When most people first start learning about cannabis, one of the top questions is Does THCA get you stoned? Currently, the only approved medical use for THCA is in treating anxiety and depression; there is no current research supporting its use in helping anyone else. However, there are many people who use it medicinally (or even more medicinally than they smoke weed). Because of the fact that it has so few side effects compared to other pharmaceuticals, many people believe that it should at least be considered when it comes to recreational drug use. But, does THCA get you high, or is it just like smoking pot?
The short answer to the question is: No! While some people may believe that THCA gets them high, this is actually the opposite of the truth. Unlike THC, which produces a very powerful “high” from the delta-9-tetrahydrocannibin substance found in cannabis, THCA only produces a calming, anti-anxiety, or mood-stabilizing effect from the terpenes found in the plant.
This is why so many people ask the question: Does THCA get you High, because they are wondering if the same thing is happening when taking smoked cannabis. Actually, THCA is one of the only cannabinoids that do not convert into THC when ingested. The other two Cannabinoids, THC and CBD, do convert into inactive forms that can circulate through the body. So, consuming cannabis with any of the three Cannabinoids does nothing to increase the “high” sensation that many people experience when smoking cannabis.
There are a number of different benefits to ingesting THCA: but one benefit is the decrease in drowsiness caused by CBD. When THC and CBD are combined, the combined dose of Cannabinoids produces the most alertness. This is where things like driving, operating machinery, and long hours of sleep can become dangerously dull. Research has shown that on average, people who consume a minimum of two grams of THCA per day will experience an increase in their alertness up to four times that of a consuming a gram of CBD. While it is still not likely that cannabis is considered a substitute for prescription medication, there are certain situations where it may be a suitable replacement. Patients undergoing chemotherapy, for example, would be well advised to increase their consumption of CBD instead of THCA.
Scientists are also interested in the effects of THCA on obesity: In animals, the compound has been found to cause weight loss in several ways, including reducing body fat and improving metabolic rate. It has also been found to prevent the conversion of LDL cholesterol into more dangerous lipids. However, when researchers tested the effects of heated THCA on human beings, they discovered that the increased metabolic rate was accompanied by an increased appetite, causing increased food consumption which in turn led to an increase in overall body weight.
The benefits of consuming heated cannabis do not end there: THCA has also been found to improve the functioning of the liver, significantly reducing the damage that the liver can undergo during the alcohol detox process. Other studies show that this compound can lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease. So while the short-term effects of consuming heated THCA are quite interesting, it is important to remember that the compound does play a role in the body.
However, as with all drugs, the best way to decide whether or not it is worth taking is to carefully research your subject. The best source of information is usually books from the library or online sources, like this one.
