When you eat a product containing THC, your liver will process the THC and convert it into 11-hydroxy-THC. 11-hydroxy-THC (11-OH-THC) is the main active metabolite of THC.
11-hydroxy THC has a psychoactive effect similar to THC but has a faster onset, and it may be particularly effective for people suffering from chronic pain. However, the body’s absorption rates of 11-hydroxy-THC are relatively low, and the compound is not easy to keep stable outside of using solvents.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) may be the better option for using medical cannabis for pain and stress, but 11-hydroxy THC does have its uses, especially when it comes to inflammation. Unfortunately, the metabolite has not yet been studied in any great detail for its medicinal and therapeutic properties, but this is the case for THC as well.
Get your medical marijuana card
Connect with a licensed physician online in minutes.
What Is 11-hydroxy-THC?
11-hydroxy-THC is the third form of a chemical found in raw cannabis. It will start as THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) in fresh cannabis, converted into THC after aging and heating. When consumed, THC is metabolized by the liver into 11-hydroxy-THC and then 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC.
Eating THC-infused edibles increases the amount of 11-hydroxy-THC available in the blood because oral consumption allows THC to pass through the liver first. THC passes through the liver first, called the “first-pass effect” or “first-pass metabolism.” The liver enzyme CYP2C9 is responsible for metabolizing THC.
Interestingly, when cannabis is consumed in this way, less THC makes its way around the body, and more THC is excreted. However, as the THC passes through the liver first, it is more readily converted into 11-hydroxy-THC. 1 mg of THC consumed orally can feel more potent than 1 mg of inhaled THC.
Inhaling THC via vaping or smoke means THC goes through the lungs and straight into the blood, so the liver doesn’t get to convert as much THC into 11-hydroxy-THC.
How It Impacts the Human Body
11-hydroxy-THC is thought to be 2-3 times more potent than THC and could have significantly more significant psychoactive effects. Orally consumed THC also needs to be digested first, so it can take longer for the effects to take about 1-2 hours.
There is little research into how 11-hydroxy THC affects the brain and the body. The increased duration of time edibles have an effect for and the potentially greater psychoactivity of 11-hydroxy THC suggests that it could help treat chronic pain and insomnia. However, those who are not tolerant of THC may find the effects overwhelming.
How to Avoid Consuming Too Much 11-hydroxy-THC
Slow-and-low is the ideal way to go when it comes to avoiding the over-ingestion of THC. We recommend starting with a dosage of around 2 – 3 mg, waiting for an hour or two to see what effect it has, then consuming 2 – 3 mg more if needed. You can always go forward, but you cannot go back.
It is easy to think, “This edible isn’t having any effect on me,” and then start eating more. The fact that so many edibles are sweet treats makes eating them all at once particularly enticing. However, it is best to avoid doing this, as many have become overly intoxicated this way. Having some non-cannabis (and ideally wholesome and healthy) treats to hand can help prevent overindulgence.
Check out our blog here for tips on counteracting a negative experience.
Download Our Tips For Minimizing Negative Effects
Get Your Medical Card
Connect with a licensed physician online in minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do people say the high from eating edibles is different?
The “high” you get from edibles is different from inhaling cannabis because THC passes through the digestive system and liver first, meaning a greater amount of THC is converted into the more psychoactive 11-hydroxy-THC (11-OH-THC). Many people find that eating decarboxylated cannabis has a stronger effect than inhaling cannabis. The effecgts of edibles tend to last longer, too.
Why do cannabis edibles seem to have little to no effect on me?
Everyone has a different metabolism, so how one person processes THC can differ from how another person metabolizes THC. Genetic differences in liver enzymes like cytochrome P450 can affect how the body metabolizes drugs and medications, cannabis included.
Other variables such as diet and what you’ve had to eat recently, body-mass index (BMI), individual tolerance, and activity levels can all affect the experience you have on edibles. The presence of other cannabinoids and terpenes, like cannabidiol (CBD) and beta-caryophyllene, can also affect the overall experience, as CBD can dampen THC’s psychoactivity to some extent.
For more information on dosing medical cannabis, check out our guide here.
11-Hydroxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (11-OH-Δ9-THC, alternatively numbered as 7-OH-Δ1-THC), usually referred to as 11-hydroxy-THC is the main active metabolite of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is formed in the body after Δ9-THC is consumed.
11-hydroxy-THC (11-OH-THC) is a metabolite that is formed when you consume an edible with delta-9 THC. If you've ever noticed a difference in how your body responds to both, this metabolite is one of the reasons why!
Delta-11 THC, the subject of this article, is a cannabinoid.On the other hand, 11-hydroxy-THC is a metabolite. These two are often confused. 11-hydroxy-THC is produced in the liver after someone consumes edibles.
Just how long delta 11 THC stays in the body can vary to a surprising degree – about 2 to 18 days. The reason why the range is so wide is because there are so many different usage-related aspects at work, such as how much you took last, and how often you take it.
With its ability to improve appetite, assist with sleep, and potentially offer relief from anxiety and inflammation, Delta 11 THC is carving a niche for itself among both recreational users and those seeking therapeutic benefits.
Following a dose of THC, the metabolite typically appears in the urine within 60 minutes, but can take as long as 4 hours. Note: The presence of the major THC-COOH > LOQ indicates exposure to THC within 3 days after a single use, to approximately 30 days in heavy chronic users.
The urinary elimination half-life of THC averages 5 days in heavy users of marijuana as compared with 20 to 57 hours for infrequent users. The primary urinary metabolite is conjugated 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ9-THC, which has a urinary elimination half-life of 3 days in heavy users.
Delta-3 and Delta-6: The potency of these two is not conclusively known. However, it's speculated they might have potencies similar to or in between delta-8 and 9. Delta-9: Traditionally recognized as the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis, delta-9 THC stands out as the most potent among the deltas listed.
How is Delta 11-THC legal to produce and sell in the USA? Since Delta 11 products contain only Delta 11-THC made from 100% Hemp extract, companies are able to fully legally manufacture, distribute and sell to consumers in the United States.
Generally, Delta 8 can be detected in different body samples for the following periods: Urine: Up to 30 days for regular users, usually around a week for occasional users. Blood: Detectable for up to 48 hours after use. Saliva: Detectable within 24 hours of use, lasting up to 48 hours.
Urine – Delta-8 THC and its metabolites are typically detectable in urine for about 1 to 3 days after use, although it can extend to up to a week for frequent or heavy users. It's important to note that urine tests primarily detect THC-COOH, a metabolite of delta-8 THC, rather than delta-8 THC itself.
The primary difference between both cannabinoids is their potency. Delta 11 is far more potent and stronger than delta 8 THC. In fact, delta 11 may be the most potent cannabinoid. On the other hand, delta 8 is referred to as the gentler sibling of delta 9 THC because it delivers a mellow and less intense high.
An early study compared the effects of THC and 11-hydroxy-THC. The researchers found that when volunteers were given equivalent one milligram doses intravenously of either compound, 11-hydroxy-THC resulted in a faster onset and a more intense psychoactive experience than THC.
What Exactly is Delta 11 THC? Delta 11 THC is a legitimate cannabinoid in hemp, rather than a synthetic cannabinoid riding on the coattails of hemp's growing popularity.
A Certified Spiking Solution® applicable in LC/MS or GC/MS applications for cannabinoid testing, urine drug testing, clinical toxicology, or forensic analysis. 11-Hydroxy-Δ9-THC is an active metabolite of THC and metabolic precursor to 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ9-THC.
Secondary metabolites, including cannabinoids, terpenoids, sterols, and flavonoids, were individually profiled in cannabis inflorescences, leaves, stem barks, and roots for three chemovars. Inflorescences and leaves are relatively abundant in cannabinoids, monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, and flavonoids.
HHC is not technically a form of THC, but rather a derivative of THC. This means that while HHC and THC share similarities in their chemical structure, they are distinct compounds. The key difference is that HHC has additional hydrogen double bonds due to the hydrogenation process it undergoes during synthesis.
Unlike THC, THCA is a non-psychotropic cannabinoid. In other words, it does not produce the intoxicating effect that is commonly associated with cannabis and THC. This is a result of the size of the THCA molecule. This is a large molecule that does not bind to cannabinoid receptors in the endocannabinoid system.
Address: Suite 369 9754 Roberts Pines, West Benitaburgh, NM 69180-7958
Phone: +522993866487
Job: Sales Executive
Hobby: Worldbuilding, Shopping, Quilting, Cooking, Homebrewing, Leather crafting, Pet
Introduction: My name is Golda Nolan II, I am a thoughtful, clever, cute, jolly, brave, powerful, splendid person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
