The debate about the medical benefits of cannabis has been going on for years, and it doesn’t look like it will end anytime soon. One of the things that make cannabis interesting is the fact that it produces a wide array of chemical compounds with different sets of pros and cons.
One class of chemicals--known as cannabinoids--is almost exclusively produced by cannabis. And one of the cannabinoids people talk about the most is THCA.
What is THCA?
Simply put, THCA is the acid form of THC. What makes it unique is that it carries medicinal and therapeutic benefits, and is also non-psychoactive.
This compound is one of the most abundant cannabinoid acids. Its properties mean that it can deliver a wide range of health benefits without effecting changes in the user’s consciousness.
Benefits of THCA
Research on THCA is still in its infancy, but there has already been a great deal of findings with regard to its medicinal benefits. Potential benefits offered by this compound include the following:
Anti-inflammatory Properties
Research findings have shown that THCA has the potential to be used in treating general pain, muscle spasms, arthritis, lupus, and menstrual cramps, as well as a variety of auto-immune conditions. A publication released by Dr. Bonni Goldstein reports that 10-20 milligrams of THCA has proven effective in reducing pain associated with arthritis and even irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Neuroprotective Properties
These properties found in THCA could potentially make the compound ideal for treating neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia and Parkinson’s Disease.
Anti-emetic Properties
These properties could very well make THCA useful for treating nausea, reversing appetite loss, and addressing stomach problems. Scientists at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, found that THCA in extremely low doses prevented nausea in rat subjects. The compound was also found to synergize successfully with CBDA, which means it can definitely acts as a powerful anti-emetic compound.
Anti-proliferative Properties
According to research, THCA could potentially help slow down the rate of several forms of cancer and other diseases. A 2013 study found that THCA limited the spread of prostate cancer cells in cell structures and animal models. A 2012 study also discovered that the compound neutralizes damage from oxidative neurotoxins.
Epilepsy and Seizure Treatment
Research has also shown that there’s a great deal of promise for THCA being able to treat epilepsy and seizures. One particular study showed that subjects experienced a 90% reduction in seizures when two milligrams of THCA was administered on a daily basis.
Additionally, studies also showed that when THCA is combined with certain terpenes in a cannabis strain, the compound’s anti-epilepsy and anti-seizure properties are greatly enhanced.
THCA vs. THC
Another oft-talked about cannabinoid is THC, and it is important to learn the difference between the two when doing your research about the potential health benefits of cannabis. As mentioned earlier, THCA is the acid form of THC. Note that all cannabinoids are generally produced in acid form, and these acids do not give users the high typically caused by THC, which is essentially a breakdown of THCA.
Basically the only difference between THC and THCA in terms of chemical structure is that THCA has a small molecule called a carboxyl group attached to it. With regard to their effects on your health, however, there can be a world of difference.
THCA in Hemp Flowers
It is said that among the best sources of THCA are hemp flowers, which are more commonly known as CBD buds. These flowers are produced by a mature female hemp plant and smell exactly like cannabis flowers.
If you’re keeping up with research on cannabinoids like CBD and THCA, then you may have noticed that the internet is now abuzz with talk of hemp flowers. These flowers were thrust into the limelight when the potential medicinal properties of cannabinoids were discovered and it became known that the compounds can be found in substantial amounts in the buds.
Note that CBD buds are not the same as Cannabis buds. While hemp and marijuana both belong to the family Cannabaceae and the genus cannabis, they are entirely different plants with different properties and effects on the human body.
The negative reputation of the marijuana plant can be attributed largely to THC, which is seen only in extremely low amounts in hemp. Specifically, hemp typically contains no more than 0.2% THC. This means it is practically impossible to get the mind-altering high commonly associated with marijuana from hemp.
It is no wonder, then, that smokable hemp has recently gained popularity as a viable substitute for pot or weed. Hemp flowers offer the benefits of THCA without the risks associated with THC. Even better news is that hemp is legal in most countries. This may be why more and more people are now turning to products like Pure Therapy MD hemp flowers in lieu of the cannabis products they previously made use of.
Of course, the therapeutic and medicinal effects of THCA need to be studied further. But research that has been conducted so far certainly points to the compound’s significant potential, and such potential should not be dismissed.
Please visit www.puretherapymd.com or our store in Alpharetta, Georgia to find out about the products that we have. We offer fast shipping to ensure that you can get our oils in hand to start to experience the benefits of CBD for yourself in no time.