Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, or THCA for short, is one of more than 113 known phytocannabinoids. That is present in unprocessed cannabis and hemp plants.
Together with CBDA, THCA is naturally produced in the glandular trichomes of cannabis and hemp flower buds and is what causes the plant to undergo cellular death (necrosis). Necrosis is a critical process that removes damaged, dead, or dying cells to maintain the health of the plant.
These acidic substances serve as the plant’s defense mechanism.
THC Delta-9 vs. THCA
The more we learn about THCA, the more it seems to have more in common with CBD than it does with THC. Despite the fact that they sound similar. THCA and THC delta-9 are very different compounds.
Contrarily, Delta-8 THC is quite similar to Delta-9 THC in structure.
THC delta-9, also known as just THC, is one of the most well-known and extensively researched cannabinoids. THC wouldn’t exist without its acidic forerunner, THCA. And you may know it as the substance that causes the user to feel high by interacting with CB1 receptors in the brain.
Only when THC is exposed to heat, aging, or light does the acid form of THC. THCA undergoes a process known as decarboxylation in which it loses its carboxyl group and becomes THC.
The hemp and cannabis plants contain the naturally occurring cannabinoids THCA and THC. On the other hand, a synthetic cannabinoid known as THC-O has potent psychoactive properties.
Does THCA Make You High?
No, THCA is not a psychoactive substance. It cannot give the user a high because, unlike THC, it does not directly bind to CB1 receptors in the central nervous system. However, THCA must be consumed unprocessed. Depending on how much you consume, the THCA will turn into THC if you cook it or try to smoke it. And you may experience a high.
The “chance” of getting high is causing some problems with hemp legislation. Because it compelled lawmakers to raise the THC limit.3% Delta-9 THC to.3% total THC.
One of the reasons the scientific community is so interested in this substance is that it. Like CBD, may have a wide range of health benefits without any psychoactive side effects. Such as impairing judgment or motor skills.
What Makes THCA And CBD Different From One Another?
When heated, cured, or aged, the acidic compounds THCA and CBDA that are abundant in raw hemp and cannabis flowers turn into THC and CBD, respectively.
Even though THCA changes into THC, it actually shares a lot of similarities with CBD. Early THCA research indicates that while each compound affects our body in a unique way, the therapeutic benefits that result are strikingly similar.
In the cannabinoid cycle, CBD and THC both begin as CBGA or CBGV.
Therapeutic Properties Shared Between CBD And THCA
Unlike THC, neither CBD nor THCA directly binds to cannabinoid receptors in the body or brain to exert their therapeutic effects. Instead, it appears that both of these cannabinoids function by promoting or repressing the release of different neurotransmitters, which are in charge of aiding our bodies in achieving homeostasis.
Although there hasn’t been as much research done on THCA as there has been on CBD, preliminary research suggests that it may have anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects.
What Preliminary Studies On THCA Say
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Anti-inflammatory qualities
According to research, hemp terpenes and CBD both have excellent anti-inflammatory properties. They can support inflammation by attaching to TRPV1 receptors and blocking the COX-2 enzyme, for example. Additionally, CBD increases levels of adenosine by acting as a reuptake inhibitor, which improves blood flow and oxygen absorption.
Cannabis sativa extract effectively reduced inflammation in colon epithelial cells, according to published research. The findings suggested that the presence of THCA and the GPR55 cannabinoid receptors, at least in part, were responsible for these anti-inflammatory effects.
It’s interesting to note that the entourage effect was further supported by the researchers’ discovery that the presence of other compounds increased the cytotoxic activity of THCA.
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Neuroprotective Properties
Additionally, CBD has been shown to be an effective neuroprotectant, and it is believed that this is large because of CBD’s function as an anandamide reuptake inhibitor, one of our body’s naturally occurring endocannabinoids. Anandamide is broken down by a number of fatty acid binding proteins, which CBD has a strong affinity for. As a result, anandamide levels in the brain are increased, which helps to protect the brain and nervous system from harm.
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Antiemetic Qualities
A 2020 study found that THCA and CBDA were equally as effective as THC and CBD in reducing nausea in rat models.
THCA In Real Life
Clearly, much more research is needed to determine the potential applications and efficacy of THCA. But even at this early stage, this acidic compound has a lot of promise.
More and more people are incorporating raw cannabis or hemp into their diets. As they come to understand it as an amazing superfood it is research into these “raw” cannabinoids continues. You can juice it, add a few nuggets to your morning smoothies, or sprinkle ground hemp or cannabis on food. Yes, it is now possible to juice cannabis.
Dr. Bonni Goldstein, a cannabis expert. Recently remarked to ProjectCBD that she has personally experienced the effects of daily THCA consumption. According to her, just 10–20mg taken daily can effectively treat a range of conditions’ pain while enhancing cognitive function.
What Is THCA CBD?
Some CBD flower vendors offer High THCA Flower For Sale with THCA levels of about 10%. You experience a fairly potent high that is comparable to that of regular cannabis when that THCA is heated and transforms to THC. Ordering online should be done cautiously because nationwide legal changes are making these THCA-rich strains regulated (and frequently illegal).
The 2021 D8 THC craze forced lawmakers to reconsider the 2018 farm bill. Which first made hemp legal on a federal level. The farm bill’s language was ambiguous regarding the various forms of THC. Which led to the assumption that only Delta 9 THC must be below.3%. Currently, some states have a total THC limit of.3%, which makes it harder to find High THCA Hemp Flower For Sale.
