Cannabinoids are becoming increasingly popular as people explore the potential benefits of cannabis. While THC and CBD are the most well-known, there’s a growing interest in understanding other cannabinoids, like THCA and THCP.
THCA, or tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, is the non-psychoactive precursor to THC found in raw cannabis. THCP, or tetrahydrocannabiphorol, on the other hand, is a highly potent psychoactive cannabinoid.
This article will compare THCA and THCP, examining their properties, effects, potential benefits, and uses. By understanding the differences between THCA and THCP, you can make an informed decision about which cannabinoid might be right for you.
What is THCA?
THCA stands for tetrahydrocannabinolic acid. It’s a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in raw cannabis plants. That means that if you were to eat a handful of raw cannabis, you wouldn’t get high.
THCA is actually the precursor to THC. When you heat THCA, it converts into THC through a process called decarboxylation. That’s why people smoke or vape cannabis.
Interestingly, THCA in its raw form may have some therapeutic benefits. Some research suggests it could have anti-inflammatory properties, neuroprotective effects, and might even help with nausea.
What is THCP?
THCP, or tetrahydrocannabiphorol, is a psychoactive cannabinoid that’s known to be extremely potent. A group of Italian scientists first discovered it in 2019.
You won’t find much THCP naturally in cannabis plants. For this reason, manufacturers typically synthesize it from CBD.
The reason THCP is so potent is that it binds to the CB1 receptors in your brain with far more efficacy than THC. In fact, studies show that THCP binds to CB1 receptors about 33 times more readily than THC.
THCA vs. THCP: A Detailed Comparison
So, how do THCA and THCP stack up against each other? Here’s a closer look at their potency, effects, and chemical structure.
Potency
In its natural, raw form, THCA isn’t psychoactive. It needs to go through a process called decarboxylation (usually through heat) to convert into the psychoactive compound THC.
THCP, on the other hand, is a different beast altogether. It’s significantly more potent than THC, possibly 15 to 33 times stronger! Because of this super-strength, you need to be extra careful with dosing.
Effects
Raw THCA is thought to offer therapeutic benefits without making you feel high. Some believe it could help with pain relief, nausea, and even stimulating appetite.
THCP, unsurprisingly, delivers powerful euphoric and psychoactive effects. It might also have therapeutic potential, but we need more research to know for sure. Keep in mind that high doses of THCP could lead to anxiety and paranoia.
Chemical Structure
The key difference lies in their chemical makeup. THCA has a carboxylic acid group attached to the THC molecule. This little addition prevents it from effectively latching onto the CB1 receptors in your brain when it’s in its raw form.
THCP boasts a longer alkyl side chain – seven carbon atoms compared to THC’s five. This longer chain dramatically boosts its ability to bind to those CB1 receptors, which explains its increased potency.
What are the potential benefits of THCA?
Even though research is still in the early stages, some studies suggest that THCA may have therapeutic properties, especially when consumed raw (unheated).
- Anti-inflammatory: THCA may reduce inflammation throughout the body.
- Neuroprotective: THCA may help protect nerve cells from damage.
- Anti-emetic: THCA may reduce nausea and vomiting.
- Analgesic: THCA may relieve pain.
Because raw THCA doesn’t produce a “high,” it could be a good option for people who want the benefits of cannabis without the psychoactive effects.
While we need more research, some people believe THCA could help with conditions like arthritis, chronic pain, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). As always, it’s essential to talk to your doctor before using any cannabis product, especially if you have an existing health condition.
What are the purported benefits of THCP?
It’s important to remember that research into THCP is still in its early stages. We need more studies to fully understand its effects. However, initial findings suggest that THCP may offer some therapeutic benefits:
- Pain relief: Some users report that THCP can help alleviate pain.
- Mood enhancement: THCP may have mood-boosting properties.
- Appetite stimulation: Like other cannabinoids, THCP might stimulate appetite.
THCP is known for its psychoactive effects, with many users reporting intense euphoria and relaxation. However, because it’s so potent, THCP can also cause unwanted side effects. Anxiety, paranoia, and other adverse reactions are possible, especially if you take too much. Always proceed with caution when trying THCP.
How is THCA made?
Inside the cannabis plant, THCA starts as CBGA (cannabigerol acid). Enzymes then transform CBGA into THCA.
Extracting THCA requires a delicate touch. The goal is to prevent decarboxylation, which is the process where THCA converts into THC. Heat speeds up decarboxylation. To avoid this, producers use cold extraction methods. These methods carefully isolate THCA without changing its chemical structure.
Breeders have also developed strains of cannabis that produce high levels of THCA. These strains are grown specifically for their THCA content, offering consumers a concentrated source of this cannabinoid.
How THCP is Made
THCP is tricky. It’s not naturally abundant in cannabis plants. In fact, it only shows up in tiny amounts in a few specific strains.
Because of this, most THCP you find on the market is created synthetically. This is usually done by taking CBD and converting it into THCP through a process called isomerization. Basically, they rearrange the CBD molecules in a lab to create THCP.
The low levels of THCP in cannabis also mean it’s difficult to extract directly from the plant. Manufacturers require specialized extraction techniques to isolate enough THCP to be useful.
Ways to Consume THCA and THCP
So, how can you get your hands on these cannabinoids and experience their effects?
THCA Consumption Methods
- Raw consumption. You can juice raw cannabis to get THCA in its non-psychoactive form.
- THCA diamonds. These high-purity THCA crystalline structures are another option.
- THCA flower. You can smoke THCA flower, but keep in mind that heating it will convert the THCA into THC through decarboxylation.
THCP Consumption Methods
- Vapes. Vaping is a convenient and discreet way to consume THCP.
- Edibles. THCP edibles offer longer-lasting effects compared to other methods.
- Tinctures. Tinctures allow for precise dosing, giving you more control over your experience.
THCA vs. THCP: Which is right for you?
The choice between THCA and THCP depends on what you’re looking for. Here are some things to think about:
- Desired Effects: Are you looking for therapeutic benefits without the “high”? THCA might be a better fit. Want something more potent with strong psychoactive effects? THCP could be what you’re after.
- Tolerance: THCP is powerful, so start slow, especially if you’re new to cannabinoids. THCA is generally considered more mild.
- Legality: Federally, both THCA and THCP derived from hemp are legal in the US, as long as they contain less than 0.3% THC. However, state laws can vary, so double-check your local regulations.
- Side Effects: Because it’s so potent, THCP may cause anxiety, paranoia, or other adverse reactions in some people.
- Quality and Source: No matter which you choose, buy from reputable vendors. This helps ensure you’re getting a safe, high-quality product.
Wrapping Up
THCA and THCP may sound similar, but they have very different effects. THCA in its raw form won’t get you high, whereas THCP is a super-potent cannabinoid that can cause intense psychoactive effects.
When deciding between THCA and THCP, it’s important to think about what you want to get out of the experience. Consider your tolerance, the kind of effects you’re hoping for, and the potential risks involved. Because THCP is so potent, it’s best to start with a tiny amount and see how you react.
Whether you choose THCA or THCP, make sure you buy from a reputable vendor, consume responsibly, and talk with a healthcare professional if you have any concerns about how these substances might affect you.