Science Says: Everything You Should Know About THC-A

If you’re at all familiar with cannabis, you’ve likely heard of THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol. It’s the chemical compound in cannabis that delivers the euphoric high commonly associated with marijuana.

But are you familiar with its precursor, THC-A, or tetrahydrocannabinolic acid?

What is THC-A?

These compounds may sound alike, but THC-A has very different properties and is beginning to demonstrate immense potential for alleviating physical ailments. It’s an anti-inflammatory, helps inhibit the growth of cancer cells, is a neuroprotectant and offers antispasmodic assistance.

THC-A is the main constituent in most live and raw cannabis and is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid. As the plant dries, THC-A slowly converts to THC. However, when THC-A is heated through a process called decarboxylation—a fancy word for what happens when cannabis is smoked, vaporized or otherwise heated—THC-A converts to THC and becomes psychoactive if inhaled or ingested.

Although it has not been on the radar of researchers until recently, THC-A has been used as medical treatment in Chinese medicine for thousands of years: Emperor Shen Nung in 2737 BC used cannabis to treat pain from rheumatism and gout.

What Studies say about THC-A

Research is in its infancy, and no one can claim definitively what THC-A can treat effectively, but early data and anecdotal evidence suggest THC-A could become a powerhouse cannabinoid with an array of benefits. According to a paper entitled “Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid is a potent PPARγ agonist with neuroprotective activity” published in the British Journal of Pharmacology in 2017, “Δ9‐THCA shows potent neuroprotective activity, which is worth considering for the treatment of Huntington’s disease and possibly other neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases.”

According to preliminary research, THC-A has shown promise for people suffering from:

    • Chronic pain
    • Minor sprains and strains
    • Inflammation
    • Arthritis
    • Lupus
    • Huntington’s disease
    • Muscle spasms and cramps
    • Nausea and appetite loss
    • Insomnia
    • Skin conditions

We know that our skin has millions of cannabinoid receptors, and we’re learning that THC-A appears to be a potent antioxidant, meaning it prevents free radicals from damaging skin, causing wrinkles or even skin cancer.

The human endocannabinoid system affects just about every aspect of our health and well-being. While compounds like THC and CBD improve mood in the face of physical pain, THC-A works on the root cause of pain by regulating the functions that support the endocannabinoid system and reducing inflammation. Topicals infused with cannabinoids like THC-A can thus be highly effective for easing localized inflammation, pain, soreness and skin issues. Clients have told us that our topicals relax their overworked muscles and ease soreness and pain.

At Mary Jane’s Medicinals, we believe in the healing power of plants, not to mention the wisdom of the plant. For this reason, our topicals are produced through a whole-plant infusion process, allowing us to access the full spectrum of cannabinoids, including the powerful and wonderful THC-A.

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