Rewind to a time not long ago when cannabis usage existed in the shadows.
Anybody seeking use of the plant was breaking the law and had to settle for whatever bud they could get their hands on. Quality was secondary.
Fast forward to now, and things are much different.
Adult-use recreational cannabis is legal throughout many states, and–as such–legally-aged customers now have the luxury of choices. Options for consumers with all manner of tastes and preferences exist throughout the industry.
The reasons highlighted in the above paragraph will likely contribute to the projected $444.43 billion the cannabis market will be worth by 2030 [1].
Cannabinoids–and their specific types–are a primary component in cannabis products. In fact, cannabis products can’t exist without cannabinoids.
Two such cannabinoids are THC and THCA. We’ll examine both below, delving into their differences, similarities, characteristics, and effects.
Examining Cannabinoids
Cannabinoids are the compounds comprising the cannabis plant. Hundreds of cannabinoids have been identified, yet the primary examples are THC (the psychoactive component of cannabis) and CBD (possessing no psychoactive effects and offering more healing properties).
THC will be one of the main focuses of this article, but CBD will take a backseat. Instead, we’ll be comparing and contrasting THC to another cannabinoid growing in popularity called THCA.
THCA is non-psychoactive. It’s present in raw, unheated cannabis. Much like CBD, it’s also believed to possess healing properties.
THC: Tetrahydrocannabinol
THC’s technical name is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. It’s the compound in the cannabis plant responsible for the psychoactive response, causing you to feel “high” when you partake via smoking, vaping, or edible consumption.
The actual chemical formula of THC–C21H3002–refers to several isomers. However, the THC most people refer to typically has the chemical formula of (-)-trans-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) [2].
THCA: Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid
Tetrahydrocannbinolic acid (THCA) is THC’s acidic precursor.
During its growth, cannabis creates cannabinoids in carboxylic acid form, typically going through decarboxylation to convert into non-acidic compounds.
Acidic and non-acidic versions of cannabinoids usually have different structures and effects than each other.
Thus, THCA possesses different properties from THC.
For one, THCA is not psychoactive. Therefore, it can’t get you high. This results from THCA not binding to CB1 receptors, which are what THC latches onto.
It’s then worth asking, if THCA doesn’t get you high, what can it do? Research speaks to its anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects [3]. Furthermore, evidence suggests it mitigates vomiting and nausea [4].
Another point we must address is the instability of THCA. When it’s exposed to heat or light, the decarboxylation process takes hold, transforming it into psychoactive THC.
What Are The Primary Differences Between THC And THCA?
THC and THCA’s first primary difference is their chemical structures.
Yes–there’s much overlap between the two cannabinoids because THC can’t exist without initially being THCA. For all intents and purposes, THCA is what THC is destined to turn into unless it’s consumed in a specific fashion.
However, the effects of THC and THCA differ drastically. Namely, THCA only offers therapeutic properties without getting you high. THC gets you high, but it can also provide medicinal properties–just at a higher risk of suffering adverse effects (e.g., anxiety or paranoia because of the psychoactive properties).
The consumption methods between the two also vastly differ.
After all, the moment you smoke THCA, it will turn into THC. Maintaining the pure THCA properties can be complicated–but we’ll delve more into this topic in an upcoming section.
Benefits And Uses
THC can be highly potent, igniting psychoactive responses and inebriating effects, yielding therapeutic and recreational benefits.
In other words, THC consumption can enhance the experience of listening to music, eating food, or watching a movie. While the science suggests it doesn’t make you more creative, THC can stifle inhibitions and make recreational users more open to brainstorming fun ideas.
Also, medical cannabis–powered by THC–can provide incredibly potent effects. Depending on the strain, it can help with the following conditions and symptoms [5]
- Anxiety.
- Cancer.
- Epilepsy/seizures.
- Improve nausea during chemotherapy.
- Pain and inflammation.
- And much more.
Of course, higher potency levels have their pitfalls. Overindulgence can cause paranoia or even psychotic breaks in specific individuals. Driving after smoking or eating edibles is highly dangerous.
Conversely, as discussed earlier, THCA offers strictly therapeutic benefits like staving off nausea and inflammation. There’s nothing particularly recreational about it because it doesn’t stimulate the brain.
Provided you want to experience strictly medicinal benefits without the potentially overwhelming high of THC, THCA is an ideal alternative.
Consumption Methods
THC can be eaten in edible form, smoked in a pipe, joint, bong, etc., dabbed, vaped, etc.
All of the above methods typically turn THCA into THC. You’re harnessing the psychoactivity by subjecting the cannabis to heat.
To the above point, you have limited options if you wish to solely harness the THCA properties of the cannabis plant.
The simplest way to keep THCA in its purest form is sprinkling bits of raw cannabis flower into something you’re eating or drinking (e.g., throwing it into a kale smoothie). Don’t eat a whole bud; a smattering of broken-up crumbs will do.
Many concentrates also possess high THCA content. However, these typically convert to THC, getting you high when you dab it.
Conclusion
Despite THCA’s building block contribution to THC, it doesn’t possess psychoactive components. Instead, it’s best represented–at least in layperson’s terms–in the raw form of the cannabis plant.
Understanding the differences between THC and THCA helps you experience cannabis to its fullest. You can more confidently explore products and experiment to optimize therapeutic and recreational effects.
The cannabis industry has taken tremendous strides as more states legalize its adult recreational usage. Part and parcel of this progress is destigmatizing the plant and giving more people than ever the impetus to learn about its many benefits.
Learn even more about cannabis products by exploring Indigo Dispensary’s product menu.
Our diverse selection is chockful of cannabis products containing therapeutic properties and other cannabis products that’ll send you on a wild, enjoyable ride.
You can count on our offerings being of the highest quality, regardless of the properties or cannabinoids they possess. Join our loyalty program today!
Sources:
- https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/cannabis-marijuana-market-100219#:~:text=Fortune%20Business%20Insights%20says%20that,forecast%20period%20(2023%2D2030)%3F
- https://www.ebi.ac.uk/chebi/searchId.do?chebiId=CHEBI:66964#:~:text=Although%20the%20chemical%20formula%20for,)%2Dtrans%2D%CE%949%2Dtetrahydrocannabinol
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28853159/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3792001/
