THCA has no effect, but THC does. That is the most significant relationship; THCA is the source of the psychoactive results of THC. When you vape, THCA is converted to THC, creating a transparent and highly cerebral effect. THC is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis that produces the “feeling of euphoria”.
THCA levels are exceptionally high in live or freshly harvested plants. Raw cannabis is a well-known superfood, and the parts that are extracted in juice can offer a higher amount of THCA. According to Weedmaps, “infused pre-rolls are pre-rolls that have been impregnated with cannabis concentrates. In addition to cannabis flower, an infused pre-roll can contain concentrates such as kief, hashish or rosin.
THCA stands for tetrahydrocannabinolic acid and is the precursor of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). When cannabis grows, it produces cannabinoids in the form of carboxylic acids, which are most often converted into non-acidic compounds through a process called decarboxylation. Almost all cannabinoids start in their acidic form, which has different structures and effects than their non-acid versions. The main difference between CBD and THCa is that CBD is pharmacologically active and non-acidic, while THCA is acidic and is not considered pharmacologically active.
In fact, a study on THCA found that “THCA decarboxylates even when stored between 4 and 18 °C (39 and 64 °F), so THC contamination in THCA is almost inevitable. THCA is found in concentrates and, when crystalline, THCA can be extracted and consumed in its purest form. In fact, research on THCA has shown that THCA doesn't seem to bind much to either of the two main cannabinoid receptors.
