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What is THCA?

Whether you’re new to cannabis, or a seasoned smoker, you’ve probably heard of THC. ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC is the primary molecule from cannabis that is responsible for the intoxicating effects that are associated with cannabis. THC has also been shown to demonstrate a wide variety of therapeutic benefits from the treatment of chronic pain, to helping fight cancer. 


What’s the difference between THC and THCA?

Many are surprised to learn that the plant itself doesn’t produce THC. The cannabis plant produces hundreds of cannabinoids, the chemical compounds responsible for the therapeutic and psychoactive effects of cannabis, while only a few contribute to the euphoric feeling that appear unique to the cannabis plant. People commonly assume that as a marijuana plant matures, it is ramping up THC levels until harvest. But in most strains, the primary cannabinoid being produced is actually a molecule known as tetrahydrocannabinolic-acid (THCA), the precursor to the psychoactive THC compound. 


THCA Won’t Get You High

The biggest difference between THC and THCA is that unlike THCA, THC will get you high. To better understand how one molecule gets you high and the other doesn’t, we can look at how THC works in the body. 

Immediately after marijuana is smoked, or otherwise heated and consumed, the active compounds will cross the blood brain barrier and begin to affect your brain. THC, the prominent and psychoactive compound binds to cannabinoid receptors within three main places in the brain, fitting into the receptors much like a key fitting a lock. These three areas of the brain, the cerebellum, basal ganglia, and hippocampus are responsible for important functions such as short-term memory, learning, problem-solving, and coordination. Cannabinoid receptors are normally present and activated by anandamide, a neurotransmitter and natural endocannabinoid that the body produces. THC mimics anandamide and binds to the cannabinoid receptors that activate neurons in the brain affecting the mind and body.

The reason THCA doesn’t yield a psychoactive effect is due to the three-dimensional shape of the THCA molecule. It is a significantly larger molecule that doesn’t fit into our cannabinoid receptors, specifically the CB1 receptor. A cannabinoid must fit into a receptor in order to yield a psychoactive effect.


Activation is Key

In order to produce THC and its associated high, the cannabis plant material needs to be exposed to heat, or some other process that is capable of initiating decarboxylation – the process through which THCA loses its acidic carbonyl group to become THC. Once the carbonyl group is removed, THC can fit snugly into the CB1 receptor, activating the receptor and the magic begins.  When raw THCA is dabbed or added to a bowl or joint, decarboxylation happens quite quickly when consumed and the resulting THC yields a strong, but lucid effect. Unlike most sticky extracts, because of its dry crystalline structure, it is known to be the easiest form of cannabis concentrate to handle.


Raw THCA Has Many Health Benefits

Just because it won’t get you high without a little effort, it hardly makes it useless.  THCA has been shown to have many therapeutic uses on its own. It is one main reason why eating or juicing raw cannabis has been considered a ‘super-food’. Among others, the benefits include:

  • Anti-inflammatory properties  – A 2011 study published in the Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin suggested that, along with other cannabinoids, THCA demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties. 

  • Anti-proliferative properties – A 2013 study that analyzed cell cultures and animal models concluded that THCA could prevent the spread of prostate cancer cells.

  • Neuroprotective properties – In a 2012 preclinical study published in Phytomedicine, researchers found that THCA showed the ability to help protect against neurodegenerative diseases.  

  • Antiemetic properties (decreasing nausea) – A 2013 study conducted by researchers at the University of Guelph in Ontario found that THCA was effective in reducing nausea and vomiting in rat models, even more so than THC.


In Conclusion

Whether you smoke, eat, vape, or juice raw cannabis, understanding the plant’s properties and the differences between its constituents is important in achieving the best experience. Understanding how the components interact with your body can help you get the most out of your cannabis while avoiding the potential adverse side effects. Cannabis produces hundreds of molecules, each having their own benefits and unique properties. Many of these compounds work together for a synergistic effect that we’ll discuss in more detail in another article. The more we apply science to cannabis, the more we learn about this magical plant, and how we can apply its gifts for a better life.


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