If you are to browse D-8 pens or edibles, you may come across mentions of THCA. The hype around this compound is viral these days, making a lot of us wonder if THCA has psychoactive properties like THC.
The quick answer is that THCA doesn’t send you on cloud nine. But it’s not as simple as it may seem. Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid in hemp is one chemical reaction away from becoming its intoxicating form – tetrahydrocannabinol.
Here’s what the science says about THCA and its differences from THC and how this disparity shapes the experience of hemp products.
Does THCA have psychoactive effects according to science?
THCA is an acid form of tetrahydrocannabinol found in unprocessed cannabis. We all know the latter controls the mind-boggling effects, but what about the former?
THCA alone does not cause euphoria. But when you heat any hemp product containing it, the high temp instantly transforms the acid, which then produces a high. Ingesting raw cannabis plant matter doesn’t have the same effect because THCA remains in its calm, acidic form.
Somewhat unexpectedly, a small portion of THCA may shift to the high-inducing compound during the curing and drying processes or if stored for a long time. So, while tetrahydrocannabinolic acid itself is non-psychoactive, aged or improperly stored hemp buds may develop some psychoactivity after a while due to natural carboxyl group removal.
The mild psychoactive effects of products with Delta are not caused by THCA, either. Delta is an isomer of THC, a separate compound derived from hemp, not THCA. Confusing the two would be like mistaking caffeine for theanine just because they are both found in green tea.
For THCA to cause any invigorating effects, it first needs to be converted to a mind-altering cannabinoid. On its own, it remains a compound entirely free from intoxication. While it does have health benefits, euphoria is not one of them.
How powerful is THCA?
A metaphor is appropriate here to figure out whether THCA’s psychoactive impact is stronger or weaker than the one produced by other hemp derivatives. Think of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid as the chrysalis of a butterfly. Obviously, it can’t fly. But under certain conditions, the butterfly changes. It destroys the cocoon, spreads its wings, and flies away.
For a ‘mute’ version of THCA, such an altering condition is heating. Once the acid has got through high temperatures, its products give you a buzz, but it is still milder compared to regular marijuana. You may feel stimulated and have enhanced senses, but you won’t experience intense effects like:
- Emotional instability
- Psychosis
- Anxiety
The potency of THCA depends on the amount that turns into THC during the heating process. The more acid transforms, the more powerful the psychoactive impact. But even when fully decarboxylated, THCA products yield a more mellow high than those teeming with THC.
You don’t have to tinker with complicated devices or invent tricks to heat and make it psychoactive. When you smoke or vape raw cannabis buds, a considerable percentage of the acid transforms as part of the process. A high conversion rate means that the potency levels of the acidic form and tetrahydrocannabinol itself are more or less comparable.
Is THCA psychoactive when smoked?
If smoking is your favorite consumption method, you may want to think twice. THCA is psychoactive when smoked because high temps in your joint or blunt result in:
- THCA losing a specific molecule in its composition. The acidic compound contains an extra carbon dioxide molecule that eliminates the possibility of attachment to your brain’s cannabinoid receptors. When heated, it loses it to become THC. This reaction happens when you light up your cannabis buds.
- THC sticking to the ECS. Once the acid has decarbed, it ties to your ECS receptors, which are concentrated in the brain and CNS. This interaction is responsible for the high and therapeutic effects of cannabis.
The ECS receptors play a certain role in mood regulation and pain sensations. The newly gotten THC from your joints activates them and causes a flood of dopamine. This is what produces the high recreational cannabis users seek.
In lower doses, tetrahydrocannabinol boasts soothing effects and may de-stress and mitigate various inflammations in the body. However, frequent or high doses have been linked to memory loss and impaired learning, especially in younger or inexperienced users.
Can THCA reveal itself during a drug test?
Standard workplace tests, like a 5-panel test, check for the presence of THC bioactive agents, not specifically THCA. These biochemical compounds are produced as the body breaks down the former. Because THC is not present in raw cannabis plant matter, consuming unheated THCA never leads to a failed screening. So, you won’t get into hot water if you rely on this cannabinoid acid for therapeutic properties, such as pain or inflammation alleviation.
However, as soon as these products are heated, THCA does have psychoactive properties, plus it shows up on a test. The only way to definitively pass the checkup is through complete abstinence from hemp goodies.
For some, the benefits of THCA may dwarf the risks of a positive result. However, it is essential to use these products with full knowledge of their impact and limitations.
Can it cause legal issues?
As an unconverted compound distinct from Delta, THCA is permitted under federal law. National regulations mandate that hemp products not break the 0.3% limit. Yet, the legislation does not explicitly address THCA, meaning cannabis varieties may include it without violating laws.
This doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want. There’s a possibility of legal issues if you misuse the compound, act under the influence, or travel with THCA-enriched products to other countries.
So, is THCA psychoactive?
As you have learned, it’s not by definition. However, heat exposure activates its intoxicating effects. This happens during smoking or exposing your buds to heat in a vape device. Still, ingesting it orally offers medical benefits without impairment.
Now that you understand the complexity behind THCA, you can leverage this knowledge to find cannabis options that align with your wellness goals.
