Skip to main content
Psychedex
Article

Tetrahydrocannabutol Facts

Cannabinoid; Cannabinoid; Cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonist

Description

THCB (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabutol) is a cannabinoid of the dibenzopyran class. It is a direct structural relative of Δ9-THC, differing only in a slightly shorter side chain. THCB activates cannabinoid receptors in the brain, but only partially — producing a lower ceiling on intoxication than THC.[1]

Subjective effects include euphoria, relaxation, altered perception, and mild sedation. The experience is described as similar to THC but with a clearer headspace and less cognitive fog, particularly at lower doses.[2]

No dependence data exist for THCB; by class analogy with THC, regular use is expected to carry mild-to-moderate dependence risk.[3] The more immediate risk comes from product quality — unregulated THCB contains unlabeled isomers and synthesis byproducts whose safety profiles are entirely unknown.[4]

Dose and durationby route · individual sensitivity varies

Oral(mg)
Threshold< 3 mgLight3 – 12 mgCommon12 – 30 mgStrong30 – 70 mgHeavy70+ mg

Starts in 30 – 60 minLasts 4 – 8 hours

Body and dependence

Acute toxicity
Low
Chronic toxicity
Low
Physical dependence
Low
Psychological dependence
Low
Withdrawal
Mild
Compulsive redosing
Low

Tolerance

Builds
Moderate
Fully resets after
21 days
Carries over to
Δ9-THC; Δ8-THC; THCP; THCV; THCH; synthetic cannabinoids

Effectslikely at a common dose

Perception
none likely · 21 possible, including Spatial disorientation, Vestibular distortion, Visual acuity suppression
Body
Body high; Dry mouth; +18 possible, including Heart rate perception changes, Motor control impairment, Abnormal heartbeat
Thinking
none likely · 32 possible, including Cognitive impairment, Memory suppression, Thought disorganization
Feeling
none likely · 9 possible, including Anxiety, Paranoia, Dysphoria
Self
none likely · 9 possible, including Craving, Derealization, Communication suppression
Time
Time alteration; +2 possible, including Temporal disorientation
Awareness
none likely · 1 possible

Who shouldn't take it

Absolute
Psychotic disorders (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder); Pregnancy and lactation
Relative
Unstable cardiovascular disease; First-degree family history of psychotic disorders; Hepatic impairment; Concurrent anticoagulant therapy (warfarin, coumarins); Narrow-therapeutic-index CYP3A4 substrates (tacrolimus, cyclosporine)

Combinations60 recorded

Dangerous (7)
Benzodiazepines, Barbiturates; GHB, Baclofen; GHB, GBL; Opioids; Salvia, Ibogaine; Synthetic cannabinoids; Ibogaine
Caution (34)
See full page: psychedex.org/substances/tetrahydrocannabutol
Not graded (19)
Not listed never means safe.

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

  1. Sit or lie them down somewhere calm, cool, and quiet
  2. Reassure them — cannabis panic and "greening out" pass with time
  3. Offer sips of water; a little sugar can help if they feel faint
  4. Recovery position if nauseated, drowsy, or vomiting
  5. Stay with them and monitor
  6. 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.

988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineFireside Project: 62-FIRESIDE

Version r1 · Not medical advice

References

  1. [1]
    ^Linciano P, Citti C, Luongo L, Belardo C, Maione S, Vandelli MA, Forni F, Gigli G, Laganà A, Montone CM, Cannazza G (2020) Isolation of a High-Affinity Cannabinoid for the Human CB1 Receptor from a Medicinal Cannabis sativa Variety: Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabutol, the Butyl Homologue of Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol — Journal of Natural Products doi:10.1021/acs.jnatprod.9b00876
  2. [2]
    ^Caprari C, Ferri E, Vandelli MA, Citti C, Cannazza G (2024) An emerging trend in Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPSs): designer THC — Journal of Cannabis Research doi:10.1186/s42238-024-00226-y
  3. [3]
    ^Tai S, Hyatt WS, Gu C, Franks LN, Vasiljevik T, Brents LK, Prather PL, Fantegrossi WE (2015) Repeated administration of phytocannabinoid Δ9-THC or synthetic cannabinoids JWH-018 and JWH-073 induces tolerance to hypothermia but not locomotor suppression in mice, and reduces CB1 receptor expression and function in a brain region-specific manner — Pharmacological Research doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2015.09.006
  4. [4]
    ^Tanaka R, Kikura-Hanajiri R (2024) Identification of Δ8-THC and Δ9-THC Analogs with Different Alkyl Chain Lengths in Oil Products Distributed on the Internet — Yakugaku Zasshi: Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan doi:10.1248/yakushi.24-00029
Print version
Report an issue