THCA: What is it and how is it different from THC?

THCA: What is it and how is it different from THC?

Most cannabis users are familiar with the two most widely used cannabinoids in the plant, namely cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Cannabis plants contain more than 100 different cannabinoids. THCA is another one of these cannabinoids that can affect your body, but few people know about it. So what is THCA? This article will tell you everything you need to know about its use and the possible effects and risks.

What is THCA?

THCA stands for tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, which isone of the non-psychoactive cannabinoids. It is one of hundreds of chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant. THCA is an acidic form of THC, but unlike THC it does not cause a feeling of intoxication.

Cannabinoids are produced during cannabis cultivation in the form of carboxylic acids, which are converted into non-acidic compounds through a process called decarboxylation. The first cannabinoid produced by the plant isCBGA, also referred to as the 'mother of all cannabinoids' because it breaks down over time to produce essential cannabinoids such as THCA and CBDA. Almost all cannabinoids start out in an acidic form, which differs from its non-acidic version in its structure and effects.

THCA is not intoxicating when ingested. This is because it has a molecular carboxyl ring, and therefore this cannabinoid cannot bind to brain receptors and produce a euphoric high as THC does. When THCA is exposed to heat, for example when vaping, dabbing or cooking, it is converted into the intoxicating substance THC.

THC vs. THCA

THCA: is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid in acid form that occurs naturally in cannabis plants and unprocessed cannabis. All the effects of THCA will be felt in your body. THCA does not bind well to CB1 or CB2 receptors in our endocannabinoid system. In order for a cannabinoid to produce intoxicating effects, it must fit into the CB1 receptor. Since THCa does not fit into this receptor, there is no feeling of intoxication.

THC: is a cannabinoid that isproduced from the substance THCA in cannabis. THC is a psychotropic substance. THC affects your mental state. By heating THCA, it is converted to THC through a process called decarboxylation. This process leads to psychoactive effects that induce a feeling of intoxication.

The effects of THCA and THC may in some cases be intertwined. Both substances serve as anti-nausea agents. However, THCA is more effective than THC in reducing inflammation and may also help in seizure disorders.

Effects and benefits of THCA

THCA offers a range of potential health benefits. Some of these are listed below:

  • Anti-inflammatory effects,
  • protection against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's,
  • antiemetic effects in case of inappetence or vomiting
  • relaxing effects to help with insomnia,
  • anticonvulsant effects to reduce muscle spasms,
  • antiproliferative effects in the treatment of cancer (especially prostate cancer),
  • analgesics for pain control,
  • anti-nausea effects.

Despite these potential benefits , more research and clinical trials are needed to fully explore the potential of THCA.

Side effects of THCA

Dueto the lack of human studies on THCA ,it is difficult to determine the short or long term risks of this cannabinoid. According to some opinions, THCA has very few negative side effects, while others claim that THCA has many of the same side effects as THC. Cannabis users who are sensitive to THC may experience similar side effects when taking THCA. Common side effects of THC that may or may not occur when taking THCA include:

  • Dizziness,
  • anxiety,
  • dry mouth,
  • red eyes,
  • fatigue,
  • increased heart rate,
  • paranoia.

How is THCA taken?

THCA can be consumed by simply eating unprocessed cannabis buds. Consuming raw cannabis is the healthiest way to consume THCA. You can consume raw cannabis:

  • as a tasty energy drink, which you prepare by juicing raw cannabis and mixing it with ingredients such as spinach, almond milk and banana,
  • by adding it to a smoothie,
  • byadding to salads, for example, by mixing into dressings or vinaigrettes.

Another option for using THCA is a transdermal patch or another method of topical cannabis treatment. A number of companies produce cannabis ointments and tinctures and topical preparations containing THCA that can be used, for example, as a massage product after strenuous physical activity.

Will THCA show up in a drug test?

Yes, both THC and THCA will test positive in a drug test. Even in juice made from raw cannabis, substances from both types of cannabis can be converted into THC-COOH and most drug tests test for this metabolite.

Is THCA legal?

Although THCA is not included in the UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances, it is subject to a number of local regulations due to its chemical similarity to THC. Although THCA is not psychoactive per se, it is still considered to be part of the cannabis plant and is converted to THC by the action of heat. If you are considering using THCA, check which regulations apply in your state.

So you're already familiar with the term THCA, but what about Delta-8-THC or other cannabinoids found in cannabis plants? Visit our blog to read more about these chemical compounds and become a cannabinoid expert.

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