Users experimenting with the different compounds that make up cannabis are curious about THCa – tetrahydrocannbinolic acid and whether it creates a high when consumed.
THCa is a non-psychoactive precursor found in the raw cannabis plant. The compound has the potential to transform into THC when heated or with decarboxylation. This can also happen naturally over time as cannabis dries and ages, but decarboxylation is a much more rapid process.
That can occur when smoking a THCa flower, vaping, or when cooking with the product. While THCa itself doesn’t cause a high, the potential for it to convert into THC with exposure to heat means the consumption method can activate psychoactive effects.
Understanding the distinction is key for users searching for cannabis products that offer certain benefits such as alleviating symptoms without psychoactive effects.
Reputable and qualified suppliers who source THCa flower and other products will address questions and concerns so you can make the most informed decision to meet your needs and preferences.
Does THCa Get You High
THCa – Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid is found naturally in the cannabis plant. The compound is non-psychoactive unlike its counterpart THC – tetrahydrocannabinol. This means it doesn’t produce the same euphoric high THC is known for.
Its molecular structure doesn’t allow it to bind effectively with the brain’s CB1 receptors, which are responsible for cannabis psychoactive effects. When THCa encounters heat, the carboxyl group is removed by converting the compound into THC.
Determining how long THCa stays in your system depends on a few factors such as use frequency, consumption method, and metabolism rate. While THC has been well studied to determine the length of time it remains detectable in the body, the specifics are less known about THCa.
When it converts through to THC the longevity depends on the THC instead of the THCa.
On its own THCa does not produce high since it doesn’t readily bind to the brain’s CB1 cannabinoid receptors These are responsible for the psychoactive response.
When converted to THC, psychoactive effects can be induced. Heating the compound removes a carboxyl group, transforming THCa into THC and making it psychoactive.
It’s after conversion that THCa can potentially bind with brain receptors. Visit – Does THCA Get You High? How It Compares to Delta-9 & Delta-8 – to learn if THCa gets you high.
Different Decarboxylation Techniques
Decarboxylation is a critical process for activating the psychoactive potential in THCa, the non-psychoactive precursor found in raw cannabis. Understanding the different methods of decarboxylation can help users tailor their experience whether smoking the flower or creating potent edibles.
Most want to ensure maximum effectiveness when consuming the products. There are several methods for heating THCa.
- Oven: This is the most common heating method, which involves grinding the compound and evenly spreading it over a baking sheet. The oven should be preset between 220 and 245F for between 30 and 45 minutes.
- Boiling water: The product can be sealed in a waterproof bag and boiled. The compound will slowly heat as water will boil at a temp of 212F for a few hours.
- Slow cooker: Infuse the compound with oil or butter and heat it in a slow cooker over a low heat for several hours. This is an effective way to decarboxylate without burning the product.
- Microwave: Microwaving is a faster, albeit less precise method involving heating the dried product in short spurts until it decarboxylates.
- Sun drying: Exposing the compound to the heat of the sun over an extended period will naturally decarboxylate THCa. This is a less reliable method and relies heavily on the weather conditions.
Becoming familiar with the varied decarboxylation methods enables users to activate THCa in cannabis, optimizing the efficacy and its benefits.
Consuming THCa Without the Potential for a High
When you want to consume THCa without the potential for it to convert into THC, it’s important to avoid decarboxylation or heating the compound. That means refraining from smoking THCa flower or vaping, consuming the product in forms that don’t involve heat, such as the following.
- Juicing: Among the most popular choices for consuming THCa without getting high is to juice raw cannabis buds and leaves. The plant is never heated, preserving the compound in its natural state.
- Eating raw cannabis: Eating the buds and leaves offer great benefits without psychoactive effects. These can be easily added to salads and enjoyed naturally.
- Tinctures: Some manufacturers offer THCa tinctures created using cold extraction methods to avoid converting THCa into its psychoactive counterpart. These are typically administered sublingually.
- Isolates/crystals: These are extracted from the cannabis plant without using heat and are pure THCa. They can be consumed in their existing form or added to food.
Some people prefer to consume THCa without experiencing psychoactive effects, no intoxication and not getting high. It’s ideal for them as they want to maintain clarity as they manage symptoms associated with fatigue and stress. THC can provide those benefits without adverse effects.
Does THCa Show Up on a Drug Test
THCa does not show up on most standard drug tests, many of which are designed to detect THC. THCa will convert to THC when encountering heat. Standard drug tests typically look for THC metabolites.
These are compounds produced when the body processes THC.
THCa generally doesn’t produce the metabolites that these drug tests look for. Still, users should be cautious for a few reasons.
- Decarboxylation can accidentally occur. If the product is stored improperly or exposed to heat, the compound can convert to psychoactive THC, leading to the possibility of detection on a drug test.
- Cannabis products can contain trace amounts of THC due to manufacturing processes or cross-contamination and this can be detected by a standard drug test.
- Highly sensitive drug tests can indirectly detect high levels of THCa ass an indication of cannabis use. This is rare.
It’s vital to consider these nuances if you’re concerned about an upcoming drug test and are using products containing THCa especially if you’re in an environment where drug tests are routine.
Final Thought
THCa products offer users a compound that can be non-psychoactive to achieve wellness benefits without adverse effects or by simply heating the product to convert it into THC users can harness the unique intoxicating and therapeutic qualities of THC. A favored method of consumption is smoking the THCa flower since many people prefer the psychoactive quality.
