Does HHC Show Up on a Drug Test?

HHC shows up on a drug test, particularly in urine, blood, saliva, and hair tests, due to the production of metabolites like 11-OH-HHC and HHC-COOH. In a study by Höfert et al. titled “Quantification of (9R)- and (9S)-Hexahydrocannabinol via GC-MS,” published in Drug Testing and Analysis (2023), 5.3% of 321 drug test samples analyzed tested positive for HHC diastereomers, showing its growing presence in forensic toxicology.
HHC (hexahydrocannabinol) refers to a semi-synthetic hemp-derived cannabinoid gaining popularity due to its psychoactive effects and legal ambiguity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2021, 52.5 million Americans, or about 19% of the population, reported using cannabis at least once
HHC has a half-life similar to Delta-9 THC, with metabolites lingering in the body for several days or weeks, depending on the frequency of use. A study by Lindbom et al., “Human Metabolism of the Semi-Synthetic Cannabinoids Hexahydrocannabinol,” published in Drug Testing and Analysis (2024), highlights that HHC undergoes hydroxylation and oxidation by liver enzymes, producing metabolites detectable in urine and blood.
Factors influencing HHC detection include dosage, frequency of use, individual metabolic rate, and the sensitivity of the drug test being used. In “Appearance of Hexahydrocannabinols as Recreational Drugs and Implications for Cannabis Drug Testing,” published in the Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation (2024), Helander et al. noted that higher doses and slower metabolisms extend detection windows, particularly in urine tests.
How Does HHC Interact with Different Drug Tests?
HHC interacts with different drug tests through the detection of its metabolites, which are structurally similar to those of THC. These different drug tests produce metabolites that trigger positive results in standard screening methods.
These tests vary in their ability to detect HHC and its derivatives. Standard drug tests, particularly urine screenings, do not specifically target HHC but yield positive results due to these similarities.
Ways HHC interacts with different drug tests are explained below:
- Urine Drug Test: Urine testing is the most common method due to its extended detection window. HHC metabolites, such as 11-OH-HHC and HHC-COOH, are highly detectable in urine for up to 30 days in frequent users, depending on usage patterns and metabolism. According to a study by Lindbom et al. titled “Human Metabolism of the Semi-Synthetic Cannabinoids Hexahydrocannabinol,” published in Drug Testing and Analysis (2024), these metabolites are glucuronidated and highly detectable.
- Blood Drug Test: Blood tests detect HHC for a much shorter period, typically up to 48 hours after use. These tests are more accurate for identifying recent consumption but are less sensitive for long-term detection. As noted in the study by Höfert et al., “Quantification of (9R)- and (9S)-Hexahydrocannabinol via GC-MS,” published in Drug Testing and Analysis (2023), HHC’s active metabolites appear in serum but are detectable for a shorter window compared to urine.
- Saliva Drug Test: Saliva testing may reveal recent HHC use, as metabolites appear within hours of consumption. However, the reliability of saliva tests for synthetic or semi-synthetic cannabinoids like HHC is still under research. According to Helander et al. in their study “Appearance of Hexahydrocannabinols as Recreational Drugs and Implications for Cannabis Drug Testing,” published in the Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation (2024), saliva tests may cross-react with THC antibodies, leading to potential detection.
- Hair Follicle Drug Test: Hair tests provide insights into long-term HHC use, detecting metabolites deposited in hair follicles over weeks or months. While highly reliable for chronic use, they are less effective at identifying one-time or infrequent use. The study by Pettersson-Pablo and Oxelbark, “LC-MS/MS Analysis of Hexahydrocannabinol Metabolites,” published in the Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation (2024), highlights the usefulness of hair tests in assessing extended substance use.
Each test has varying accuracy and scope for detecting synthetic cannabinoids like HHC, with urine and hair tests offering the broadest windows for detection.
What Is HHC (Hexahydrocannabinol)?
Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) is a semi-synthetic hemp-derived cannabinoid. It is chemically related to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis, but differs slightly in its chemical structure.
HHC is created through the hydrogenation of THC or cannabidiol (CBD), a process that modifies the original cannabinoid to increase its stability. Unlike CBD, which is non-psychoactive, HHC exhibits psychoactive properties that mimic those of THC, such as inducing euphoria and relaxation.
According to a study by Nasrallah and Garg (2023) titled “Studies Pertaining to the Emerging Cannabinoid Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC),” published in ACS Chemical Biology, HHC differs from THC in that it lacks a double bond in its cyclohexane ring, which enhances its resistance to degradation and oxidation. This makes HHC a potentially longer-lasting cannabinoid when exposed to environmental factors like heat and light.
Is HHC Similar to THC?
Yes, HHC is similar to THC in several aspects, but with notable differences. Chemically, HHC lacks the double bond present in Delta-9 and Delta-8 THC, making it more stable and resistant to environmental degradation.
Both HHC and THC exhibit psychoactive potency, but HHC is reported to be slightly less potent than Delta-9 THC and comparable to Delta-8 THC in its effects. Legally, HHC occupies a gray area in many jurisdictions, as it is derived from hemp, which is federally legal in the U.S., but its psychoactive properties raise regulatory concerns.
According to a study by Nasrallah and Garg (2023) titled “Studies Pertaining to the Emerging Cannabinoid Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC),” published in ACS Chemical Biology, HHC interacts with the same cannabinoid receptors as THC but demonstrates a slightly altered binding affinity due to its unique chemical structure.
How Long Does HHC Stay in Your System?
HHC stays in your system for several days to weeks, depending on factors such as metabolism, dosage, and frequency of use. Its detection window can range from 1-3 days in occasional users to over 30 days in frequent users, particularly in urine tests.
The half-life of HHC, while not extensively studied, is believed to be similar to THC, with metabolites lingering in fat cells due to their lipophilic nature.
According to a study by Lindbom et al. (2024) titled “Human Metabolism of the Semi-Synthetic Cannabinoids Hexahydrocannabinol,” published in Drug Testing and Analysis, HHC undergoes hydroxylation and oxidation during metabolism, producing detectable metabolites such as 11-OH-HHC and HHC-COOH in urine and blood.
How Does HHC Metabolize in the Body?
HHC metabolizes in the body through a series of enzymatic reactions, primarily in the liver. Liver enzymes, specifically those in the cytochrome P450 family, break down HHC into several metabolites, including 11-hydroxy-hexahydrocannabinol (11-OH-HHC) and 11-nor-9-carboxy-hexahydrocannabinol (HHC-COOH).**
These metabolites mirror the metabolic pathway of Delta-9 THC, with 11-OH-HHC being the primary active metabolite responsible for THC-like effects. It binds to CB1 and CB2 receptors in the brain and peripheral tissues, producing psychoactive and physiological effects similar to THC.
Unlike THC, however, HHC is more chemically stable due to the absence of a double bond in its cyclohexane ring. This stability affects its breakdown rate, making its metabolites detectable for longer periods in bodily fluids.
A study by Lindbom et al. (2024), published in Drug Testing and Analysis, noted that HHC undergoes hydroxylation and subsequent oxidation, producing metabolites that are primarily glucuronidated and excreted in urine. Additionally, these metabolic byproducts are lipid-soluble, meaning they can accumulate in fat cells, extending their elimination time from the body.
This process highlights HHC’s ability to mimic THC’s effects while maintaining structural differences that influence its pharmacokinetics and detectability during drug testing.
Does HHC Metabolize into THC?
No, HHC produces metabolites similar to THC metabolites, but it does not directly convert into THC during metabolism.
Instead, HHC is metabolized by liver enzymes into 11-hydroxy-hexahydrocannabinol (11-OH-HHC) and 11-nor-9-carboxy-hexahydrocannabinol (HHC-COOH), which are structurally similar to THC-derived compounds. These metabolites are detectable in drug tests and lead to positive THC results due to their chemical resemblance.
According to a study by Höfert et al. (2023) titled “Quantification of (9R)- and (9S)-Hexahydrocannabinol via GC-MS in Serum,” published in Drug Testing and Analysis, HHC metabolites mimic THC’s metabolic profile, which complicates the differentiation between HHC and THC use during testing.
Why Does HHC Trigger a Positive Test Result for THC?
HHC causes a positive test result for THC because its metabolites, such as 11-OH-HHC and HHC-COOH, are structurally similar to THC metabolites detected by standard immunoassay drug tests.
These tests rely on antibodies that bind to cannabinoids with similar molecular structures rather than directly identifying THC itself. Since HHC’s metabolites share critical functional groups with THC metabolites, such as hydroxyl (-OH) and carboxylic acid (-COOH) groups, they produce false positive results for THC in urine, saliva, or blood screenings.
Research by Helander et al., titled “Appearance of Hexahydrocannabinols as Recreational Drugs and Implications for Cannabis Drug Testing,” published in the Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation (2024), demonstrated significant cross-reactivity between HHC and THC antibodies in immunoassays.
The study confirmed that samples spiked with HHC metabolites tested positive for THC, highlighting the inability of standard drug tests to differentiate between the two. This issue is particularly problematic in workplace or legal settings where precise cannabinoid identification is critical, as the results unfairly penalize HHC users.
Are Current Drug Tests Designed to Detect HHC?
Most current drug tests are not specifically designed to detect HHC, as they focus primarily on common cannabinoids like THC. Detection of HHC is incidental, relying on cross-reactivity with THC antibodies or advanced confirmatory methods such as LC-MS/MS.
According to a study by Höfert et al., titled “Quantification of (9R)- and (9S)-Hexahydrocannabinol via GC-MS,” published in Drug Testing and Analysis (2023), only 5.3% of 321 drug test samples analyzed included detectable HHC metabolites. This highlights the limitations of standard testing protocols in addressing emerging synthetic cannabinoids like HHC.
How Does HHC Compare to Delta-8 and Delta-9 in Drug Test Detection?
HHC compares to Delta-8 and Delta-9 in drug test detection through its production of similar metabolites, its cross-reactivity in standard immunoassay screenings, and its longer detection window in some cases.
According to a study by Lindbom et al., titled “Human Metabolism of the Semi-Synthetic Cannabinoids Hexahydrocannabinol,” published in Drug Testing and Analysis (2024), HHC’s metabolic profile is nearly identical to that of Delta-9 THC, making it indistinguishable in most drug tests.
Ways HHC compares to delta-8 and delta-9 in drug test detection are explained below:
- Detectability: Due to similar metabolites, such as 11-OH-HHC and THC-COOH, HHC and Delta-9 THC are more likely to trigger positive results in standard drug tests. Delta-8 THC, while less detectable, still cross-react in immunoassays. According to Helander et al., in their study “Appearance of Hexahydrocannabinols as Recreational Drugs and Implications for Cannabis Drug Testing,” published in the Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation (2024), all three cannabinoids showed varying degrees of cross-reactivity in standard screenings.
- Potency: HHC has a potency closer to Delta-8 THC but is less potent than Delta-9 THC in psychoactive effects, which influence its detection sensitivity. This difference stems from HHC’s unique hydrogenated structure, as noted by Nasrallah and Garg in “Studies Pertaining to the Emerging Cannabinoid Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC),” published in ACS Chemical Biology (2023).
- Metabolism: HHC and Delta-9 THC undergo similar metabolic pathways, primarily through hydroxylation and oxidation in the liver, producing nearly identical metabolites. Delta-8 THC follows a comparable route but generates fewer detectable byproducts in confirmatory tests, as highlighted by Lindbom et al. in their study “Human Metabolism of the Semi-Synthetic Cannabinoids Hexahydrocannabinol,” published in Drug Testing and Analysis (2024).
Which Factors Influence HHC Detection?
The factors that influence HHC detection are dosage, frequency of use, and individual metabolism. Higher doses and chronic use extend the detection window, while metabolic rates can significantly alter how long metabolites remain in the body.
The factors that influence HHC detection are explained below:
- Metabolism: Individual metabolic rates significantly influence how quickly HHC is broken down and its metabolites are eliminated. People with faster metabolisms process HHC more rapidly, leading to shorter detection windows, while slower metabolisms result in prolonged detectability. According to Lindbom et al. in their study “Human Metabolism of the Semi-Synthetic Cannabinoids Hexahydrocannabinol,” published in Drug Testing and Analysis (2024), the hydroxylation and oxidation of HHC metabolites occur primarily in the liver, with variability among individuals.
- Dose: The quantity of HHC consumed affects the concentration of its metabolites in the body. Higher doses increase the likelihood of detection, as larger amounts of HHC result in a greater accumulation of 11-OH-HHC and HHC-COOH, which are detectable in urine, blood, and other samples.
- Test Sensitivity: The type of drug test plays a critical role in HHC detection. Standard immunoassays cross-react with HHC metabolites, while more advanced methods like LC-MS/MS are designed to detect specific cannabinoids, including HHC. As noted by Höfert et al. in their study “Quantification of (9R)- and (9S)-Hexahydrocannabinol via GC-MS,” published in Drug Testing and Analysis (2023), GC-MS and LC-MS/MS offers greater accuracy in identifying HHC metabolites compared to traditional immunoassays.
- Time Since Use: The time elapsed since HHC consumption directly affects detection windows. Infrequent users clear HHC metabolites within a few days, while chronic users may have detectable levels for weeks due to metabolite accumulation in fat cells and tissues.
Can HHC Use Cause Relapse and Impact Addiction Treatment Progress?
Yes, HHC use can impact addiction recovery by interfering with compliance, increasing the risk of relapse, and complicating treatment progress. Its psychoactive effects and structural similarity to THC trigger cravings or behaviors associated with prior substance use, undermining treatment progress.
Additionally, HHC’s presence in the system leads to positive drug test results, which jeopardize compliance with rehabilitation programs or court-mandated recovery efforts. According to Helander et al., in their study “Appearance of Hexahydrocannabinols as Recreational Drugs and Implications for Cannabis Drug Testing,” published in the Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation (2024), the cross-reactivity of HHC with THC tests can falsely indicate a relapse, complicating addiction management and increasing stress on individuals in recovery.
Is HHC Legal in the U.S. and New Hampshire?
Yes, HHC is legal in the U.S. under the 2018 Farm Bill. This federal law allows the production and sale of hemp-derived cannabinoids, provided they contain less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC by dry weight. However, individual states, including New Hampshire, have implemented their regulations.
In New Hampshire, HHC’s legal status is less clear, as the state permits hemp-derived products but prohibits those with psychoactive effects similar to THC. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has stated that synthetic cannabinoids, even those derived from hemp, could fall under the Controlled Substances Act, depending on their structure and psychoactivity.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), federal law does not specifically regulate HHC, leaving enforcement largely to state governments.
Can HHC Use Lead to Workplace Consequences?
Yes, HHC use can lead to workplace consequences, including disciplinary action or termination, due to its potential to trigger positive results on drug tests. Many workplace drug testing policies focus on detecting THC metabolites, which are structurally similar to HHC metabolites, increasing the likelihood of a false positive.
According to a study by Helander et al., “Appearance of Hexahydrocannabinols as Recreational Drugs and Implications for Cannabis Drug Testing,” published in the Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation (2024), HHC metabolites can cross-react with THC-specific immunoassays, making detection common in urine and saliva tests.
Additionally, a 2023 report from the National Safety Council states that approximately 56% of U.S. employers conduct workplace drug tests, highlighting the significant risk for employees using HHC in states where workplace policies mandate drug-free environments.
What Steps Can You Take if You Test Positive for HHC?
Steps you can take if you test positive for HHC include providing proof of legal hemp-derived cannabinoid use, requesting a confirmatory test like LC-MS/MS to differentiate HHC from THC, and consulting an attorney if workplace or legal consequences arise. Confirmatory tests are essential in cases of cross-reactivity to ensure accurate results.
Steps to take if you test positive for Hhc include:
- Request a Confirmatory Test: If you test positive for THC after using HHC, ask for a confirmatory test such as LC-MS/MS, which can differentiate HHC metabolites from THC. These advanced methods reduce the likelihood of false positives caused by cross-reactivity in standard immunoassays, as noted in Helander et al.’s study on cannabinoid detection.
- Provide Medical Explanations: Submit documentation from a healthcare provider or purchase records indicating that your use involved legal hemp-derived cannabinoids. This demonstrates compliance with federal laws and provides context for the presence of metabolites.
- Seek Legal Consultation: Consult an attorney experienced in workplace or drug testing laws to understand your rights and potential defenses. This is especially important if testing results in disciplinary action or legal consequences tied to workplace drug-free policies.
Contest the Results: Challenge the results by providing evidence of potential testing errors or cross-reactivity. Use expert testimony or scientific studies to show how HHC use leads to false positives for THC, emphasizing the limitations of standard drug tests.