What is THCa?
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Playback time 5 min
CONTENTS
THCa is becoming increasingly intriguing in the world of legal cannabis. But what exactly is it, and how does it differ from THC or CBD? In this article, I'll explain in simple terms what THCa is, what it does, and why it's getting so much attention today. Follow along!
Things to remember
- THCa is a natural precursor to THC found in raw cannabis.
- It is not psychoactive until it is heated (decarboxylation).
- Its interest is growing in the legal cannabis market, particularly in the United States.
Discover what THCa is
THCa stands for tetrahydrocannabinolic acid. It is a cannabinoid that occurs naturally in the cannabis plant in its raw state. So, to put it simply, it is the acidic form of THC, and as long as it remains in this form, THCa does not cause any psychoactive effects.
In freshly harvested or dried flowers, THC is almost non-existent; instead, you will mainly find THCa.
Only when heated (through combustion, vaporization, or cooking) does THCa transform into THC, the cannabinoid well known for its psychoactive effects.
This process is called decarboxylation. It's a bit of a barbaric word to say that under the effect of heat, a carbon dioxide (CO₂) molecule breaks off and transforms THCa into THC.
In short, remember one thing: THCa = non-psychotropic / THC = psychotropic.
How does THCa work in the body?
No, THCa is not psychotropic, as I explained to you, but that doesn't mean THCa is inactive. And yes,it interacts with your body in a different way than THC.
Your body has a system called the endocannabinoid system, which regulates internal balance (sleep, appetite, mood, pain, etc.).
THCa does not directly activate CB1 receptors as THC does, butit can indirectly affect several biological processes.
Preliminary research is exploring its potential, but we are still far from understanding everything about it. Unlike THC and CBD, THCa has not yet been the subject of large-scale clinical studies. So, THCa intrigues scientists and cannabis enthusiasts alike, but there is still much to discover.
THCa vs. THC vs. CBD: What are the real differences?
To help you understand where THCa fits in, let's compare it with the two other most well-known cannabinoids: THC and CBD.
- THCa: This is the acid form of THC. It is non-psychotropic. It is mainly found in raw flowers. It converts to THC when heated.
- THC: this is the psychoactive cannabinoid responsible for the high. Its use is strictly regulated. It is illegal in many countries above a certain threshold.
- CBD: This is a non-psychotropic cannabinoid that is legally permitted in several European countries if it comes from legal hemp varieties and has a THC content of less than 0.3%.
The main difference between THCa and THC is therefore the effect they have. As you will have understood, you won't get high with pure THCa. On the other hand, with CBD, you can enjoy a relaxing effect without experiencing any psychotropic effects.
THCa and the question of legality
The legality of THCa is a real headache.
In Europe and Ireland, this cannabinoid is not yet well regulated. Officially, THC is prohibited above 0.3%, but since THCa converts to THC when heated, some countries already consider it a form of THC.
In the United States, the THCa market is booming because certain federal laws consider it legal as long as it is sold in its raw, unprocessed form. This allows for the sale of flowers that are very rich in THCa, which become psychoactive when smoked or vaporized.
In Europe, however, caution remains the order of the day, as this market does not yet truly exist, and it is likely that legislation will evolve rapidly to regulate THCa-based products.
What are the forms of THCa consumption?
You may be wondering, "Okay, Mama, but how do we consume THCa?"
Well, it all depends on what you're looking for.
You can consume it in its raw state, in the form of leaf juice, raw extracts, and even fresh flowers. This way, THCa remains non-psychotropic.
Otherwise, you can heat it (smoked, vaporized, cooked). It then transforms into THC and induces psychotropic effects.
And that's where the subtlety lies... the way you consume the plant completely changes the experience!
Will THCa soon be arriving in Europe?
The European legal cannabis market has mainly focused on CBD in recent years. Flowers, oils, resins, e-liquids, and all other CBD-derived products have become widely available.
For THCa,the situation is different because its status remains too close to THC, which complicates its development in Europe.
However, with international momentum and growing public curiosity,it is not impossible that you will one day see THCa products appearing in certain specialty stores.
There you go, kiddo, now you know what THCa is and why people are talking about it more and more.
Mama explained it to you in simple terms so you wouldn't get lost in scientific jargon. Just keep in mind that this molecule will continue to be talked about.
Article written by Benjamin Poirel-Nadal
Passionate about natural well-being and plants with multiple virtues, I've been exploring the benefits of CBD and its various forms for several years.
My aim? To share with you clear information, honest opinions and practical advice to help you integrate CBD into your daily life with confidence and serenity.
