If you’re interested in learning more about THCA and what it is, stay reading, and we’ll tell you all you need to know!
Read on if you’re new to cannabinoids and want to learn more about THCA. You’ll discover the difference between THC and THCA, as well as some of the possible advantages of THCA, whether or not THCA will make you high, the negative effects, and where to purchase THCA.
The many terminologies and titles can be somewhat intimidating for many novice cannabis users. It’s a lot to learn in a short amount of time, but once you do, you’ll be better equipped to make informed judgments regarding the cannabis products you consume.
At Vaping Vibe, we believe in educating our customers and encouraging them to make healthy decisions. You’ll know everything there is to know about THCA after finishing this article, and you’ll have a lot better understanding of what this cannabinoid is all about.
Enough from us; let’s dive into THCA and learn more about this natural substance.
What is the difference between THC and THCA?
tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) is not the same as tetrahydrocannabinol, even though they have the same initials (THC). While THCA and THC appear to be linked, the two have quite different characteristics. We don’t yet know everything there is to know about THCA, but experts from all around the world are working hard to uncover all of its mysteries.
We will break down THCA in the simplest way to help you understand it better. The precursor of THC is THCA, and Cannabigerol acid produces THCA (CBGA).
CBG, CBDA, and THCA are the three primary cannabinoids generated by CBGA during the plant’s life. Decarboxylation is the process by which THCA is converted into THC. It may appear hard, but it’s rather simple after removing the jargon and names
Oxygen and heat remove the carboxyl groups from the THCA molecule during the plant’s life, converting it to THC. This is when things start to get interesting. By the time it reaches the end of its life, the level of THC in the plant is still minimal.
Additional decarboxylation is still required. When you heat cannabis flower in a joint, vape, or bong, it undergoes decarboxylation. This is done during the production process of concentrates and other liquid THC products.
Total THC = (percent THCA) x 0.877 + 0.877 + 0.877 + 0.877 + 0.877 + 0.877 + 0.877 + 0.877 + 0.877 + 0.877 + 0.877 + 0.877 + 0.877 + 0.877 + 0.877 + 0.877 + ( percent THC).
If you are interested in the comparisons of different cannabinoids, check out this article that compares the differences between CBDa vs CBD.
What are the possible advantages of THCA?
The majority of research on cannabis and the cannabinoids present in it has so far focused on CBD and THC, and THCA isn’t one among them. We won’t make any precise medical claims until more clinical trials and investigations have finished. However, some of the THCA studies and research that have been done appear quite promising.
According to research published on J-Stage in 2011, THCA had many of the same anti-inflammatory characteristics as other cannabinoids. In a separate study published in 2017, the researchers suggested that THCA could be more effective than CBD in treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
Sativex, a cannabis-based prescription medicine licensed by the FDA to treat seizures associated with Multiple Sclerosis, is already available (MS). Research published in 2017 revealed that THCA might potentially aid in seizure prevention.
Another research from 2013 revealed that THCA might be even more effective than THC at avoiding vomiting and treating nausea.
Two studies, one from 2012 and the other from 2017, discovered that THCA has neuroprotective effects that may aid in treating Huntington’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
Is THCA going to get you high?
We’ve all seen the movie or TV program when they’re being followed by authorities or about to be arrested, and instead of getting caught with the marijuana, they chew it up and swallow it. What follows is one of the most incredible, mind-blowing highs in history. It may appear amazing on TV, but it doesn’t hold up in real life.
Although raw cannabis flower includes a small amount of THC, it is predominantly THCA, which can never convert to THC without the heat of the decarboxylation process. Without the decarboxylation process, you won’t get high, turning THCA into THC.
If you took an excessive amount of cannabis edibles or concentrates that had been heated during the manufacturing process; the situation would be quite different. We don’t advocate eating a handful of cannabis edibles, and if you’re new to the cannabis edible industry, it’s best to take things carefully first.
Is there a risk of THCA having negative side effects?
Unlike THC, which may make you feel agitated, paranoid, tense, and nauseous if you take too much of it, THCA does not appear to have the same bad side effects if you consume too much of it. CBD is thought to block THC from binding to the CB1 receptors in the Endocannabinoid System, reducing some of the unpleasant side effects associated with THC (ECS).
Some have speculated that a tiny fraction of THCA may convert to THC as it goes through the digestive system, although no detailed research has been conducted on the subject. Even if this were true, and we’re not claiming it is, the quantity of THCA converted to THC would most likely be insignificant.
Before using any THCA products, we highly advise you to speak with your doctor or healthcare professional, especially if you have already used any prescription drugs. Although most cannabinoids are harmless and don’t interact with prescription pharmaceuticals in any way, they can affect how quickly your body absorbs them. If prescription medicine is digested too slowly or too fast by the body, this might result in negative side effects.
Is THCA detectable in a drug test?
Many drug testing tests target the THCA molecule, even though individuals aren’t consuming THCA products to become ‘high’ like they would with THC goods. Drug testing kits target various substances, some being more sensitive than others.
Some drug tests are intended to detect particular substances for a limited time, while others may detect them for up to a month. It all relies on the drug testing equipment being utilized and the results they’re searching for. Many firms are only interested in hiring high people while at work, whereas others have strict anti-drug rules.
Because THCA has the potential to induce a positive drug test result, you should avoid using any THCA-containing items if you think you might be tested.
Where can you find THCA?
You’ll find yourself in a legally murky area when it comes to THCA. Although it is not officially categorized as a banned narcotic under US federal law, it is the precursor to THC.
As a result, finding goods that contain THCA is likely to be difficult. Many THC-containing products are permitted in some states but are nonetheless banned on a federal level in the United States. Following the signing of the 2018 US Farm Bill, CBD products containing less than 0.3 percent THC are considered lawful.
If you live in a state or nation where it is legal to produce or possess fresh cannabis plants, you can detect THCA in the raw plant material. The decarboxylation process occurs when the plant is heated in any way, and the THCA is transformed to THC.
Raw cannabis leaves and plant material are increasingly used in cold smoothies and drinks to obtain THCA while avoiding decarboxylation. We understand that it won’t appeal to everyone, but numerous delectable recipes accessible online can mask the flavor. You’re in luck if you enjoy the taste of raw cannabis.
If you prefer other ways to receive THCA, searching online for full spectrum cannabis-based items that claim to be THCA tinctures and patches may be helpful. It’s vital to remember that most of these patches and tinctures will only contain minimal quantities of THCA and far more THC.
Conclusion of the THCA
Thank you for reading this far! Hopefully, you now have a much better understanding of what THCA is and how it differs from THC.