Exploring THCa Cannabis: How it Could Change Medicine & Wellness
Scientists and medical professionals everywhere are finding that cannabis is the gift that keeps on giving! The new discovery? THCa!
And this new component is taking the cannabis industry by storm! Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCa) is one of the main cannabinoids found in cannabis plants, and it is still being studied for its potential therapeutic effects.
In this article, we'll take a look at what THCa Cannabis is, what makes it special, its benefits, how it differs from THC, how to use it, where to find it, and the controversy surrounding it. So let's dive right in and explore this exciting new world!
What is THCa?
THCa, like THC and CBD, is a cannabinoid found in cannabis plants. It is the most abundant cannabinoid in raw cannabis plant material. Explained in simple terms, THCa is the precursor of THC.
You see, all cannabis compounds are born from their acidic versions, they are then heated and they turn into the versions of cannabis we are all so familiar with like CBD or THC.
THCa is the acidic version of THC, considered the most psychoactive part of marijuana. What does this mean? It's where we get the part that makes you high, the part that alters your perception of reality and slows times down.
What happens to THCa when heated?
One really weird thing about THCa is that it is nearly impossible to keep in its original form! The reason is that it has a very low tolerance to light and heat and when exposed to slight increments in temperature it turns into THC.
This process is called decarboxylation and it is what happens when THCa is heated and all the acidic components (the A in THCa) disappear and activate the rest of the components found in the plant, THC. So, the question is, are THCa and THC the same thing?
THCa vs. THC
THCa and THC are actually not the same thing, and the difference is huge! THCa actually isn’t psychoactive, meaning it doesn't make you high! The only reason THC induces mind altering states of perception is because of the heat that turns THCa into THC.
It turns out that the acid compounds found in THCa neutralize their psychoactive components and void them of their functions. They are only activated when the acid dissolves in heat or light.
How does THCa work?
We know what you’re thinking, how does THCa work if most ways to consume cannabis involve light and heat? Well it is extracted under very specific lab conditions and turned into a purified isolate.
It is important to keep in mind that this isolate is not psychoactive and even if it is consumed in very large doses, it will not alter your perception of reality or make you feel high.
And if you consume THC on a regular basis, we know what you’re thinking: what’s the point then? THCa, similar to other components found in cannabis, has been discovered to have some really amazing benefits for our health.
What are the benefits of THCa?
Many consumers are interested in this particular strain because it offers many potential health benefits without the psychoactive effects that come with consuming THC. This makes it ideal for individuals who want relief without the drowsiness or anxiety that might come with ingesting THC.
For starters, it has very potent anti-inflammatory powers. There was actually a study in 2021, that found that THCa is a possible treatment for fatty liver disease thanks to its strong anti-inflammatory qualities.
THCa is also known for its neuroprotective qualities that helps with diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimers, helping slow and prevent these conditions. Thousands of people world-wide actually already use it to treat themselves.
Furthermore, there are current studies going on about how THCa has anti-proliferative qualities meaning it can help prevent the growth of cancer cells. Not only does it help with illnesses like cancer, parkinsons, or Alzheimer’s disease, it also helps treat chronic pain.
The result of these properties has had many successful implementations into drug therapy protocols for a variety of conditions and ailments, including:
- Epilepsy
- Multiple sclerosis
- Restless leg syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Migraines
- Arthritis
It is also known as one of the most effective treatments for nausea and vomiting. However there are people who don’t find it to be the best alternative.
What are the negative effects of THCa?
Few people have reported any negative side effects from taking THCa, although more research is needed to understand the potential risks associated with exposure to this substance and federal regulation is still upcoming.
Although not much is known about the potential risks associated with THCa, we do know it has some negative effects. Some people have reported feeling dizzy, anxious, or having a racing heart after taking this component.
It is important to be aware of these potential side effects and to talk to your doctor before trying any new strain, especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. But let’s get into how it is used and under what circumstances.
How to use THCa Cannabis?
THCa cannabis can be found in one of two ways: in the natural flower, or as an isolate normally in the form of powder or oil. This distinction is important because some people simply juice the raw flower and mix it in their smoothies to get the most benefits out of the plant.
This isn’t what we recommend you do however. The raw juiced plant can have bacteria or fungi in the buds which could pose a potential threat to your health.
If you buy an isolate however, the substance normally doesn't have flavor or smell and you can use it on virtually anything. You can consume THCa in the form of:
- Tinctures or drops
- Transdermal Patches
- Isolate Powder
- Pre-made edibles
You can’t however vape or cook THCa because applying the heat will activate the THC and make you high. So stick to cold methods only and avoid exposing your isolates too much to the light.
How to dose THCa?
The first tip we can give you is to go to a cannabis-certified doctor and have him give you specific instructions that will help your personal situation. If you don’t want to pay for a consultation, however, it isn’t necessary, but it does help.
In regards to general dosing methods, doctors recommend to take small doses that equate to 0.1-1 mg per kg of weight a day. So, for example, if you weigh 60 kg, your daily dose would equate to a maximum of 6 mg a day.
Why is THCa legal?
THCa is actually legal in the United States under the 2018 Farm Bill. It’s not psychoactive on its own and is closer to CBD in effects, but since THCa is the precursor of THC, it is closely associated with THC. Specific state laws dictate the legality of THCa.
Fortunately, THCa can be found in Florida! It is important to keep in mind however, that as of 2023, the DEA is still to take marijuana off the Schedule 1 drug list, so finding quality products may be a bit complicated due to lack of regulation.
So if you want to steer clear of trouble from the law, stick to the medicinal benefits that CBD and other components like Delta-8, or CBG have to offer. You can find some amazing alternatives in the market!
Is THCa worth it?
Some people say that given the close proximity to the benefits that both CBD and THCa have to offer, the hassle and price aren’t worth the hype. But, it is a much more potent medication than CBD given it is more closely related to THC in composition.
The fact is that THC and CBD have different effects on the body, and THCa can help more with problems like the ones we discussed earlier. However, given its very volatile and fragile conditions, the pending FDA approval, and the complicated lab processes that go into creating isolates, THCa can be expensive and hard to find.
If you come across it and are curious, try it out. If not, we recommend not going out of your way and trying a CBD or CBG strain instead.
Where to get good THCa?
If you’re looking for quality sources of THCa cannabis and don’t want to go without trying it, we’ve got your back! Finding the best sources for medical-grade THC acid products can be tricky, but we’re here to help.
Here are some potential sources:
- Local dispensaries: These normally have lab isolates that are medical grade
- Online dispensary: If you are buying online check out what they have to say about THCa on Reddit first.
- Health food stores: You can also find THCa at some food stores that carry natural medicinal products and focus on organic treatment of the body.
The fact is that the cannabis industry already offers a wide range of different THCa products which have been gaining popularity in the past years including:
- Edibles
- Topical creams
- Concentrates
- Tinctures
- And patches
The Controversy Around the Use of THC Acid Products
It is important to understand the current legal status of THC acid and its implications for those who choose to use it for medical purposes. THC acid could actually be useful as a replacement for THC-based medicines because it has less potential for abuse, does not cause impairment and can be taken sublingually.
The legal status of THC acid products remains controversial, however, due to their association with marijuana and so many state laws vary on how they are legally defined and classified. This is due in large part to the fact that marijuana is still a Schedule 1 controlled substance with no currently accepted medical use and lack of safety for use under medical supervision, making it difficult for the FDA to regulate them as drugs.
On the other hand, THC acid products may have some benefits for patients who are not able to benefit from marijuana or THC oil due to specific illnesses or health conditions. So would you try it though legal FDA approval is still pending?
Conclusion
THCa could be the solution to a lot of the illnesses that are killing hundreds and thousands of people a day. However, legal FDA approval is still pending even though THCa is a non-psychoactive compound in cannabis. Do you think this is fair?
Have you ever tried THCa or used it to treat an illness? Would you be curious about trying it if you haven’t? What do you think about the possible implications it could have for human health in the long haul?
Let us know in the comment section below! And if you liked this article, please feel free to share it with your friends and family so they too can know about this miracle compound that is changing lives everywhere!