If you’ve ever visited a dispensary, you may have seen the letters “THCA” on a container of fresh flower and wondered if it was a typo.
THCA is actually the chemical precursor to THC, and knowing what it is and how it works in the body can help you tap into even more benefits from the cannabis plant. In today’s post, we’ll share everything we know about THC vs THCA, including:
- What are cannabinoids?
- What is the difference between THC and THCA?
- Does THCA turn to THC?
- What are some potential benefits of consuming THCA?
…and more still. Are you ready? Let’s get rolling.
What Are Cannabinoids, Exactly?
First things first: If you’re new or just returning to cannabis, it’s worth taking a moment to understand how it works within the body. Cannabis is a fantastically complex plant containing literally hundreds of compounds, but from our standpoint, the most important are a family called the cannabinoids.
You’ve probably heard of a few of them already: THC, CBD, and other minor (but medically impactful) players like CBN, CBG, and more still. Cannabinoids are among the most important compounds found in cannabis, imparting effects like the plant’s euphoric “high” (thanks for that, THC!).
But that’s far from the end of the story. Both THC and CBD exert anti-inflammatory properties, working to reduce pain and swelling at the sites of injuries or strains. Studies show that these compounds can have a profound effect on pain, even helping us reduce the need for pharmaceuticals like opioids.
As we mentioned, CBD imparts anti-inflammatory effects of its own. But it may even be more notable for its positive impact on anxiety and stress. Interested in reducing tension in your own life? You can read a bit more about how cannabinoids can help address anxiety here.
So, given that cannabinoids are the major “active ingredients” in cannabis, let’s turn now to the question of THCA and how it’s different from THC.
THC vs THCA: Closely Related But Very Different
So, does THCA turn into THC?
Even if you’ve never studied chemistry, you’re probably familiar with the concept of chemical precursors, meaning substances that convert to other substances in the presence of catalysts such as light or heat. That’s exactly the case here: THCA is the precursor to THC, and when it’s exposed to sufficient heat—say, in your pipe or joint—it changes from THCA into THC, the cannabinoid we associate with cannabis’s signature high.
To understand what’s happening here, we need to explain the difference between acidic and neutral cannabinoids. The “A” in “THCA” signifies that it’s the acidic (or precursor) form of THC, containing an extra “carboxyl ring” on the molecular level. When THCA is exposed to heat, it undergoes a process known as decarboxylation, losing that carboxyl ring.
Wait: Does that mean that THCA doesn’t do anything for us?
Yes and no. If you’re looking to enjoy a euphoric high, it’s just not going to happen with THCA. That’s why you can eat all the cannabis flower you want, but you’re not going to feel anything (except possibly kind of silly for having eaten a bunch of perfectly smokable cannabis).
When you purchase an edible, the cannabinoids have already been decarboxylated. And believe it or not, it’s incredibly simple to do at home. We’ve written about decarboxylation before, and how it’s the crucial step in making homemade cannabis edibles and other non-inhaled products.
So while THCA may not get you high, that’s not to say it isn’t doing anything for us. In fact, the cannabinoid has been linked to some pretty intriguing therapeutic effects.
So What Is the Difference Between THC and THCA?
We’ve already shared a little bit about what THC does for us, and how studies suggest it has the potential to reduce pain, treat insomnia, and impart a number of other useful effects. In fact, THC is the most abundant cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant and the one that imparts the majority of its most noticeable effects.
Because THCA doesn’t impart a psychoactive high it’s tempting to think that it doesn’t matter. But in fact, the current research suggests this is far from the case.
Let’s start with inflammation. As the body’s natural response to physical or other injuries, inflammation is a fairly normal and predictable phenomenon. However, there are times—for instance, when it’s causing physical pain—when it’s beneficial to reduce it. Like several other cannabinoids and even terpenes—the aromatic “essential oils” that give different strains their characteristic scents and tastes—this is something THCA appears to be quite good at.
Then there’s what’s known as neuroprotection: a phenomenon that may guard the brain against disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s. In one rodent-model study, researchers found that THCA was more potent than THC in terms of its ability to guard against degenerative diseases.
Finally, a study from 2020 suggests that THCA may be an effective response to obesity-related disorders such as fatty liver disease and diabetes, helping patients maintain healthy insulin levels without pharmaceutical intervention.
THCA vs THC: Is One “Better” Than the Other?
Given all these benefits, some consumers ask if one is “better” than the other. But from our standpoint, they’re both crucial cannabis compounds that impart different benefits to our bodies.
For some folks and in some situations, THC’s intoxicating psychoactivity my not be ideal. In this case, consuming THCA in the form of nondecarboxylated cannabis might be the way to go. In fact, if you visit any of our dispensary live menus and search for “THCA,” you’ll find a number of products that include this essential precursor to THC.
Do keep in mind that in smokable products labeled as containing THCA, the cannabinoid will be converted to THC as soon as heat is applied.
If you don’t mind the high, it’s generally far easier to find THC. In fact, every single one of the cannabis products we sell here at Exclusive is labeled with the precise THC content as well as other pertinent information. That’s how you’ll know exactly what you’re getting when you use the expertly grown, lab-tested, and pure cannabis we offer at our licensed Michigan dispensaries.
THCvs THCA: Wrapping It All Up
So it turns out THC and THCA are very similar and also very different. As the acidic precursor to THC, THCA is a vital “building block” compound found in cannabis.
When you apply heat to THCA, it triggers a process called decarboxylation, converting it to THC. But even when it’s not converted this way, THCA has been shown to impart some potentially significant effects. Studies suggest that THCA is a potent anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective agent, and may even help support healthy weight.
Interested in trying THCA for yourself? While we offer cannabis products that contain THCA, it’s important to remember that if you smoke or vape them, the THCA is instantly converted to THC. Instead, you can seek out this novel cannabinoid in the form of specially-made edibles, tinctures, or other products that haven’t undergone decarboxylation.
One more thing to note: If you’re concerned about failing a drug test, consuming THCA will lead to a positive result (even though it didn’t impart an intoxicating high). Just something to be aware of!
Explore Cannabinoids and More With Exclusive
Want to expand your cannabis knowledge even further? Start with this guide to the difference between sativa and indica, two of the most important—and most commonly misunderstood—classifications in cannabis.
Any further questions? Stop by any of our locations, grab our app, or give us a shout. We’re here to help you get what you need!
