The cannabis plant encompasses many different cannabinoids that are shaping the industry and increasing the accessibility of THC and its effects. The high associated with THC has become one of the most sought after remedial feats well known across the world. But what about this newcomer THCA? Actually friends, THCA is not a newb; it has been present in cannabis plants this entire time! THCA is the precursor to THC. But we all have the same burning questions; does THCA get you high? And does smoking THCA get you stoned?
In this article, we excavate all the truths behind THCA and how it offers the same euphoric high to its counterpart THC.
What is THCA?
THCA, known as Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid, is a cannabinoid found within the raw cannabis plant. It serves as the acidic precursor to THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), the compound accountable for the psychoactive effects commonly linked with cannabis use.
Naturally, cannabis plants produce THCA as opposed to THC. The transition from THCA to THC takes place via decarboxylation, a process involving the application of heat. When cannabis undergoes heating through methods such as smoking, vaping, or cooking, THCA eliminates a carboxyl group and transforms into THC, unlocking its psychoactive attributes.
Interested in more information about THCA? Check out our blog post and dig into the science behind THCA and how exactly it works.
THCA vs THC: What is the Difference?
While you may have never heard of THCA, this is not a new cannabinoid & has been around for as long as weed has!
Curious to know exactly what makes THCA differ from THC? Let’s get into it!
1. Understanding THCA and THC:
THCA (Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid):
- THCA is the precursor to THC and is found in the raw cannabis plant.
- It contains a carboxyl group (-COOH), which makes it chemically different from THC.
- In its raw form, THCA does not produce psychoactive effects, so consuming raw cannabis won’t get you high.
THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol):
- THC is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, responsible for the “high” sensation.
- THC lacks the carboxyl group present in THCA, making it active and capable of interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system.
In this article, we’ll explore the science behind THCA, explain how it can get you high, and answer some frequently asked questions about it.
Read our complete guide to THCA here!
The Science Behind THCA and Getting High
Now that we’ve covered the difference between THCA & THC, what about the biochemical properties of THCA & its interaction with the body?
THCA is actually non-psychoactive on its own. Unlike THC, it does not interact with the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the endocannabinoid system, which are responsible for the typical cannabis “high.” However, when THCA is heated through smoking, vaping, or cooking, it undergoes a chemical transformation known as decarboxylation, converting into THC. This process is what produces the psychoactive effects commonly associated with cannabis. We’ll explore the details of this transformation further later on!
For now, let’s explore how THCA interacts with the body & some of the benefits it provides.
Our CB1 receptors are primarily located in the central nervous system and are involved in mood, memory, and pain perception, while CB2 receptors are mainly found in the peripheral nervous system and immune cells and influence inflammation and immune responses.
THCA’s limited interaction with these receptors means it does not produce the psychoactive effects associated with THC – that is, until THCA is heated & converted to THC.
Moonwlkr recognizes that our customers use our products for various purposes, including medicinal ones. We are pleased to highlight that THCA offers several potential benefits, such as anti-inflammatory properties and anti-nausea effects.
The Decarboxylation Process: Converting THCA to THC
The decarboxylation process is where THCA transforms into its active form! Without this crucial step, THCA remains inactive and does not produce the psychoactive effects we seek.
By heating THCA, whether through smoking, vaping, or cooking, it undergoes decarboxylation and converts into THC, which is responsible for the characteristic “high.”
Continue reading to delve into the science behind this transformation and discover how decarboxylation changes THCA into THC.
Curious on the legality of THCA? Check out this article!
What is Decarboxylation?
- Decarboxylation is a chemical reaction where a carboxyl group is removed from a molecule and released as carbon dioxide (CO₂).
- For THCA, this means losing its carboxyl group, which transforms it into THC.
How Does It Happen?
- Heat Application: Decarboxylation occurs when cannabis is heated, such as through smoking, vaping, or cooking. The heat causes THCA to release CO₂ and convert into THC.
- Smoking: When cannabis is smoked, the combustion process provides the high temperatures needed to decarboxylate THCA quickly.
- Vaping: Vaporizers heat the cannabis to a controlled temperature that decarboxylates THCA without burning the plant material.
- Cooking: When making edibles, cannabis is often heated in an oven (a process known as “decarbing”) to convert THCA to THC before mixing it into recipes.
3. Importance of Decarboxylation:
Activation of THC:
- The main reason decarboxylation is crucial is that THC is the compound responsible for the psychoactive effects. Without this conversion, THCA remains inactive.
Enhanced Effects:
- Proper decarboxylation ensures that the cannabis you consume, whether smoked, vaped, or eaten, has its full psychoactive potential.
Consistency in Dosing:
- In edibles and other products, accurate decarboxylation is essential for consistent dosing and predictable effects.
Can THCA Be Smoked?
THCA has hit the cannabis marketplace in several forms such as pre-rolls, flower, and vapes. These are the absolute best ways to consume THCA due to the inclusion of heat. As previously mentioned, THCA must undergo decarboxylation in order to be converted into THC which includes the necessary application of heat. Not only can THCA be smoked, but the effects most similar to THC are provided when you spark it. You can read more about how THCA converts to Delta-9 THC when smoked with our blog post.
Curious about what to look for when purchasing a THCA pre-roll? Read all about it here!
Does Smoking THCA Get You High?
Smoking THCA unlocks the renowned euphoric effects that its famous counterpart THC administers. Which answers the question; does THCA get you high when heated? Absolutely! THCA in its native state does not bind to the CB1 or CB2 receptors which is necessary for the “high” we are chasing here. When THCA is smoked, a carboxyl group is removed and carbon dioxide is released, transforming the chemical structure into THC. This then allows for the phyto-cannabinoids within the cannabis plant to react within our endocannabinoid system. And voila! You are now able to feel high.
What About THCA Flower? Does THCA Flower Get You High?
THCA flower is a great option for those interested in achieving the transformation of THCA to THC. It offers the same quality of flower from your local dispensary as well as some nostalgia when you grind the buds or get your fingers sticky breaking it down the OG way. You can pack THCA flower into the bowl you inherited from your buddy or roll it up in your favorite rolling paper products. Once you spark THCA flower you can expect the same slow burn, great smell, and intensity of high THC offers.
Common FAQs on THCA and Getting High
Does smoking THCA get you high?
Yes! Smoking THCA can indeed produce a high. When THCA is heated, it undergoes decarboxylation and is converted into THC, which then produces the characteristic effects associated with THC.
Does vaping THCA get you high?
Yes! Vaping THCA will get you high! Any time you heat THCA, this converts it to THC.
Does eating THCA flower get you high?
No! Eating THCA will not get you high as it’s still in its raw, inactive form.
Can you use THCA in edibles? Will that get you high?
Absolutely! However, THCA does need to be activated & converted into THC first, through decarboxylation, before being infused into an edible.
Will leaving THCA out for a while convert it to THC?
No, leaving THCA out at room temperature will not significantly convert it to THC. Simply leaving THCA out in the air will not provide the necessary heat to initiate this conversion.
What are the most effective methods to decarboxylate THCA?
Smoking, vaping, any heat that is applied directly will decarboxylate the THCA & convert it into THC.
What’s the difference between THCA and THC when it comes to smoking, vaping, or heating?
THCA remains inactive in its raw form, so consuming raw cannabis will not produce a high. It is only when THCA is heated through smoking or vaping that it transforms into THC, its psychoactive counterpart, and produces the characteristic effects.
Can you over-consume THCA?
It’s pretty difficult to over-consume THCA in its inactive (unsmoked, unpaved, unheated) form as it’s not psychoactive but eating raw THCA may lead to a pretty gnarly stomach ache!
Can you get too high on THCA?
You can only get too high on THCA once it has been heated & converted into THC.
Does THCA show up on a drug test?
Yes and no. THCA, when it is heated and undergoes a process of conversion, transforms into THC, which is the psychoactive component found in cannabis and is detectable on drug tests. However, if THCA is consumed in its raw, unprocessed form, it does not contain THC in its active form and therefore will not be detected by standard drug tests.
Let’s Roll it Up!
In the vast expanse of the cannabis galaxy, THC has always been the star of the show. However, THCA is taking us to new heights with legality across all 50 states. Whether you’re sparking up with THCA pre-rolls, flower, or vapes, the effects you’ll experience mirror that of THC. Will THCA get you high if you smoke it? Here you have it, space cadets, the answer is yes! It’s time to roll your cosmic dreams up and spark them like a shooting star.
