When you search on google, you will find that the resources is so limited and most of them are telling the similar topic. Today, I read many articles about THCA and made a sorting on properties and benefits of THCA, if you are busy, you can take a minute to know THCA and its benifits from here.
What is THCA
THC is derived from THCA, that means THCA can convert to THC, because THCA is THC’s acidic precursor cannabinoid molecule. THCA is found in fresh, live plants and flowers. It is biosynthesized via the enzyme THCA synthase in the glandular trichomes of leaves and flowers from the compound CBGA. After drying, aging, light exposure or heating, it decarboxylates to its neutral non-acidic form, THC. In the past, people thought THCA was formed in plants by cyclization of cannabidiolic acid. On following studies, it was evidenced that its precursor is cannabigerolic acid, which goes through oxidocyclization through the actions of the enzyme THCA-synthase. THCA is unstable, and slowly decarboxylates into THC during storage, and the THC itself slowly degrades to CBN, found with potential immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory activities. When heated or burned, the temperatures definitely over 140°C, in this time, 30% to 70% of THCA converts to THC , the decarboxylation is rapid but not complete. That means THCA is not use on smoking. If you smoke or vaporize raw cannabis, you will lose the THCA.
The Benefits of THCA
According to studies,THCA is non-intoxicating and not psychoactive. In part, people think it has less binding at the CB1 or CB2 receptors, because of its increased water solubility, it makes less readily diffuses across the blood-brain barrier. However, regardless of its cannabinoid receptor activity, there are other areas and receptors in the body that respond to THCA. These give THCA anti-inflammatory properties, as well as helping to protect your nervous system called neuroprotective properties, and even some studies that found THCA may have anti-cancer properties also called antineoplastic properties.
According to studies, THCA's benefits also have many as other cannabinoid do as below:
Inflammation: As well as other cannabinoids, THCA mimics the effects of the body’s natural endocannabinoids that help calm inflammatory processes. This means that with further study, potential THCA's benefits could include its use as an anti-inflammatory medication.
Anticonvulsant: In 2017, researchers published a peer-reviewed article in the journal Epilepsy and Behavior that described how THCA may be used in combination with CBD for patients with epilepsy. In the patients that found relief with the THCA combination, doctors found that small doses were most effective. They also found that smaller doses of THCA were needed to get the same effects as larger doses of THC.
Neuroprotective: Research is also ongoing to better understand THCA’s neuroprotective properties. In a study on brain cell degeneration and Parkinson’s disease, THCA, THC, and CBD all demonstrated the ability to increase cell counts and protect neurons. Another study pointed out that THCA's benefits include “potent neuroprotective activity” and suggested that it be considered in treatment for Huntington’s disease, as well as other neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases.
Anti-emetic: THC has long been used as an anti-nausea medication for people undergoing chemotherapy, but studies are revealing that THCA may be an even better choice. Not only is THCA more effective at treating nausea and vomiting, it can do so without the psychoactive effects caused by THC.
