How Long Does HHC Stay in Your System?

By now, you’ve probably heard of HHC, the psychoactive cannabinoid that’s been making waves around the country for the past couple of years. Today, we’re taking a closer look into the world of versatile chemical cannabis compounds like HHC, defining what this cannabinoid is, how it works in the body, how it measures up to THC, how it stays in your system, and a ton of other information we believe you’ll find useful before making your first or next purchase.

Short for hexahydrocannabinol, HHC is a somewhat new cannabinoid to the industry that’s gaining a lot of attention from experienced cannabis consumers. HHC is naturally found in trace amounts within the cannabis plant but not in significant amounts for us to truly pick up the compound’s effects. Thus, professionals have learned to curate HHC themselves. HHC was first synthesized back in the 1940s when Roger Adams, a famous cannabis chemist, took THC molecules and combined them with hydrogen molecules, using a process we call hydrogenation. This chemical reaction was efficient and ended up creating HHC. Today, we make the process use only hemp-derived cannabinoids; this way, HHC products comply with the 2018 Farm Bill.

Many people find that HHC offers prominent therapeutic results like relief and relaxation, and the same can be said about HHC. Compared to the commonly consumed delta 9, these results are just going to be a bit more subdued. Many people report that HHC offers more stimulating, creative highs. So, if you’re someone seeking a more upbeat experience in the daytime, perhaps HHC would be a better option. It is also worth noting that you’re likely to experience a more heavy head high with HHC products. As a whole, though, the benefits that HHC brings are going to highly depend on the consumers themselves. Every person has a different reaction to cannabinoids, and each person requires support in a unique way. Thus, while one may find HHC great for stress relief, others may find it ideal for relief. It simply depends.

We know the legality of cannabinoids is murky and often confusing. As the primary psychoactive component in cannabis, Delta-9 THC is, unfortunately, federally illegal in the United States. You can only find delta-9 products in states that have legalized cannabis or in products that contain less than 0.3% of it by weight. If your state has legalized medical cannabis, then you can buy delta-9 products with an MMJ card; if it’s recreational, then you can buy these products as long as you’re at least 21. The legality of delta-8 THC is a bit more complicated. Under the 2018 Farm Bill, delta-8 THC products with up to 0.3% THC are legal, provided they are derived from hemp. However, many states have started regulating the cannabinoid, either restricting it or making it illegal altogether. Thus, you have to take a look at your state’s regulations surrounding delta-8 THC (or THC isomers) to see whether or not you can access delta-8 in your state. 

On the other hand, HHC may be one of the most accessible psychoactive cannabinoids out there right now, as it is also legal under the 2018 Farm Bill, but states haven’t started enacting strict laws on the cannabinoids as of yet. In some places, THC isomer bans refer to HHC products, but they aren’t nearly as strictly regulated as delta-8 THC. So, you have a better chance of getting your hands on HHC throughout the country than you do on delta-8 THC. If this changes in the future, we’ll be sure to let you know.

Currently, research on the HHC cannabinoid is limited. Therefore, we aren’t able to concretely say how long it will last in the body following consumption. Generally, cannabis cannabinoids tend to take 4-6 weeks until they’re fully metabolized. Described above. For a light cannabis consumer, cannabinoids such as HHC can be cleared from their body within two weeks or less. On the other hand, for a cannabis consumer who uses it more frequently, THC metabolites could potentially linger for much longer—somewhere around two or three months. Therefore, the duration of time any cannabis cannabinoid, including HHC, stays in a person’s body will greatly depend on a few things: 

• Frequency of use: More frequent HHC use means that more of the cannabinoid will build up in cells. Larger HHC stores will take longer to metabolize and clear out.
• Metabolism: Some individuals are predisposed to metabolizing foreign substances faster. If you have a naturally faster metabolism, HHC won’t stay in your system for as long.
• Health issues: Health conditions, including medications, have the potential to slow things down when it comes to the body’s natural processing of HHC, especially for those suffering from kidney or liver disease.
• Age: It’s no question that as you age, your body will undergo a number of changes, including your metabolism. Given this reality, cannabis consumers who are older can expect their bodies to process HHC much slower.
• Method of consumption: Certain HHC products may lead to cannabinoids leaving faster or staying longer in your system and can also vary in results depending on the drug test used.
• BMI: short for body mass index, the main location where cannabinoids get stored is in your fat cells. If you have larger cells, there will be way more space available for HHC and other cannabinoids to be stored.
• Levels of stress: Both mental and physical stress can hinder your metabolism. Believe it or not, high-stress levels can result in slow processing of metabolizing cannabinoids such as HHC. 

When it comes to detecting HHC by way of a drug test, the type of drug test a person takes will determine whether he or she produces negative or positive results for the cannabinoid. Each cannabis drug test has its own disadvantages and advantages and can detect use over various periods of time.

Commonly used, these are drug tests that detect THC metabolites by using hair follicles. To perform this kind of drug test, hair follicles are cut close to the scalp and sent to a testing lab to undergo a few processes, including gas chromatography and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Depending on the length of the hair, hair tests can detect the consumption of cannabis cannabinoids for 90 days or more.

Another common type of drug test is urine drug testing, which works by screening THC metabolites. Compared to other drug tests, urine drug tests have a shorter detection window of a few days and may only detect cannabis consumption for a short period of time. This is because the body flushes up to 50% of THC metabolites every 24 hours, making them harder to detect.

Known as oral tests, these tests detect THC metabolism in the saliva. They generally involve swabbing a stick under the tongue or inside the cheeks. Like urine tests, the detection window is very short.

To detect cannabis use, all these tests may be used. While they are all unique in their own right, they all have the ability to check for the consumption of cannabinoids, including HHC, within a certain time frame to generate a positive or negative result. If you have an upcoming drug test and wish to pass, it’s best to refrain from consuming HHC products or cannabis in general to stay out of any unwanted trouble or consequences.

With so many HHC products out there, we know it can be hard to determine which one is best for you. Reputable companies will offer COAs for each and every product. This not only demonstrates the purity of an HCC product but also its potency. A respected reputation in the industry, top-shelf products, and prime customer care are qualities of a high-quality cannabis company, and if you don’t find a company offering any of these, it’s time to move on, plain and simple. At The Hemp Collect, we offer a large selection of HHC products that are great for cannabis consumers of any experience level or background. Made affordable, effective, and potent, each and every product comes equipped with a COA showing lab results that prove their purity and potency, so you can do less stressing and more chilling.

While we are stoked to offer our consumers the best products in cannabis, we believe it’s important to keep in mind that everyone’s body can respond differently to any cannabis product. The same can be said when it comes to drug testing, so be sure to consume responsibly, safely, and legally. 

If you’re someone with a high tolerance and want a new psychoactive experience, HHC is the way to go. If you’re new to the world of cannabis, take a look at our online selection of HHC Gummies and HHC Disposable Vapes and choose the product that peaks your interest!