What is THCA?

Hear the letters “THCA” and you might automatically start thinking about the effects of cannabis – The dry mouth, the munchies,

A precursor to the more recognizable & famous THC, THCA is the raw form of THC contained inside the raw, freshly harvested cannabis plant. This means – surprise – cannabis in it’s natural state actually has very little THC inside. Instead the THCA is converted into THC as it is exposed to heat, typically in the form of a direct flame (IE: smoking weed).

On it’s own, THCA will not get you high, hence why most people consider eating raw, un”cooked” cannabis to be a terrible idea (and it mostly is). But that doesn’t leave THCA without benefits of its own, and as techniques & machinery continue to advance in the medical marijuana industry this intriguing molecule is now getting it’s own time to shine in the spotlight.

In our article below we’ll go over the finer details of THCA – How to take it, what it can accomplish, and how to differentiate it from it’s similar (but very different) THC cousin. Let’s dive in.

THCA and THC: Similar But Different

As mentioned above, THCA (or “tetrahydrocannabinolic acid”) is the non-psychoactive precursor to THC that is naturally found in cannabis. We talk about the differences between these two cannabinoids in our related article “

THCA differs from THC due to the presence of additional molecules in it’s group, a chain of carboxylic acid. When THCA is exposed to either heat or light it begins a process called

THC Binds, THCA Doesn’t

When THC passes through our blood-brain barrier it binds to the cannabinoid receptors attached to our brain cells (AKA our “CB1 receptors”). This interaction is what causes the effects we typically refer to as “getting high”. Due to the presence of the extra carboxylic acid attached to THCA, though, it simply won’t fit into our CB1 receptors, meaning there’s no chance it can get someone high.

But if applying heat to THCA turns it into THC, how can it be smoked without it getting you high? Well, it can’t, and for some that’s the point entirely.

THCA: The Customized High

Products such as “

Pure THCA contains none of that, and is essentially a concentrated amount of THC-in-waiting. When a THCA crystal is smoked (most likely dabbed or vaporized) the resulting inhale is going to be almost pure, 100% THC.

While this may sound great in theory, many who have tried smoking nothing but THCA concentrates on their own report them somewhat lacking, providing a strong but somewhat “featureless” high. To alleviate this, many companies who produce THCA concentrates also sell accompanying jars of terpenes and other cannabinoids (referred to as “sauce”).

This separation of THCA from sauce enables the end smoker to create a custom-tailored smoking experience, allowing them to play with the ratio of THCA-to-terpenes and even mix and match as they see fit. For someone interested in the ultimate weed smoking experience, custom designed THCA+sauce mixtures may be the pinnacle of the art.

But does THCA have to be smoked? Well, outside of

The Medical Use of THCA

Again, THCA is found naturally in the raw, unheated cannabis plant, so if you’re looking to take THCA as a medical treatment… well, you can chew down on a fresh bud of marijuana if you’d like but we recommend investing in a batch of toothpicks and breath mints first.

Instead, other products such as the aforementioned powder or even THCA tinctures and THCA oil can be used for oral dosing. But be aware: THCA can be broken down into THC in the digestive system, essentially providing the same potential for getting someone high as if they’d eaten a cannabis edible.

To mitigate this, it’s often recommended to take THCA either by holding it in the mouth (against the gum line or under the tongue), or as a suppository; while the amount of THCA converted over to THC when ingested is likely negligible, for some any chance is too much, leaving non-oral administration as the only 100% safe route.

THCA’s Promising Medical Effects

So why take THCA if it’s non-psychoactive? Though studies and scientific research into THCA’s effects and direct mechanisms are still somewhat slim, early reports show many of the same therapeutic benefits as CBD and regular THC.

Equally as important, THCA has been shown to have

Image: oleumextracts.com

Where Can I Buy THCA?

THCA is still a relative newcomer on the cannabis product scene, and though not federally illegal it does fall into a grey enough area that finding it outside of legalized states is fairly unlikely. And though a somewhat recent entry into the world of marketable cannabis, new products are being developed at a rapid pace.

For those living somewhere that has legalized either medical or recreational marijuana usage, your local dispensary should carry some THCA-based products; given THCA’s notable potential for medicinal use states with a focus on marijuana as a medical aid will likely carry THCA products alongside their other wares.

If looking to avoid the psychoactive properties of THC make sure your product is clearly listed as containing “THCA”, and does not contain “activated” THC inside. Most products will clearly state whether or not they contain THC, but always make sure to check the label carefully if avoiding a buzz is one of your concerns.

Wrapping Up

Though similar THCA is very different from THC, CBD and other cannabinoids, and one that could be a massive source of aid and relief for many seeking relief from serious ailments. We hope our write up about this unique molecule has given you a bit more insight into the spectrum of cannabinoids and how they effect us in their own unique ways. And remember: Just because THCA won’t get you high that doesn’t mean it can’t be helpful, and if you do want to get high? THCA can definitely get you there when smoked. Enjoy!