The THCA flower is getting all the buzz right now. While its psychoactive counterpart, THC, primarily gets attention for its intoxicating effects, THCA is becoming recognized for its unique health properties. It is a great choice for people who want the potential health benefits of cannabis without the intoxicating effect.
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You can buy them as THCA flower strains, which contain varying levels of cannabinoids. Some of the most popular THCA flower strains include Hawthorne Express, White Truffle strain, King Kush, and Lemon Meringue.
This article delves into the THCA flower, what it is, and the potential medicinal benefits of the flower.
What is the THCA Flower
By now, you probably know about THCA, short for tetrahydrocannabinolic acid. It is produced in the glandular trichomes of the plant. THCA is not intoxicating like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This is because the molecule’s shape prevents it from binding to the CB1 receptor of the endocannabinoid system. The extra carboxylic acid group makes the molecule slightly bigger, so it cannot bind to the receptor. However, the molecule can undergo carboxylation to lose the carboxyl group atom to become THC. THC binds readily to the endocannabinoid system receptors to produce psychoactive effects.
Now that we have provided background information on THCA, we can delve into THCA properly. THCA flower is a particular type of cannabis flower cultivated and processed to contain high levels of THCA. It is usually dried and cured without exposure to heat; this allows for the preservation of THCA so it doesn’t decarboxylate to become THC. As a result, THCA flower strains have low amounts of THC.
THCA Flower and its Medicinal Benefits
THCA does not bind with the CB1 receptors. However, it interacts indirectly with the endocannabinoid system to provide various medicinal health benefits. Here are some of the potential health benefits of THCA flowers.
Reduction of Inflammation
Inflammation is a normal immune system response to tissue damage, infection, or injury. However, chronic inflammation can affect health. It can cause arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and multiple sclerosis. Anti-inflammatory properties are one of the key benefits of THCA. The effect of THCA on the endocannabinoid system inhibits the production of inflammatory cytokines. This controls the body’s response to inflammation. Reducing inflammatory cytokines helps the body reduce inflammation and alleviate the symptoms of inflammatory conditions.
Pain Relief
Pain is a symptom of various health conditions. It indicates that something is wrong somewhere. THCA interacts with the CB2 receptors to reduce pain perception so that the person feels less pain. It does this by modulating the brain signals that transmit pain to the brain.
It can also increase the production of dopamine and serotonin. This helps to alleviate pain and improve general mood.
Treatment of Neurological Disorders
THCA offers neuroprotective properties. Studies have confirmed that it can stimulate certain growth factors that promote the growth and survival of nerve cells. A 2017 study on THCA revealed that it activates the PPARγ receptor to protect the brain against neurodegenerative conditions. It can also reduce oxidative stress that contributes to cellular damage in the brain.
Metabolic Benefits
THCA offers potential metabolic benefits to the human body. It can interact with the endocannabinoid system to stimulate appetite so the person can eat more. This is useful for people suffering from anorexia or cachexia. It can also improve gut health by promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. This helps to protect the gut from inflammation.
How to Consume THCA Flower
You can consume THCA flowers in several ways. If you want to consume THCA without getting high, you could add it to your diet. For instance, you could juice it, blend it into a smoothie, or put it in a salad. You can also add them to your meals. However, you should consider that exposure to heat can convert it to THC. We recommend you add them to dishes that don’t require heat. Alternatively, you can add it at the end of the cooking process.
Conversely, if you want a more traditional cannabis experience with the high, you could smoke or vape it. Smoking or vaping the flower converts it to THC, which binds to the receptor and produces a high.
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