THCA vs. Delta 9

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) has long reigned supreme as the most popular and well-known cannabinoid found in cannabis. Eventually, CBD (cannabidiol) emerged and dominated the non-psychoactive cannabinoid spectrum. But did you know that there are actually over 100 known cannabinoids found in hemp and cannabis?

Since the passing of the Farm Bill in 2018, cannabis cultivators, farmers, and researchers alike have been opened up to the possibilities of legally extracting, harvesting, and researching more cannabinoids. Since then, we’ve seen cannabinoids like delta 8 THC and HHC (hexahydrocannabinol) become staples in the cannabis industry as well.

And recently, THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) has become the newest cannabinoid to garner a lot of buzz and attention.

But what is THCA? What’s the difference between THCA and THC? What does THCA feel like? What are the benefits of THCA vs delta 9 THC? Is THCA safe, potent, and effective? We’ll answer all of these questions (and more) in our comprehensive FAQ about THCA and how it compares to delta 9 THC.

Want to try both? Then check out of full spectrum delta 9 gummies below!

 

Key Takeaways

• THCA is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid present in hemp and marijuana plants.
• Delta 9 THC (also known as THC) is a psychoactive cannabinoid also found in marijuana and hemp plants that is known for inducing the famous high that people associate with marijuana.
• When heated or exposed to light, THCA will convert into delta 9 THC.

 

What is THCA?

THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) is a non-psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant. It is the precursor to THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), the compound that is responsible for the plant’s psychoactive effects.

THCA is present in raw, unheated cannabis and must be heated in order to convert it to THC. It has been researched for its potential therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects.

 

How Does THCA Feel?

Because THCA has “THC” in its name, it may seem like it should be the same as THC, but it’s not. Even though THCA is the acidic precursor to THC (often called THCA’s “mother” cannabinoid), THCA does not get you high.

THCA is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, which means that it lacks the psychoactive chemical components that a cannabinoid requires to produce a feeling of being high when it’s consumed.

However, when THCA is decarboxylated (which means heated as vapor or combusted with flame), a chemical reaction occurs that turns THCA into THC. So when THCA is smoked or vaped, it turns into THC, which does get you high. But because un-decarboxylated THCA on its own is non-psychoactive, this means that if you consume THCA in edibles, you won’t feel high.

(It’s also worth noting that despite THCA being considered a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, it still may show up on drug tests. This is due to the trace amounts of delta 9 THC it contains. We recommend using THCA responsibly!)

 

Is THCA Safe?

It’s important to remember that cannabinoids will affect each individual differently depending on a variety of factors, such as tolerance, age, body mass, and overall health. That being said, evidence suggests that consuming THCA is viewed as not only safe but beneficial. (If you have any questions or concerns regarding adding THCA or any other cannabinoids into your routine, please reach out to a trusted primary care provider.)

 

Benefits of THCA

Even though THCA is non-psychoactive and therefore won’t get you high, there are still many benefits of using it. Since THCA is non-psychoactive, many of the benefits are utilized in the medical/wellness spaces of cannabis.

That said, it’s necessary to mention that, given that cannabis research is still in relative infancy due to years of legal roadblocks, much of what we know about cannabis is primarily backed by anecdotal evidence. THCA users have reported the following:

• Relief from nausea or digestive/stomach pain.
• Increased or stimulated appetite.
• Anti-inflammatory effects.
• Aid with falling and staying asleep.
• Potential neuroprotective properties.

Since THCA is non-psychoactive, its been largely studied in the health and wellness spaces. Some studies have shown that cannabinoid compounds like THC and THCA may have neuroprotective properties.

While this looks promising, it’s important to remember that THCA research is still undergoing. So, most of the evidence we have is from anecdotal reports and early studies.

 

Is THCA Potent?

In comparison to other cannabinoids, no, THCA wouldn’t be considered potent. THCA is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid similar to CBD, which produces no psychoactive effects or high when consumed.

However, if you decide to smoke THCA instead of eating in edibles or consuming it in an infused tincture, THCA will turn into THC, which will then produce a high. This is different from cannabinoids like CBD, which, even if you smoke it, will not produce a high.

 

Best Ways to Enjoy THCA

There are a few different ways you can enjoy THCA: in THCA-infused edibles, in oil or alcohol-based tinctures, in concentrates like vapes and carts, and in joints that are infused with THCA sand and diamonds.

THCA sand is a type of live resin beach sand. This refers to high-potency concentrate derived from freshly frozen organic plant material. With 95% purity, THCA sand is an extremely concentrated product.

Want to try THCA? Check out our THCA products!

 

Research Studies with THCA

Unfortunately, THCA isn’t among the most extensively studied cannabinoids, but the research that’s been conducted is promising.

One study demonstrated THCA to be a powerful anti-inflammatory agent, capable of reducing inflammation without developing tolerance or side effects. The authors noted that this was likely due to its ability to modulate the activity of cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase enzymes.

These enzymes are involved in inflammation, and their activity can be regulated by cannabinoids.

Another study published in 2019 demonstrated that THCA reduces adiposity (the amount of body fat) in laboratory animals. The authors noted that THCA had a unique mechanism of action and suggested that it could be used to treat obesity-related conditions.

Another 2020 animal study showed that THCA might alleviate liver fibrosis and inflammation. This could be useful for treating liver diseases. It’s important to note, however, that human studies are needed to confirm these findings.

A 2017 study demonstrated that THCA has neuroprotective effects against excitotoxicity in laboratory animals. This suggests that it could be beneficial for patients with neurodegenerative diseases. As a PPARγ agonist, it could also be beneficial for combating metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes.

All these studies demonstrate the potential therapeutic benefits of THCA and suggest that it could be a useful addition to medical cannabis treatments. While more research is needed to fully understand its effects, the existing evidence points to THCA being a promising cannabinoid with numerous potential applications.

Additionally, while THCA itself has not been studied as extensively as other cannabinoids like THC and CBD, it’s worth noting that it is present in high concentrations in many cannabis strains. This suggests that THCA could be an important component of medical cannabis treatments and may be contributing to their therapeutic effects in some way.

In any case, more research into the potential benefits of THCA is certainly warranted.

 

Does THCA Get You High?

In its natural form, THCA is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid. This means that it won’t get you “high” or produce any type of intoxicating effects. The reason behind this is that THCA doesn’t abide as an agonist to CB1, the primary receptor responsible for producing the effects of cannabis.

However, when THCA is exposed to heat and decarboxylation (a process that removes a carboxylic acid group from the molecule) occurs, it is converted into THC and produces intoxicating effects.

 

What is Delta 9 THC?

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 9 THC) is the primary psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant. It is responsible for the plant’s characteristic “high” and is the compound that is most commonly associated with the effects of cannabis.

Delta 9 THC is present in both the marijuana and hemp varieties of the cannabis plant. It has been used medicinally for a variety of conditions and has been found to have therapeutic benefits such as reducing pain and nausea, increasing appetite, and reducing feelings of stress.

Cannabinoids are a class of compounds that are found in the cannabis plant. They interact with the endocannabinoid system, a network of receptors in the body that plays a role in regulating various physiological processes, including pain, mood, and sleep.

The most well-known cannabinoid is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is responsible for the plant’s psychoactive effects. Another well-known cannabinoid is cannabidiol (CBD), which does not have psychoactive effects and has been found to have therapeutic benefits such as reducing anxiety and inflammation. There are over 100 different cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, and some of them have not been fully researched yet.

Overall, cannabinoids are chemical compounds that can interact with the endocannabinoid system, modulating different physiological and cognitive processes in the body.

 

Is Delta 9 THC Safe?

It’s important to remember that cannabinoids will affect each individual differently depending on a variety of factors, such as tolerance, age, body mass, and overall health.

That being said, evidence suggests that consuming delta 9 THC is viewed as not only safe but beneficial. (If you have any questions or concerns regarding adding delta 9 THC or any other cannabinoids into your routine, please reach out to a trusted primary care provider.)

 

How Does Delta 9 THC Feel?

Delta 9 THC is the most prevalent psychoactive cannabinoid in both the hemp and marijuana plants. Delta 9 THC produces a strong head and body high that has many people chasing after this coveted plant.

Some effects of delta 9 THC include:

• Elevated mood or feelings of euphoria.
• Increased appetite (aka the munchies)
• Feelings of relaxation or sleepiness.
• Increased levels of alertness or focus.
• Cerebral feelings of the mind.

Additionally, there are many benefits of using delta 9 THC outside of getting high.

 

Benefits of Delta 9 THC

Many people use delta 9 THC purely for recreational purposes, aka to get high. But there are many other benefits of delta 9 THC outside of psychoactivity.

• Stimulated appetite.
• Relief from nausea/stomach pain.
• Help with sleep/relief from insomnia.
• Reduced feelings of anxiety.
• Feelings of bodily relaxation/relief from tension.

Delta 9 THC has been used both recreationally and medicinally for many years, largely because of its effectiveness and potency.

 

Is Delta 9 THC Potent?

Delta 9 THC is arguably the most potent cannabinoid out of them all. Delta 9 THC is the cannabinoid that’s responsible for the feelings of the high that we get when we consume or smoke marijuana.

Some strains of delta 9 THC can be so potent that it becomes too much for certain people, which is where cannabinoids like CBD, HHC, and delta 8 THC come in.

 

Best Ways to Enjoy Delta 9 THC

Today, there are seemingly endless ways to enjoy delta 9 THC. But the three most popular ways to enjoy delta 9 still reign supreme: smoking flower, eating edibles, and vaping concentrate.

Even with the increased amount of cannabis technology, smoking joints, blunts, bowls, and bongs have never gone out of style. Delta 9 THC flower is still extremely sought after and has arguably remained the most popular way to enjoy cannabis.

Using vapes and carts has become an extremely popular way to use delta 9 THC as well. With concentrates and oils becoming smoother, stronger, and more exotic, many people are opting for a more subtle vape instead of a joint.

For the people who don’t want to inhale smoke or vapor of any kind, the world of edibles is only getting bigger. With a myriad of varieties of baked goods, candies, and gummies that come in vegan, gluten-free, and a million different flavors, there’s something for everyone.

With the introduction of hemp-derived delta 9 THC into the mainstream market, the benefits of full-spectrum delta 9 THC have become increasingly clear.

The presence of multiple cannabinoids in full spectrum delta 9 THC products produces something called the “entourage effect,” which means that each cannabinoid becomes stronger due to the presence of the others. They create a cannabinoid entourage that is much stronger than each cannabinoid on its own.

 

THCA vs. Delta 9

So, which is better, THCA or delta 9 THC? Neither cannabinoid is better than the other one. However, one cannabinoid may be better for YOU than the other. That’s the great thing about the fact that there are so many cannabinoids to explore: there is something for everyone. It opens up a spectrum of possibilities for cannabis users of all levels and needs.

Some people might want the benefits of the cannabis plant without getting high. Therefore eating THCA edibles might be the best route for them. Others might want to enjoy getting high while reaping the additional benefits that cannabis has to offer, making delta 9 THC a better option.

When it comes to THCA vs. delta 9, there is no winner or right answer. If you have any questions or concerns about which cannabinoid is right for you and your personal needs, please contact a trusted healthcare professional.

 

Key Differences of THCA vs. Delta 9

Although both THCA and delta 9 THC share a few similarities, there are key differences between these two cannabinoids that are important to note.

• THCA is the acidic precursor to THC, which means they are not the same.
• THCA is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, while THC is a psychoactive cannabinoid.
• THCA and THC have different chemical compositions. THCA has one more carboxyl group than THCA, and unlike THC, THCA doesn’t bind effectively with CB1 receptors in our bodies’ endocannabinoid systems, which are the cannabinoid receptors that produce the feelings of a “high” when they interact with cannabinoids.
• THCA will only produce psychoactive effects when it is smoked and turned into THC, while THC will get you high via consumption/ingestion as well.

 

Does THCA Turn into Delta 9?

Yes, THCA turns into delta 9 only after a process called decarboxylation. Decarboxylation is a process that activates the psychoactive compounds in the cannabis plant so that you feel high when you consume it.

Decarboxylation occurs through heat and also time. The high temperatures when smoking and vaporizing instantly decarboxylate compounds in weed, making them immediately available for your body to absorb.

 

Where to Buy Delta 9 Online

Here at Delta Munchies, we created the industry’s leading hemp-derived, full-spectrum delta 9 THC gummies.

Our delta 9 gummies have a hypnotic and intoxicating blend of 11 unique cannabinoids alongside delta 9, including CBN (Cannabinol), CBG (Cannabigerol), CBD (Cannabidiol), CBC (Cannabichromene), CBCA (Cannabichromenic acid), CBGA (Cannabigerolic acid), CBDA (Cannabidiolic acid), THCV (Tetrahydrocannabivarin), THCVA (Tetrahydrocannabivaric acid), delta 8 THC (delta 8 tetrahydrocannabinol), and THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid).

Users have described our full spectrum delta 9 gummies to be extremely effective, with each of the cannabinoids working together in a unique symphony of symbiosis, creating a euphoric yet cloud-like experience.

 

Where to Buy THCA Online

Here at Delta Munchies, we’re proud to be home to the best THCA products online. You can choose between our THCA Diamond Infused Pre Rolls or our new line of THCA Diamond Sauce Dabs. Check them out below!

 

Disclaimer: Delta Munchies is NOT providing any medical or legal cannabis advice, nor is any entity at Delta Munchies a medical professional. All statements made by Delta Munchies regarding delta 8 THC, delta 9 THC, delta 10 THC, THCA, HHC, CBN, CBG, CBD, and any/all other cannabinoids mentioned in this article have not been evaluated by the FDA.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the legality of cannabis or the potential effects of cannabis and/or any of its components, please reach out to a trusted medical or legal professional. Delta Munchies fully adheres to the federal legal standards of hemp cultivation and distribution in the United States. For more information, visit our full disclaimer page.