THCA (Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid) is one of the most central and naturally occurring cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, but the road to understanding its existence began long before today's modern cannabis research.
The discovery in the 1960s
THCA was discovered in the 1960s by chemist Raphael Mechoulam together with his research colleague Yehiel Gaoni at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Their work marked the start of the scientific era in cannabinoid research.
At the time, the cannabis plant was known and used in various cultures, but its chemical composition was still a mystery. Scientists did not know exactly what substances were behind the plant's unique properties, and no active components had been isolated in pure form.
The isolation of THC and the discovery of THCA
In 1964, Mechoulam and Gaoni succeeded for the first time in isolating and identifying THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) - the main active compound in cannabis. During this work, they also noticed a non-psychoactive compound in the raw form of the plant, which would later be identified as THCA, the natural acid form of THC.
This discovery was crucial because the researchers realized that THCA is converted to THC only when heated, through a process called decarboxylation. This meant that the cannabis plant in its natural, unprocessed state does not contain active THC, but instead its precursor - THCA.
A scientific breakthrough
Mechoulam's team was among the first in the world to systematically map the chemical components of cannabis.
They developed methods to extract, purify and analyze cannabinoids, making it possible to understand how different substances interact in the plant.
Their research changed the way science looked at cannabis - from previously being considered an uncontrolled plant with uncertain effects, to a complex biological system with hundreds of different molecules, each with its own roles and functions.
A global research wave
After the discovery of THCA and THC in the 1960s, interest in cannabinoids grew rapidly worldwide. Scientists began to investigate other similar substances in the plant, such as CBD (Cannabidiol), CBG (Cannabigerol) and CBC (Cannabichromene). This led to a new understanding of how these substances interact - not only with each other, but also with mammals.
It was also in the following decades that research on the endocannabinoid system took off. This biological system, found naturally in the bodies of both humans and animals, was shown to be able to respond to cannabinoids from plants - adding a new dimension to the understanding of plant complexity.
Research today
Since the 1960s, thousands of scientific studies have been published on THCA and other cannabinoids. Researchers have investigated how these substances are formed in the plant, how they are broken down and how they interact with other plant components such as terpenes and flavonoids.
Today, Mechoulam's work is seen as a milestone in modern biochemistry and the starting point for all contemporary cannabinoid research.
His methodical and curious approach to exploring the chemistry of the plant laid the foundation for everything from botanical studies to the development of new products based on legal substances from Cannabis Sativa L.
Today you can buy THCA in Sweden legally
Interest in THCA has increased significantly in Sweden in recent years, with more and more people discovering the natural cannabinoids found in legal industrial hemp (Cannabis Sativa L). Unlike THC, which is a psychoactive substance and classified as a narcotic, THCA is completely legal - as long as it meets the requirements of Swedish and European legislation.
At DR. Herbals you can buy THCA products legally and safely online. As one of Europe's leading providers of legal cannabis and cannabinoid-based products, DR. Herbals offers a wide range of quality-tested products, produced in accordance with current regulations for industrial hemp.
Executive summary
THCA was discovered in the 1960s by Raphael Mechoulam and Yehiel Gaoni, two scientists who changed the understanding of cannabis forever. They were the first to identify THCA as the natural precursor of THC - a substance that is not psychoactive per se, but plays a central role in the biochemistry of the plant.
Their discovery opened the door to a whole new world of science, where cannabis was no longer seen as just a plant, but as a complex and fascinating chemical universe.
Today, researchers around the world continue to build on their work, and THCA remains one of the most interesting and talked about components of the cannabis family.