Did you know there is a lot of emphasis on tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) nowadays? Well, now you do as this thanks to the many forms in which THC comes in on the market, like delta 8, delta 9, and delta 10. But, at the same time, we’re discovering the value of THC in its raw form, known as Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid (THCA). THCA is short for tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, and it’s proving to be extremely useful in the hemp industry in more ways than one.
The THCA Basics
Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid is the natural precursor to tetrahydrocannabinol, in that it’s just THC in its raw form. In fact, THC only exists due to heat, to which THCA is exposed to convert it into the more familiar form of the cannabinoid. Before THCA is heated, it’s an acidic compound that has no psychoactive properties at all, because these properties are only activated through a process known as decarboxylation, in which the plant is exposed to control heat to change its chemical structure, and thus its properties that affect the human body.
What this means is that when you’re handling raw hemp flower, you’re actually in possession of THCA, and not THC. Once you heat that flower, like you do when you smoke it, you now have THC.
THCA is not useless prior to heating it, however. Raw cannabinoids, as we’re learning more and more, have intrinsic value, with properties quite different from their decarboxylated counterparts.
What Can THCA Do?
Throughout most of history, cannabis was disregarded in its raw form, as people believed that it only offered valuable effects after being decarboxylated. But, with more research going into cannabis than ever, we now know that this is simply not the case. We’re discovering that raw cannabinoids like CBDA, CBGA, and THCA can be highly beneficial in their own right, and should be taken more seriously.
Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid is being researched as we speak, and the results look pretty promising. For example, we now know that THCA possess powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and may be particularly helpful to the respiratory system through its anti-inflammatory effects. Research is also showing us that THCA can offer distinctive effects to the nervous system that deal with regulating pain tolerance as well as our body’s sleep cycle, while having the potential to increase serotonin uptake in a way that could help with both mood and nausea. Studies on THCA are still relatively new, and we have no doubt that we’re going to learn even more in the near future.
Other Uses for THCA in the Hemp Industry
The inherent value of Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid can’t be overlooked, but it’s important to point out that it has another valuable use in the hemp industry. One way in which hemp-derived delta 9 products can be sold legally is by converting THCA into delta 9 through decarboxylation prior to having it tested under federal standards. Many states permit hemp products to be tested before being decarboxylated, and so they are permitted to contain relatively high levels of THCA that will be inevitably converted into relatively high levels of THC. Basically, this is a legal loophole that many states are perfectly fine with, and it benefits consumers who desire legal access to the properties of delta 9 THC due to laws that prohibit marijuana where they live.
THCA: A Cannabinoid Not to be Overlooked
It’s clear that Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid offers a lot beyond existing solely as the raw form of THC, its more popular form. THCA is only starting to be given the attention it deserves by cannabis researchers, and already we’ve learned quite a bit about just how valuable it is. As time goes on, we’re certain that even more fascinating discoveries will be made about exactly what this compound can do in a way that could potentially benefit the body.
For the time-being, THCA in its pure form is pretty hard to find, but that could change as well. However, here at Greenlife Remedies we have THCA available in flower form, with other additions coming very soon!! And, at the same time, many federally compliant delta 9 THC products rely on decarboxylating THCA after testing in order to be sold legally, and this means that thanks to this cannabinoid, more people are able to enjoy all that delta 9 has to offer to the body and mind. The hemp industry is changing fast, and we expect there to be a lot more exciting news about THCA in the future.
