When most people think of cannabis THC comes to mind. Or maybe it’s CBD. But what you might not consider is any of the hundreds of additional cannabinoids you consume through marijuana, like THCa.
While THC is the most well-known cannabinoid in cannabis - the one that gets you “high” - its close cousin THCa is the most abundant. But does THCa get you high? No, at least, not on its own. So who cares then?
Well, as you’ll learn below, THCa is the chemical precursor to THC. That means all THC starts as THCa and is only converted to its psychoactive form when exposed to high temperatures, be it through smoking, vaping, or decarboxylating.
In this sense, yes - THCa gets you high when you know how to use it. So, keep reading as we dive into what you can expect from the THCa high. Or, feel it firsthand by treating yourself to live rosin gummies or live resin gummies at Evn today!
What is THCa?
Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCa) is a nonpsychoactive cannabinoid in the cannabis plant. It was discovered only in 1995, and only recently did the scientific community start paying more attention to this mysterious little cannabinoid.
A 2017 study uncovered potential medical uses and applications for THCa, including a unique ability to soothe seizures and even alleviate chronic pain. While the early findings are certainly promising, there’s still a lot to learn about what it can do in terms of therapeutic effects.
You’ll find plenty of THCa in fresh cannabis plants - as we mentioned earlier, it’s the most concentrated cannabinoid. You may have consumed it without realizing it if you’ve ever juiced cannabis (don't knock it until you try it), or added it to a salad (again, try it before ya knock it!).
But if you’re like the vast majority of casual consumers or diehard enthusiasts, you’re probably using vapes, smoking flower, consuming edibles, or enjoying tinctures. This begs the question, does THCa get you high?
Does THCa Get You High?
This is a loaded question because on its own, no - THCa does not get you high. But the moment you decarboxylate it, either by vaping, smoking, or cooking into edibles, that THCa turns into its psychoactive counterpart, THC.
How Does THCa Get You High?
So, does THCa get you high? We’ll answer your question with a question. Are you consuming raw cannabis flower, either through capsules or juices? Then the answer is no.
But if you’re consuming cannabis edibles (which have been decarbed) or you’re smoking/vaping cannabis, the answer is yes - THCa isn’t the cannabinoid getting you high, but it is being converted to THC and you’re going to catch a buzz.
When THCa is exposed to heat it loses its acidity, and the “A” in its name falls off. As carbon dioxide is released, the THCa is converted into the intoxicating THC that attaches to the body’s endocannabinoid receptors and brings out the psychedelic euphoria that cannabis is famous for.
Now, it’s worth noting that THCa on its own can interact with the body's endocannabinoid system - a network of receptors responsible for how you feel cannabis.
That being said, its effects are more subtle compared to THC. It doesn't produce the euphoric sensation that THC is known for, but it may offer other benefits, such as reducing inflammation and nausea. We touched on some of its potential in studies earlier. But, let’s take a closer look:
Psychoactivity Aside, Don’t Overlook the Therapeutic Potential of THCA
While THCa doesn't get you high (at least not in its pure form), it does have its place in the context of medicinal cannabis. CBD gets the spotlight for its therapeutic potential, but it’s time we put a bit more respect on THCa.
Cannabis in general has been known to promote a healthier inflammatory response, which is why you hear about it being used to manage conditions like arthritis, epilepsy, or even just as a way to deal with the aches and pains of everyday life.
Sure, some of this can be attributed to CBD - but when isolated out, we’ve seen studies suggesting that THCa may be linked to better inflammatory markers as well.
That’s not all, either. Other studies suggest that THCa might have neuroprotective properties, too, making it an exciting area of study for its connection to Alzheimer's. THCa has even shown promise as an antiemetic, meaning it could help reduce nausea and vomiting.
You’re probably familiar with cannabis being used to support those battling through chemotherapy or other chronic conditions that cause nausea. Some of this can be traced back to THCa.
How Long Does THCa High Last?
So, how long does THCa high last? Because you need to smoke it, vape it, or eat it in edibles to enjoy that conversion from THCa to THC, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to what you can expect from the THCa high.
Smoking cannabis, be it through a joint, bong rip, pipe, or any other contraption for that matter, leads to effects that kick in within minutes and can last up to a few hours at most. Vaping cannabis oil produces faster effects but they tend to subside faster, too.
Edibles and other decarbed THCa products (like THC tinctures) tend to take longer but it’s worth the wait, as the sensations can linger for hours on end. This is our favorite approach.
But keep in mind consumption method is just one piece of the puzzle. Your dosage, metabolism, and tolerance with cannabis will also dictate how long your THCa high lasts. But at this point, let’s take a closer look at how to get high with THCa.
How to Get High With THCa
Be clear - THCa high doesn’t get you high. Only once you expose it to heat will it transform into its full psychoactive potential. That being said, there are a number of ways you can tap into all that THCa has to offer. Here’s how to get high with THCa:
Dabbing THCa Diamonds
Some consumers use THCa in its pure extracted form, commonly called THCa diamonds. Dabbing these diamonds is a common and highly potent way to reap the benefits of THCa.
Just be sure you know what you’re in for with dabbing, as it can be really intense compared to smoking or vaping cannabis. Think of it like taking a shot (perhaps even a double shot) compared to drinking a single beer slowly.
Dabs can also be a bit more complex compared to other methods. You need to invest in a specialized dab rig, buy a torch, and learn how to find the perfect temperature to deliver a flavorful hit that doesn’t destroy your lungs. There are better options.
Smoking THCa Flower
Nothing beats the classic approach to getting high: smoking. Lighting up a bowl or sparking a joint is the simplest way to unlock all that psychoactive potential.
Just be aware that smoking cannabis introduces carcinogens into your lungs, and while it may not be as detrimental as smoking cigarettes, your lungs are one of the most vital organs keeping you alive.
That’s a conversation for another day, but with safer alternatives available, why take any chances?
Vaping THCa
Although you’re still introducing substances other than oxygen into your lungs, vaping is seen as a cleaner solution to getting high with THCa since you’re not combusting plant matter.
Instead, a dry herb vaporizer or THCa concentrate vape heats it to the perfect temperature, decarbing the THCa without burning off as many terpenes. In this sense you get the best of both worlds: a strong high with true-to-strain flavor.
Vaping is also more efficient than smoking, as a little goes a long way. You’re getting better bang for your buck with vapes than smoking.
Eating Edibles
THCa edibles won’t get you high unless the THCa has already been decarboxylated before infusion. We’ve taken the guesswork out of this for you at Evn, where you’ll discover the hybrid gummies, indica gummies, and sativa gummies online. We even have CBN THC gummies!
Eating edibles offers unparalleled precision in dosing since you know exactly what you’re consuming. It’s also really discreet and convenient. No stinky odors, no fumbling around with raw plant matter. Just pop a gummy and enjoy the ride.
The real reason edibles are the best way to enjoy cannabis, though, is the prolonged effects they provide - sometimes lasting 4-6 hours! Whether you go with RSO gummies vs live resin gummies or THC tinctures vs edibles, oral consumption also saves your lungs.
Our blog has tips on how to make live resin gummies if you’re interested in this approach, but with the best selection just a few clicks away, why bother? Treat yourself at Evn today.
Final Words on How to Get High Off THCa
So, does THCa get you high? This is a fairly convoluted topic but we hope you have a solid grasp of how to get high off THCa at this point - you simply need to decarboxylate it.
That’s a fancy way to say that exposing THCa to heat (either through smoking, vaping, or baking) transforms it into THC, the psychoactive cannabinoid you’re really interested in.
Learn more about all the various cannabinoids in our blog, with resources like CBN vs THC, THCa vs delta 9, or even the differences between indica vs sativa vs hybrid. We’re here to help you understand and enjoy cannabis to the fullest.
So whether you want the best sativa gummies for energy or you’re dying to experience the indica gummies effects to help you wind down after a long day, shop our selection today and spoil yourself with nature’s finest.
