The cannabis plant is a rich biosphere with more than one hundred cannabinoids. Each of these natural compounds behaves differently, but only two fill our consciousness: Delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol, and tetrahydrocannabinol acid – or THCa – which make us high, offer contentment, relax us, and motivate us to tick boxes. We all know delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta 9 THC) as the psychoactive substance in cannabis. But much less well-known is THCa, which is intoxicatingly similar to defunctionalized Delta 9 THC, sans the high. What’s the difference? Let’s take a closer look and get to know them both a little better.
Understanding Delta 9 THC
The most widely-known cannabinoid is delta 9 THC, the CB1 receptor-binding compound responsible for the high of cannabis use; in layman’s terms, it’s the psychoactive component of the plant. It is technically called delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and mothers milk it has been found in the brains of fetuses as early as the 14th week of gestation. In humans, the most important of these components are delta 9 THC and anandamide, which function as endocannabinoids. Delta 9 THC binds to our CB1 receptors in the brain, thereby producing the cannabinoid’s characteristic, remedy-seeking, psychoactive high.
The legal landscape has changed dramatically over the years, especially since the 2018 Farm Bill allowed for Delta 9 THC (that is ultimately derived from hemp with less than 0.3 per cent by dry weight) to be considered federally legal in the US. Their listings have exploded again with edibles, tinctures and topicals.
Exploring THCa
THCa, or tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, is one of many non-psychotropic cannabinoids that you can find in raw and live cannabis. It is actually the precursor of Delta 9 THC and in fact, according to the current accepted theory, it is the same molecule that we find in the plant. It does not induce a high because unlike classical THC, it does not activate the CB1 receptor in the brain with any significant degree of affinity. This characteristic is one of the main reasons why THCa is such an interesting compound for those of us who are curious and wish to explore the therapeutic effects of plant cannabinoids without tripping.
THCa must be decarboxylated (heat must be applied through the smoking, vaping or baking of cannabis) to the chemical known as Delta 9 THC. Without such a chemical reaction, what you have is not the psychoactive chemical that has become the widely consumed and demonized source of the high associated with the consumption of marijuana.
Comparing THCa and Delta 9 THC
Psychoactive Effects
Perhaps one of the most important characteristics that separates THCa vs Delta 9 THC is its lack of psychoactivity. Delta 9 THC is famous for producing the high you get when you smoke a joint, or use an edible product. THCa on the other hand does not produce a high. To many users, especially medical users, this is an essential difference worth paying close attention to.
Legal Status
Legal status is dependent on source and concentration Delta 9 THC is often divided into two categories – one for THC that was extracted from marijuana, which is still federally illegal in the US, and one for Delta 9 THC extracted from hemp with less than 0.3 per cent THC and thus legal under federal law. THCa, on the other hand, is generally non-psychoactive, and thus subject to fewer legal hurdles, though the status can still be complicated, depending on local regulations.
Potential Benefits
The therapeutic value of both cannabinoids is likely due in part to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuro-protective, and analgesic properties. Delta 9 THC is also broadly used as an analgesic (pain reliever), in nausea treatment (particularly for chemotherapy patients), and as an appetite stimulator. Meanwhile, early research and actual human experience has found that THCa may have other valuable therapeutic qualities, especially in regard to its neuro-protective and anti-inflammatory qualities, which could make THCa a very promising cannabinoid for further scientific study.
Applications and Usage
Delta 9 THC is the more common form and is consumed in the classical ways, from smoking to edibles, tinctures and topicals. The psychoactivity, however, is in demand. THCa is consumed raw, in a juice or shredded into a salad, or in tinctures and edibles meant to maintain the non-decarboxylated precursor state.
Chemical Structure and Transformation
The THCa-to-Delta 9 conversion is not just about a short heating process – it is a chemical transformation. THCa in the raw form has an extra carboxyl group (-COOH) hanging on its molecular structure. When heated, the group detaches in a reaction called decarboxylation and converts THCa into Delta 9 THC. The loss of the carboxyl group has a chemical impact on the plant’s compounds because it changes how they bind with and receive information.
Health Benefits: Beyond the High
Though Delta 9 THC is conventionally considered a recreational drug, its therapeutic potential is great. It can help to control chronic pain, alleviate some of the symptoms of multiple sclerosis, and augment the efficacy of drugs that ease chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Its psychoactivity, which some see as a drawback, is also therapeutic in this way. It can have a soothing effect that eases anxiety and stress.
In contrast to THCa, THC has a different range of potential benefits for our health. The anti-inflammatory properties of THC make it a potential candidate to treat ailments such as arthritis and lupus, while evidence for its possible neuroprotective properties is also emerging; early studies suggest that, like CBD, it may help treat neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s.
Research and Development: A Growing Field
Scientists studying cannabinoids are making exciting discoveries – including therapeutic benefits of THCa and Delta 9 THC – and advancing our understanding of cannabis medicine’s therapeutic applications. As a result, Big Pharma and biotech companies are developing new cannabinoid-based prescription medications.
Consumer Trends and Market Growth
The cannabis consumer market has also become far more diversified. While Delta 9 THC products still reign supreme, thanks largely to their psychoactive properties, non-psychoactive THCa products now have a growing draw. This is largely due to the health benefits of cannabis – which do not require ‘getting high’ to be beneficial – as well as the drive for wellness in cannabis which extends to the broader natural health and wellness consumer. THCa-rich tinctures and oils are joined by Delta 9 THC-infused edibles and topicals, covering a wide spectrum of consumer interests and needs.
Environmental and Agricultural Implications
The sustainability of THCa and Delta 9 THC production through cultivation requires attention to the environmental and agricultural aspects of cannabis cultivation. In fact, the technology and resources devoted to developing strains with particular chemical profiles for cannabinoids makes the cannabis industry one of the epicenters of patenting and innovation in agriculture. For example, work on genetic engineering for cannabis, indoor farming technology, and organic-box growing techniques are driving sustainability innovations.
The Future of Cannabis: THCa and Delta 9 THC
As we move forward, the therapeutic, wellness and recreational applications for both THCa and Delta 9 THC will undoubtedly progress, with groundbreaking discoveries still awaiting us as to what more these cannabinoids have to offer. The regulatory framework, too, will come into play as to where and how these compounds are accessible and utilized.
Conclusion
THCa and Delta 9 THC are very similar on some levels, but quite different on others, like it or not. Within each entity, there are considerable differences in chemical composition, health benefits, legal status and consumer market trends. As the cannabis industry grows exponentially, it is essential for consumers, healthcare professionals and policymakers to understand these subtle distinctions.
THCa vs Delta 9 THC – What’s the difference? For anyone exploring cannabis (whether for fun or for health), it’s worth understanding the difference between THCa (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, just in case you were wondering) and Delta 9 THC. Both can be made from the same starting material, but the end product is quite different. Delta 9 is the familiar cannabis high – and the therapeutic part of cannabis – but THCa is not psychoactive at all, and people are only just beginning to explore its potential benefits. Whichever you prefer, however, the more you learn about the cannabis plant, the more it seems that there is still so much more to discover about its many layered and unique contributions to science, medicine and human wellness.