What is THCa and its benefits? How to consume THCa?

What is THCa? The answer to that question depends on who you ask. To some, it's a cannabinoid they've never heard of before. To others, it's the key to unlocking the full potential of hemp flowers and all its associated products. No matter which group you fall into, with this article, we at Hemp Hop will provide you with everything you need to know about THCa: what it is, what are the benefits of THCa, how it is different from THC, and how you can consume it.

 

Table of contents

• What is THCA?
• Is THCA the same as THC? 
• Health benefits of THCA
• How to consume THCa?
• Side effects of THCa
• Key Takeaways

What is THCA?

Cannabis is a diverse plant and contains many different cannabinoids that all originate from cannabigerolic acid (CBGa).

The enzymes in the cannabis plant change as it matures, converting cannabigerolic acid or CBGa into different variants of the three primary cannabinoid compounds - Cannabidiolic acid (CBDa), Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, (THCa) and Cannabichromenic acid (CBCa).

 

THCA is an abbreviation for tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, and it's one of the cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. 

THCA is a non-psychoactive compound, which means it won't get you high in its raw form. 

The reason for this is that THCA lacks the binding affinity to CB1 receptors, which have a high binding affinity for THC.

It is important to note that when vaporizing or smoking THCA, it will convert to D9-THC through the process of decarboxylation.

However, raw THCA does have several potential benefits as well. These include reducing swelling, relieving pain, and helping to improve your appetite.

 

A lot of people confuse THCa with THC. So let us briefly read about the differences between the two.

Is THCA the same as THC? 

THC and THCA are both cannabinoids found in cannabis plants. THC is the primary psychoactive compound in the cannabis plant, while THCa is a non-psychoactive compound that is converted to THC when heated.

THCa is so sensitive to light and heat that it can sometimes convert to THC when left in direct sunlight.

The non-psychoactive cannabinoids THCA and CBDA are present in cannabis in low quantities before they are decarboxylated (i.e., after the carboxylic acids have been removed by heating). THC is formed during the decarboxylation process as a result of the conversion of THCA to THC.

 

Both THC and THCa have medical benefits, but they are used for different purposes. THC is commonly used to treat pain and nausea, while THCa is more often used to help with swelling and muscle spasms.

Because of its psychoactive effects, THC can also be used to help with stress and sadness. However, it should be noted that THC can also cause paranoia and discomfort in some people.

For this reason, it is important to start with a low dose and increase gradually as needed.

THCa, on the other hand, does not have any psychoactive effects and is safe for all users. It is important to note that THCA is converted to THC when exposed to heat, such as when smoking or vaporizing a Flower, Vape, or Concentrate product.

Health benefits of THCA

The research on THCA is still in its infancy; however, it appears to be beneficial for a few health concerns:

Here are some of the Benefits of THCa

Analgesic properties

THCa has analgesic properties, which means that it can help to relieve pain. This is an important property for people who suffer from chronic pain conditions, such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, and migraines.

Appetite-stimulating properties

THCa has appetite-stimulating properties, which means that it can help to increase your appetite.

Neuroprotective properties

THCA has neuroprotective properties, which means that it can help to protect your brain cells from damage. This is important for people who are at risk of developing 

Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia.

Reduce nausea and vomiting

THCA can also help to reduce nausea and vomiting. This makes it an appealing  option for people who are undergoing chemotherapy.

No psychoactive effects

One of the most notable things about THCA is that it does not have any psychoactive effects as-is until it is heated. This means that it will not make you high. This is important for people who want to avoid the psychoactive effects of THC but still want to experience the medical benefits of cannabis.

 

As you can see, THCa has a lot of potential benefits. In the next section, we'll discuss what are the different ways you can consume THCa

How to consume THCa?

THCa can be consumed in several ways. The most common way to consume THCa is by smoking or vaporizing hemp flowers that contain high levels of THCa. You can also consume THCa by using a tincture or consuming edibles that contain THCa.

 

Edibles are a great option for people who don't want to smoke or vaporize hemp flowers. Edibles can be made with THCa oil or isolate and are a great way to get the full effect of the THCa.

Eating Raw

While some people may enjoy eating raw cannabis buds straight, most would find it more palatable to incorporate them into other dishes in the following ways:

Juicing

With this method, you can mix the cannabis however you like with fruits or vegetables to make a juice.

You can also incorporate it into smoothies.

THCa Tinctures

If you're using a tincture, you'll want to start with a low dose and increase gradually as needed. Tinctures are typically taken by placing a few drops under the tongue and holding for 30-60 seconds before swallowing.

THCa Vapes

Vaping THCa is similar to vaping CBD or Delta-8. You'll need a vape pen that's compatible with hemp oil or wax. Load the oil or wax into the chamber and inhale.

 

Vaping has become a popular way to consume THCA. THCA has many benefits over other types of vaping products. First, it is much more potent, so users can get a stronger effect from a smaller amount compared to CBD. Second, it is less likely to cause paranoia and general discomfort, which are common side effects of high THC products. For these reasons, THCa vapes are becoming increasingly popular among cannabis users.

 

Check out our collection of THCa Vape Cartridges

THCa pre-rolled joints

Pre-rolled hemp joints are a convenient way to enjoy THCA. Simply remove the joint from the packaging and light it up. Inhale as you would with any other cigarette.

THCa is another active compound found in cannabis. 

 

When smoking or vaporizing hemp flowers, you'll want to make sure that the flower is dried and cured properly. If the flower is too moist, it won't vaporize properly and you won't get the full effect of the THCa.

 

Check out our collection of High THCa Prerolleds (Multiple Strain)

 

Unlike THC and CBD, THCa is not psychoactive at room temperature. However, when heated, THCa converts to Delta -9 THC, the compound responsible for the psychoactive effects associated with cannabis use. So it is important to understand that when you consume THCa via vaping, smoking or dabbing there is a good chance that you might experience the high, that you usually experience while consuming THC

THCa Dabs and Concentrates

THCa Dabs and concentrates can be used in a number of ways. The most common method is to heat the product with a butane torch and inhale the vapor through a glass pipe. Dab rigs are specifically designed for this purpose. 

 

Another popular way to consume concentrates is to use a Vaporizer device such as the Puffco Peak Pro [link to product in store]. This is similar to a dab rig, but more of an all-in-one device. 

 

You can consume THCa isolate in the same ways as you would any other cannabis concentrate, including dabbing it with a dab rig or pen. 

 

When you light the refined isolate form, however, you'll want to pay close attention to your temperatures. 

 

Dabs and concentrate are becoming more popular among those who enjoy the effects of cannabis. When using dabs or concentrates, it is important to start with a small amount and increase the amount gradually until you find the right dose for you.

 

If you are looking for quick relief from pain, a vape or concentrate may be a better option than an edible or tincture. However, if you are seeking long-term relief from chronic conditions like stress or sadness, an edible or tincture may be a better choice. 

Side effects of THCa

Because human research about THCA is lacking, it's hard to assess the short-term or long-term side effects of this cannabinoid.

The major concerns with THCA include the conversion to THC and the possibility of being surprised by a psychoactive effect.

Effects are always dose-related, therefore the more someone consumes, the more likely they are to experience adverse consequences.

Not to mention, you're more prone to experience side effects from cannabis when it's heated and enables the THCA to convert into THC. Consuming it raw in a juice or smoothie is preferred if one wishes to experience the effects of non-psychoactiveTHCA 

 

Some people might feel the following side effects.

 

• Stress
• Increased heart rate
• Dry mouth
• Paranoia

 

Key Takeaways

THCa is the active ingredient in cannabis that is responsible for the majority of its therapeutic effects. Unlike THC, THCa is not psychoactive, meaning it will not get you high in its raw form. However, it does have a wide range of potential health benefits, including relief from pain, swelling, nausea, and stress. THCa is available in a number of different products, including hemp flower, vapes, prerolleds, dabs, and concentrates. It is important to note however, that when heated, THCa converts to Delta -9 THC, the compound responsible for the psychoactive effects associated with cannabis use. So it is important to understand that when you consume THCa via vaping, smoking or dabbing there is a good chance that you might experience the high, that you usually experience while consuming THC

You can find THCa products at most dispensaries. When choosing a THCa product, it is important to consider your individual needs and preferences.

So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about THCa. We hope this article has been helpful and informative. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment