Crucial differences between CBD and H4CBD

CBD has gained popularity for its benefits in the sensation of well-being, standing out for its absence of psychoactive effects, no addictive potential, and few adverse effects and of low severity. In that context, the CBD market is filling up with products with a new synthetic cannabinoid, H4CBD (hydrogenated CBD, THD or tetrahydrocannabidiol), which is said to have similar properties to CBD, with a slight psychoactive effect.

This article explains the differences and similarities between CBD and H4CBD, whether it is true that they share properties, and key aspects about their effects and safety based on current evidence.

What are H4CBD and CBD?

CBD or cannabidiol

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the most abundant medicinal compounds in cannabis, widely studied by science and with numerous proven benefits. It has anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anxiolytic properties, and unlike other cannabinoids, it does not produce mental effects or a “high” sensation.

The CBD market encompasses a wide range of products: from CBD flowers, to CBD oils, to CBD relief creams, CBD cosmetics and CBD vape products. This compound is so versatile and multifaceted that it has proven to be effective in a multitude of cases.

H4CBD or hydrogenated CBD

On the other hand, H4CBD, also called hydrogenated CBD, or tetrahydrocannabidiol (THC), is a synthetic cannabinoid, chemically produced from the hydrogenation of CBD, which is not found naturally in the plant. Through a chemical process, CBD is modified to produce different effects than CBD, including a mild psychoactive effect that CBD does not have. H4CBD is added to CBD flowers, resins and all kinds of vaporization products.

Main difference between CBD and H4CBD

The main difference lies in their origin, molecular structure and the resulting effects. CBD is a naturally occurring cannabinoid that acts by known mechanisms and does not cause mental effects.

In contrast, H4CBD is a chemically modified form of CBD, which appears to be able to bind to CB1 receptors in the brain, producing a mild psychoactive effect. However, the mechanisms by which H4CBD acts are still unknown.

H4CBD and CBD: What are their effects?

CBD has anxiolytic and relaxing effects. It can also influence pain perception and sleep quality. These effects may be more marked or milder, varying widely among individuals and depending on the dose used. In a small amount, some people already feel an effect, while others need a larger dose to have the same sensation. All this, without producing alterations in perception or psychoactive effects.

Although H4CBD is touted as having similar effects to CBD, it has not been shown to have the same properties as CBD, and its effects and safety are unknown.

H4CBD has no therapeutic or medicinal uses, and the only known effects come from anecdotal experiences reported by users. It is promoted as having a relaxing and euphoric effect, without causing too much of a “high”. It appears that H4CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system differently than CBD, resulting in a small psychoactive effect. The truth is that the data are really very scarce, and their effects and safety profile are not yet fully understood.

H4CBD vs CBD: Differences in obtaining them

While CBD is an extraction of cannabis or hemp, maintaining its natural structure, H4CBD is obtained by chemically modifying CBD, adding hydrogen to its molecular structure to alter its properties and effects.

Differences between the effects of CBD and H4CBD

The key to the distinction between CBD and H4CBD lies in its effects: CBD is non-psychoactive and has approved medicinal, cosmetic and therapeutic uses, which vary from country to country, but are generally widely recognized by the scientific community.

In contrast, H4CBD has psychoactive potential. It has become popular for these effects and is sold as a “legal” high producing compound. It has achieved great popularity, even though it presents several unknowns regarding its safety.

H4CBD or CBD: Different regulation

CBD is a widely studied compound, and in most European countries there is a clear regulation. Depending on the country, CBD is allowed in cosmetic, food and medicinal products. On the other hand, H4CBD is a synthetic cannabinoid that is sold in a legal loophole. However, some countries have already started to ban it. For example, France has banned H4CBD and other synthetic cannabinoids such as THCP.

H4CBD or CBD Which is better?

With the information in hand, everyone is free to choose between CBD and H4CBD. For those people who do not want to feel alterations in their mental state, CBD is undoubtedly the preferred option.

H4CBD is promoted as a psychoactive alternative with milder effects than THC and sold “legally” (more precisely, not regulated). It is an option for those looking to explore new effects within the cannabinoid spectrum, although it should be noted that it is not a completely safe product (it has not been studied).

In terms of safety, the safest compound is CBD or cannabidiol, with known effects and a broad safety profile, with no psychoactive effects.

Conclusions

CBD and H4CBD are two totally different components. They differ in their origin, effects and safety. CBD is a regulated and known component, while H4CBD is a synthetic product for which there is very little data and of little known effects. It appears to have psychoactive effects, and has not been shown to have the same properties as CBD.

At Cannactiva we are committed to continue bringing you the best CBD flowers in Europe, of organic quality and free of any synthetic additives. Because true excellence can only be the work of nature!

Sources

1. Collins A, Ramirez G, Tesfatsion T, Ray KP, Caudill S, Cruces W. Synthesis and Characterization of the Diastereomers of HHC and H4CBD. Natural Product Communications. 2023;18(3). https://doi.org/10.1177/1934578X231158910
2. Ben-Shabat, S., Hanus, L. O., Katzavian, G., & Gallily, R. (2006). New cannabidiol derivatives: synthesis, binding to cannabinoid receptor, and evaluation of their anti-inflammatory activity. Journal of medicinal chemistry, 49(3), 1113-1117. https://doi.org/10.1021/jm050709m
3. Tesfatsion, T., Ramirez, G., Collins, A., Ray, K., & Cruces, W. (2022). Evaluation of In-Vitro Cytotoxicity, Genotoxicity and Cardiac Safety of Hydrogenated Cannabidiol on Cells Using Metabolic Assay, AMES and hERG Test. PREPRINT (Version 1). https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-2256889/v1