THC vs THCa: What's The Difference?

 THC vs THCa: What's The Difference?

When it comes to cannabis, there are many compounds that make up the plant, and two of the most well-known are THC and THCA. While these two compounds may sound similar, they are actually quite different in terms of their properties and effects.

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the psychoactive compound in cannabis that is responsible for the "high" that people feel when they use marijuana. It works by binding to the CB1 receptors in the brain, which leads to a release of dopamine and other neurotransmitters that produce feelings of euphoria. 

THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) is the precursor to THC and is found in raw, unheated cannabis plants. Unlike THC, THCA is not psychoactive and does not produce a "high" when consumed. Instead, it is thought to have a range of therapeutic benefits, including anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and anti-emetic (anti-nausea) properties.

When cannabis is heated or exposed to high temperatures, THCA is converted into THC through a process known as decarboxylation. This is why smoking or vaping cannabis will produce the psychoactive effects of THC, while consuming raw cannabis will not.

2013 study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology found that THCA was more effective than THC at reducing inflammation in a mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis. Another study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology in 2011 found that THCA had neuroprotective effects in a cell culture model of Huntington's disease.

Overall, while THC and THCA are both important compounds in cannabis, they have different properties and effects.