 Parahexyl was occasionally used as an anxiolytic in the mid-20th century, the dosage ranging from 5 mg to 90 mg.

Parahexyl was made illegal under UN convention in 1982 on the basis of its structural similarity and similar effects profile to THC, despite never having had any recorded instances of recreational use by humans or illicit sale.Parahexyl was placed into the most restrictive Schedule 1 as a compound with no medical use, despite the now known medical uses for cannabinoids.Note that 6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran-1-ol is the same as 6H-benzo[c]chromen-1-ol.