2024 Cannabinoid Matchup: THCA vs. CBD

The hemp industry has grown a lot in the past decade, as more and more cannabinoids hit the market. It’s easy to remember when the hemp plant was all about CBD, its dominant chemical compound, but now we have a wealth of psychoactive yet legal cannabinoids to explore, and one of the most unique cannabinoids to hit the market is THCA. We’re going to compare THCA and CBD to help you understand what each one brings to the table.

What is THCA (Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid)?

THCA is the acidic and raw precursor to delta THC (delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol), and it’s the dominant chemical compound in weed, while also naturally occurring in hemp. THCA is pre-decarboxylated, which means that it’s yet to be heated to a specific temperature that converts it into delta 9 THC. Once exposed to the right amount of heat, THCA’s chemical structure transforms, and it turns into delta 9. THCA and delta 9 have different properties and effects from one another.

What’s the High Like?

In its pre-decarboxylated form, THCA cannot intoxicate, because raw cannabinoids have different chemical structures from their post-decarboxylated counterparts. THCA is unable to attach to the brain’s CB1 receptors like delta 9, and it’s those receptors that are responsible for the high we get from THC.

What this means is that specific types of THCA products like tinctures and gummies won’t get you high, because the THCA does not undergo heating as part of the process of using these products. But, for products that must be heated to be consumed, like THCA flower, THCA dabs, and THCA vapes, the cannabinoid decarboxylates and converts into delta 9 THC, and so what you’re actually experiencing is the high of THC, which is the same as the THC high you get from marijuana.

Does THCA Have Benefits?

The THCA products that you’ll find on the market largely come in vape, flower, and concentrate form, which means that the benefits you could experience aren’t caused by THCA, but by delta 9 THC. And, luckily, delta 9 THC has been studied extensively for many decades now, and thus, is one of the most well-understood cannabis compounds of all-time.

Because of that, we’re pretty clear on its potential benefits, which include:

• Anti-inflammatory effects
• Anxiolytic effects
• Antiemetic effects
• Appetite-boosting effects
• Neuroprotective effects
• Analgesic effects
• Sleep-enhancing effects

Does THCA Have Side Effects?

You can get side effects from pretty much anything, but the good news is that with THCA products, the potential side effects are known to be mild and non-life-threatening, not to mention short-lived. THCA and delta 9 THC are nontoxic to the human system, which is good to keep in mind. The side effects you might experience after taking a THCA product are:

• Dry mouth
• Dry eyes
• Dizziness
• Forgetfulness
• Drowsiness
• Clumsiness
• Paranoia
• Anxiety

Now, keep in mind that these side effects are largely dose-dependent, and tolerance-dependent. In other words, the higher your dose, the more likely you’ll experience side effects, and the same applies to those who have a low tolerance. So, the key to avoiding them is simply pacing yourself by taking a relatively low dose if you’re a beginner, and then working your way up.

Who Would Prefer THCA?

Of course, THCA’s biggest appeal comes from the fact that it offers a legal workaround to restrictions on delta 9 THC, as federal law prohibits products that contain more than 0.3% delta 9 THC, but has no restrictions on THCA whatsoever, despite the fact that most THCA products that you’ll find for purchase are intended to provide you with a high dose of delta 9.

What is CBD (Cannabidiol)?

CBD is cannabidiol, the dominant chemical compound in the hemp plant. CBD was discovered around the same time as delta 9 THC, in the early 1940s. CBD is a post-decarboxylated cannabinoid, rather than a raw one, as CBD results from CBDA being exposed to a specific level of heat.

What’s the High Like?

It turns out that CBD is wholly nonintoxicating. The cannabinoid does not have the capability to attach to the same cannabinoid receptors as THC cannabinoids, and it does not attach to receptors that are associated with the high we get from cannabis. This means that no matter how much CBD you consume, you will not be intoxicated.

Does CBD Have Benefits?

Like THCA/delta 9 THC, CBD has a host of potential benefits that come from its interaction with the body’s cannabinoid receptors, largely in the nervous system and immune system. CBD, like delta 9, has been studied quite a lot over the years for its benefits, which include:

• Anti-inflammatory effects
• Anxiolytic effects
• Analgesic effects
• Appetite-boosting effects
• Sleep-enhancing effects
• Neuroprotective effects
• Anti-nausea effects

As you can see, these effects are basically the same ones we get from delta 9. But, because CBD is nonintoxicating, it’s a good alternative as you can get these benefits without getting high, if that’s something that you’re trying to avoid.

Does CBD Have Side Effects?

Like THCA, CBD may cause certain mild, ultimately non-concerning side effects, like:

• Dry mouth
• Dry eyes
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness

Who Would Prefer CBD?

CBD is not a recreational cannabinoid since it doesn’t produce a high. People use CBD because of the many potential benefits that it can offer, as taking it daily can improve many ways in which a person feels, both mentally and physically. Basically, if you want benefits associated with cannabis without getting high, CBD is your cannabinoid.

CBD or THCA: Which Cannabinoid is Right for You?

Basically, both CBD and THCA are totally worthwhile cannabinoids to explore, for different reasons. Both can give you pretty similar benefits, but THCA products have the distinction of offering an unlimited delta 9 high, legally. And, there’s no reason why you’d have to pick just one. The CBD products and the THCA products you’ll find at The Calm Leaf offer you the ability to pick and choose between all kinds of formulations, strains, product types, and more, to explore what both of these cannabinoids are about.