Δ-11-Tetrahydrocannabinol Facts
Cannabinoid;
Description
Δ-11-THC (Δ-9,11-tetrahydrocannabinol) is a trace cannabinoid of the classical cannabinoid class. It is a positional isomer of Δ9-THC, distinguished by an exocyclic double bond that sharply reduces potency.[1] This structural change weakly activates cannabinoid receptors in the brain, producing dramatically diminished effects compared to standard THC.
Subjective effects include mild relaxation, possible mood shift, and slight cognitive blunting — though no controlled human study has confirmed the compound is psychoactive. The experience, if it occurs at all, is weaker than even Δ8-THC — closer to the floor of the cannabinoid range than a recognizable high.
No dependence data exist; animal studies suggest lower acute toxicity than Δ9-THC,[2] but no safe dose has been established for humans. The dominant risk is the unregulated market — products are untested for purity, and "3× stronger than Δ9-THC" marketing claims almost certainly reflect confusion with a different, genuinely potent compound.
Dose and duration
No dose or duration recorded for any route.
Body and dependence
- Acute toxicity
- Low
- Chronic toxicity
- Not assessed
- Physical dependence
- Negligible
- Psychological dependence
- Low
- Withdrawal
- None recorded
- Compulsive redosing
- Negligible
Tolerance
- Builds
- Slow
- Fully resets after
- 3 weeks
- Carries over to
- Δ9-THC;
Δ8-THC; other CB1 agonists
Effectslikely at a common dose
- Perception
- none likely · 20 possible, including Spatial disorientation, Vestibular distortion, Visual acuity suppression
- Body
- Body high;
Body scan awareness; Dry mouth; +22 possible, including Heart rate perception changes, Motor control impairment, Dizziness - Thinking
- none likely · 35 possible, including Cognitive impairment, Memory suppression, Decision impairment
- Feeling
- Euphoria;
+8 possible, including Anxiety, Paranoia, Emotional lability - Self
- none likely · 10 possible, including Derealization, Communication suppression, Craving
- Time
- Time alteration;
+3 possible, including Temporal disorientation - Awareness
- none likely · 2 possible
Who shouldn't take it
Combinations60 recorded
Seek help immediately if
Natural cannabis rarely causes a medical emergency — "greening out" is: pale/sweaty skin, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, anxiety or panic, rapid heartbeat, feeling faint — and usually passes with rest.
Seek emergency help for these — far more likely with synthetic cannabinoids ("spice" / K2):
- Seizures
- Severe chest pain; very fast or irregular heartbeat
- Unresponsiveness or extreme drowsiness
- Severe agitation, aggression, or psychosis
- Repeated vomiting; difficulty breathing
What to do
- Sit or lie them down somewhere calm, cool, and quiet
- Reassure them — cannabis panic and "greening out" pass with time
- Offer sips of water; a little sugar can help if they feel faint
- Recovery position if nauseated, drowsy, or vomiting
- Stay with them and monitor
- For seizures, chest pain, unresponsiveness, or severe agitation, call emergency services
Natural cannabis "greening out" resolves with rest, calm, and time, with no lasting harm. Synthetic cannabinoids are unpredictable and can cause seizures, cardiac events, kidney injury, and severe agitation that needs emergency care.
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References
- [1]^Kriwacki RW, Makriyannis A (1989) The conformational analysis of delta 9- and delta 9,11-tetrahydrocannabinols in solution using high resolution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. — Molecular pharmacology PMID:2539557
- [2]^Beardsley PM, Scimeca JA, Martin BR (1987) Studies on the agonistic activity of delta 9-11-tetrahydrocannabinol in mice, dogs and rhesus monkeys and its interactions with delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol. — The Journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics PMID:3033218