Whether you are familiar with cannabis or not, the odds are high that you have heard of THC. The psychoactive effect you feel when you consume cannabis is the chemical response of THC. As the cannabis industry continues to develop and we learn more about the plant and its makeup, other molecules may not be as popular but are just as important; tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, better known as THCA, is one of them. For a high-quality selection of THCA flower, you can find here!
In recent years, THCA has gained momentum regarding its popularity because of its health benefits, which are varied from those of THC and even CBD. Check out the information below to gain a better understanding of THCA.
THC’s Precursor
One of the easiest ways to understand THCA is to think of it as the precursor to, or the earliest stage of, THC. Contrary to popular belief, if you consume raw or live cannabis- eat the plant straight from the ground or even eat natural nuggets- you will not get high. That is because to have the psychoactive effects, cannabis must be dried out or heated.
If you leave the plant to dry or expedite the process and use heat, THCA slowly converts to THC. If you use heat, the process is known as decarboxylation, which describes what happens when you smoke or vaporize a flower. So whether in an oven baking your favorite edibles or smoking flowers using a lighter and a pipe or a blunt, heating THCA turns it to THC, giving you the psychoactive effects.
THCA Benefits:
So now that you know the process and what THCA is, how does it help?
While research on THCA and its health benefits is in the early stages of development, from what has been gathered in recent years, there is solid evidence that THCA is a pivotal part of cannabis-related medicine as the industry makes leaps and bounds moving forward. In the preliminary studies, researchers have unearthed some of the following benefits:
Anti-Inflammatory:
THCA contains anti-inflammatory properties that could aid in treating diseases such as arthritis and lupus. Also, it shows great potential as a treatment for fatty liver disease due to its ability to work as an anti-inflammatory.
Neuroprotective properties:
If you have a family history of neurodegenerative diseases, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s, THCA could contain neuroprotective properties to support slow or prevent the development of these diseases.
Anti-proliferative:
THCA also has anti-proliferative qualities, which can help inhibit the growth of cancer cells responsible for creating tumors. Notable studies have been conducted concerning it aiding in prostate cancer.
The Legality
Opting for THCA products is an excellent choice for those who would like to utilize the health benefits but don’t want any of the psychoactive effects of THC.
However, unlike CBD, THCA can only be used or consumed in states where THC is legal. So before purchasing any kind, check out to see where your state lands on various cannabis laws.
As of 2021, the FDA still lists marijuana as a Schedule I drug. According to the FDA website, this is “due to its high possibility for abuse, which is mainly attributable to the psychoactive effects of THC.
