Does THCa Provide Any Benefits and Does It Have Any Side Effects?
Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCa) is a huge trend on the hemp market Especially, in product types like vapes, flower, and concentrates, which involve converting that THCa into delta 9 THC through the process of heating. Despite THCa being a naturally occurring compound in cannabis – both hemp and marijuana, that is – a lot of people have never really heard of it until now. And, one of the most common questions that people ask about any new hemp derivative to the scene is what kinds of benefits it has to offer. Another common question, understandably, is whether or not it has any side effects.
THCa, like any cannabinoid, does come with both benefits and the potential for minor side effects, which we’ll be covering in full detail today. But, one thing we want to stress is that in many cases, when we talk about the benefits and side effects of THCa products, we’re not actually talking about THCa at all, but rather delta 9 THC. Allow us to explain.
Understanding the THCa/Delta 9 Connection and Why This Matters When Talking About Benefits and Side Effects
THCa is the raw form of delta 9 THC, in cannabis flower before it’s decarboxylated (heated to a certain temperature, which converts THCa into delta 9). All cannabinoids have raw forms, like CBDa vs. CBD, etc.
THCa, when left raw, does not have any psychoactive properties, since raw cannabinoids don’t directly attach to cannabinoid receptors. And, in its raw state, THCa does have quite a number of benefits. But, today, we’re focusing on THCa in post-decarbed form – aka delta 9 THC – because that’s what the products at Wild Orchard Co. are actually giving you.
Like we said, when you heat THCa past a certain temperature, it becomes delta 9 THC. And, the products at Wild Orchard Co., like most THCa products on the market, must be heated to be used – like vapes and flower. So, while we can talk about the benefits and side effects of THCa, that would be sort of pointless today, because we’re actually describing our products that contain THCa, but don’t give you THCa once you consume them – just delta 9 THC.
So, that being said, we’re going to focus on the benefits and side effects of delta 9 THC, which have been studied extensively over many decades to provide you with everything you could possibly want to know.
What are the Main Benefits of THCa Products at Wild Orchard Co.?
Let’s dive right into the benefits you can get from our THCa products – which, again, are actually giving you active doses of delta 9 rather than THCa – because the benefits of delta 9 are quite profound, and well-researched over the years.
A Dreamy Psychoactive High
Delta 9 THC is the compound that makes marijuana intoxicating, and so many people actually already know what its high feels like. For millennia, people have been benefiting from the enjoyable high that comes from delta 9, because it can be very euphoric and relaxing at the same time, offering powerful mood benefits, helping a person calm down at night, and providing an equally gratifying body high that puts the muscles at total ease.
Help with Nausea
No one enjoys being nauseous, and it can come on suddenly and be extremely disruptive. Nausea can occur as a result of motion sickness, an infection, or a reaction to a medication. Delta 9 THC acts as a natural antiemetic in order to minimize nausea, thanks to the role that it plays in regulating serotonin, a neurotransmitter that has a surprising influence over our nausea response.
Positive Effects on Mood and Sleep
A lot of people report an improvement in mood when they take delta 9 THC, and that’s a huge reason why so many people use this cannabinoid. It’s reported to offer both antidepressant and anxiolytic effects, meaning that it can boost mood while also reducing feelings of stress and anxiety. Many people with mood disorders use delta 9 daily, because the cannabinoid interacts with neurotransmitters that balance our state of mind, stress response, and more. These same effects can also help people with sleep, as they can help the mind relax and “shut off,” so to speak.
Increase in Appetite
Most people are acquainted with the appetite-boosting effects of delta 9 THC that causes “the munchies” when they’re high. The munchies refers to that sudden feeling of hunger that makes us crave anything that’s in our pantry. This same effect can actually be extremely beneficial to those who generally have a hard time maintaining a healthy appetite, due to an underlying condition, a mood disorder, or a medical treatment that interferes with their desire for food.
Analgesic Effects
Delta 9 THC is widely used for its analgesic properties, which means that it has the ability to interrupt the line of communication between the nerves in the body and pain receptors in the brain. Basically, delta 9 can minimize our response to pain, which is why so many people take it for relief from physical discomfort. It’s no wonder why medical marijuana is a common recommendation to people with chronic pain conditions.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Another powerful use for delta 9 THC is its anti-inflammatory properties, as THC is known to have a huge effect on regulating inflammatory processes that lead to all kinds of unwanted symptoms, like physical discomfort, autoimmune symptoms, allergy symptoms, and more. Delta 9 works with cannabinoid receptors in the immune system that control the body’s inflammatory response, and that’s why the cannabinoid can address such a wide range of inflammatory symptoms.
Neurological Effects
The potential neuroprotective properties of delta 9 THC are looking really promising, as researchers confirm that it’s a neuroprotectant, meaning that it can regulate neuronal function to help neurological wellbeing. We already know the cognitive benefits of delta 9, and its ability to improve the strength of neurons and neural pathways in the brain. This can have major positive implications when it comes to neurological disorders like dementia, epilepsy, and more, with many people already finding that THC has antiseizure properties.
Do Wild Orchard THCa Products Have Side Effects?
THCa/delta 9 THC is nontoxic to the human body, which means that we can tolerate high doses of it just fine, even daily. But, there are some minor side effects that can occur, especially if you take a large dose or have a low tolerance. Keep in mind that these side effects rarely last for more than a couple of hours, and they almost never require medical attention.
They include:
- Anxiety/paranoia (caused by getting too high)
- Low blood pressure/increase in heartrate
- Dizziness/lightheadedness
- Grogginess/drowsiness
- Dry mouth (cotton mouth)
- Dry, bloodshot eyes
- Increased hunger
- Forgetfulness/brain fog
Wild Orchard Co. THCa Products are Loaded with Awesomeness!
Basically, when you take the THCa products at Wild Orchard, like our vapes and flower, you’re actually benefiting from delta 9 THC. And, the high of delta 9 alone is totally worthwhile, but don’t forget that this cannabinoid is offering up lots of potential benefits as well, especially when you use the cannabinoid consistently. While there is always a risk of side effects, they’re thankfully minor, and because of our high quality standards, they’re even less likely to occur.