Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in the raw cannabis plant. Despite its non-psychoactive nature, THCA is a precursor to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the compound responsible for the psychoactive effects associated with cannabis.
When cannabis is dried, cured, or heated, THCA slowly converts to THC.
However, many THCA and cannabinoid enthusiasts are excited to discover whether THCA has unique effects compared to some of its THC counterparts – like Delta 9 THC.
THCA has been exploding the THC market, making it a compound of special interest for both medical and recreational cannabis communities.
Here at Moonwlkr, we’re excited to announce the launch of three incredible THCA strains. Try them for yourself today!
Now, without any further ado, let’s dive into our THCA effects guide!
What is THCA?
THCA stands for Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid. Without getting too in the weeds (pun intended) THCA is the precursor to THC. It exists in marijuana plants as a non-psychoactive compound. That is, of course, until it’s heated.
When heated (smoked, cooked, ect), the THCA loses its “A” in a process called called decarboxylation.
That’s why we call it the precursor to THC. Because when THCA is heated, it becomes THC.
If you’re wondering how THCA compares to THC, check out our complete guide here!
THCA Effects
The effects of THCA will vary from person to person and from strain to strain. The effects can be psychological, cognitive, and physical.
THCA psychological effects
1. Euphoria
Not just an HBO hit show, many THCA users are excited about the enhanced feelings of euphoria.
Euphoria might feel different for every user, but can sometimes manifest as: feelings of happiness, laughter, and an overall sense of well-being.
This effect is particularly appreciated in social settings or as a means to uplift mood.
Certain strains may have you feeling more euphoric than others, so try a few to see which one manifests euphoria for you!
2. Altered Sense of Time
THCA, like other forms of THC (including Delta 8 and Delta 9) can make it feel like time is no longer a linear thing.
Sometimes, THCA might make it feel like time slows right down, bringing you more into the present and amplifying your experiences with friends, family, and solo adventures alike.
This is great for folks who want to really live in the moment. You can enhance this amazing effect by listening to your favorite music, doing your favorite creative activities, or getting outside into nature!
3. Heightened Sensory Perception
Taste, smell, touch. These are just some of the senses that may feel dramatically heightened on THCA.
Some people say that colors appear more vividly, sounds are more distinct, and tastes more profound.
(Seriously, chips will never taste so good or feel so crunchy as when you’re riding the THCA high of your dreams. Trust us.)
This heightened sensory perception can enhance appreciation for art, nature, and food, offering a deeper, more immersive experience.
But it doesn’t have to stop there!
There are so many sensory experiences you can explore. Try watching trippy YouTube videos, your favorite movie, or taking a bath.
Maybe you want to get a little frisky-frisky with a loved one. That might feel pretty amazing. That’s up to you and your freely consenting partner. We’re not here to judge… 😉
4. Increased Appetite
Munchies!! The munchies are REAL on THCA, guys, just trust us.
THCA, and other THC products, especially Delta 8, leads to an increased desire to eat. That’s why THCA can be particularly beneficial for individuals struggling with appetite loss due to medical conditions or certain treatments.
But it’s also such a lovely social feature.
A charcuterie board has never been more exciting than when you’re riding an OG Kush THCA high. Pizza? Yes please. Boxed macaroni and cheese? Even better.
Set yourself up for snacking success by planning out the foods you want before you hit that perfectly-portioned pre-roll. Otherwise, you might wonder if your rising-crust frozen pizza has been cooking for 17 hours even though it’s only been four minutes (see: altered sense of time above).
Check out this blog post about the strength of THCA!
THCA therapeutic effects
THCA has garnered attention for its therapeutic benefits, particularly for patients seeking alternative treatments for various conditions.
THC has long been known anecdotally for its potential medicinal applications. And THCA, acting as the precursor to THC, may have similar effects.
Here are some the potential benefits you can explore with THCA:
1. THCA for pain relief
THCA has been shown to offer pain relief for certain medical conditions. Its anti-inflammatory properties can alleviate discomfort from various ailments, making it a valuable component of pain management strategies.
In fact, early research indicates some promise that THC can be used to help with pain management for cancer patients.
“The most encouraging—and believable—clinical studies of cannabinoids focus on chronic pain in cancer patients. Cancer causes pain in a variety of ways, including inflammation, nerve injury, and the invasion of bone and other sensitive tissue by growing tumors. Cancer pain tends to be severe, persistent, and resistant to treatment with opiate painkillers. For this reason, researchers hope to discover pain relievers that act on the body in a different way than opiates do.” Source: Marijuana and Pain – Marijuana as Medicine?
But the possible benefits for those undergoing various medical treatments don’t stop there.
2. THCA for nausea and vomiting reduction
For patients undergoing chemotherapy, nausea and vomiting can be life-altering and completely debilitating side effects.
THCA has anti-emetic properties, helping reduce these symptoms and improving the quality of life for patients during treatment.
“Considerable evidence demonstrates that manipulation of the endocannabinoid system regulates nausea and vomiting in humans and other animals. The anti-emetic effect of cannabinoids has been shown across a wide variety of animals that are capable of vomiting in response to a toxic challenge.” SOURCE: Regulation of Nausea and Vomiting by Cannabinoids
In one study, THCA showed promise in the treatment of nausea and vomiting in rats. Rats are not people, though, and more research is absolutely needed.
3. THCA for improved sleep
Individuals suffering from insomnia or sleep disturbances may be in luck. THC products are notorious anecdotally for helping to improve sleep quality and consistency.
Its calming effects can help regulate sleep patterns for some people, aiding in better rest and recovery.
In one study on cannabis and sleep, 15 patients (39% of participants) were able to reduce or completely discontinue prescription medication indicated for sleep. And on follow up, 27 patients (71% of participants) reported a subjective improvement in their sleep or related condition. SOURCE: CPJRPJ
4. THCA for appetite stimulation
THCA can stimulate the appetite (hello, munchies!), which could be particularly beneficial for individuals experiencing appetite loss due to medical treatments or other conditions.
By promoting hunger, THCA can help ensure adequate nutrient intake, crucial for recovery and well-being.
But that’s not all, THC may also help to improve food pleasure, which has a number of secondary potential benefits for food-averse folks or those who may be suffering from eating disorders.
While we’re still learning about the possible benefits of THC, THCA, and other cannabinoids, anecdotal evidence supports many of these potential effects. Read more about the uses and effects of THCA here!
With that in mind, you should weigh the potential benefits against some potential side effects.
THCA Side Effects
Are there side effects to THCA? That depends on your consumption method, amount, tolerance for THC, and your unique body composition.
The physical effects of THCA play a significant role in the overall experience of users.
THCA side effects can range range from noticeable changes in bodily functions to alterations to some large changes in your physical capabilities.
1. Red eyes from THCA
Red eyes are a common side effect for most THC products. Especially if you are smoking or vaping THCA. Are you turning into a vampire? Most-likely not. Red eyes from THCA happens when the blood vessels in the eyes expand.
While generally harmless, this effect can be a clear indicator of recent cannabis use.
So, if you’re wondering if you can sneak away from the family reunion and no one will notice your THCA use, bring some sunglasses, just in case.
Your red eyes will go back to normal in a while. Don’t worry!
2. THCA dry mouth
Ahh yes, good old ‘cottonmouth’! This effect is characterized by a noticeable dryness in the mouth.
It’s a common experience among THC users and is nothing to be worried about. Staying hydrated is always important, but it’s a great way to avoid that weird dryness of your mouth and tongue that THC can produce.
3. Increased heart rate from THCA
Experienced cannabis users will be familiar with this feeling. And THCA is no different.
THCA can lead to a temporary increase in heart rate, a physical effect that might be especially concerning for individuals with certain cardiovascular conditions.
Awareness of this potential effect is important for users who are monitoring heart health or who may be susceptible to heart-related issues.
With that said, increased heart rate, is not necessarily something that should concern otherwise healthy individuals.
4. Coordination concerns with THCA
It’s not a great time to figure out whether you can still do a cartwheel or try that new skateboarding trick if you’re on another mental planet.
The consumption of any cannabis product -including THCA – may impact your overall motor skills and coordination.
This effect can have implications for activities that require precise movements or balance. That’s why it’s never okay to drive or operate machinery when you’re using THCA. Stick to your couch and established walking trails.
5. Delayed reaction times on THCA
Air hockey and foosball might be off the table if you’re at the peak of your THCA experience. That’s because another significant physical effect on THC is the slowing of reaction times.
Users might find their responses to external stimuli to be slower than usual, impacting activities that rely on quick decision-making or reflex actions, like pickleball.
This is a great time to soak up the sideline and do activities that allow you to be low, slow, and in the moment. Try gardening, a creative activity, a movie marathon, or a leisurely jaunt out in nature before you try your skills at badminton and table tennis.
Curious about how long THCA stays in your system? Read more here!
Why choose Moonwlkr for your THCA products?
Here at Moonwlkr, we’ve been an industry leader in quality rare cannabinoids for years. All of our THCA products are third-party lab tested for quality and safety. New to THCA? Check out our guide for new users!
Ready to try THCA for yourself? Check out our THCA product line here:
Sources to continue learning:
Mack A, Joy J. Marijuana as Medicine? The Science Beyond the Controversy. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2000. 4, MARIJUANA AND PAIN. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK224384/
Rock EM, Kopstick RL, Limebeer CL, Parker LA. Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid reduces nausea-induced conditioned gaping in rats and vomiting in Suncus murinus. Br J Pharmacol. 2013 Oct;170(3):641-8. doi: 10.1111/bph.12316. PMID: 23889598; PMCID: PMC3792001.
Parker LA, Rock EM, Limebeer CL. Regulation of nausea and vomiting by cannabinoids. Br J Pharmacol. 2011 Aug;163(7):1411-22. doi: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2010.01176.x. PMID: 21175589; PMCID: PMC3165951.
Vaillancourt R, Gallagher S, Cameron JD, Dhalla R. Cannabis use in patients with insomnia and sleep disorders: Retrospective chart review. Can Pharm J (Ott). 2022 Apr 15;155(3):175-180. doi: 10.1177/17151635221089617. PMID: 35519083; PMCID: PMC9067069.
Patel S, Cone RD. Neuroscience: a cellular basis for the munchies. Nature. 2015 Mar 5;519(7541):38-40. doi: 10.1038/nature14206. Epub 2015 Feb 18. PMID: 25707800.
