THC vs. THCa: What’s the Difference?

By now, everyone in the weed world is familiar with cannabinoids – AKA, the active constituents of cannabis. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the superstar of them all, being the most well-known psychotropic ingredient of cannabis. What many folks don’t know is that THC has a precursor. Living and freshly harvested cannabis plants contain a compound called THCa (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid). Below, we’ll explore the effects, benefits, and pharmacology of THC vs. THCa to help you better understand the role that each can play in your routine. 

What is THC?

When we talk about “THC,” we’re actually talking about delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or delta-9 THC. This type of THC is best known as the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis. It’s found abundantly in marijuana. However, in hemp it exists (by legal definition) only at levels of 0.3% or lower by dry weight. 

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THC is one of 113 cannabinoids that researchers have identified in our favorite leafy greens. Like its cousins – such as CBD or delta 8 – THC works by binding to receptors in part of the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Your ECS is a complex system that regulates all sorts of biological processes, like sleep, cognition, inflammation, and immune responses.

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You can think of your ECS as a set of “locks” designed to respond when a matching set of “keys” (endocannabinoids) enters your system. But endocannabinoids aren’t the only thing that can bind to these receptors; cannabinoids can, too, due to their similar chemical structures.

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Delta-9 THC binds most frequently to CB1 receptors, which primarily exist in the central nervous system. That explains why THC can cause the mental and physical “high” we associate with cannabis.

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Currently, delta-9 THC is considered a controlled substance in the United States and is illegal at the federal level. 

THC Effects

The effects of THC on the body can vary depending on the dose you take and your method of consumption. In general, though, you can expect changes in perception, cognition, mood, sleep, and more.

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Some of the most commonly reported effects of delta-9 THC include:

• Euphoria
• Heightened sensory perception (colors may look brighter, foods taste better, etc.)
• Relaxation
• Increase in appetite (the “munchies”)
• Sociability, laughter, or giggliness
• Altered perception of time

THC Benefits

The many potential benefits of THC have made it a favorite among medical and recreational cannabis users alike. Some of the main perks of THC include:

• Relieving chronic pain. A well-known benefit of THC is its ability to reduce inflammation and fight pain. Research shows that cannabinoid use can lead to notable reductions in symptoms for individuals living with chronic pain.
• Improving your mood. Intense waves of euphoria, giggliness, and talkativeness are sure to give a potentially much-needed pick-me-up to your mood.
• Reducing nausea and stimulating your appetite. THC has antiemetic properties that allow it to combat nausea. It can also trigger hunger cues that make your stomach rumble.
• Making it easier to fall asleep. While research into THC’s effect on sleep is mixed, studies do show that THC use can help you fall asleep, at least in the short term.

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Unfortunately, while there is little research focused on understanding the intoxicating effects of THC, there’s even less about its benefits. It’s likely that we’ll discover even more potential uses for THC in the future!

What is THCa?

Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, THCA, or THCa, is another cannabinoid found in cannabis plants. It contains carboxylic acid and is the precursor to THC. But unlike THC, THCa does not have psychoactive properties – that means it won’t give you a “high.” In fact, THCa is the most abundant non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis flower. 

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Still, there are plenty of THCa-based products on the market that promise to get you sky-high. So, what gives? Something important happens to THCa when it’s decarboxylated or exposed to heat: it transforms. So, applying heat to your product converts THCa into THC.

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That means THCa flower is really like THC flower that hasn’t been heated up yet. The same applies whether you’re smoking, vaping, or cooking – the only thing separating THCa from psychoactive THC is some heat.

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You might have heard that as a cannabis plant matures, its THC levels increase. This isn’t entirely true – what actually tends to increase are THCa levels. THCa is usually more abundant in cannabis flower and plant material than THC itself. But as THCa levels go up, so too does the amount of THC that’s available after decarboxylation.

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If THCa was the caterpillar, and THC was the butterfly, then decarboxylation would be the cocoon stage of metamorphosis. The decarb process can be immediate or gradual, and there are various methods for it:

• Smoking. This can be smoking a joint, taking a hit off the bong, and using a pipe or chillum, among other things. 
• Atomizing through vaporization. Vape pens, water vaporizers, volcanoes. The sky's the limit. 
• Dabbing.
• Cooking and baking with cannabis butter or oil. This involves infusing butter or cooking oil with cannabis and using the butter or oil in recipes. 
• Drying and curing. There are many different techniques involved in drying and curing bud.
• Sunlight.
• Exposure to room temperatures over a period of time.

THCa Effects

Because it’s not psychoactive, THCa’s effects aren’t quite as pronounced as those of delta-9 THC. Consuming straight-up THCa without any decarboxylation is unlikely t o have a noticeable effect, though you may still experience bodily changes like reductions in inflammation.

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Just like with the other cannabinoids, there is anecdotal evidence claiming some side effects of THCa. These include:

• Sedative qualities - feelings of tiredness, heaviness, or drowsiness.
• Energizing qualities
• Anxiety or paranoia (at high doses)

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Since these symptoms are anecdotal and not based on scientific research, it is hard to determine whether or not THCa could be harmful and at what doses. The best way to start taking any cannabis products is to start with a very low dose. Using the instructions on the package or bottle as a guide, observe and track your experiences and gradually increase the dose from there until you find your sweet spot. 

THCa Benefits

A growing interest in the potential health benefits of THCa has inspired considerable research efforts in the medical world. Similar to its cannabinoid cousin CBC (cannabichromene), THCa is not able to produce a high. However, it is able to create other pharmacological actions through certain properties:

• Anti-inflammatory. THCa can help to reduce heat and swelling within the body. Since inflammation is a main factor of pain, many people, including those with arthritis, experience pain relief while using THCa. 
• Immunomodulatory. THCa can contribute to the body’s ability to either stimulate or suppress the immune system. This may help the body to fight cancer, infections and other diseases, as well as to modulate the immune response in autoimmune conditions. 
• Neuroprotective. THCa acts to protect nerve cells against damage, degeneration, or impairment of function. This could be beneficial when treating Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, and other serious neurological conditions.
• Antiproliferative. THCa can contribute to helping to retard or prevent cell (especially malignant) growth. This action could make THCa a beneficial part of cancer treatment. 
• Antiemetic. Similar to THC, the anti-nauseant and appetite-stimulating qualities of THCa can be an important part of treating eating disorders such as anorexia. It can also be used to help counteract some of the negative effects of chemotherapy, such as weight loss, loss of appetite, and nausea.

THC vs. THCa: What’s the Difference?

The main difference between THC and THCa is carboxylic acid. Because THCa is the acidic form of and precursor to THC, it’s sort of like the “predecessor” to the delta-9 THC we know and love. THCa is also non-psychoactive, meaning it won’t cause a high like psychoactive THC will.

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Another key difference between the two is their legal status. Delta-9 THC is federally illegal, but THCa is not, at least not if it comes from hemp plants. As long as hemp contains 0.3% THC or less, it’s legal to buy and sell. 

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THCa found in these plants can be gathered and added to the formula of a vape, edible, or other product. Breeders can also raise hemp plants that are low in THC but abundant in THCa or other legal compounds to produce THCa flower and similar products. 

Score Top THC and THCa Products at Green Dragon CBD

So, there you have it – there is no debate when it comes to THC vs. THCa, because the two are practically the same! Their key difference rests in their chemical structure and psychoactive properties. 

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When smoked or vaped, THCa converts into THC, meaning that most THCa products you see are designed to get you high. Whether you’re looking for THCa products or delta-9 THC goodies, we’ve got you covered here at The Green Dragon CBD. Shop our full collections to find exciting products from the brands you know and trust.

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We’re also here to help you find the right items for your lifestyle. Have questions, need advice, or want some guidance? Contact us anytime for a free consultation.