The marijuana plant has chemical compounds with different therapeutic benefits. However, many of the phytocannabinoids found in cannabis are also present in other plants.
Of the many cannabis compounds, THC and CBD are the two widely popular ones. THC delivers psychoactive effects while CBD is non-psychoactive. THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) is present in a high concentration in fresh cannabis plants.
Related- An Introduction to Marijuana as a Medicine
So, what exactly THCA is? How to apply for 420 evaluations online? Read on to learn more.
What’s THCA?
Many consider THCA as THC. But it isn’t actually. THCA is a little known cannabinoid, which has great medicinal potential. This chemical compound is available when the cannabis plant is alive. After the plant is dried/combusted, THCA degrades into THC.
So, lab tests can find THCA when the plant is alive. It starts degrading when the plant is cured, and at some point, it will no longer exist.
Decarboxylation is the process of speeding up the conversion of THCA into THC. It involves exposing raw cannabis to heat, eliminating the carboxyl group molecule, and leaving behind THC. Cannabis starts to decarboxylate at about 220 degrees F. You can place cannabis in an oven, which is preheated to 220-245 degrees F. We recommend you grind cannabis to make a fine powder and spread on a baking tray uniformly.
THCA vs THC
THCA doesn’t make one high while THC does. So, why does THC deliver euphoric effects? The reason is THCA is unable to bind to receptors such as CB1 receptors, due to its 3-dimensional structure. On the other hand, THC fits perfectly into cannabinoid receptors, thus delivering intoxicating effects.
The non-psychoactive properties of THCA are a major reason that fresh cannabis is used as a food. People love adding raw cannabis for making homemade juices with amazing health benefits.
The process of decarboxylation converts THCA into THC. The most common ways to decarboxylate cannabis are-
- Sunlight
- Room temperature conversion
- Smoking
- Vaping
- Ovens
- Concentrates
Related- Smoking vs Vaping Cannabis – Which is Better?
Major Health Benefits of THCA
THCA is packed with a wide range of medicinal properties and is commonly used as dietary supplements. It has amazing anti-inflammatory properties, which can help ease arthritis and lupus symptoms.
Anti-nausea and anti-emetic properties of THCA can help patients to manage cancer chemotherapy side-effects. However, when used with CBD, THCA has the medicinal potential to reduce seizures in patients suffering from epilepsy. Moreover, its neuroprotective properties can also make it an effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions.
Other medicinal benefits of THCA are supported by anecdotal evidence for muscle spasms, sleep problems, chronic pain, etc. However, more studies are required to evaluate how exactly THCA works in the body and how it can be used for manufacturing future medicines.
To enjoy the medicinal benefits of THCA, you can use raw cannabis in food products. One of the best methods is to make raw cannabis juices. It involves extracting the plant compounds through a juicer. However, make sure the juicer doesn’t heat the plant, otherwise, THCA will get converted into THC. You can serve cannabis juice with other juices such as carrot juice.
Get MMJ Recs Online
If you live in a marijuana legalized state, such as California, you require a medical cannabis card to use the herb for managing your condition. Using the card, you can choose from a wide range of strains with varying levels of cannabinoids.
Now, you can apply for MMJ recs online in just 10 minutes with the help of telemedicine technology. Here’s the complete process-
- Sign up for an account online
- Talk to a licensed doctor through the HIPAA-compliant software
- Receive MMJ recs in PDF format via email
Key Takeaways
THCA is a chemical compound found in fresh marijuana plants. It’s different from THC that delivers psychoactive effects. When harvested and cured, THCA gets converted into THC. Decarboxylation can help to speed up the process. THCA has amazing anti-inflammatory, anti-nausea, neuroprotective properties, and can be used for managing cancer chemotherapy side-effects, muscle spasms, loss of appetite, neurodegenerative diseases, etc.
To enjoy the medicinal properties of THCA, you can extract raw cannabis into foods and beverages. Cannabis juice is one of the most popular drinks, which can be served with other juices.
Apply for 420 evaluations online today.