Of course, introducing lip-puckering Sour Belts is a first at Hometown Hero, but also, our Blueberry Blast and Strawberry Shock flavors are our first products to feature a THC blend.
So what is our "Hero Blend," and why did we make it?
That's what we'll cover in this blog post. Here, we're going to go over the following:
- What is THC?
- How does THC work?
- The Hero Blend
- Delta-8
- Hemp-derived Delta-9
- Delta-10
- THCV
- THCP
- Why this blend?
Let's dive right in!
What is THC?
THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol. It is a compound naturally occurring in cannabis (a cannabinoid) that consists of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. For many, THC can bring out feelings such as:
- Relaxation
- Bliss
- Wonder
- Focus
- Giggliness
- Munchies
- Relief
Years ago, when someone mentioned "THC," they referred to Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. However, with the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill (which legalized hemp and hemp-derived cannabinoids), cannabis enthusiasts gained a more comprehensive range of options for THC, such as:
- Delta-8
- Delta-10
- HHC
- THCV
- THCP
- THC-O
Generally, all THCs (give or take) will offer the same range of effects. However, there are nuances here and there that you may notice.
For example, a person may find one THC variant beneficial for focus while another THC is better for relaxing at the end of the day. It all depends on what these variants deliver to you specifically.
How Does THC Work?
The human body contains a network of receptors and chemical messengers called the endocannabinoid system, or "ECS" for short. This system, in part, helps govern many vital functions, such as:
- Pain management
- Sleep
- Temperature control
- Emotional processing
- Appetite
- Immune responses
- Inflammatory responses
- Memory
- Learning
Because THC and other cannabinoids are molecularly similar to the chemical messengers in this system, they can bring about various effects.
The Hero Blend
Okay, now you're up to speed on different types of THC, or perhaps you just skipped ahead since you knew all this stuff already.
So what is our "hero blend?" Essentially, it's a blend of THCs and THC-like cannabinoids. Below is a quick guide to the cannabinoids featured in the blend.
Delta-8 THC
Also called: Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol
300mg blend: 277mg per belt
50mg blend: 40mg per belt
First identified by American organic chemist Roger Adams in 1941, Delta-8 is a form of THC that naturally appears in small amounts in cannabis. Its name comes from the fact that it has a chemical bond on its eighth carbon chain. Delta-8 was also the first widely popular form of Farm Bill-compliant THC.
According to a study published in August 2022, Delta-8 forms a slightly weaker attachment to CB1 receptors than Delta-9 THC, which might explain why it has similar properties but less potency.
>>READ MORE What is Delta-8 THC?
Hemp-derived Delta-9 THC
Also called: Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, THC
300mg blend: 12mg
50mg blend: 2mg
Commonly referred to as just "THC," Delta-9 is the most well-known form of the cannabinoid. This cannabinoid gets its name from the chemical bond located on its ninth carbon chain. It was first isolated in a lab by Israeli organic chemist Raphael Mechoulam in 1964. As of this writing, Delta-9 THC concentration is the only factor that separates hemp from marijuana under U.S. federal law.
Delta-9 is federally legal if derived from hemp and occurs at a concentration no greater than 0.3% of a product's dry weight. For this reason, you will only find hemp-derived Delta-9 in the form of "heavier" hemp products such as edibles, but not in "lighter" forms such as concentrates, vapes, and flower.
>>Read More Hemp-Derived Delta-9 THC: Legal In Some Instances
Delta-10 THC
Also called: Delta-10-tetrahydrocannabinol
300mg blend: 5mg per belt
50mg blend: 5mg per belt
Delta-10 THC was first identified in 1984 by Raphael Mechoulam. However, interest in this cannabinoid surged after it was accidentally "rediscovered" by a California hemp company processing some plants exposed to fire retardants during the 2020 wildfires. Mysterious crystals formed on the plants, which a lab later determined to be composed of Delta-10 THC.
With the popularity of Delta-8, Delta-10 soon began to hit the market and become a favorite among enthusiasts. But rest assured; there are more sophisticated ways of deriving this cannabinoid from hemp that doesn't involve fire retardant.
>>Read More What is Delta-10 THC?
THCV
Also called: Tetrahydrocannabivarin
300mg blend: 4mg per belt
50mg blend: 2mg per belt
Delta-8, Delta-9, and Delta-10 are all isomers, meaning they're all made up of the "same parts" but in a different arrangement. THCV almost has all the "parts" of THC, except it has one less hydrocarbon chain(carbon and hydrogen arranged in a chain) than THC.
According to Leafly, THCV is more abundant in sativas (the type of cannabis associated with more "uplifting" and "energetic" effects) native to Africa. Plus, a study published in 2020 showed that THCV decreased appetite in rodents. And according to a research paper published in 2015, THCV can act as a neural antagonist, which may help "tame" the effects of THC.
Could it deter the munchies or spur more euphoric feelings? The jury is out on that one, but you're always welcome to see for yourself.
THCP
Also called: Tetrahydrocannabiphorol
300mg blend: 2mg per belt
50mg blend: 1mg per belt
THCP was discovered in 2019 by scientists at the Military Chemical Pharmaceutical Institute in Florence, Italy, while analyzing a strain known as "FM2." While THCV has a shorter chemical chain than THC, THCP's chain is longer, and this is the primary molecular difference.
What's interesting about THCP is that, according to research published in 2019, it bonds with cannabinoid receptors with about 33 times more activity than Delta-9 THC.
Why This Blend?
For our "Hero Blend," we wanted to offer a unique experience, especially for enthusiasts seeking the novel and prefer higher milligrams of THC. So why did we make the blend this way?
Optimal Effect
Essentially the blend has a "base" consisting of Delta-8 and Detla-10 that we accented with more active forms of THC, such as Delta-9 and THCP, with a little bit of THCV for added synergy.
We found this combination of THCs to have the right amount of balance. Plus, it was our favorite among the blends we've tested first-hand.
Preserving Flavor
Yes, it is legally possible to make a 1,000mg belt consisting of any hemp-derived THC besides Delta-9. But would that much distillate...taste good?
Our blend can achieve an effect that pushes the "limit" while limiting the taste of distillate. Because, after all, we believe that edibles should taste as good as they feel.
And that's just about it!
Until next time.
