What is THCA vs THC? THC is a cannabinoid that is found naturally in hemp. Not like THC, it doesn’t make you feel high like THC does. There are many possible medical benefits to THC, but most people never use it. That’s because it changes into THC when heated, which is called decarboxylation.
All cannabis and hemp flowers are THCA flowers, but before you smoke them, the THCA changes into THC. THC is not possible without THCA. THCA can turn into THC, but it can also do many other things. THC has many positive effects and benefits. We will talk about them and give you a full breakdown of THCA vs. THC in this piece.
What is THCa vs THC?
THCA is one of over 100 cannabinoids in cannabis or hemp. The chemical before delta 9 THC is THC. This implies that all THC is THCA modified. THC is one of over 100 cannabinoids present in hemp and cannabis. Many cannabis varieties include THC, which gives users a head high. Hemp, which is legal under federal law, contains THC. Let us have look at what is THCa vs THC?
Benefits of THCa
Early studies and personal accounts suggest that THCA may have therapeutic benefits in several areas, even though it doesn’t make people high.
Calming down:
There is some proof that THCA may help calm and relax the mind without making people high like THC does.
Being inflamed:
THCA reduces inflammation, according to a 2017 Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research research.
Protective of neurons effects:
Spanish and Italian researchers revealed that THCA may protect neurons in 2017. Researchers recommend additional THCA research for neurological illnesses.
Benefits of THC
This “high” from THC is well known. But THC can do more than get you high. Both study and anecdotal evidence suggest that it could be used in several therapeutic ways:
Anxiety and stress:
Based on the amount you take, research on THC for anxiety shows that it may either help or hurt you. A study from the Yale School of Medicine found that THC may help reduce nervousness in smaller amounts. Higher doses might make you anxious.
Pain:
THC may relieve pain because it makes individuals feel high, according to multiple research.
Sickness:
A 2010 Barcelona research institution study indicated that a blend of THC and CBD could help sick people stop vomiting. The study suggested studying THC for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
Working of THC and THCa in the Body
Cannabinoids, such as THCA and THC, affect your body’s Endocannabinoid System (ECS), which manages many vital processes, such as your mood, sleep, immune system, and body temperature. In your ECS, there are two main types of receptors:
CB1 receptors, which have “head” or mental effects when they are activated
CB2 receptors, which have physical or “body” effects when they are activated
THC strongly attaches to CB1 receptors, making the psychoactive effects very strong. Because THCA doesn’t bind to these receptors as strongly, it doesn’t give you the same “high” feeling.
On the other hand, THCA probably helps your ECS in other ways. More studies are needed to understand how THCA works fully.
What is THCa vs THC Uses?
Here we discuss the uses of THCA and THC
Inhalation
The most popular ways to use THC and THCA are to smoke or vape them.
This method lets the benefits start quickly. But smoking can be hard on the lungs, so people who already have breathing problems might not want to do it.
It’s important to remember that when you smoke THCA flower or concentrates, the cannabinoid acid will decarboxylate and change into THC, which has psychoactive effects.
Edibles
THC and THCA can be eaten or drunk in the form of baked goods, treats, and tinctures, among other things.
When you eat or drink THC-containing products like gummies or pills, the effects can last longer but take longer to kick in.
It is important to remember that edibles can be difficult to dose correctly and may have unexpected effects if you eat too much of them.
There are gummies and pills called THCA that are made with an acidic form of THC that doesn’t make you high. However, if you heat it, it changes into THC and makes you high.
If you want to keep the acidic form of THCA, eat the product as is.
Conclusion
You may have been asking why the people at your dispensary keep talking about THCa levels instead of THC levels. Or maybe you were just interested. You now know the difference between THC and THC, no matter what.
FAQ
How much THCa is needed to get high?
Different amounts of THCa are changed into THC, but most of the THCa in a plant before it is decarboxylated is turned into THC. Most of the time, strains with 15 to 25 percent THCa are thought to be high in THC.
What makes THCa different?
The more acidic form of THC is called THCa (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid). It’s not possible to get high from THCa by itself, but heating it turns it into THC. The “high” feeling comes from THC. The extra carboxyl ring in THCa makes it different from the other cannabinoids.
What kind of high does this give you?
When taken in its raw form, THCa will not get you high like THC does. On the other hand, THC’s effects are primarily suitable for your body. If you eat raw cannabis flower or a product that contains THCa, you won’t get high like you do when you smoke marijuana or hemp.
Is THCa just as potent as THC?
In contrast to THC, THCa is not strong and will not make you feel high. But when THCa flower is burned, like when it is smoked, it changes into THC.
Is it possible to get high from THCA?
No, THCA is not psychoactive, so it does not get you “high” by itself. For THCA to turn into THC and cause psychoactive effects, it needs to be cooked, like when you smoke or vape it.
Sources:
https://getfluent.com/the-difference-between-thc-and-thca/
https://neurogan.com/blogs/news/thc-vs-thca
https://viiahemp.com/blog/thc-vs-thca-what-is-the-difference
