Before I delve into the benefits of THCA, I wanted to quickly define this cannabinoid so anyone reading has a full understanding of the topic being discussed. While we can’t enjoy all the benefits of it, considering the legality of it, the cannabis plant is seen as a superfood, which can be included raw in smoothies to add a real health kick.
What Is THCA?
THCA, or Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, is the precursor to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and is found in the cannabis plant. It is non-toxicating, unlike THC, therefore it won’t get you ‘high’. When the plant is dried, the THCA will transform into THC, however you can also see this achieved with heating it through decarboxylation.
4 Benefits Of THCA
I just want to quickly highlight that there are limited test studies on this subject, therefore more research is required to state anything 100%, however the benefits below are based on the findings from a number of test studies. I also want to state that I’m not personally saying you will gain the benefits below, but that they are areas highlighted through testing.
1) Anti-Inflammatory
THCA contains anti-inflammatory properties, which can help treat various issues such as lupus or arthritis. This is also a reason they are sometimes highlighted as a way to tackle chronic pain and muscle spasms, as well as cramp. You can read more about the subject here.
2) Neuroprotectant
THCA is a brilliant neuroprotectant, which in layman terms means protecting against loss of neurons and defending the neuronal structure. This is crucial when we think about health issues that arise as we age. Beyond this, it can also help to stimulate hunger in patients, which can be critical for those on medication and failing to eat enough during the day.
3) Treatment Against Nausea
If you are going through serious treatment, then you may suffer from nausea or vomiting, however a number of cannabinoids have been shown to have positive results in treating these issues. These are known as anti-emetic and is the reason above for also dealing with appetite loss.
4) Anti-proliferative
I know, another long word, but this basically means it can be used to inhibit cell growth, which can be critical for dealing with various health issues. This study highlighted the inhibited cell viability in test subjects and supported a clear conclusion that it could be used for clinical testing.
As with everything around the industry, there is such a lack of research and clinical tests taken, we are merely scratching the surface of what is possible and through education and media attention we should see THCA researched further. There are significant results being shown in relation to dealing with epilepsy and preventing seizures, such as in this test.
How Do I Supplement With THCA?
The most common form of consumption is via vaping dabs, however it should be stated that this is only possible in countries where it is legal to consume unfortunately. The crystallines are found within the plant and extracted, followed by decarboxylation which transforms THCA into THC. Of course, you can get THCA heated and transformed before being consumed via vape pens, vaporising or smoking. Then again, if you have access to the raw plant, you could just have a chew or blend it into a juice or a smoothie.
