THCA vs THC

What is THCA?

Cannabis plants produce over 100 different cannabinoids that contribute to the effects of smoking, vaping, edibles, or topicals. One such cannabinoid is THCA, or tetrahydrocannabinol acid, is a cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant.

THCA is the precursor to THC, the psychoactive compound that produces the "high" commonly associated with marijuana use. THCA is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, meaning it does not produce the same psychoactive effects as THC.

THCA has an additional molecular carboxyl ring, which prevents it from binding to receptors in the brain responsible for feeling high.

THCA Benefits

Research has shown that THCA may have a variety of potential health benefits, including:

1. Anti-inflammatory properties: Researchers have discovered that THCA and other cannabinoids imitate the actions of the body's own endocannabinoids, which are responsible for soothing inflammatory responses. This indicates that THCA may have the potential to be used as an anti-inflammatory medication after further investigation of its benefits.
2. Anticonvulsant: In 2017, a peer-reviewed article published in the Epilepsy and Behavior journal suggested that THCA may have potential in combination with CBD for patients with epilepsy as an anticonvulsant. In the patients who experienced relief with the THCA combination, researchers observed that smaller doses of THCA were more effective. They also noted that the therapeutic effects of smaller doses of THCA were comparable to those of larger doses of THC.
3. Neuroprotective: Ongoing research is aimed at comprehending the neuroprotective attributes of THCA. According to studies, THCA, THC, and CBD were found to increase cell counts and protect neurons in a research on brain cell degeneration and Parkinson’s disease. Additionally, THCA's "potent neuroprotective activity" was highlighted in another study, which proposed its utilization in the treatment of Huntington's disease, along with other neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative ailments.
4. Anti-emetic: Studies have shown that THC is commonly used to alleviate nausea in chemotherapy patients. However, recent research indicates that THCA may be a superior option as an antiemetic. THCA has been found to be more effective at treating nausea and vomiting, and unlike THC, it does not cause psychoactive effects.

THCA's journey to THC

THCA can be converted to THC through a process called decarboxylation, which involves the removal of carboxylic acid from the compound.

This conversion occurs rapidly when exposed to heat, typically at temperatures above 230 degrees Fahrenheit. The most common method of decarboxylating THC is through smoking, which combines both decarboxylation and ingestion.

Alternatively, some individuals prefer to decarboxylate their cannabis by spreading the flower evenly on a baking sheet and heating it in a 230-degree oven, stirring occasionally for approximately 40 minutes until the material has turned a medium brown color. This method can ensure that the THC is fully activated before being used in edibles.

While some level of decarboxylation occurs during the curing process, the THC levels in cured marijuana remain quite low. Therefore, to achieve the highest levels of THC, it is necessary to fully decarboxylate marijuana and its extracts.

Fresh, uncured marijuana leaves and flowers contain the highest levels of THCA.

In conclusion, while THC and THCA may sound similar, they are very different compounds with unique properties and potential health benefits.

THC is the primary psychoactive component in cannabis and has been studied extensively for its therapeutic properties, such as pain relief and nausea reduction.

On the other hand, THCA is the non-psychoactive precursor to THC and has been shown to have potential as an anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant, neuroprotective, and anti-emetic agent.

Further research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits and drawbacks of each compound, but it is clear that both THC and THCA have important roles to play in the field of cannabis medicine.

The question is THCA, why hasn't it been commercially exploited by pharmaceutical companies?