Marijuana is a plant that contains many medicinal uses, and the primary therapeutic elements are cannabinoids. Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are the two most commonly known cannabinoids. Both of these medications have received a lot of care because of their medicinal facility, and while they are related to each other, they are also different.
What is THCA?
THCA, or tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, is the cannabinoid broken down to THC. It’s a naturally found substance in raw, fresh cannabis plants. THCA in its natural state doesn’t yield the “high” from cannabis. It’s a suitable choice for people who wish to experience the healing value of cannabis but not any type of intoxication.
In the discussion of THCA vs THC, when cannabis is burned, such as when it is being smoked, vaped, or cooked, THCA is decarboxylated. Decarboxylation is the removal of the carboxyl group in THCA to produce THC, the psychoactive compound commonly familiar to cause a “high.”
What is THC?
THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the most famous and studied chemical present in cannabis. It is the chemical responsible for the psychoactive result of cannabis. THC relates to the cannabinoid receptors in the brain and causes a range of properties such as euphoria, relaxation, and appetite increase. THC also has many medicinal uses that render it useful in treating a variety of medical situations.
While THC’s psychotropic properties are well established, its medicinal value cannot be ignored, and this is the reason why it has become one of the most selling cannabinoids in the medical marijuana market. THC has been used for pain, nausea, anxiety, and insomnia.
How Does THCA Convert to THC?
As has already been stated, THCA is the instant precursor of THC. THCA decarboxylates to THC when cannabis is exposed to heat. Decarboxylation includes the removal of a carboxyl group from THCA, and really, this is why the complex develops active and psychoactive properties.
There are many different ways in which this decarboxylation can occur:
- Smoking or Vaping:
It is the smoke produced by smoking or vaping cannabis that heats the THCA, converting it to THC instantly, and it is this that triggers the psychoactive properties to appear directly after one ingests them.
- Cooking or Baking:
Marijuana is typically baked in a home oven when preparing marijuana edibles, thereby already decarboxylating THC before being inserted into food. This causes the edibles to induce the desired properties directly upon consumption.
- Sunlight Exposure:
THCA will gradually be converted to THC done exposure over time, though much more slowly than through the use of direct heat.
Psychoactive Properties – THCA vs. THC
The greatest difference between THCA and THC is the impact that each has on one’s psyche. THCA in its natural state is not psychoactive because it will not produce the “high” people anticipate with cannabis. THC is psychoactive. When THCA is combusted, it is broken down into THC, which acts upon cannabinoid receptors within the brain and is accountable for creating the euphoric and calming properties that make cannabis so well-liked.
Though THC is normally preferred for inducing a “high,” THCA has been desired due to its medical properties, mainly for persons wishing to have the medical benefits of cannabis without psychotropic activity. This makes THCA highly desirable for persons wishing to use cannabis in its natural state without being high.
Medical Benefits of THCA: –
THCA is famous for excessive latent in many health and wellness applications, mainly in disease therapy where infection is a concern. Some of the most important medical uses of THCA include:
- Anti-Inflammatory Properties:
THCA possesses intense anti-inflammatory activity and, as such, can be utilized to treat inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). THCA can decrease inflammation in the body, thus making it simple to alleviate pain, swelling, and discomfort.
- Neuroprotective Properties:
Early findings indicate that THCA might possess neuroprotective activity, which would be useful for neurodegenerative disease patients such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. THCA is thought to prevent brain death caused by oxidative stress, which is responsible for such conditions.
- Anti-nausea and Anti-Vomiting Properties:
THCA has been found to relieve nausea and vomiting, especially in chemotherapy or radiotherapy patients. Because THCA is not likely to cause a high, it can be a great choice for persons who need nausea relief without the euphoric feeling of THC.
- Appetite Stimulation:
THCA is capable of stimulating appetite in patients with conditions that lead to loss of appetite, like HIV/AIDS, cancer, or eating disorders. THCA differs from THC as it does not have euphoric properties. Hence, it is a better choice for those who wish to regain their appetite without the “high.”
- Antioxidant Benefits:
THCA is also an antioxidant, so the body will be protected from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals have been shown to contribute to the onset of chronic diseases and aging, and THCA’s antioxidant nature would probably counteract these properties.
Medical Benefits of THC: –
Although THCA is precious for its non-psychoactivity, THC also possesses a unique set of extraordinary medicinal attributes, especially in the treatment of symptoms that are related to pain, mood, and sleep. Some of the famous medicinal benefits of THC are:
- Pain Relief:
THC is also prominently known to reduce acute and chronic pain. It acts by binding to cannabinoid receptors in the brain that decrease the sensation of pain. THC is also found to be highly effective in reducing conditions such as arthritis, MS, and fibromyalgia.
- Mood Improvement and Stress Reduction:
THC has extensively documented mood-elevating properties. THC can decrease stress, anxiety, and depression and induce relaxation with euphoria. In mentally ill patients, such as depression or anxiety, THC offers a safe and effective method to enhance mood and decrease stress levels.
- Muscle Relaxation:
One of the positive properties of THC is that it is a muscle relaxant. Patients who have conditions that cause muscle spasms or spasticity, such as multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy, usually take THC. It reduces the tension in the muscles, hence making it suitable to walk around and ease pain.
- Sleep Benefit:
THC is also the cause of sedation, which would be therapeutic in patients with insomnia or any other sleep disorder. Induction of relaxation along with suppression of anxiety leads to faster sleep with a longer duration of sleep.
- Craving Stimulation:
THC is used extensively for stimulating appetite, particularly in patients receiving treatments such as chemotherapy that suppress appetite. The appetite-stimulating properties of THC have given it a critical role as a method for patients to maintain weight and nutrition status despite being on treatment.
Which One Should you Choose?
It is your health requirement and your choice that will decide if you should consume THCA or THC. Here’s a quick guide to assist you:
Use THCA if:
- You want the medical properties of cannabis without any psychotropic properties.
- You need anti-inflammatory pain medication for diseases such as arthritis or Crohn’s disease.
- You wish to guard your brain against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s.
- You require relief from nausea, vomiting, or stimulation of appetite but prefer a non-psychoactive medicine.
Use THC if:
- You require relief from pain in diseases such as arthritis, multiple sclerosis, or fibromyalgia.
- You wish to enhance your mood, alleviate tension or stress, or alleviate depression or anxiety symptoms.
- You wish to have spasticity or muscle-relaxing aid.
- You are experiencing insomnia or need to awaken your appetite.
Conclusion
THCA and THC are both medicinal cannabinoids with different changes & merits. THCA offers medicinal properties without producing any type of intoxicating properties, making it perfect for people who desire the medicinal properties of cannabis without the “high.” THC, however, possesses a broad array of medical merits such as pain relief, mood improvement, muscle relaxation, and appetite stimulation but produces psychoactive properties.
By knowing the exact benefits of THCA and THC, you can make an educated choice about which cannabinoid is most suitable for your requirements. If you need relief from inflammation, pain, anxiety, or sleep disorders, both THCA and THC can be extremely beneficial. Always consult a health expert to make sure you are reliably using cannabis and to choose the most suitable treatment plan for your specific state. The World Health Organization (WHO) establishes the healing value of both THCA and THC, which offers diversified health uses safely.
