Kratom vs. THCA: How Do They Measure Up Against One Another?

When it comes to possibly finding relief from things like stress, physical discomfort, and poor concentration, we’re seeing a huge resurgence in natural solutions derived from mother nature. At The Calm Leaf, we’ve embraced all kinds of natural products that have been shown to offer a number of beneficial properties. In fact, we want to focus on two in particular today: kratom and THCA, both of which have taken the natural wellness market by storm.

Contender #1: Kratom

Kratom refers to the dried, ground up leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree, an evergreen tree which grows in Southeast Asia, and is related to coffee. The leaves of the tree are rich in alkaloids that contain properties which can change how we feel, both mentally and physically. Taking kratom allows these alkaloids to affect our opioid receptors, which have the job of regulating our pain tolerance, mood, and more.

Kratom naturally exists in numerous strains, referring to the specific cultivar of the tree (which varies between different regions). It also comes in three “veins”, referring to the color of the leaf’s vein at the time of harvest. While the leaves mature, the color changes, and this indicates the maturity level and prominence of individual alkaloids in the leaf. This means that color of the vein can tell us how potent the product is, and which effects are the most prominent depending on which alkaloids are most abundant at any given time during the growth process.

Can I Get High off of Kratom?

Yes, you can get high off of kratom, as it binds to opioid receptors which can cause intoxication, similarly to opiates. How high you can get from kratom, and what kinds of psychoactive effects that can be experienced, will depend on the dosage, as coupled with the vein and the strain.

Is Kratom Legal?

Kratom is protected under federal law, as it’s never been illegal in the United States. However, a small number of states have prohibited it, and they are:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arkansas
• Hawaii
• Indiana
• Rhode Island
• Tennessee
• Vermont
• Wisconsin

Another thing to be mindful of is that kratom is banned in a handful of municipalities throughout the country, even in states where it’s legal otherwise. So, we urge you to check your state laws and local laws periodically to make sure kratom is still legal where you live, as this can change at any time.

Does Kratom Have Benefits?

Kratom hasn’t been on the US market for long, which means that medical researchers are only just starting to understand its full potential, and how it works with the human body. There are scientific papers which have been published though, for us to recognize that it has the potential to:

• Enhance energy, focus, and alertness
• Act as an anxiolytic
• Enhance mood
• Offers analgesic properties
• Improve sleep
• Decrease appetite

Does Kratom Have Side Effects?

As we see with lots of natural products, kratom does come with some side effect risks, especially when not taken as it’s supposed to according to the label, if you take too high of a dose, or if your body just doesn’t tolerate it because of your unique physiology. Side effects you might experience include:

• Nausea
• Drowsiness
• Impaired coordination
• Increased heartrate
• Dry mouth/thirst
• Irritability/confusion
• Potential overdose

What Kinds of Kratom Products are There?

You can buy kratom in various product forms, as it’s pretty easy to infuse the water-soluble kratom powder into any formula. Now, let’s go over the products you’re most likely to encounter:

• Kratom Powder: The dried and ground up leaves, which is the pure form of kratom. It can be added to liquids or any other kind of solution you prefer.
• Kratom Liquid Extracts: These are highly concentrated liquid kratom products that are taken like a shot to offer a fast-acting and very potent experience.
• Bottled Kratom Drinks: Bottled kratom beverages include soft drinks, sparkling water, and any other type of drink infused with kratom powder.
• Kratom Teas: Kratom tea is just kratom powder placed inside of a teabag, for an easy way to extract the alkaloids into hot water.
• Kratom Edibles: Kratom gummies and other kratom-infused edibles promote long-lasting effects that come on more gradually.
• Kratom Capsules: Taking kratom in capsule form can be convenient if you’re already used to taking supplements as part of a routine.
• Kratom Vapes: These are still quite new to the marketplace, but just like any vapes, they’re available in bottle E-Liquids to be used in compatible vape pens, as well as pre-filled cartridges that attach to any 511-threaded pen-style system and AIO (All-In-One) Disposable Vapes. Vaping kratom allows you to feel the effects within minutes, but the effects don’t last as long.
• Kratom Topicals: Kratom topicals are applied to the skin, so that the alkaloids absorb transdermally.

Contender #2: THCA

THCA, aka tetrahydrocannabinolic acid – the raw precursor cannabinoid to delta 9 THC, meaning that it exists in raw cannabis prior to decarboxylation – a fancy term for heating these compounds to a specific temperature so that they convert into their post-decarboxylated counterparts. THCA is abundant in cannabis, and once it’s heated it turns into delta 9, which is why we smoke cannabis flower to activate the THC cannabinoid.

The majority of THCA-based products you will see on the hemp marketplace are meant to undergo decarboxylation, so that they’re basically offering you a legal way to enjoy delta 9 THC in unlimited amounts. This is why most THCA products come in the forms of vapes, flower, and dabs. However, products that keep the THCA “as is” are also available, like gummies and tinctures, as THCA on its own can be beneficial in its own way.

Like we’ve seen with every cannabinoidin the cannabis plant, delta 9 THC binds to cannabinoid receptors (CB receptors) in the body, which mainly exist within the nervous system, and other bodily systems as well. Cannabinoid receptors require cannabinoids to regulate processes of the body through the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a system in every mammal that is tasked with maintaining homeostasis. This is why cannabinoids are associated with so many distinctive properties at the same time.

But, raw THCA does not bind to these receptors, as its acidic structure makes that impossible. Instead, tetrahydrocannabinolic acid works with other receptors in the body related to things like inflammation, serotonin production, appetite, and more.

Can I Get High off of THCA?

THCA is intoxicating only after it’s been decarboxylated – again, heated to turn into delta 9 THC. So, THCA flower, dabs, and vapes are all intoxicating, offering up what we know to be the high of delta 9 THC.

Is THCA Legal?

In 2018, the federal government passed the Farm Bill in the United States, to finally legalize the hemp plant. Under this new law, all hemp derivatives can be sold legally as long as they contain no more than 0.3% delta 9 THC by dry weight. All cannabinoids except delta 9 THC are therefore legal without restrictions, and that includes THCA. Despite being raw THC, THCA is not prohibited under federal law.

Still, states are permitted to prohibit certain cannabis-derived products, and some have enacted what’s known as the “total THC” law, meaning that a product may not contain more than 0.3% delta 9 THC + THCA. And, the legal landscape regarding THCA is changing fast from one state to the next, so we recommend checking your state laws to find out of THCA products are, in fact, legal where you live.

Does THCA Have Benefits?

Like we said, most THCA products are actually giving you delta 9 THC, and we know of many potential benefits associated with delta 9 THC, such as:

• Reduce stress levels
• Improve mood
• Offer analgesic properties
• Offer anti-inflammatory properties
• Reduce nausea
• Increase appetite
• Aid in sleep
• Support digestive and immune function
• Offer neuroprotective properties

Now, for products like THCA gummies and tinctures, which do not convert the THCA into delta 9, you can still get potential benefits. THCA attaches to receptors that regulate serotonin and the body’s inflammatory response, meaning that THCA may help with mood, discomfort, inflammation, appetite, nausea, sleep, and more.

Does THCA Have Side Effects?

Cannabis is deemed nontoxic to the body, and that applies to individual cannabinoids as well, THCA included. Cannabis has never been shown to cause major adverse events or life-threatening effects. However, if your tolerance is low or you take too high of a dose, you can end up with certain side effects. And, there are certain side effects that come with psychoactive cannabinoids, if you get too high, which only applies to “heatable” THCA products. The good news is that side effects reported are mild and short-lived, and include:

• Dry eyes
• Dry mouth
• Reduction in blood pressure
• Fatigue/drowsiness
• Increased appetite
• Paranoia/anxiety
• General impairment
• Forgetfulness/fogginess

What Kinds of THCA Product Types are There?

THCA comes in amultitude of product types that are all worth exploring including:

• Vapes (Disposables and Cartridges): Vaping THCA offers a fast-acting and potent way to get in a nice serving of your favorite cannabinoid, along with a nice selection of strains, all while being convenient, travel-friendly, and discreet. Again, this type of product is giving you delta 9, not THCA.
• Edibles: Edibles like gummies produce long-lasting effects with a gradual onset.
• Concentrates (aka “Dabs”): Concentrates are concentrated cannabis products that are dabbed – that is, flash-vaporized at a high temperature using a special “dabbing” device – for an ultra-powerful and fast-acting experience. This is another product that is ultimately giving you delta 9 THC.
• Flower: THCA flower refers to raw hemp flower buds cultivated to yield high THCA levels, and because flower must be heated to be consumed, you’re actually getting delta 9 THC. Flower comes in lots of strain choices, and it’s sold in the forms of loose buds as well as pre-rolls.
• Tinctures: Tinctures are bottled oils that are intended to be taken sublingually (below the tongue) to absorb quickly and offer long-lasting effects. They’re easy to take, and they come in a variety of milligram strengths.
• Beverages: THCA-infused beverages offer a faster absorption than edible products, and possibly more potency due to the fact that beverages are water-soluble.
• Capsules: Capsules infused with the cannabinoid are great for those who already take supplements in capsule form, and simply want to add cannabinoids to their regimen.

Kratom or THCA: What Type of Impact Do You Want to Experience?

Essentially, you can get lots of enjoyable effects from both kratom and THCA products, and they actually share a number of positive effects in common with one another. However, ultimately, they act in the body in totally different ways, and that’s why we encourage you to check both of them out at The Calm Leaf. We carry all kinds of strengths, product types, formulations, strains, and more. That way, you can really finetune your experience with both substances in order to experience the full extent of what each one can offer. Check out our catalog today!