Did you asked yourself “is there a difference between THCA and THC”? Even though THC is the most well-known and extensively studied cannabinoid because of its psychoactive effects, it wouldn’t exist without THCA, its progenitor. If THC and THCA are the same thing, why isn’t more research being done on the effects of the latter?
What is THCA?
As the name implies, THCA is the chemical precursor to THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). As the cannabis plant grows, it produces carboxylic acids called cannabinoids, which are then decarboxylated to yield nonacidic compounds. Acidic forms of nearly all cannabinoids have structural and functional differences from their non-acidic counterparts.
Fresh cannabis contains a large amount of THCA, but this compound is unstable and readily decarboxylates into THC when exposed to light or heat. Even when stored between 39 and 64 degrees Fahrenheit, THCA decarboxylates, making THC contamination nearly impossible to avoid, according to one THCA study. Lab results based solely on THCA are difficult to interpret because of the THC contamination found even in pure extracts..
WHY IS THCA IMPORTANT?
THCA is considered non-psychoactive, which means that when you consume it, you won’t feel euphoric. THCA does not bind to CB1 receptors, which have a high affinity for THC binding. This is the reason for this. In our blog post How Marijuana Works in the Body, we explain how receptors and the endocannabinoid system work. According to research on THCA, it appears to have little affinity for either the CB1 or CB2 cannabinoid receptors.
The anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties of THCA-rich extracts can, however, be confirmed by our research. It has also been found that THCA reduces nausea and vomiting.
THCA DOSE AND CONTROLS
When you smoke marijuana, you’re decarboxylating it, which turns the THCA in the plant into the active ingredient in the drug’s chemical makeup. As a result, a fresh extract of THCA or raw cannabis must be consumed to absorb the cannabinoid. Dabbing products advertised as high in THCA may actually convert into THC over time, depending on the amount of light and room temperature heat they are exposed to.
THCA can be consumed without decarboxylation by grinding fresh bud into something edible, which is safer than eating a nug. To maximize the health benefits of a tasty treat, combine ground bud with other superfoods like kale or avocado in a smoothie. Make sure your grower isn’t using chemical pesticides if you plan on juicing fresh palm leaves or sugar leaves right after harvest.
We hope you enjoyed reading our article on “IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THCA AND THC?”. You can find more articles about the THCA subject (and articles on other topics) on our blog. For any question you have about whether you are more than welcome to contact us and we will do our best to answer you in a satisfactory and ideal way!
Until next time,
In love, Cannabinoids Garden
