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Cannabis Chemistry: Breaking Down Types of THC
Unlock the secrets of cannabis chemistry with our guide to THC. Learn about its types, effects, and how each cannabinoid can elevate your experience.
What is THC and How Does It Work?
THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the primary psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant. THC binds to the CB1 receptors in your brain and central nervous system, influencing your mood, pain perception, appetite, and memory. The psychoactive effect of THC can allow you to feel euphoric and relaxed. This compound can be consumed in many different forms such as through smoking cannabis flower, edibles, oil, concentrates, or tinctures. It is also known to help with chronic pain, nausea, muscle spasms, inflammation, appetite stimulation, anxiety, insomnia, and much more!
Understanding THC vs THCa: Key Differences and Best Products
THC and THCa are two different cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. THC is psychoactive, while THCa is non-intoxicating until it is exposed to heat and undergoes a process called decarboxylation, which then converts it into THC and causes psychoactive effects. THCa is a cannabinoid found in live and raw cannabis plants that is non-intoxicating and has been noted to provide non-psychoactive therapeutic benefits. Some positive outcomes that have been documented about THCa are that it may:
- Help to reduce inflammation
- Have neuroprotective potential
- Provide antioxidative support
- Relieve nausea, inhibit cancer growth
- Reduce seizures, offer immune support
- Aid sleep
- Decrease stress
Contrary to THC, THCa can only be consumed by smoking or vaping to get a psychoactive effect due to the need for the THC to be heat-activated. To get non-psychoactive effects from THCa, you can consume it by adding THCa cannabis flower into smoothies, juices, or salads.
THCv and THCp: Emerging Cannabinoids
THCv and THCp are both cannabinoids in cannabis plants. THCv is typically used as an appetite suppressant to encourage weight loss. When THCv is taken in small doses, it does not cause psychoactive effects but when taken in higher dosages it can cause psychoactive effects. There have been reports stating that this compound gave an energized and focused effect along with a clear mind. THCv has also been noted to help:
- Regulate blood and sugar levels
- Maintain bone health
- Decrease appetite
- Manage inflammation
- Reduce anxiety, relieve stress,
- Reduce seizures or spasms.
THCv can be consumed through vaping, smoking, edibles, and oil tinctures.
THCp is a rather new and rare, psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis plants that was discovered by Italian researchers in 2019. It is said that THCp binds to the C1 receptors in your brain and nervous system up to 33 times faster than THC. With that being said, THC is the primary cannabinoid in cannabis plants, so THCp being more potent is rare. THCp can produce the same effects as THC such as euphoria, relaxation, regulate sleep patterns, anxiety, and pain relief but with more intensity due to the high potency levels. THCp can be consumed by smoking, vaping, edibles, oil tinctures, and concentrates.
Choosing the Right Cannabinoid for Your Needs
When looking for a product, it is crucial to read the labels and what the items inside the product entail such as THC, THCa, THCv, and THCp. Before choosing a specific cannabinoid, it is important to first examine your individual needs.
- If you are looking for supplements that can help with pain relief, THC, THCa, and THCp would be the best aid.
- If you are looking for something that can help suppress your appetite or regulate blood and sugar levels, THCv might be for you.
- If you are looking for something to help you sleep, indica strains of THC, THCa, and THCp are recommended.
- If you are looking for anxiety and/or stress relief supplements, THC, THCv, and THCp are most likely what you need.
- If you are looking to relieve spasms, THCv and THC would be the best aids for you.
Is THCp safe to consume?
Yes, THCp is safe to consume but requires careful dosing due to the high potency levels.
Can I get high from THCa?
No, THCa is non-psychoactive but when exposed to heat, THCa undergoes the decarboxylation process, which then turns THCa into THC which has psychoactive effects.
Are these cannabinoids legal?
Although THC above 0.3% by weight is not federally legal, THCa, THCv, and THCp are hemp products making them federally legal from the 2018 Farm Bill.
What are the potential benefits of these cannabinoids?
The potential benefits of THC are pain, stress, and nausea relief through psychoactive effects.
For THCa, the potential benefits are anti-inflammatory along with neuroprotective properties without psychoactive effects. THCv has been noted to help with appetite control, clear mind, and a decrease in anxiety.
As stated, THCp is known for its high potency levels. Along with that being said, some potential benefits that can come from this specific cannabinoid can be pain relief and relaxation.
Are these cannabinoids lab-tested?
Yes, all of our products are lab-tested and approved. On the back of every one of our products is a QR code that allows you to scan and see the lab tests done on that specific product.
How many milligrams of THC in edibles should I take?
Everyone’s body and THC tolerance is different so the answer is not simple. For beginners with low tolerances, a dosage of 1-5 milligrams of THC is recommended. For regular users that have a moderate tolerance, 5-15 milligrams of THC is typical. For experienced users with higher tolerances, 15-30+ milligrams may be needed to achieve the desired effect. When taking edibles, it is important to wait at least an hour and a half to two hours before taking any more milligrams of THC. It is always better to start with a low dosage of THC and work your way up to ensure you do not feel overly intoxicated which can lead to a possible negative experience.
Can these cannabinoids be combined?
Yes, these cannabinoids can be combined. When combining different cannabinoids, it can allow the entourage effect to induce which can allow for enhanced therapeutic effects, which may create an overall better experience. All the benefits of each cannabinoid can be displayed when combining different cannabinoids for the desired experience. When combining different cannabinoids it is important to understand the specific effects of each cannabinoid and from there you can plan your desired experience for your individual needs. Some examples of different outcomes of combining different cannabinoids are:
- Combining THCv with THC or other cannabinoids can counterbalance the sedative effects and make your experience feel more clear-minded along with the help of containing the munchies.
- When combining THCp with other cannabinoids, it can allow for a more intense psychoactive experience.
- Combining THCa and THCp can allow for a balanced experience with psychoactive effects.
Want to see the difference for yourself? Stop by any of our dispensaries to explore a wide variety of THC products tailored to your needs. If you prefer to shop online, check out our store for easy ordering and quick delivery on orders over $100! See you soon. 👋🍃
