Is THCA Psychoactive?

Have you been staying up to date on the hemp industry?  If so, it’s likely that you’re hearing a lot about tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) at the moment.  The raw form of THC, which exists in raw cannabis, THCA is making its way into all kinds of familiar product types, like vapes, flower, concentrates (dabs, wax, shatter, crumble, etc.), and even edibles (gummies, candies, baked goods, capsules, etc.).

Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid exists before the plant is decarboxylated – basically, a term that describes heating the cannabinoid to convert THCA into THC, aka delta 9 THC.  Decarboxylating cannabis “activates” the psychoactive effects of the plant, because one THCA becomes THC – a cannabinoid which has the ability to intoxicate.

But, that’s also where things get confusing.  You see, some THCA products are gonna get you high, and some aren’t, depending on the product form – more specifically, how that product is going to be used.  There really is no way around this.  

Still, allow us to elaborate, as that way, you can understand this point a bit more clearly.  Afterall, we are fully aware that the very nature of THCA can leave some hemp enthusiasts completely bewildered.

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Can THCA Get Me High?

The key to whether or not THCA can get you high all comes down to how you’re actually taking it.  Like we said, THCA is non-intoxicating before it’s decarboxylated (heated to the threshold temperature), and intoxicating after it is decarboxylated, because in that instance, THCA just turns into delta 9 THC, the cannabinoid we all know for its psychoactive properties.

If you’re consuming a THCA product that does not require heating to be used, then you’re not going to get high.  Instead, you’ll still be taking THCA, not delta 9, and experiencing the positive benefits associated with tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, which are completely unique from THC.  These product types include gummies, capsules, and tinctures, where THCA remains THCA no matter what.

But, then there are products that must be heated in order to be consumed.  Those products include flower, vapes, and dabs, all of which use a heat source to convert the product into smoke or vapor, thus bringing THCA hemp to the necessary temperature to turn it into delta 9 THC.  

So, flower, vapes, and dabs are going to provide your body with delta 9 THC, and not THCA.  Those products, naturally, will get you high.

What Affects That Type of High and How Will It Feel Like?

Now, let’s assume you’re taking a THCA product like flower, a vaping product, or a dab (concentrate) that does, ultimately, mean that you’re actually taking delta 9 THC.  In that case, how high will you get, and what will the high feel like?  Most of us have a pretty good idea of what delta 9’s high is like, since it’s the most popular cannabinoid of all time, but still, a surprising number of factors can heavily influence how you experience it. 

Keep in mind that from this point on, we’ll refer to THCA as delta 9 THC, because in the case of these products, you’re getting high off of delta 9, as THCA is no longer present in the product after it’s reached a certain temperature.

#1: Your System 

Something to know about the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) is that each person’s is well… unique.  Some individuals just present higher sensitivity to cannabinoids – meaning that one person may get much ‘more high’ off of delta 9 THC, or any cannabinoid, than the next person.  Besides that, you might find that delta 9 brings out a more euphoric experience when you take it, while your friend finds it strictly sedating.

#2: How Much You End Up Taking 

It goes without saying that the higher your THC dose, the more intoxicated you’ll get.  Overall, we suggest that someone taking the cannabinoid for the first time starts with a relatively low dose, as per the directions on the product’s label, and increases their dose gradually as they build their tolerance. 

#3: The Strain Used within That Said Product

The strain refers to the breed of the hemp plant, with its own unique configuration of cannabinoids and terpenes.  The configuration of these compounds determines the effects you’ll feel, since each compound has different properties, and the more prominent compounds are the ones that are going to influence your high the most.  For example, indica strains have higher levels of myrcene, a calming terpene, which is why they can be somewhat sedating.  Sativa strains are more uplifting and energizing, and then there are hybrid strains, which mix a sativa and an indica together to give you more of a balance between the two.

#4: What Kind of Mood You’re in 

People can underestimate just how much their high is affected by their state of mind going into it.  That’s because cannabinoids work with the neurotransmitters in our brains – the chemicals that have an effect on how happy we are, how stressed we are, how optimistic we are and so on.  Some people find that, for example, if they’re already in a really good mood, THC’s more euphoric side can really come out.

#5: A Product’s Overall Freshness

This goes without saying: the fresher the THCA product is, the more potent the THC will be:

• Flower and dabs both have a shelf life of roughly 6 months.
• Vapes a bit longer – up to 2 years, thanks to the nature of distillate.  

Basically, the longer the product has been sitting around, chances are higher that the key compounds have started degrading, thus causing their potency to gradually deteriorate.  

#6: How Much THCA is in the Product 

Since THCA distillate is infused into THCA products, the amount of THCA can vary between different products and manufacturers.  Look at the third-party lab reports of a flower product, which will tell you what percentage of the chemical composition of the product is made up of THCA.

#7: How You’re Experiencing the Product   

Each product type is going to give you a different experience, so allow us to break down the 3 product types that convert THCA into THC.

• Smoking: Smoking is known to produce slightly stronger effects than vaping, because smoke is denser than vapor due to its lower water content, and this carries the compounds in the product more efficiently into the body.
• Vaping: Vaping is also very bioavailable, since you’re still inhaling the compounds, but possibly a bit less potent than smoking, since vapor contains more water than smoke.
• Dabbing: Dabs are highly concentrated products, like wax, shatter, etc.  THCA dabs will get you likely a lot higher than the other two products, because the concentration of THCA is very high by comparison. 

How You Use THCA Matters More Thank You Think!

Overall, tetrahydrocannabinolic acid may or may not get you high – it comes down to the product type – determines whether or not that THCA is getting converted into THC through decarboxylation.  Essentially, if you want to get high off of THCA, opt for flower, vapes, or dabs, which mean that you’re actually consuming delta 9, and not a raw cannabinoid.  

Binoid’s amazing selection of THCA products offer a legal and effective way to enjoy delta 9 THC, through the use of THCA distillate.

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