does THCa produce a high?

With so many different options out there when it comes to cannabis consumption, it’s hard to keep them all straight. We get it.

But it’s important to know that the different cannabinoids you hear about really are different and they produce different effects. 

With THCa reaching federal legal status, it’s taken center stage recently. It’s known for not having psychoactive side effects. But does THCa get you high? The answer is really quite complex.

It’s a unique part of the hemp flower and this is one where we can’t just say yes or no to the question. However, we’ve got all the details you need to know. Keep reading to learn more! 

about THCa

THCa is officially called tetrahydrocannabinolic acid. It is an acid in the cannabis plant. It is the acidic precursor to THC.

The reason it’s getting so much attention these days is because it was granted a federal legal status. However, some might see that as a legal loophole, which we will get into more later. 

Technically, THCa in raw form from a raw cannabis plant, has absolutely no THC in it. It is a nonpsychoactive cannabinoid.

Since it is the precursor to THC, the chemical structure simply doesn’t provide that element. But it can be turned into THC, which is where it can get confusing. The key difference is how it’s used. 

Technically speaking, THCa is an acid and the cannabinoid does not produce intoxicating effects. But that isn’t all there is to know about this substance and its potential effects.

THCa is typically used for potential therapeutic benefits. However, those who understand the elements and how to convert it also appreciate the potent side effects of using them for other means. 

Why does THCa in raw form not make you high? It’s because of how it interacts with the CB1 receptors of the endocannabinoid system.

In fact, in raw form it simply does not interact with your system in the same way. That is because it doesn’t have the same components as things like THC or Delta-9 THC. 

All of that can change with a process called decarboxylation. 

wtf is decarboxylation?

Decarboxylation is a heat process that removes a specific carbon atom from the carbon chain of THCa. The removal of the carboxyl group from the chain is what will convert THCa from a molecular structure that has no psychoactive compound into an entirely different structure that is completely THC. 

When decarboxylation occurs, THCa turns into THC, which is where that legal framework for legal status loopholes we mentioned comes into effect.

When that conversion happens, the THC is actually highly potent. It can produce a very strong high. 

Some producers will perform decarboxylation to make something like diamonds or other similar products that are known for high potency.

There are specialized tools that may be used for decarboxylation. This is when the creator specifically wants the conversion to happen during the extraction process. 

However, just because decarboxylation doesn’t happen then doesn’t mean it won’t happen when you have THCa in your possession. It is very important to understand how even the devices you use can cause THCa to convert to THC. 

Exposing THCa cannabis flower products to high heat of any kind will cause the conversion. This means that vaping, smoking, or cooking with THCa transforms it from a cannabis product that has no psychoactive effects into THC, which does have psychoactive potential. 

Here’s a breakdown of how it works:

It starts as a THCa molecule of the carboxyl group COOH
Heat is applied, separating the molecular structure and removing carboxyl
The molecular structure adapts to a THC molecule

The end result is that THCa has become THC and now it can make you high. To clarify, THCa in raw form will not make you high. However, when it is decarboxylated or heated, it will make you high. 

THCa raw form consumption

It is entirely possible to consume THCa in its raw form. So many people associate cannabis products with only being able to be smoked or vaped, but there are far more options than these.

If you want to experience the potential benefits of THCa without any concern for getting high, then just use it as a raw element of cannabis. 

You can add raw cannabis to smoothies, salads, and other items that are not exposed to heat. THCa can be extracted into a cannabis concentrate as well. That concentrate can be used in lotions, soaps, tinctures, oils, and more. 

Some people do attempt to use the concentrate to make edibles. You may be able to inject it into THCa gummies, but most professionals recommend a decarboxylation process before any type of edible is made. 

The key point here is that in raw form, THCa has no psychoactive effects. No decarboxylation has occurred and therefore it will not make you high. Yet, you can experience all of the desired benefits from using THCa products, minus the psychoactive effects. 

the potential therapeutic benefits of THCa

There are several great potential benefits of using THCa products. It can provide many medicinal benefits, such as these: 

Antiemetic 

Neuroprotective

Anti-inflammatory

These are substantial benefits and even more so for those wanting to avoid psychoactivity from using a cannabis product. 

antiemetic 

One of the first benefits to know of from THCa is its antiemetic properties. This means that it helps to reduce nausea and vomiting issues. If you are prone to gastrointestinal complications or tend to suffer from high nausea, THCa can help to combat those effects.

Anyone who struggles with nausea or vomiting, aside from pregnant women, can benefit from these effects and the relief that comes with it. 

In cancer studies, THCa has often been used to help reduce nausea that often comes as a result of chemotherapy treatments.

Cancer patients undergoing treatment face heavy nausea and other side effects from chemo. However, with the use of THCa, they can reduce nausea and be more comfortable despite their treatments. 

neuroprotective 

THCa is considered to be neuroprotective. It has a unique relationship with the CB1 receptors of the endocannabinoid system. You see, it does bind to these cannabinoid receptors, but it does so in a different way than THC does. 

Instead of leading to psychoactivity, it instead protects the brain cells. That protection helps to reduce cognitive issues and may even provide cognitive repairs or improvement. The THCa works to protect the neuro workings of the brain. It has been shown to help protect nerve cells. 

With THCa, a person may experience lessened neurological disorders or reduced symptoms from neurological disorders. It is particularly helpful in combating neurodegenerative diseases. 

anti-inflammatory

Finally, THCa is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Again, THCa will target certain cannabinoid receptors in the endocannabinoid system, and one of those is the inflammatory receptors. Our bodies are prone to inflammation when facing illness, disease, or other issues. 

Many people face chronic inflammation from various disorders. Inflammation can also be caused by harsh chemicals, our diets, and other problems. A person with arthritis or fibromyalgia can benefit from the relief of reducing inflammation. 

THCa helps to provide that relief. As a result, the person using THCa flower typically also experiences some pain relief associated with inflammation. Even issues like IBD can typically be improved with the use of THCa. 

the cannabis industry and THCa

Here’s the thing about THCa. There are people in the cannabis industry who are after a potent high. Those people know that by vaping or smoking THCa products, they can experience that potent high. There’s nothing wrong with that if it has the desired effects, of course. 

However, there are still more people who want to experience the potential benefits but want to avoid the possibility of getting high.

That group of people simply needs to be aware that they should avoid any type of heat for using THCa. That means vaping THCa is probably not a great idea unless you are prepared to take on psychoactive side effects with it. 

The cannabis industry can be tricky in this way. THCa can provide substantial benefits, but it is important to be familiar and aware. Some sources in the industry say that vaping THCa won’t have an extremely potent effect.

However, the truth remains that the heat of a vape can convert THCa to THC, so there is a risk of psychoactive effects from consuming this method. 

THCa is typically marketed for its potential health benefits. It has substantial benefits without getting people high, but that all depends on how it is used. 

conclusion 

Does THCa get you high? Well, it’s not meant to get you high, but it does have the capability of doing so. In its raw form, there are absolutely zero psychoactive properties associated with THCa.

However, when heated or decarboxylated, this completely changes things. Vaping, smoking, or heating raw THCa can convert it to THC, which will get you high when consumed. 

You can experience the potential benefits of THCa without getting high. You just need to know the difference and how to properly use it for your desired effects. Be aware and follow proper dosage guidelines to experience the best results! 

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