What is HHC, and why is it available in vape shops?

The Irish College of Psychiatrists has reported an “explosion” in the number of teens battling addictions to HHC, and a huge increase in the number of people seeking medical help for this addiction. As reported in The Irish Independent, Dr Bobby Smyth, a specialist child and adolescent addiction psychiatrist, has stated that HHC addiction accounts for around 20% of adolescent addiction cases in Ireland, often in combination with cannabis. He also compared the legality of HHC with the head-shop products around 15 years ago.

There’s a lot of confusion as to whether HHC is legal or not. The Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Act 2010, which was brought in after the height of Ireland’s legal Head Shop days, bans substances which were not specifically banned under the Misuse of Drugs Acts, but which have psychoactive effects. According to Citizens Information: “If you are found to be selling or supplying substances for human consumption that have psychoactive effects (but are not specifically banned under the Misuse of Drugs Acts), you are guilty of an offence.”

Despite HHC’s psychoactive effects, Drugs.ie states that “It’s currently available legally in high street shops but this does not guarantee safety and there are concerns regarding the health effects.” HHC is being sold over the counter, and it’s very popular with Irish teenagers.

So what is it? HHC is reported to have properties which are similar to cannabis. However, unlike cannabis, HHC is a new man-made chemical developed from CBD. According to Drugs.ie the effects of the drug are unpredictable, as some can experience elevated mood, altered perception, and relaxation, or feeling unwell, confusion, unconsciousness, depression and withdrawal after frequent use. There have also been two reported cases of psychosis in Irish hospitals of regular cannabis smokers who experienced psychotic episodes as a possible result of vaping HHC.

It’s pretty new to the market, so there’s been limited research on its long-term dangers. It was first identified in America in 2021, and in Europe in May 2022. It can be sold as e-cigarettes, vapes, herbal mixtures and edibles. In some cases HHC has been sprayed on plant materials which could be confused or mis-sold as cannabis.

Psychiatrists are calling for a ban on the drug. Dr Smyth sees the 2010 legislation as a way to prosecute sellers of the drug. “The Government’s job is ­simple: it must enforce the laws we currently have as sale of psychoactive drugs such as HHC and similar compounds is prohibited under the Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Act 2010. This Act allows for people and businesses selling HHC to be prosecuted.”

Professor Colin O’Gara, a specialist addiction psychiatrist, says the drug can have dangerous effects. “It is initially seen to be a harmless drug, but can have devastating effects on a young person’s mental health; we have treated young men suffering from severe psychoses as a result of vaping HHC.”

The Department of Health is reportedly examining the issue.

If you are struggling with addiction and would like support, please visit this website to find out more: https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/5/addiction/dublinnorthaddictionservice/sassy/

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