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BackWe know, by now, the hemp space has lots of different THC forms and isomers. However, there is one specific cannabinoid that’s been getting a lot of popularity due to its potential. THCA, known as tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, is one of the most powerful concentrates, at least in theory.
How is this possible? Well, THCA is something like the precursor of delta 9 THC. When heated, this cannabinoid turns into delta 9 THC. So, THCA can be technically used as delta 9 THC for certain problematic symptoms like pain or general stress.
If you are interested in how THCA can help with sleep and other symptoms or diagnoses, we’ve prepared an article with information and insights about this. So if you want to know whether using THCA is a good choice to aid insomnia, read more down below.
Key Takeaways
- THCA is a non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis, and is considered to be one of the six major cannabinoids.
- This cannabinoid is considered the precursor of delta 9 THC, which is fully psychoactive, while THCA is not.
- THCA has potential health benefits, including reducing and preventing metabolic diseases, reducing inflammation, being anti-emetic, and aiding with pain management.
- The best way to use THCA for sleep is to use it when it converts to delta 9 THC, which can be added to joints or smoked like other concentrates.
What is THCA?
Let’s have a quick review of the basics. Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, shortened as THCA, is a non-psychoactive compound that’s naturally found in hemp plants. It is one of the six major cannabinoids found in cannabis and hemp, and it’s been surging in popularity due to its potential.
One of the major benefits science has reported is how it can potentially reduce and prevent metabolic diseases caused by obesity. This study found that the compound could actually aid fat mass in patients while also aiding with adipogenesis and preventing liver steatosis.
While more studies are needed, users have reported that this cannabinoid could also be useful for inflammation, being anti-emetic, and aiding with pain management in general.
What is the Difference Between THC and THCA, Anyway?
Well, this is something you have to understand before consuming THCA. This cannabinoid is something like the precursor of delta 9 THC while inside the hemp plant. The two compounds are fairly similar, yet THC is fully psychoactive, and THCA is not.
Inside the cannabis plant, THCA transforms into Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol when heat or light is applied. This dissolves the “acid” part of THCA and then turns into delta 9 THC, one of the major psychoactive compounds of weed.
Now, THCA can also transform into delta 9 when heated in a joint or bowl. Producers have found a way to concentrate this acid into an extract called THCA diamonds. These can be used in hemp flowers or heated on their own through dabbing.
The other main difference between these two is their legality, or rather, how accessible they are. Delta 9 THC is not as available to consumers as THCA due to the legal framework around it.
Delta 9 is limited to low quantities in certain products due to the 2018 Farm Bill, and THCA is considered a hemp-derived extract, which makes it a lot easier to use.
Does THCA Help with Sleep?
THCA on its own can be useful for certain symptoms if sleep is something you’ve been worried about. Currently, there are not enough studies to determine if THCA as a compound could help, but due to its potential neuroprotective qualities and anti-inflammatory properties, they could aid with certain symptoms.
Since THCA is not intoxicating, some users have also found it a milder alternative for sleep when compared to delta 9 THC. But other cannabinoids like CBN and CBD have seen better performance if you want to consume them as it is.
That said, when THCA converts into delta 9 THC, it could be beneficial for certain nasty symptoms that might keep you up at night. Regular THC can be helpful with inflammation and stress and, generally, unwind after a long day.
And while there’s not a clear answer about its effectiveness as a treatment, it can help some general symptoms like stress.
How to Use THCA for Sleep
Some people eat raw cannabis to get the benefits of THCA, but due to its mild effects could be smoking or dabbing it as concentrates. Now, the best way to use THCA for sleep is to use it when it converts to delta 9 THC.
Due to how THCA transforms with heat, it is best advised to use it with hemp and to smoke it like you would terpene juice or other concentrates. This concentrate can be added to your joint to infuse it or mixed with the milled flower if you prefer smoking on pipes or bongs.
If you are fairly tolerant of cannabis, we’d also recommend it dabbing through an e-rig or vaping device. Just make sure to use low heating, so it doesn’t fully evaporate when consuming it.
Is THCA legal?
This is a little complicated to answer. The short answer to this is that yes, as long as THCA is hemp-derived, it falls under the 2018 Farm Bill legislation, which allows products that have under 0.3% of THC to be consumed.
Since THCA technically does not contain any THC, it can be consumed and sold as long as your state complies with this bill. Now, the complicated answer can be a little contradictory. Because of THCA’s potential to turn into delta 9 THC, this means it can turn into delta 9 THC.
This could eventually lead to THCA being moved into the Controlled Substance Act due to its closeness to this compound. Some states also declare THC isomers like THCV or THC-O to be too close to delta 9 to be included as hemp products.
For now, THCA is considered to be in a gray zone, and it is legal at a federal level. Make sure to check your state’s legislation and its position on THC isomers.
Will THCA Show Up on a Drug Test?
The answer to this depends on whether THCA gets turned into delta 9 THC. If it does not, since this is not a psychoactive compound, it is fairly unlikely to be found in a typical drug test.
Due to how most tests look for THC metabolites, it is unlikely that THCA will leave any traces before it is absorbed into your body.
If THCA turns into delta 9 THC by smoking or heating it up, then your body will be absorbing delta 9 THC instead. Since this compound is absorbed and metabolized, the traces will probably be detectable by most conventional drug tests.
If you plan on trying THCA in its inactive state, you probably won’t have to worry about having a positive drug test soon. However, if you want to infuse your pre rolls with THCA diamonds or extracts, it is advised for you to stop consuming them before the test.
Final Thoughts: Can You Use THCA for Sleep?
Now, let’s have a quick recap about THCA and its uses for sleep. This cannabinoid is inactive before either light or heat is applied to it, meaning it has limited properties and benefits like aiding with inflammation and supporting metabolic disease.
That said, THCA could be better at treating sleep-related symptoms if used when converted into delta 9 THC. By smoking or dabbing THCA, it can be consumed inside joints with flowers or by heating it up with a dedicated device.
Some of the most notable benefits of using delta 9 THC are aiding with stress and other symptoms that could make falling asleep difficult, like pain or nausea.
Where to Buy THCA Products Online
THCA concentrates are fairly new to the market, and because of this, it is important you get products from high-quality concentrates and renowned dispensaries or stores. Here at Delta Munchies, we currently have some delicious-tasting pre rolls with THCA extract.
These pre rolls come in a two pack, with 1.5 grams of weed, and they are glazed and infused with THCA diamonds. With delicious kief all around, these prerolls are perfect if you like potency and flavor with high-end concentrates.
**(Disclaimer reminder: This article is not medical advice. It is based on anecdotal user experience alone. If you are thinking about incorporating cannabis (delta-8 THC, delta-9 THC, CBD, etc) into your medicinal routine, please consult a healthcare professional. Do not stop taking any prescribed medications without first consulting your doctor.)
Disclaimer: This article reflects the laws of the United States at the time it was written. Because cannabis laws in the United States laws are subject to change at any time, please make sure that you are always staying up to date on your federal, state, and local county’s cannabis laws. Additionally, we are NOT encouraging anyone to break the law––we are simply showing people ways to legally and discreetly bring their cannabis products along with them on their travels so that they may have access to those products when they reach their intended destination.
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