{"id":122326,"date":"2023-06-15T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-06-15T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.growbarato.net\/blog\/?p=122326"},"modified":"2023-09-06T09:45:32","modified_gmt":"2023-09-06T07:45:32","slug":"what-is-the-difference-between-thc-and-thca","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/what-is-the-difference-between-thc-and-thca\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the difference between THC and THCA"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>When joining the captivating world of cannabis for the first time, one can feel somehow overwhelmed due to all the <strong>specific, even scientific terminology<\/strong>. Besides, all the chemical processes that often occur with these plants may <strong>seem all a mystery<\/strong>. Thus, some of the most common questions are about what THC is and <strong>why it produces a high when it\u2019s consumed<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In order to solve all your questions about tetrahydrocannabinol and its origins, we\u2019ll explain in this article <strong>the connection between THC and THCA<\/strong>, two of the most abundant compounds found in cannabis plants. This article is intended for expanding our knowledge about this fascinating world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a51ba8e9bc49\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Contenido<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a51ba8e9bc49\"  \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/what-is-the-difference-between-thc-and-thca\/#What_is_THCA\" >What is THCA?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/what-is-the-difference-between-thc-and-thca\/#Differences_between_THC_and_THCA\" >Differences between THC and THCA<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/what-is-the-difference-between-thc-and-thca\/#THCA_benefits\" >THCA benefits<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/what-is-the-difference-between-thc-and-thca\/#How_to_take_THCA\" >How to take THCA<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/what-is-the-difference-between-thc-and-thca\/#Is_THCA_legal\" >Is THCA legal?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_THCA\"><\/span>What is THCA?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You may already know what THC is, but <strong>do you know what THCA<\/strong> is and what do these compounds have in common?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>THCA stands for \u2018tetrahydrocannabinolic acid\u2019<\/strong>, which can be considered the <strong>precursor of THC<\/strong>, \u2018tetrahydrocannabinol\u2019. In other words, THCA is the previous stage of THC and it\u2019s <strong>exclusively found in fresh, raw cannabis<\/strong>; this chemical compound is <strong>transformed into THC by drying, cooking or simply heating<\/strong> the parts of the plant that are THCA-rich.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This way, the <strong>molecular structure of THCA is modified<\/strong> when it turns THC. On the other hand, THCA is commonly found in cannabis or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/289-cbd-cosmetics\">hemp-based products<\/a> that have been <strong>screened, not heated<\/strong>, and it\u2019s the <strong>major constituent in resin concentrates such as hashish and <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/hachis-cbd\/6968-banana-ice-cbd-gb-hash.html\"><strong>hash<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.growbarato.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/flores-cannabis-1.jpg\" alt=\"cannabis raw buds\" class=\"wp-image-127229\" title=\"cannabis raw buds\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/flores-cannabis-1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/flores-cannabis-1-300x135.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/flores-cannabis-1-768x346.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Differences_between_THC_and_THCA\"><\/span>Differences between THC and THCA<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s true that it may seem that THC and THCA are the same thing, and technically they are. They both come from the same plant and their <strong>chemical structure is almost identical<\/strong>, but they still have different properties since one of them has been \u201cmutated\u201d through a chemical process.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thus, we could start saying that <strong>THCA hasn\u2019t got the psychoactive effects that THC has<\/strong> <strong>as that well-known \u2018high\u2019 is obtained from combustion<\/strong>, for example, when smoking weed. T<strong>hat\u2019s why THCA is exclusively found in the fresh cannabis plant<\/strong>, while THC is born when decarboxylated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yet, as <strong>THCA is a weak activator of the CB1 and CB2 receptors<\/strong>, it may provide some soothing and neurological effects;&nbsp; while <strong>THC is a stronger activator of CB1 receptor<\/strong>, which has a direct influence on the brain and the nervous system, providing different benefits such as <strong>relaxation, easing sleep, promoting appetite, etc<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\" id=\"thc-and-thca\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.growbarato.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/THC-y-THCA-1.png\" alt=\"thc and thca\" class=\"wp-image-127234\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/THC-y-THCA-1.png 1000w, https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/THC-y-THCA-1-300x135.png 300w, https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/THC-y-THCA-1-768x346.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"THCA_benefits\"><\/span>THCA benefits<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>At the present, <strong>there are no established medical applications with THCA,<\/strong> however, it is <strong>sometimes encapsulated and taken as a supplement<\/strong> for some illnesses and conditions. In fact, some of the uses are: helping with weight loss, relieving joint and muscle pain and easing nausea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It may seem that THCA doesn\u2019t have any real benefits because all the <strong>medicinal and therapeutic properties<\/strong> are <strong>released when this compound is transformed <\/strong>into its psychoactive version. That\u2019s why tetrahydrocannabinol is used for treating multiple diseases as it relieves most of the symptoms in <strong>cancer or Parkinson\u2019s disease <\/strong>among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_take_THCA\"><\/span>How to take THCA<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>THCA can be <strong>obtained by extracting the resin of the cannabis flowers<\/strong> without using any heating source. So, the best way to consume this compound is in<strong> pure crystalline extracts<\/strong>, which <strong>can be added to edibles, drinks or even mixed with oils and tinctures or creams<\/strong>, as long as they are not warm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember that <strong>applying heat may result in a chemical change of the molecular structure<\/strong> of this compound. That\u2019s why THCA and THC are considered different despite having the same origin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_THCA_legal\"><\/span>Is THCA legal?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In regards to the legal status of THCA, this substance is <strong>not scheduled by the United Nations and either at a federal level in the USA<\/strong> as it is not a \u201cdrug\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>However, it could be considered an analog of THC<\/strong>, so it is better to check the current laws of your country, state or province in order to not commit an offense and accidentally get in trouble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now you know a little bit more about chemistry and the difference between THC and THCA. In summary, both compounds are related since <strong>THCA is the previous stage of THC before being heated<\/strong>. We hope this article helped to better understand the cannabis terminology and the basic properties of these similar but different cannabis substances.<\/p>\n<div style='text-align:center' class='yasr-auto-insert-visitor'><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Some of the most common questions are what THC is and why it produces a high when it\u2019s consumed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":127213,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":"","yasr_overall_rating":0,"yasr_post_is_review":"","yasr_auto_insert_disabled":"","yasr_review_type":"BlogPosting","footnotes":""},"categories":[256,255],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-122326","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-marijuana-news","category-medical-cannabis"],"yasr_visitor_votes":{"stars_attributes":{"read_only":false,"span_bottom":false},"number_of_votes":1,"sum_votes":5},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/122326","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=122326"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/122326\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":127241,"href":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/122326\/revisions\/127241"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/127213"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=122326"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=122326"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=122326"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}