What to Do if THCa Isn’t Fully Working for You

THCa (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) has gotten major attention since it hit the hemp marketplace.  Of course, that’s not at all surprising seeing how it’s the naturally occurring precursor to delta 9 THC.  In raw cannabis flower, you won’t find any THC at all, as you’ll only encounter the raw forms of cannabinoids, THCa included.  It’s only after THCa has been heated to a specific temperature – a process known as decarboxylation – that THCa converts into delta 9 THC, which is the same THC that gives marijuana its psychoactive powers.

THCa comes in many product forms, like all cannabinoids do, but vapes, flower, and concentrates (dabs) are the ones that actually provide you with delta 9, as these products have to be heated to be consumed – through smoking, vaporizing, etc.  That’s naturally a super appealing concept, as we know that delta 9 THC, and marijuana, are heavily restricted in the USA.  THCa is fully legal if it comes from the hemp plant, despite the fact that it gives us a clear delta 9 high, and so THCa products are naturally flying off of the shelves.

Still, what happens when that THCa product you couldn’t wait to get your hands on doesn’t actually work like promised?

THCa: Is It Legit?

First off, if your THCa product isn’t working, you might be wondering if the hemp-derived cannabinoid isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be.  But, assuming you’re using an authentic product, that’s simply not true.  THCa is a very legitimate cannabinoid that exists naturally in the hemp plant, and the THCa in your hemp formula is exactly the same THCa that’s in raw marijuana flower, before it’s heated and the THCa becomes delta 9 THC.

Does THCa Always “Work”?

Now that you know that the THCa on the market is the real deal, you know that it has what it takes to give you the THC high you’ve been waiting for.  But, does it always, without exception, deliver on its promise, in terms of its psychoactive effects?  Well, not exactly.  In simple terms, cannabinoids can be finicky compounds, which any longtime cannabis user knows.

Because of their complex relationship with the human body, via the endocannabinoid system, you can take the same dose of a cannabinoid like THC every day for years, and find that how you experience its effects changes from day to day.  Not only that, but think about how many people feel euphoric with THC one day, and fall asleep from it the next day.  The process of cannabinoids attaching to cannabinoid receptors involves a number of variables that are prone to change, and because of that, it is possible to find that every so often, a cannabinoid doesn’t really do anything at all for you, but if you simply take it again another time, it delivers.

Why THCa Might Not Be Working Properly (And What to Do About it)

Now, let’s get into more detail.  There are a number of pretty common reasons why you might not be getting the effects of THCa that you were expecting, and we’re going to go over them now, along with the simple solutions that can allow you to enjoy what THCa products have to offer.

You’re Taking the Wrong Kind of Product

First things first: like we said, THCa converts into delta 9 THC when it undergoes a process known as decarboxylation, in which it’s heated to a specific temperature that converts THCa into delta 9.  This process naturally happens when we vaporize, smoke, or cook/bake with THCa products.  And, it means that only specific products give you THC: vapes, dabs, and flower.

If you’re using THCa gummies, tinctures, or other products that don’t actually undergo heating as part of consuming them, then you’re not going to get psychoactive effects at all.  THCa is not psychoactive – it only gains those properties after it converts into delta 9 THC through decarboxylation.  So, you have to make sure you’re buying a THCa vape, flower product, or concentrate if what you’re really after is the high of delta 9.

You’re Not Taking Enough

Another straightforward reason is that you’re just not taking enough.  For one thing, you might think that playing it safe is the best way to avoid getting too high, and end up taking such a miniscule dose that you just miss out on the high of THC altogether.  Not only that, but everyone has a unique tolerance based on their past experience with THC along with the configuration of their endocannabinoid system.  So, what’s an effective dose for one person may actually be too little for you.  The solution here is simple: take more next time.

Your Product Has Expired

Yes, THCa products expire, and when they do, they’re no longer effective, as the THCa has simply broken down into nothing.  Flower and concentrates are good for about 6 months to a year tops, while vapes can last for up to 2 years, if – and that’s a big “if” – they’re stored properly, which means in an airtight container, away from light, heat, and humidity.  If your THCa product isn’t working, consider how old it is, and where it’s been stored when you’re not using it.

You Have Other Substances in Your System

Other substances in your system can interfere with the cannabinoid doing its job, and this is something that can be sort of unpredictable.  For instance, sometimes, THC can’t effectively attach to cannabinoid receptors if you have alcohol in your system, and so you’re barely noticing its effects, while other times, getting high off of THC while you’re drinking makes you feel so intoxicated it’s almost uncomfortable.  If you took THCa while another substance was in your system, try taking it by itself next time, and see what happens.

The Product is Fake or Low in Quality

Yes, there’s always the risk that you bought a fake product, or a product made using subpar manufacturing methods, in which case, you’re just not going to get the results you want, period.  Make a point to only buy your THCa from a trusted manufacturer like Wild Orchard Co., instead.

Just Having an “Off” Day

It could also be that you’re just off that day, in a way that’s preventing you from feeling THC in action.  There are all kinds of physiological factors that can weirdly stop you from getting high, like being sick, or having a day where your hormones are out of whack – after all, it’s surprisingly common to struggle to get high when a person is menstruating, as hormones play a surprising role in how cannabinoids interact with cannabinoid receptors in the brain.  If you suspect that you’re just off that day, simply try THCa again at a later time and see what happens.

The Takeaway: Try Again

THCa is a legit hemp derivative in that specific THCa products will give you an active dose of delta 9 THC, and that will get you high.  So, if you’re not feeling those effects after taking THCa vapes, flower, or dabs that are produced by a trusted manufacturer, consider that it’s because of one of the reasons above, and reassess how you’re taking it.  The bottom line is that there’s no reason why a THCa product shouldn’t work, as long as you’re using a high-quality product, choosing the right kind of product, and taking it properly, taking into account that sometimes, your body just isn’t going to absorb it properly, and so you should try again next time.  At Wild Orchard, we offer a variety of THCa products that have what it takes to get you where you want to be in terms of a delta 9 high.