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THCA, or tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, is a natural substance found in raw cannabis. It is one of the most abundant cannabinoids in the plant and is of particular interest because it is the precursor of THC, the substance known for its intoxicating effects.
What does THCA mean?
THCA stands for Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid och är en naturligt förekommande cannabinoidsyra som återfinns i råa, obearbetade cannabisplantor. När växten skördas och torkas innehåller den främst THCA, inte THC. Det är först när växtmaterialet utsätts för värme – till exempel genom rökning, vaping eller bakning – som THCA omvandlas till THC. Denna process kallas decarboxylation.
Kort sagt: THCA är den ”sovande” formen av THC som aktiveras genom värme.
Hur skiljer sig THCA från THC?
It is easy to confuse THCA and THC, but there are several clear differences between these two substances:
THCA and THC are two different forms of the same cannabinoid, but with completely different properties.
THCA (Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid) is the acidic, natural form of THC found in raw and unprocessed cannabis. It is not psychoactive in its original state, which means that it does not produce any intoxication. For THCA to be converted into THC, it requires heatingfor example, by smoking, vaping or cooking - a process called decarboxylation. Only after this transformation does the substance become psychoactive.
THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) is the active form which occurs when THCA is heated. It is THC that is known for its intoxicating effects and that affects the body's endocannabinoid system. THC is found in products where cannabis has been treated with heat, for example in smoked or vaporized form, or in some edible products.
The difference between the two lies in their chemical structure, psychoactivity and how they are consumed.
| Egenskap | THCA | THC |
|---|---|---|
| Förekomst | Finns i rå cannabis | Bildas genom uppvärmning |
| Psykoaktivitet | Icke-psykoaktiv i rå form | Psykoaktiv |
| Kemisk struktur | Har karboxylgrupp (COOH) | Saknar karboxylgrupp |
What happens to THCA when it is heated?
When cannabis containing THCA is heated, for example when smoking or cooking, the molecule loses a carboxyl group (COOH) - this is called decarboxylation. The result is that THCA is converted to THCwhich can then interact with the body's receptors and produce intoxication.
Does eating THCA Gummies get you high?
No, THCA gums do not cause intoxication as long as they have not been heated. THCA is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid in its natural state. For THCA to be converted into psychoactive THC heat is required - a process called decarboxylation.
If you eat THCA gums without heating them, e.g. in raw or low-temperature form, the following normally happens no conversion to THC. Therefore they provide not the same effect as THC-based products.
However, it is always important to check product content and manufacturing process, as some manufacturers may have preheated the extracts or combined them with THC.
Frequently asked questions about THCA
✅ Is THCA legal in the UK?
Lagstiftningen kring cannabinoider varierar mellan länder. I Sverige avgörs lagligheten främst av växtens ursprung. Så länge produkten kommer från EU-godkända frösorter av industrihampa är den laglig. THCA är i sig inte klassat som narkotika och är lagligt i Sverige, förutsatt att det härrör från godkänd industrihampa och inte upphettas.
✅ Are THCA and THC the same thing?
No. THCA is the precursor of THC and lacks intoxicating effect in its raw state. Heat is required to convert THCA to THC.
✅ Are there THCA products?
Yes, there are products containing THCA, such as raw cannabis, extracts and vapes, men det är viktigt att kontrollera produktinformationen och lokala regler innan köp. Hos DR. Herbals säljer vi Vapes, Buds och andra intressanta produkter innehållande THCA – det där dock viktigt att notera att produkterna säljs som samlarobjekt och inte för konsumtion.
