BENEFITS OF THCa
Out of the several cannabinoids produced by the cannabis industry, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol acid) stands out as the most abundant non-intoxicating cannabinoid. It is the acidic form of THC, and the two possess similar chemical structures. However, a significant difference between them is that THCa does not cause users to get high and exhibits no intoxicating effect. At the same time, THC is popularly known for the intoxicating effects it provides to users. The origin of THCa can be traced back to the very first cannabinoid produced by the cannabis plant, which is the CBGA (cannabigerol acid), also known as the "mother of cannabinoids." In this article you'll learn the benefits of THCa.
When enzymes act on different strains of CBGA, it produces primary cannabinoids such as cannabidolic acid(CBDA) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THCa) which are present in different quantities in cannabis. As a cannabis lover, you might wonder what effects and benefits you stand to gain from consuming THCa. However, there is no need to worry; THCa is famous for its several health benefits, especially its neuroprotective ability. As you continue reading, you will discover the benefits and the possible side effects of THCa. You might even find it surprising to know that without THCa, there won't be any THC
TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL ACID- THE PRECURSOR OF THE FAMOUS THC
To understand how THCa is a precursor to THC, let's examine a freshly harvested cannabis plant. Contrary to popular belief, No matter how much potential a freshly harvested cannabis plant contains, eating it raw and undried can never cause you to get high. Why? This is because it is devoid of the primary substance responsible for the euphoric feeling, which is THC, but rather it contains a whole lot of THCa. THCa possesses a carboxyl ring in its chemical structure which prevents it from binding to the receptors in the brain, which are responsible for causing a high.
Therefore eating a raw and undried cannabis plant cannot get you high. However, when the plant is left to dry or heat is applied, the THCa converts slowly to THC. When heat is involved, the process is known as decarboxylation. This is an everyday experience for cannabis smokers. When you apply heat to the cannabis flower by smoking it with a lighter and a pump or baking your edibles in an oven, you are setting yourself up for an excellent psychoactive effect.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THC AND THCa
It is pretty easy to mistake THC for THCa due to their similar chemical composition, only that THCa has an extra carboxyl ring which causes it to be referred to as the THC precursor. As mentioned earlier, the significant difference between the two is that THC is a natural psychoactive substance with intoxicating effects, while THCa doesn't. Also, whenever heat is applied to THCa in the form of smoking, vaping, dabbing, or cooking for edibles, THC is always produced in the process. In terms of effects, they share some similar effects, e.g., they are both helpful in treating nausea.
However, one tends to be more promising in some areas.THCa is better used in the treatment of inflammation and pain. Also, due to its solid neuroprotective ability, it works effectively in treating seizure disorder diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. To fully enjoy the health benefits THCa has to offer, it is better to consume it in a raw form, such as cannabis juicing. While THC is not recommended in treating seizure disorder disease, its intoxicating effects make it more effective for sleep than THCa. THC also helps in relieving anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
HOW THCa WORKS IN THE HUMAN BODY WHEN CONSUMED
Cannabinoids bind to specific endocannabinoid system receptors inside the human body to produce an effect. The CB1 receptor is a primary receptor responsible for creating a high feeling. THCa cannot bind to this receptor due to its large and three-dimensional shape. The presence of the carboxyl ring causes this 3-D shape, and it is responsible for the lack of intoxicating effects of THCa whenever decarboxylation occurs, the carboxyl ring is removed, and THC is produced with solid intoxicating effects.
However, besides binding to the CB1 and CB2 receptors, THCa works in binding enzymes involved in the cyclooxygenase pathway. Several of the medical benefits of THCa is associated with its ability to bind with certain enzymes.
THE PROVEN BENEFIT OF THCa
The research into the use and possible potential of THCa is still ongoing. However, the knowledge and information previously acquired through the study show that THCa is a cannabinoid with several health benefits. As a cannabis lover, these are some of the benefits that you can enjoy from consuming THCa:
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Anti-inflammatory properties
THCa exhibits anti-inflammatory effects, and it is suitable for treating specific conditions such as arthritis and lupus as it works well in relieving people of chronic pain. A study carried out in 2021 using mice shows that THCa is an excellent treatment for fatty liver disease because of its anti-inflammatory properties.
[caption id="attachment_14245" align="aligncenter" width="800"] A closeup selective focus shot of green cannabis in a garden[/caption] -
Neuroprotective benefits
As explained earlier, cannabinoids work by reacting to specific receptors in the human body. Due to the ability of THCa to activate the PPAY receptor in the body, it functions as a potent neuro-proctectant cannabinoid, and it can help to stop or limit the growth of some neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and alzeimer disease. Furthermore, if you have this kind of disease or dementia running wild in your family, it can help to slow or prevent the next generation from having it.
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Anti-metic properties
THCa is a cannabinoid that works excellent in combating signs accompanying chemotherapy, such as nausea and vomiting. Research previously carried out whereby the anti -metic properties of THC, THCa, and CBD were compared revealed that THCa is a more powerful antiemetic substance than the other two. THCa also helps to improve appetite loss and aid digestion.
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Anti-proliferative
This refers to the ability of THCa to inhibit the development of cancer cells which cause tumors. It can help to strengthen the immune defense and also helps in eradicating cancer cells. The research on the effects of THCa on prostrate cancer shows it works effectively.
Apart from the benefits listed above, patients have also observed that THCa helps relieve general pain, insomnia, and muscle pains. Since THCa is the raw form of cannabis, it produces similar health benefits to other plants that are consumed raw such as avocadoes, green tea avocadoes, and many more. The research on the health benefits of THCa is still in its early stages, and hopefully, with time, more benefits will be discovered, and THCa will be used as standard treatment for various ailments.
THE POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF THCa
Until now, there have not been significant side effects associated with the use of THCa, but it is widely believed that when THCa enters the body system, it will be converted to THC. You might experience the side effects of THC but only in minute quantity. Those possible side effects include:
- Cotton or dry mouth
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Increased heart rate
- Red eyes
Some people expect to experience the positive effects of THC, which are the feeling of euphoria and creativity when they consume THCa, which finally converts to THC. However, they might not experience those effects because the acidic cannabinoid is non-psychoactive. Also, THCa has the potential to interact with prescribed drugs and over-the-counter medications. So it is highly advisable to speak with a pharmacist or doctor before consuming THCa if you are on medication.
HOW TO USE THCa
The use of THCa is an everyday experience for so many stoners and patients. It can be consumed in various ways, including smoking, dabbing, and vaping. In these cases, people are primarily after the benefits of THC, and they tend to use THCa to achieve that. Still, recently with more experiments conducted, people's eyes are beginning to open to the benefits of THCa and are taking it for that very purpose.
A more straightforward and accessible way to consume THCa is to eat it raw, but most people prefer to mix it in their juicing routine for better taste and efficacy. To make a salivating beverage, you can mix it with certain ingredients such as almonds, spinach, and banana. Another option is to mix it with your salad dressing, sauces, and other culinary staples. When cannabis is consumed this way, you can rest assured that it won't make you high.
Many companies make THCa available in various modes of consumption, such as topicals, tinctures, and vitamins or massage products that can be used after strenuous activity. With all the several ways of consumption available, you might be wondering what the best method of consumption is, but that depends on you; the method that works well for you is perhaps the best.
However, it is essential to note that smoking THCa will have some adverse side effects on your lungs. The healthiest way to consume THCa is by eating it, especially with some great food such as dandelion greens and blueberries.
HOW TO ACTIVATE THCa
Activating THCa doesn't have to be difficult, and it can be as simple as packing, light, and inhaling. It is done daily by stoners and patients when they utilize several modes of consumption discussed previously. You can also choose to decarboxylate cannabis for topical, edible, and tincture use; there are many ways to achieve that. Whatever method you decide, you must subject the cannabis flower to around 200-245ᶱF in a conventional oven. Anything more than 300 degrees would be excessive and result in the burning away of cannabinoid content.
CAN THCa BE SAID TO BE LEGAL?
This is a delicate question; THCa is considered legal and not regarded as a controlled substance at the federal level. This is major because it is not a psychoactive substance on its own, but at the same time, it can convert to THC when heat is applied. THC is a psychoactive substance considered illegal at the federal level and in most states.
The legality of THCa largely depends on local and state rules; for example, THCa is sold in some outlets in the USA with no medical card required and in some states like. In Colorado and Oregon, the use of marijuana for recreation is allowed, meaning you can are free to use THC and THCa as you, please. While in some states, the use of these cannabinoids is restricted.
DOES THCa SHOW UP IN A DRUG TEST?
While it is true that most people don't consume THCa to get high, whether it will show up in a drug test is still dependent on the drug testing kits used and what exactly it is testing for. Drug test varies, and their level of sensitivity also differs. Some can pick up certain compounds for a shorter time, while some can pick up compounds for months.
Most companies use drug testing kits to identify potential employees who might be high at work or violate drug policies. And unfortunately, many drug test has THCa as a target analyte for marijuana testing. Therefore you should avoid consuming any products containing THCa if you have any drug test approaching.
CAN THCa GET YOU HIGH?
THCa on its own doesn't get you high, and it can only do that when the heat has been applied to it, and the process of decarboxylation has occurred- turning it to THC. This primary psychoactive compound is responsible for causing the feeling of being high.
CONCLUSION
THCa is the acidic form of delta-9 THC. It refers to the fresh cannabis plant that is yet to be dried. It is mainly compared to THC because of the similarities in its chemical structure; however, THCa doesn't provide users with the intoxicating feelings that THC does due to the carboxyl ring present in its chemical structure.
The process of removing this carboxyl ring using heat is referred to as decarboxylation. When this happens, the THCa is converted to THC, and it becomes capable of getting users high. THCa also bears similar health benefits to THC but is more famous for its neuroprotective ability. It has the potential to inhibit neuro-degenerative diseases like Parkinson's disease and dementia. It doesn't have any specific side effects associated with it. Still, when it is converted to THC in the body system, the user might experience some mild side effects of THC, such as red eyes, dizziness, and fatigue. There are various methods for consuming THCa, but the healthiest is to eat it with some nutritious food. The benefits of THCa cannot be overlooked, and it helps to relieve pain and inflammation, stops the growth of cancer cells, and cures nausea and vomiting. If you ever desire such benefits without becoming high, then THCa is your best bet.