What’s The Difference Between CBD and THCA?

Two fingers holding a weed leaf by its stem with multicolor backlit reflection

Most people are familiar with THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the main psychoactive chemical compound (called a cannabinoid) found in marijuana. But did you know there are actually over 100 different cannabinoids found in cannabis?

Becoming just as popular as its psychoactive counterpart, CBD has become a household name in terms of cannabis used for wellness. CBD is non-psychoactive, meaning unlike THC, it won’t get you high. This has opened up cannabis use to many different people who want to enjoy the benefits of marijuana without feeling the psychoactive effects.

Recently, because of a legal cannabinoid loophole opened up by the passing of the Farm Bill in 2018, cannabis farmers, researchers, and cultivators have been able to harness more of those 100+ cannabinoids and use them for a myriad of purposes. One of those cannabinoids is THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid). 

THCA is similar to CBD in the fact that it is also a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, yet they are still very different compounds.

So, what’s the difference between CBD and THCA? We’ll take a look at the differences and similarities between these two cannabinoids so that you can make the best decision possible about which cannabinoid may be right for you.

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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, 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.

 

Key Takeaways

  • CBD and THCA are both non psychoactive cannabinoids found in hemp and cannabis plants.
  • One of the main differences between them is their molecular structure. Additionally, the fact that THCA can get you high if it gets converted into THC. 
  • Both THCA and CBD have a lot of beneficial properties. That said, no cannabinoid is better than the other.

 

What is CBD?

CBD (cannabidiol) is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in hemp and marijuana plants. Being a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, CBD does not produce a high when ingested. However, this is a huge plus for many people who are looking to enjoy the benefits of cannabis but don’t want to get high.

CBD interacts with the body the same way as every other cannabinoid does: via the human body’s naturally occurring endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system exists in our nervous system and immune system, where cannabinoid receptors live and wait to interact with cannabinoids.

When CBD is smoked or ingested, it is absorbed into the bloodstream and makes its way through the endocannabinoid system to the various cannabinoid receptors throughout the body to create the feelings, effects, and benefits we’ve come to know, love, and expect from the cannabis plant.

According to studies done at Harvard Health, “CBD, or cannabidiol, is the second most prevalent active ingredient in cannabis (marijuana). While CBD is an essential component of medical marijuana, it is derived directly from the hemp plant, a cousin of marijuana, or manufactured in a laboratory. One of hundreds of components in marijuana, CBD does not cause a “high” by itself. According to a report from the World Health Organization, “In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential…. To date, there is no evidence of public health-related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.”

 

What Does CBD Feel Like?

Because CBD doesn’t come with a psychoactive experience, CBD doesn’t really “feel” like anything. However, for those who use CBD for things like stress relief, sleep, and pain management, the lack of those issues can be felt in a way that feels extremely relieving.

CBD has been used in the cannabis wellness space for years, making it one of the most studied cannabinoids to date. There’s even CBD for pets! However, if you’re looking to introduce CBD into your daily routine, please consult a trusted primary care provider.

 

Benefits of CBD 

Even though CBD doesn’t get you high, there are still plenty of benefits to using this non-psychoactive cannabinoid. Some potential benefits of CBD include the following:

  • Relief from feelings of stress, anxiety, or paranoia.
  • Help with falling asleep or staying asleep/relief from insomnia.
  • Anti-inflammatory properties.
  • Pain management properties.
  • Neuroprotective properties.

Many people have used CBD in their treatment regimen for various illnesses, ailments, and diseases. However, it’s important to note that CBD doesn’t cure or reverse any diseases.

If you’re interested in using CBD as a way to alleviate symptoms associated with certain sicknesses, please consult a trusted primary care provider.

 

What is THCA?

What does THCA mean? THCA stands for tetrahydrocannabinolic acid. THCA is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that is found in raw cannabis flowers. Often called THC’s “mother cannabinoid”, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) first begins as THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) before the aging and decarboxylating processes convert it into THC.

As innovations in the cannabis industry continue to grow, cannabis companies have been able to utilize THCA in many different forms. THCA can be smoked in flower, vaped in concentrates, eaten in edibles, or enjoyed as THCA sand.

 

Does THCA Make You Feel High?

Many people think that because THCA has “THC” in its name that it’s the same as THC. However, even though THCA is the acidic precursor to THC, THCA does not get you high. THCA is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, meaning that it lacks the psychoactive components that a cannabinoid requires to produce a high.

However, when decarboxylated (or heated up to near-combustion temperatures, as with a lighter), THCA turns into THC. And THC, as we all know, does get you high. So if you’re smoking THCA sand crystals, the THCA won’t get you high, but the THC it turns into will.

Because un-decarboxylated THCA on its own is non-psychoactive, this has allowed it to be legal for sale and use. THC is still considered a controlled substance in many parts of the country due to the fact that it does get you high, but sold as its precursor THCA, it is still completely legal in the United States.

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

 

What Does THCA Do To the Brain?

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

THCA, a cannabinoid found in raw cannabis plants, is not psychoactive. However, when it’s exposed to heat or sunlight, it goes through a process known as decarboxylation. This process involves the removal of a carboxyl group from the molecule, resulting in the formation of THC, which is the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis. The decarboxylation process can happen naturally over time as the plant dries, or it can be triggered by heating the cannabis via smoking, vaping, or cooking. Once THCA is converted to THC, it can attach to cannabinoid receptors in the body, leading to various effects associated with cannabis consumption, such as mood changes, altered perception, and increased appetite.

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

 

What is the Difference Between CBD and THCA?

So, what’s the difference between CBD and THCA? The biggest difference lies in their molecular structure. Most people associate weed with THC alone, but as cannabis research has expanded across the world, we’re finding that THC is only one of over 100 different cannabinoids that can be found in both hemp and marijuana.

CBD is cannabidiol, a completely different cannabinoid than THC and THCA. Since we’ve already learned that THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) is the acidic precursor to THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), we know that its molecular structure is completely different from CBD.

Although both CBD and THCA are considered non-psychoactive cannabinoids, smoking THCA is a completely different experience from smoking CBD. You can smoke CBD almost any way you can smoke regular weed, as CBD flower in joints, blunts, bowls, or bongs, as CBD wax, concentrate, or shatter, as CBD vapes and carts, and as CBD tinctures. 

No matter how you take CBD, you will never feel high.

On the other hand, if you decide to smoke THCA, you will experience psychoactive effects as the THCA converts into THC, a psychoactive cannabinoid. Taking THCA edibles will be similar to CBD edibles, but smoking the two cannabinoids will produce completely different experiences.

 

Benefits of Using THCA vs. CBD 

While both THCA and CBD have extremely similar benefits in terms of wellness, there are some benefits of using THCA vs. CBD. The human body is complex, and each one is different. Some people react better or differently to certain cannabinoids than others. 

This means that some people may experience a better experience on THCA vs. CBD or vice versa. In short, no cannabinoid is better than another one. However, some cannabinoids can be better for you specifically than others. 

 

Benefits of THCA

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

It’s important to note that, because cannabis research is still in a relative state of infancy due to years of legal roadblocks, much of what we know about cannabinoids is supported largely by anecdotal evidence. Users who have used THCA 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.

If THCA has caught your attention, we’ll show you where to buy THCA online!

 

Where to Buy THCA Online

Since THCA is considered a “specialty” or “alternative” cannabinoid (meaning it’s less popular and accessible to its cannabinoid siblings like THC and CBD), it can be difficult to find THCA in person. Some larger, specialty dispensaries may carry THCA products, but the best place to find the biggest selection of THCA products is online.

Here at Delta Munchies, we offer 2-gram packs of our THCA diamond-infused pre rolls: Double Doinks! They include:

  • THCA diamonds infused on the inside (liquid diamonds rolled with the flower)
  • THCA diamonds brushed on the outside (crystal diamonds brushed on the top of the preroll)
  • 1 gram of freshly ground premium hemp flower per preroll (sold in packs of 2  for 2 grams total)
  • Prerolls rolled in fresh, finely sifted hemp kief
  • A built-in filter/crutch for easy handling and smoking

Our Double Doinks are a gorgeous way to enjoy THCA. Packed with 2 grams of finely ground hemp flour, infused with THCA diamonds, rolled in THCA sand, and brushed with THCA diamonds on the tip, you won’t find a better way to experience THCA. You can only find them here at Delta Munchies!

Sale!

THC-A Diamond Infused Prerolls

Frosted Tarts 2G THCA Jelly Hole Preroll

$24.99
Sale!

THC-A Diamond Infused Prerolls

Red Cherry Punch 2G THCA Jelly Hole Preroll

$24.99

THC-A Diamond Infused Prerolls

Gassy Taffy 1g THCA Infused Prerolls (5 Pack)

$34.99

THC-A Diamond Infused Prerolls

Cosmic Cookies 1g THCA Infused Prerolls (5 Pack)

$34.99
$34.99

THC-A Diamond Infused Prerolls

Glazed Donut Infused Prerolls (2 Pack)

$29.99

THC-A Diamond Infused Prerolls

Strawberry Jam Infused Prerolls (2 Pack)

$29.99

 

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, 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.