Nano THC: What is Fast-Acting THC and How Does It Work?

One of the most common complaints with cannabis edibles is how long it takes to feel its effects. This delay causes some users to continue eating more edibles and the increased dosage can leave the user feeling out of sorts when the full effects kick in. Compared to smoking cannabis flower or dabs, edibles take much longer to metabolize. With nano THC, the effects of cannabis can be felt much sooner than classic cannabis edibles.

What is Nano THC?

Nano THC is the key component of cutting-edge cannabis products that were developed to get edibles metabolized more quickly. This fast-acting THC lets the user experience the full effects within minutes, as opposed to hours. Typically, the onset for nano THC is 10 to 15 minutes, while conventional edibles can be felt in full between 60 and 90 minutes. The rate of influence is also affected by several factors, including the user’s weight, metabolism, tolerance and dosage.

This is an emerging science in the recreational and medical cannabis industry, and we can expect more exciting developments in the coming years.

How Do Nanocannabinoids Work?

As the name suggests, nanocannabinoids are smaller than regular cannabinoids. Cannabis cultivators and innovators tend to have their own proprietary processes for developing cannabinoids. On a high level, regular cannabinoids are made smaller so they become water-soluble, meaning nano cannabinoids metabolize quicker than regular cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are hydrophobic and bond with lipids, but shrinking them to nano cannabinoids lets water-soluble particles pass more efficiently through the digestive tract. Nanotechnology is an emerging field in medicine, which shares common ground with the medical and recreational cannabis industry.

11-Hydroxy-THC and Cannabis Metabolism

THC, also known as tetrahydrocannabinol, is the active ingredient in cannabis. When it is consumed in the form of edibles, it eventually transforms into 11-hydroxy-THC. This chemical compound has sedative and pain-relieving properties, as opposed to THC’s stimulating, psychoactive effects. Nanocannabinoids send THC straight to the body, without the lengthy conversion to 11-hydroxy-THC.

The Benefits of Nano THC

The most notable benefit of nano THC is its enhanced bioavailability, which means it is absorbed more readily by the human body. According to NCBI, nano THC provides roughly 85% absorbable THC, while more traditional products contain anywhere in the range of 6-20% absorbable THC, which depends on the cultivar and its quality

In general, nano THC is much more predictable than traditional cannabis products.

What is Co-Crystallization?

Co-crystalization is borrowed from the pharmaceutical industry, and improves the physicochemical solid-state properties of APIs. These improvements include bioavailability, solubility, dissolution rate, stability and tablet-ability to develop better medicines and supplements.

To perfect the delivery methods of cannabinoids, Happy Valley decided co-crystal nano technology (X-Cell Nano) was the answer for next-level ingestible cannabis products. By removing the steps of making an emulsion, not having to encapsulate oils with surfactants to bind oil particles (cannabinoids) and make them water soluble, we were able to produce a great-tasting, all-natural, water-soluble powder with no crazy expensive equipment cost or footprint.

Happy Valley has released this new technology in two exciting forms: traditional gummies and Sugar Free Drink Stix.

Other Processes for Producing Nanocannabinoids

Though Happy Valley uses co-crystalization to create nanocannabinoids, other cannabis retailers often use these two methods:

Nanoelmulsion

Emulsion, at its core definition, is combining two substances that do not mix under usual circumstances. Some examples of materials that do not dissolve into water include:

  • Sand
  • Flour
  • Oil
  • Wax
  • Cannabinoids

In its default state, THC is oil. Cannabis nanoemulsion occurs when cannabis oil is processed to absorb into microscopic water particles. These miniscule droplets infused with THC can be absorbed into the human endocannabinoid system at a speed and purity beyond that of lipid-based cannabinoids. 

Nanoencapsulation

Nanoencapsulation is a process that is common in the medical, pharmaceutical and dentistry fields, where precise dosage and efficacy may be the difference between life and death.

During the nanoencapsulation process, cannabinoids are coated with lipid particles that absorb readily into the body. When encapsulated, cannabinoids absorb more readily into your mucus membranes and stomach lining. Stillwater’s Drew Hathaway claims nanoencapsulated cannabis products absorb more than four times as fast as standard cannabis products. In effect, the process of nanoencapsulation makes cannabinoids more receptive to the human body.

Learn More About Happy Valley’s Nano THC Products

At Happy Valley, we are extremely selective with our cannabis and exacting in our cultivation methods.

In July of 2022, we launched X-CELL NANO. Happy Valley’s X-CELL Gummies and Stir Stix are sold in a variety of flavors that can be felt much faster than traditional edibles.

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Gloucester & East Boston


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