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- THCA is a compound that you find in raw, unheated cannabis plants.
- Though THCA is just unprocessed THC, THCA won't get you high the way that THC can.
- Consuming THCA can have a number of benefits like reducing inflammation and fighting nausea.
- Visit Insider's Health Reference library for more advice.
When you smoke weed or take edibles, you're consuming cannabis that has been heated in some way. Heat releases tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – the main compound in weed that makes you feel high.
But unheated THC is known as THCA, which comes from raw, unprocessed cannabis plants and won't make you high but may come with a number of health benefits.
That's why some people have taken to blending the raw cannabis into their morning smoothie or eating it like just another green vegetable.
Here's what you need to know about consuming THCA and its potential benefits and risks.
What is THCA?
THCA is THC that has not been heated or processed, says Eloise Theisen, MSN, RN, the assistant chair for the Medical Cannabis Certificate Program at Pacific College of Health and Science.
"When you harvest and grow the plant, you produce THCA, which is the precursor to THC. When it's heated, it becomes THC through decarboxylation," says Theisen. Decarboxylation refers to the carboxylic acid group being removed from THCA, thus converting to THC.
But unlike THC, THCA will not get you high. This is because the THCA molecule does not properly fit into cannabinoid receptors in our bodies, says Erik Smith, MD, medical practitioner with cannabis health tech platform Veriheal.
Think of cannabinoid receptors as locks that need a key to open. THCA isn't the right shape, so it won't open the door. But decarboxylation changes the shape of the THCA molecule, transforming it into a key that can unlock psychoactive effects.
How to use THCA
You can ingest THCA by simply eating raw cannabis buds. Of course, eating them straight probably wouldn't be pleasant, so here are some ways to consume raw cannabis, according to Smith:
- Juicing it (Smith says you can simply mix the cannabis with whatever fruits or vegetables you like to juice with)
- Adding it to smoothies
- Adding it to foods such as salads
You may also be able to find some THCA tinctures, Theisen says. However, these types of products are not as readily available as THC-rich products.
And if you do decide to consume your cannabis in a way that heats it up, such as smoking or vaping, you won't lose all of the THCA.
Theisen says about 20% of the THCA may remain, but this will vary depending on the heating temperature and time. More research is needed to fully understand how much THCA one actually consumes when cannabis is heated, as well as if this amount is effective enough to produce the intended benefits
Benefits of THCA
Though there is a lack of research on THCA, we do have some promising preliminary findings. THCA benefits may include:
Anti-inflammatory properties
Theisen says she's had patients successfully experience inflammation and pain relief, particularly inflammatory pain in large joints like the hips, knees, and shoulders by using THCA. "Most patients notice a difference with daily use and after a few weeks once the THCA has had a chance to build up in the system and start to reduce the inflammation," says Theisen.
A 2011 in vitro study found that THCA can inhibit prostaglandin production. Prostaglandins are chemical compounds in the body that cause inflammatory reactions. Additionally, a 2021 study conducted on mice with liver injury found that THCA significantly reduced inflammation in their livers.
Neuroprotective properties
Smith says THCA might have neuroprotective, or brain-protective, properties. Therefore, it may be helpful for preventing and treating conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease.
For example, a 2017 study found that THCA had neuroprotective properties in mice, who were injected with toxins, suggesting that it may have similar effects in humans. The THCA prevented degeneration in a certain region of the brain.
However, more research is needed. "The management of [these] disorders has not been facilitated in clinical practice. Much of this is theory and the medical cannabis community has not determined preventative or therapeutic protocols," says Smith.
Anti-nausea properties
A 2020 study found that THCA and CBDA (cannabidiolic acid) were effective in reducing chemotherapy-induced nausea in mice. It may also increase appetite, Smith says.
Risks of THCA
Since human studies regarding THCA are lacking, it's difficult to understand the short-term or long-term risks of the cannabinoid. Theisen says the main risks of THCA are related to the conversion to THC, especially if the user is not looking -- or expecting -- to get high.
"The risks are always dose-related, so the more someone consumes, the more likely they are to have side effects or adverse effects," says Theisen. Additionally, side effects are far more likely to occur when consuming cannabis when it's heated up, so the THCA converts to THC, rather than consuming it raw in a juice or smoothie, for example.
Theisen says side effects of THC may include:
Insider's takeaway
If you're looking for a remedy for conditions involving inflammation or nausea, or looking for neuroprotective effects, THCA may be helpful for you. If you don't want any of the psychoactive effects, your best bet is to consume raw flower rather than smoking or vaping it.
Still, experts cannot make hard conclusions about the usefulness of THCA due to the lack of research. "It is important to note that beyond animal studies, formally testing all cannabinoids in human models would provide the best understanding of its properties, safety, and efficacy of THCA," says Smith.