What is THCA vs THC? The Differences Explained
Sticky, dusty, stinky, musty, fruity, floral, sweet, and zesty THC can be all of these and more, meet Tetrahydrocannabinol and Tetrahydracannabolic acid THCA. Ever read a cannabis product and seen THCA % and wondered what it is?
I’m burning an ICED joint from Natura and it’s coated in powdered THCA diamonds. It slowly melts and burns as I drag on the NYC Diesel strain. THCA diamonds and THC crystals?
Cannabis is a complex and fascinating plant, producing a wide range of compounds that contribute to its effects and therapeutic potential. Among these, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) stand out as two of the most important. Despite their similar names, these compounds have distinct properties and effects that make them unique in the world.
What Are THC and THCA?
THC is well-known as the primary euphoric compound in cannabis—the one responsible for the “high” that users experience. It’s the compound that has been most studied and is widely recognized for its ability to provide relief from pain, stimulate appetite, and induce euphoria. THC’s effects are largely due to its interaction with the body’s endocannabinoid system, specifically with the CB1 receptors in the brain and central nervous system. THC when isolated has a crystalline structure and little or no smell with a mild sweet taste.
THCA is the precursor to THC. It’s found in raw, unheated cannabis and is often referred to as a “living” compound. THCA is non-psychoactive, meaning it doesn’t produce the high associated with THC. Instead, it offers a range of potential therapeutic benefits, including anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and anti-emetic properties. When cannabis is exposed to heat, such as through smoking, vaping, cooking, or sunlight THCA undergoes a process called decarboxylation, where it loses a carboxyl ring, converting it into THC.
The Role of the Endocannabinoid System
To understand how THC and THCA work, it’s essential to explore the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a complex cell-signaling system that plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis in the body. It regulates various functions, including mood, sleep, appetite, immune response, and pain sensation. The ECS is comprised of; endocannabinoids (cannabinoids produced naturally by the body), receptors (CB1 and CB2), and enzymes that break down the endocannabinoids.
THC is similar to a compound called anandamide which is found in mammals. Anandamide is referred to as the “bliss molecule” as it plays a key role in regulating functions such as mood, appetite, and pain sensation. Anandamide uses your CB1 and CB2 receptors to modulate your body into homeostasis. THC mimics anandamide by binding to the CB1 receptors, particularly in the brain and the central nervous system, where it alters neurotransmitter release, of serotonin and dopamine leading to the “high” users experience when consuming cannabis.
CB1 and CB2 receptor sites are found in mammalian fossils from 200 million years ago and having an endocannabinoid system is considered a part of mammalian physiology. Exocannabinoids are those found in cannabis and in other organisms, these cannabinoids are ones that are from outside our bodies that we can ingest. Even though they are from outside our bodies they still function at the same receptor site activating and helping regulate our endocannabinoid system. THC fits into the receptor site of Anandamide and thus provides relief from pain, activates hunger, and controls energy levels.
THCA: The Non-Psychoactive Powerhouse
While THC is revered for its ability to get users high, THCA is garnering attention for its potential health benefits. THCA is a larger molecule than THC, only slightly, because of an extra carboxyl group that prevents it from fitting into the CB1 receptors in the brain. This difference in structure is why THCA doesn’t produce the euphoric effects that THC does. Instead, it interacts with the CB2 receptors, which are more commonly found in the immune system, providing anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting effects.
Research into THCA is still in its early stages, but preliminary studies suggest that it may have significant therapeutic potential. Some of the benefits associated with THCA include:
- Anti-Inflammatory Properties: THCA has been shown to reduce inflammation, making it potentially useful in treating conditions like arthritis, lupus, and other inflammatory diseases.
- Neuroprotective Effects: THCA may help protect brain cells from damage, which could be beneficial for individuals with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s.
- Anti-Emetic Properties: THCA has been found to reduce nausea and vomiting, making it a potential treatment option for patients undergoing chemotherapy or those with severe gastrointestinal issues.
- Pain Relief: Although not as potent as THC in relieving pain, THCA still offers some analgesic properties without the psychoactive effects, making it an attractive option for those who want relief without the high.
How THCA Becomes THC
THCA is synthesized in the trichomes of the cannabis plant. Trichomes are the tiny, crystal-like structures that cover the surface of the cannabis flower and leaves, responsible for producing cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. The trichome is secreted from the plant through small pores and is mostly made of wax. As the cannabis plant matures, THCA is produced within these trichomes, and sunlight can degrade the THCA while encapsulated in the trichome.
The cannabinoids are synthesized in a specific order to get to THCA. First CBGA is synthesized, then it’s converted with oxygen to THCA. When cannabis is harvested, dried, and cured, the THCA content remains stable as long as it’s kept away from light, heat, and air. If these protective waxy trichomes are broken open, the THCA could be exposed to air and degrade into THC. When degrading, THCA undergoes decarboxylation, a chemical reaction that removes the carboxyl group from the molecule, transforming it into THC. This process occurs when cannabis is smoked, vaporized, or cooked, making THC the dominant compound in most cannabis products.
Consuming THC and THCA: Different Experiences
The way you consume cannabis determines whether you’re ingesting more THC or THCA. For example, raw cannabis, such as fresh leaves or flowers, contains mostly THCA. Either from low-temperature infusion into oil, or extraction with solvents there are modern methods that have become common for producing THCA, but there are more established methods as well.
The traditional methods of extraction like charas, hash, and keef are ways of producing THCA. By using ice and water the trichomes become brittle and break off, since they aren’t water-soluble they don’t dissolve in water and settle like sand in water to then be screened and filtered. The process reduces the amount of plant material and concentrates the cannabinoids into %40-%80 purity. Charas is a hand-rubbing technique in which the buds are rolled on the palm of your hand to gather the trichomes from the plant. Keef is the name given to trichomes that fall off during handling and are usually collected through a dry sift technique. These methods allow consumers to preserve the medicinal compounds and reduce the amount of plant material present, increasing preservation and effect. These preparations are comprised mostly of THCA until heated or oxidized.
Living cannabis plants can also be juiced and eaten raw for the therapeutic effects of THCA. Simply by juicing the leaves and buds the non-euphoric properties of THCA can be experienced.
On the other hand, traditional consumption methods like smoking or vaping cannabis result in the conversion of THCA to THC. This is why smoking or vaping produces the characteristic high that many users seek. Edibles, which involve cooking cannabis into food or drinks, also convert THCA to THC, although the onset of effects is typically delayed compared to smoking or vaping.
The Breakdown
After the NYC Diesel, I’m supercharged, but that’s not entirely due to the THC-%. The terpenes and other cannabinoids like CBD help drive the high we all experience from different strains of cannabis. The THC and THCA are just the fuel for our ships, the flavors and other cannabinoids steer the ship whether it’s shifting into hyperspace or shifting into the park.