What exactly is THCA, and how does it differ from THC?

If you want to learn more about THCA and what it is, keep reading because we’ll tell you everything you need to know!

If you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more about THCA, continue reading. You’ll learn the difference between THC and THCA, as well as some of the potential benefits of THCA, including whether or not THCA will get you high, the side effects, and where to get THCA.

For many newcomers to cannabis, the numerous terms and names can be intimidating. It’s a lot to take in in such a short amount of time, but once you do, you’ll be better prepared to make informed decisions about the cannabis products you consume.

At Vaping Vibe, we believe in educating and encouraging our clients to make healthy choices. After reading this article, you’ll know everything there is to know about THCA, and you’ll have a much better knowledge of what this cannabinoid is all about.

Enough from us; let’s get down to business and discover more about THCA.

What exactly is the distinction between THC and THCA?

Even though they have the same initials, tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) is not the same as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). While THCA and THC appear to be related, their properties are extremely distinct. We don’t know everything there is to know about THCA yet, but researchers from all around the world are working hard to solve the puzzle.

To help you understand THCA better, we’ll break it down into its most basic components. THC’s precursor is THCA, which is produced by Cannabigerol acid (CBGA).

The three principal cannabinoids produced by CBGA during the plant’s life are CBG, CBDA, and THCA. The process of converting THCA to THC is known as decarboxylation. It may appear difficult at first, but after the jargon and names are removed, it becomes quite straightforward.

During the plant’s life, oxygen and heat remove the carboxyl groups from the THCA molecule, turning it to THC. Things start to become intriguing at this point. The amount of THC in the plant is still small by the time it reaches the end of its life.

There is still a need for more decarboxylation. Decarboxylation occurs when cannabis flower is heated in a joint, vape, or bong. This is done during the manufacturing of concentrates and other THC-based liquid products.

What are the potential benefits of THCA?

The majority of study on cannabis and the cannabinoids found in it has thus far concentrated on CBD and THC, with THCA being one of the exceptions. We won’t make any specific medical claims until we’ve completed more clinical studies and investigations. Some THCA trials and research, on the other hand, look to be highly promising.

THCA has many of the same anti-inflammatory properties as other cannabinoids, according to study published on J-Stage in 2011. Researchers found that THCA could be more effective than CBD in treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome in a separate study published in 2017. (IBS).

Sativex is a cannabis-based prescription drug that has been approved by the FDA to treat seizures associated with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). THCA was discovered to be helpful in the prevention of seizures in a 2017 study.

According to a 2013 study, THCA may be even more efficient than THC for preventing vomiting and treating nausea.

Two studies, one from 2012 and the other from 2017, found that THCA has neuroprotective properties that could help with Huntington’s disease and Parkinson’s disease treatment.

Is THCA capable of making you high?

We’ve all seen the movie or TV show when the characters are being pursued by the authorities or are about to be arrested, and instead of being caught with the marijuana, they chew it up and swallow it. What follows is one of history’s most spectacular and mind-blowing highs. It may look fantastic on TV, but it isn’t true in real life.

Although raw cannabis flower contains some THC, it is mostly THCA, which cannot be converted to THC without the heat of the decarboxylation process. You won’t get high without the decarboxylation process, which converts THCA to THC.

The situation would be entirely different if you consumed an excessive amount of cannabis edibles or concentrates that had been cooked during the production process. We don’t recommend eating a handful of cannabis treats, and if you’re new to the cannabis edible sector, you should proceed with caution.

Is there a chance that THCA will cause undesirable side effects?

Unlike THC, which can make you feel agitated, paranoid, tense, and nauseated if consumed in excess, THCA does not appear to have the same negative side effects when consumed in excess. CBD is hypothesised to prevent THC from binding to CB1 receptors in the Endocannabinoid System, hence lowering some of THC’s negative side effects (ECS).

Although no extensive research has been undertaken on the matter, some have theorised that a small fraction of THCA may convert to THC as it passes through the digestive system. Even if this were true (which we don’t), the amount of THCA converted to THC would most likely be negligible.

We strongly suggest you to see your doctor or healthcare expert before using any THCA products, especially if you have previously used any prescription drugs. Although most cannabinoids are safe and do not interact with prescription medications, they can change how quickly they are absorbed by your body. Negative side effects may occur if prescription medicine is metabolised too slowly or too quickly by the body.

Is it possible to screen for THCA in a drug test?

Many drug tests look for the THCA molecule, even though people don’t consume THCA products to get high like they would THC products. Drug testing kits are designed to detect a variety of chemicals, some of which are more sensitive than others.

Some drug tests only identify chemicals for a short period of time, while others can detect them for up to a month. It all depends on the drug testing equipment they’re using and the outcomes they’re looking for. Many companies are only interested in hiring people who are high while working, while others have strong anti-drug policies.

Because THCA can trigger a positive drug test result, you should avoid using any THCA-containing products if you suspect you’ll be tested.

What is the location of THCA?

When it comes to THCA, you’ll find yourself in a legal quagmire. It is the precursor to THC, despite the fact that it is not formally classified as a prohibited narcotic under US federal law.

As a result, THCA-containing products are likely to be tough to come by. Although many THC-containing products are legal in various states, they are federally prohibited in the United States. CBD products having less than 0.3 percent THC are now legal in the United States, thanks to the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill.

If you live in a state or country where growing and possessing fresh cannabis plants is legal, you can look for THCA in the raw plant material. When the plant is heated in any way, the THCA is converted to THC, which is known as decarboxylation.

To extract THCA without decarboxylation, raw cannabis leaves and plant material are increasingly being used in cold smoothies and drinks. We recognise that it won’t appeal to everyone, but there are a plethora of wonderful recipes available online that can help to cover the taste. If you like the flavour of raw cannabis, you’re in luck.

If you want to get your THCA in a different method, look for full spectrum cannabis-based things that claim to be THCA tinctures and patches online. It’s important to realise that most of these patches and tinctures will include very little THCA and a lot of THC.

The THCA has come to an end.

Thank you for sticking with me this far! Hopefully, you now know a lot more about THCA and how it differs from THC.