Wtf is THCjd? The truth behind the most mysterious cannabinoid on the market

If you’re into altnoids, then it’s likely that you’ve stumbled across THCjd at some point. But what do we know about THCjd? Is it a natural-occurring cannabinoid, and is it 19 times stronger than Delta 9 THC?

After hanging around countless forums and stalking several cannabis experts, it turns out that there isn’t actually a lot of verified information out there about THCjd.

A lot of websites are offering up the same information, gleaned from marketing and press releases, but I’m going to separate the facts from the fiction, so you know exactly where we currently stand with the THCjd compound.

Stick with me as I explain more.

What is THCjd?

THCjd is short for tetrahydrocannabioctyl. It is a homolog of THC (“homo” meaning “same”), but Delta 9 THC has a five-carbon sidechain and, as an octyl cannabinoid, THCjd has an 8-carbon sidechain.

Sources claim that it is a naturally occurring cannabinoid in hemp and cannabis plants (albeit in very small amounts) and that it was discovered back in 2020, around the same time as THCh.

But, despite many hours of research, I have yet to find one scientific paper or study making any mention or reference to either tetrahydrocannabioctyl or THCjd.

The Italian research team that is being credited for this “discovery” on many sites actually claims to have identified and isolated six new cannabinoids, including THCP, CBDP, THCB, CBDB, THCH and CBDH, but there’s no mention of THCjd.

That’s not to say it doesn’t exist. After all, we have evidence (scientific articles) supporting the existence of five-chain, six-chain, and seven-chain THC’s (Delta 9 THC, THCh, and THCp, respectively), so it’s perfectly possible that an eight-chain THC also exists naturally in the plant. It’s just that we’ve yet to see any proof to support the existence of THCjd.

After contacting four large cannabis testing facilities, I did eventually track one down that tests for THCjd, called SD PharmLabs. SD PharmLabs said that they offer testing for THCjd using the synthetic cannabinoid 3-octyl-Δ8-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ8-THC-C8) as an analytical reference.

So, for now at least, the only point of reference we have for THCjd is a fully synthetic cannabinoid called 3-octyl-Δ8-Tetrahydrocannabinol or JWH-138.

So, what is 3-octyl-Δ8-Tetrahydrocannabinol?

Δ8-THC-C8, aka JWH-138, is one of over 450 synthetic cannabinoids to be developed by John W. Huffman Group.

The research conducted by this group, funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, was part of a larger effort to better understand the effects of cannabis on the brain. Unfortunately, although it was never intended, some of these compounds found their way onto the streets, including JWH-018, which became better-known as spice/K2.

However, apart from having the same creators, JWH-018 and JWH-138 don’t have a lot else in common because JWH-018 (spice) is classified as a naphthoylindole and JWH-138 is part of the dibenzopran group of synthetic cannabinoids.

Naphthoylindoles are powerful cannabis receptor agonists, but they’re not structurally related to other classical cannabinoids.

Dibenzoprans (like JWH-138), on the other hand, have similar chemical structures similar to naturally-occurring cannabinoids that we’re familiar with. With JWH-138 being a lab-synthesized version of an eight-carbon chain THC.

Documented effects of 3-octyl-Δ8-THC (in mice) include hypothermia, hypomotility, and antinociception, meaning that THCjd (if it exists) could one day prove to be useful for pain relief and regulating body heat and bowel movements, amongst other things.

How is THCjd made?

The manufacturers selling products with THCjd claim that this cannabinoid isn’t being made because it’s being directly isolated from the hemp plant. However, it exists in the plant in such small amounts, it’s then mixed with Delta 8, Delta 10 THC, and/or other cannabinoids, to increase its potency.

And for now, we’ll just have to take their word for it (or not).

Will THCjd make me feel high?

I tried a product with THCjd in it a few months ago and I definitely felt high from it. The amount of THCjd used in any given product, however, is extremely small. So small, in fact, that it doesn’t even show up on lab tests (the SD PharmLab results shows as ND – not detectable).

Perhaps I felt high from the THCjd or perhaps it was the other cannabinoids? Unfortunately, there’s no way of knowing for sure.

All products with THCjd in them are blends that include other cannabinoids so, as pointed out previously, you’ll pretty much have to take the manufacturer’s word for not only its existence, but also its inclusion in the product formula.

THCjd potency: How strong is THCjd?

There isn’t any scientific data discussing THCjd, let alone its potency, so it’s impossible to quantify with any accuracy. Anecdotal reports are all well and good, but having undefinable amounts of THCjd in each product also makes educated guesses impossible.

The best we can do so far is to guess how potent THCjd might be by looking at its carbon sidechain and comparing it to Delta 9 THC as a point of reference.

THC sidechains: Delta 9 THC vs THCh vs THCp vs THCjd

THC research has shown that the longer the carbon sidechain, the higher the binding affinity for our CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors.

• Delta 9 has a 5-carbon sidechain
• THCh has a 6-carbon sidechain
• THCp has a 7-carbon sidechain
• THCjd has an 8-carbon sidechain

So, possessing the longest sidechain out of all the THC’s in this list means that THCjd should be the most potent cannabinoid of all, with a greater potential to make you feel high. But, if we’re to believe the marketing hype surrounding THCjd, this substance is around 19 times more potent than regular THC due to its ability to bind to our cannabinoid receptors up to 19% more effectively.

THCjd vs Delta 8 THC

The main differences between THCjd and Delta 8 THC is that THCjd (if it exists) is one of the most potent psychoactive cannabinoids on the market and Delta 8 is one of the weaker ones.

This means that Delta 8 THC, estimated to be around half as potent as regular THC, is better suited to people that enjoy a milder, smoother buzz. THCjd, is estimated to be 18 or 19 times stronger than Delta 9 THC, making it more appealing to those with a higher tolerance to THC.

THCjd effects

Everything we know about THCjd is purely anecdotal, but reports generally agree on several things:

1. THCjd products do seem to possess potent intoxicating effects
2. The effects are more psychedelic than other products (without THCjd)
3. The effects are longer lasting (similar to the effects of THCp)

THCjd review

All of the THCjd products I’ve tried so far have proven to be pretty potent products. My guess is that most of them are targeted towards people with higher tolerance levels or looking to get as high as possible (no judgment here).

These products provided a very relaxing and sedating body buzz combined with an uplifting, mentally stimulating effect. In the first 10-15 minutes I did experience a bit of anxiety, but after this feeling dissipated, the remainder of the experience was reminiscent of a strong, indica-leaning weed strain.

Of course, as mentioned previously, these effects could just as easily be contributed to the other cannabinoids in the products, but there’s no way of telling what’s doing what.

Is THCjd legal?

Δ8-THC-C8 is a schedule I substance (like Delta 9 THC) but if it’s being isolated from the hemp plant or synthesized from other hemp cannabinoids, then its legal situation is essentially the same as Delta 8 THC (legal at federal level). So, if Delta 8 THC is legal in your state, then THCjd will also be legal.

Who has THCjd for sale?

At the time of writing (July 2023), there are still only a handful of retailers offering products with THCjd for sale. Two of the brands that I’m most familiar with are Binoid CBD and Delta Extrax. If you’re interested in experimenting with THCjd, then I recommend you head over to Binoid CBD’s website, where you can purchase products from both brands.

In order to find all of the THCjd products they have available, including a range of THCjd gummies, a couple of different THCjd vapes, a tincture, and chocolate bar, you can search for THC-jd (with the hyphen) in the search box, or click this link.

These THCjd products contain a variety of blends including Delta 8 THC, THCp, THCh and THCjd, as well as THCb, PHC, Delta 9P, and more. You’ll be spoiled for choice.

In fact, Binoid’s website is a treasure trove of novel, psychoactive cannabinoids, sourced from a variety of different brands. They always seem to be the first to come out with each new cannabinoid, so if you’re into psychoactive ‘noids, you should definitely check them out.

This THCjd disposable vape would be a great place to start.

Is THCjd safe?

Due to the lack of research on THCjd, the safety of this compound is completely unknown. However, many assume that, due to its similarity to Delta 9 THC, that it will enjoy the same minor and infrequent side effect profile.

THCjd: The final word

There’s no denying that all of the products I’ve tried containing THCjd have been thoroughly enjoyable, but until there’s more research available on this cannabinoid, I’m not going to be adding it to my list of regular cannabinoids anytime soon. I’ll be sticking to the other ‘noids that we know more about, for now at least.

We’ll amend this article as soon as we hear more about THCjd. Until then, stay safe and enjoy!