Understanding THCA vs. THC
But, in order to grasp how smoking THCA differs, one really needs to know at least a little about what makes THCA so different from THC in the first place.
| Compound | Psychoactive Effects | Presence in Cannabis |
|---|---|---|
| THCA | Non-psychoactive | Raw cannabis plants |
| THC | Psychoactive | Decarboxylated cannabis |
THCA: The Precursor
THCA is abundantly present in raw cannabis plants and is regarded as the forerunner to THC. In its raw form, THCA does not have psychoactive effects. What that means is that raw cannabis use—like putting it in salads or smoothies—does not cause one to get “high” from the THCA.
THCA needs a process called decarboxylation for it to be converted to THC. Decarboxylation occurs when cannabis is exposed to heat, light, or prolonged storage. As the cannabis is heated, the THCA loses its carboxyl group — COOH — converting itself into THC.
Decarboxylation can happen in a few ways:
- Smoke/vaporize cannabis
- Bake most cannabis edibles
- Expose cannabis to direct sunlight over long periods of time
Smoking THCA: Will It Get You High?
Now, to the real question: Does smoking THCA get you high? Yes, it does, but not directly.
When you smoke cannabis, the heat from the combustion process decarboxylates THCA into THC. This is how THC works within the endocannabinoid system of your body to create the psychoactive effects associated with being “high.”
It is a fact, however, that smoking does not really convert all THCA into THC. Some might remain unconverted, and some THC is lost together with the high temperatures involved during combustion.
| Smoking Temperature | THCA to THC Conversion Efficiency |
|---|---|
| Below 300°F | No conversion |
| 300°F – 400°F | Partial conversion |
| 400°F – 450°F | Optimum THCA to THC conversion range |
| Above 450°F | Possible THC degradation |
A working temperature of between of 400°F and 450°F is generally recommended for smoking cannabis, so that THCA gets optimally converted to THC, and one does not lose any THC.
Other Ways of Consumption
While smoking THCA-rich cannabis will convert the THCA to THC, causing psychoactive effects, some other ways of consumption involve decarboxylation before ingestion.
- Vaporization: Vaporizers heat cannabis to a temperature that allows the THCA to undergo decarboxylation and release THC-rich vapor without combustion by-products.
- Edibles: When preparing cannabis edibles, one needs to decarboxylate the cannabis with heat before adding it in the recipes. In this way, THCA turns into THC before being ingested.
- Tinctures: Cannabis tinctures can also be prepared from decarboxylated cannabis. Through these means, THC can be ingested into the body and brains without the inconvenience of smoking or vaporizing it.
Conclusion
In summary, smoking THCA does get a person high, but not directly. Rather, it is decarboxylated by the heat from smoking to THC, which then induces its psychoactive effects. The effectiveness, however, may vary in response to temperature during smoking—ideally, between 400°F and 450°F.
Significantly, however, THCA cannabis production only ever shows up psychoactively active when smoked. Alternative ways of consuming the cannabinoid include steps to decarboxylate before consumption, like vaporizing, edibles, and tinctures.
As with any cannabis use, it’s important to start low and go slow—to really listen to your body to find that balance that works for you. Always be responsible with your cannabis use and follow local laws and regulations regarding cannabis use.
