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Cannabis is a psychoactive drug from the cannabis plant. It is composed of components called cannabinoids. They coordinate with our body through a specific system called ESC (endocannabinoid system).
THC, or Tetrahydrocannabinol is the major psychoactive component and one of the 113 cannabinoids recognized in cannabis. Before THC is formed, an acid-type cannabinoid is formed in raw and live cannabis that is THCA (tetrahydrocannabinol acid).
THCA is acidic and doesn’t give you the high, while THC is the psychoactive form of the compound. Let’s take a look at how it affects our brains.
What Happens Inside Our Brain and Body After Ingesting THCA?
Let’s say you have ingested one of the gummies from any THCA-selling shops like Earthy Select, what happens now?
We have THCA receptor sites in our bodies. The activation of CB1 and CB2, which are linked with THC, are present in our defensive system, mainly the brain.
THCA is unable to link to our brains, and so for the THCA to work, it activates the FAAH (fatty acid amide hydrolase), which is the enzyme responsible for the breakdown of an endocannabinoid called anandamide.
Anandamide (ANA), also known as N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA), an N-acyl ethanolamine (NAE), is a fatty acid neurotransmitter. The combination of FAAH enzyme and THCA increases the level of anandamide that helps to regulate mood, pain, memory, etc.
THCA does not bind to these receptors but rather modulates their activity indirectly. For instance, THCA can inhibit an enzyme called FAAH (fatty acid amide hydrolase), which breaks down an endocannabinoid called anandamide. Anandamide is a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, pain, appetite, memory, and more. By inhibiting FAAH, THCA can increase the levels of anandamide in our body and enhance its effects.
Some other receptor sites are not related to ESC, but they play a vital role in biological processes that THCA activates. For example, TRPA1 regulates pain, swelling, and thermal sensation after the stimulation that occurs by THCA. It is also helpful in reducing pain and inflammation.
Furthermore, the activation of the PPARγ receptor (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma) is also controlled by THCA. It assures the normal functioning of DNA, breaking down large molecules into smaller inflammations. With the help of PPARγ, THCA guards our brain by keeping it away from oxidative stress, inflammation, or neurodegenerative diseases.
How Does THCA Affect the Brain?
When cannabis is inhaled or consumed via a product from somewhere like Perfect Plant Market Online Dispensary, the components that are present in it are absorbed in the bloodstream with the help of the lungs, and then they are spread into our body, reaching the most sensitive part of the human body, the human brain. The immediate and delayed effects depend upon the method of intake of THCA.
Also, the compounds, along with this medicinal drug, are taken into our body a lot because they can change the impacts of this drug on the human body. Usually, it is grouped with THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).
Immediate effects: If inhaled directly, the consumer will experience rapid effects such as a sense of joy(euphoria), increased hunger, and hyperesthesia, which is heightened sensory perception. This will only take 5-10 minutes for its reaction to our body. This reaction is highly linked with the interaction of THCA and THC with the endocannabinoid system in the brain.
Delayed effects: When cannabis compounds are used in food and drinks, the onset effect will be slower. This will take between 30 minutes to 1 hour after consumption. This happens because of the metabolic activity in our stomach. When THC is smoked, its ratio is comparatively larger than when it is taken orally. Because of the delayed reactions, people often take larger amounts of THC in their bodies, which can be harmful to their health.
Being a precursor of THC, it is incapable of activating receptor sites in the brain as THC. Here are some advantages of THCA:
Neuroprotection: Neuroprotection refers to the mechanisms and strategies employed to defend the central nervous system (CNS) against injury due to both acute (e.g., trauma or stroke) and chronic neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Dementia, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Epilepsy, Huntington’s disease, etc.).
These neuroprotective qualities are activated by THCA that work via inhibition of inflammatory processes and cell death, reduction of oxidative stress, and free radicals.
Cognition: Cognition refers to a range of mental processes relating to acquiring, storing, manipulating, and retrieving information. It underpins many daily activities in health and disease across the age span.
THCA helps in the smooth working of the brain’s cognition function. It regulates neurogenesis (the growth of new brain cells) and synaptic plasticity (the ability of brain cells to communicate and adapt). It also minimizes the negative effects of TCH by keeping the amount of THCA low in the brain.
Mood: THCA is also known as a bliss drug because it can help regulate our positive mood. It lessens the rate of anxiety and depression in our mind by the receptor site 5-HT1A, which controls the emotional activities in our body like anger, frustration, worry, etc.
Antiemetic effects: During chemotherapy, it is used for treating nausea and vomiting in the body of cancer patients due to its antiemetic effects that can reduce complications during treatment, and, as such, it can help patients to gain back their appetite, which helps with energy, strength and overall healing.
Anti-inflammatory: When used with other cannabinoids like CBD and TCH, it behaves like an anti-inflammation medicine for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis because it not only calms the mind but can really aid in calming the body also.
Anti-proliferative agent: THCA also works as an anti-proliferative agent against prostate cancer that reduces the progression of cancer cells.
What Products Are Available for Consumers Who Want to Experience the Effects of THCA?
Here are some products enriched with THCA.
- Raw cannabis juice: THCA is present in the leaves and flowers of cannabis. These two have dicarboxylic THC. For flavoring and taste, we can also add this cannabis juice with other fruit juices or teas, etc., to enhance its flavor and nutrition.
- THCA tinctures: THCA tincture is non-psychoactive like CBD tinctures and has a high volume of antioxidants and terpene. THCA is the acid-based precursor compound to THC. It is a liquid-type material that has a bitter and grassy taste. It also contains a small amount of alcohol that most people will avoid using.
The intake method of this tincture is very easy because no long processing time is required to prepare it for ingestion.
- THCA crystals: Crystals are the purest form of any liquid because these are made with the help of a solvent-based process. In this process, the extra components are removed or vaporized in this instance. Because these are the purest form of THCA, these crystals are highly enriched with the THCA compound with no flavor or odor.
As compared to other products, they are not easily available in the market because they are more expensive than their products. The process of forming crystals of THCA is very costly, so they are at a higher price.
- THCA flower: The intake of THCA flower is the most natural and affordable way to intake this drug. This flower comprises of two products with a percentage of 0.3% THC and 30% THCA. It contains a high amount of THCA, making it easy to vape and smoke.
The flower can also be used in making edibles, which many find much more favorable.
Conclusion
THCA is a useful cannabinoid that gives you the benefits without giving you the high. The body absorbs the health benefits of THCA through a raw method of consumption, such as cannabis juicing.
THCA can have anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects on people. It has also been suggested by some studies to reduce nausea and vomiting. This biological drug helps us maintain various bodily functions, like mode regulation and neurogenesis.