, and it has never been illegal in the United States. However, a small number of states have banned it, and they are:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arkansas
• Hawaii
• Indiana
• Rhode Island
• Tennessee
• Vermont
• Wisconsin

Another thing to be mindful of is that kratom is banned in a handful of municipalities across the United States, even in states where it’s otherwise legal. Because of that, we suggest that you check your state laws and local laws from time to time, to make sure kratom is still legal where you live, as this can change suddenly and without any real warning.

Does Kratom Have Benefits?

Because kratom hasn’t been around for very long here in the United States, medical researchers are in the beginning stages of exploring its possible benefits. There is, howevee, enough scientific papers have been published for us know that it can potentially:

• Enhance energy, focus, and alertness
• Act as an anxiolytic
• Enhance mood
• Offers analgesic properties
• Improve sleep
• Decrease appetite

Does Kratom Have Side Effects?

Like most substances, kratom can cause some side effects to occur, particularly if it’s not taken as directed on the label, if you take too much of it, or if your body just doesn’t tolerate it because of your unique physiology. Side effects that get reported are:

• Nausea
• Drowsiness
• Impaired coordination
• Increased heartrate
• Dry mouth/thirst
• Irritability/confusion
• Potential overdose

What Kinds of Kratom Products are There?

You can buy kratom in various product forms, as it’s pretty easy to infuse the water-soluble kratom powder into any formula. Now, let’s go over the products you’re most likely to encounter:

• Kratom Powder: The dried and ground up leaves, which is the pure form of kratom. It can be added to liquids or any other kind of solution you prefer.
• Kratom Liquid Extracts: These are highly concentrated liquid kratom products that are taken like a shot to offer a fast-acting and very potent experience.
• Bottled Kratom Drinks: Bottled kratom beverages include soft drinks, sparkling water, and any other type of drink infused with kratom powder.
• Kratom Teas: Kratom tea is just kratom powder placed inside of a teabag, for an easy way to extract the alkaloids into hot water.
• Kratom Edibles: Kratom gummies and other kratom-infused edibles promote long-lasting effects that come on more gradually.
• Kratom Capsules: Taking kratom in capsule form can be convenient if you’re already used to taking supplements as part of a routine.
• Kratom Vapes: These are still quite new to the marketplace, but just like any vapes, they’re available in bottle E-Liquids to be used in compatible vape pens, as well as pre-filled cartridges that attach to any 511-threaded pen-style system and AIO (All-In-One) Disposable Vapes. Vaping kratom allows you to feel the effects within minutes, but the effects don’t last as long.
• Kratom Topicals: Kratom topicals are applied to the skin, so that the alkaloids absorb transdermally.

Contender #2: HHC-P

HHC-P (hexahydrocannabiphorol) is a cannabinoid that was only invented in the last couple of years. It’s a chemically modified form of HHC, aka hexahydrocannabinol, which is a hydrogenated analog of delta 9 THC – in other words, HHC is chemically identical to delta 9 THC, except it has an extra hydrogen atom which enhances its chemical stability. By enhancing its carbon sidechain, HHC-P’s potency is enhanced to a profound level, since it can attach to cannabinoid receptors more efficiently.

What we know about all of the cannabinoids that exist in cannabis is that they, including HHC-P, bind to cannabinoid receptors (CB receptors) in the body, which mainly exist within the nervous system, and other bodily systems as well. Cannabinoid receptors require cannabinoids to regulate processes of the body through the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a system that has the job of keeping the body in homeostasis. This is why cannabinoids are associated with so many distinctive properties at the same time.

Can I Get High off of HHC-P?

HHC-P is intoxicating, and it’s likely 10 times as intoxicating as HHC, which is on par with delta 9 THC in terms of potency. HHC-P’s high is said to be deeply euphoric and calming at the same time, and those with a low tolerance may be prone to couchlock – in other words, a state in which the body feels “glued to the couch” and utterly relaxed.

Is HHC-P Legal?

In 2018, the Farm Bill passed in the United States, finally legalizing the hemp plant. Under this piece of legislation, all hemp derivatives can be sold legally as long as they contain a maximum of 0.3% delta 9 THC by dry weight. All cannabinoids excluding delta 9 THC are therefore legal, minus any real restrictions, and that includes HHC-P.

On the flip side of that, these states have the right to outlaw specific cannabis-derived products, and some have banned all intoxicating cannabinoids:

• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Delaware
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Iowa
• Maryland
• Mississippi
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New York
• North Dakota
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• Utah
• Vermont
• Washington

Does HHC-P Have Benefits?

HHC-P has yet to be studied in any capacity my researchers for its potential benefits. And, it may take a while before any studies are released since so many cannabis derivatives are waiting for their turn to be taken seriously by the medical research community. Still, because we know that cannabinoids in general can offer notable potential benefits, we can guess that HHC-P offers properties such as the ability to:

• Reduce stress levels
• Improve mood
• Offer analgesic properties
• Offer anti-inflammatory properties
• Reduce nausea
• Increase appetite
• Aid in sleep
• Support digestive and immune function
• Offer neuroprotective properties

Does HHC-P Have Side Effects?

We know that cannabis is nontoxic and has never produced life-threatening effects, and the same goes for individual cannabinoids. Still, some side effects are possible if your tolerance is low, or you take too high of a dose. Plus, there is the risk of getting too high, which isn’t dangerous, but can come with unique unpleasant side effects. Luckily, the side effects reported are mild and short-lived, and include:

• Dry eyes
• Dry mouth
• Reduction in blood pressure
• Fatigue/drowsiness
• Increased appetite
• Paranoia/anxiety
• General impairment
• Forgetfulness/fogginess

What Kinds of HHC-P Product Types are There?

HHC-P comes in a few product types that are readily available on the market:

• Vapes (Disposables and Cartridges): Vaping HHC-P offers a fast-acting and potent way to get in a nice serving of your favorite cannabinoid, along with a nice selection of strains, all while being convenient, travel-friendly, and discreet.
• Edibles: Edibles like gummies produce long-lasting effects with a gradual onset.
• Concentrates (aka “Dabs”): Concentrates are concentrated cannabis products that are dabbed – that is, flash-vaporized at a high temperature using a special “dabbing” device – for an ultra-powerful and fast-acting experience.
• Flower: HHC-P flower refers to raw hemp flower buds infused with HHC-P distillate – an isolated extract of the cannabinoid. Flower comes in numerous strain options – sold in the forms of loose buds and pre-rolls.
• Tinctures: Tinctures are bottled oils that are intended to be taken sublingually (below the tongue) to absorb quickly and offer long-lasting effects. They’re easy to take, and also come in a variety of milligram strengths.

Kratom or HHC-P: Two Unique Choices!

Basically, kratom and HHC-P both bring a lot to the table in terms of potential benefits, and even psychoactive value. And, since both are generally regarded as safe to consume when taken as directed, there’s no reason why you can’t give each one a try on its own, to compare for yourself. If you’re searching for top-quality kratom and HHC-P formulas to explore, look no further than the selection of both kratom and HHC-P products available at The Calm Leaf. We carry tons of products to explore in various formulations, delivery methods, strengths, and more, letting you find out exactly what these two substances are capable of. We make it easy to compare the two on your terms, so you can find the solution that meets those daily needs.