CBD vs THCA: Similarities & Differences
Coming from the same wonderful plant, CBD and THCA share far more similarities than they do differences. To mistake one cannabinoid for the other, however, would be to mix up a compound with full potential for intoxication with another that could never intoxicate you in any way.
It’s for this reason, primarily, that it’s important to learn the differences between CBD and THCA. There’s also nothing wrong with simply satisfying your curiosity.
Cannabis & cannabinoids 101
- THCA and CBD both come from Cannabis sativa- CBD is a final-form cannabinoid, though, while THCA is a precursor
- THCA converts to THC
- CBD doesn’t convert into anything
- THC is federally illegal
- THCA and CBD, though, are considered hemp
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid found in hemp and cannabis. Though it’s present in the same sources as THC, CBD couldn’t be more different. Where THC (and its derivatives) are intoxicating, CBD is not — it provides a mildly relaxing sensation that people report is useful for pain relief and sleep.
What is THCA?
Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) is the chemical precursor to THC. It is technically a carboxylic acid, and it only becomes a full-fledged cannabinoid when converted in a process called “decarboxylation.” Prior to conversion, THCA is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid much like CBD. THCA converts into THC when exposed to even mild heat, however, meaning it usually has intoxicating effects.
How is CBD similar to THCA?
Though it’s true they’re quite different, we’ll focus on what makes CBD and THCA the same first:
Cannabis origins
Both CBD and THCA are natural cannabinoids found in cannabis. They are only very rarely converted or synthesized in any way.
All-natural
CBD and THCA are all-natural, as compared to cannabinoids like delta 8, which are converted from other compounds.
Relaxing benefits
Prior to conversion, THCA has relaxing benefits that make it much like CBD. THCA is even relaxing when converted to THC — if you don’t mind relaxation combined with intoxication, that is.
How is CBD different from THCA?
While it’s true that CBD and THCA are bonded by ties that can never be separated, the two cannabinoids are undeniably quite unlike each other. Let’s take a look at some of the distinct ways THCA is different from CBD:
Chemical differences
The chemical composition of CBD is quite a bit different from the composition of THC already, and then the fact that THCA is a carboxylic acid must be taken into consideration. In addition to the variances already seen between CBD and THC, THCA also sports a carboxylic acid tail, making it that much more unlike CBD chemically.
Differences in effects
THC offers the classic effects of cannabis: a stoney intoxication that can lead to significant changes in perception and mood. CBD, on the other hand, will never cause hallucinations, paranoia, or a high of any kind. Its effects are mild; CBD is universally considered to be “non-intoxicating.”
Regulatory differences
Interestingly, there are no major regulatory differences between CBD and THCA. Both are considered “industrial hemp” since they are not THC — even THCA, which becomes THC when used in most conventional ways. Nonetheless, THCA is just as legal as CBD at the federal level.
Why you might want to use CBD
Those who appreciate the healing and relaxing power of cannabis might enjoy CBD — especially if they aren’t so fond of the plant’s psychoactive side. Aside from recreational purposes, CBD has also demonstrated considerable potential as a medicine against diseases as varied as epilepsy, arthritis, and cognitive deterioration.
Why you might want to use THCA
Simply put, THCA is the legal alternative to THC that nonetheless turns into THC when you vape it or smoke it. Unheated, it’s also possible to enjoy the non-intoxicating side of THCA. Most users seek out THCA for its ability to convert into THC, though — a property that makes THCA the closest hemp cannabinoid to “real THC.”
Choosing the best CBD and THCA products
Regardless of which cannabinoid they contain, securing stable access to high-quality CBD products must be the highest priority of today’s cannabis consumer. In-state dispensaries offer same-day convenience, but they lack variety, and the quality of dispensary-bought CBD and THCA products is difficult to verify.
Online, you have your pick between hundreds of competing brands. Reading customer reviews leads you to realize that only a few high-quality companies offer both CBD and THCA products, Secret Nature being their leading member. Over 25,000 five-star verified reviews prove that Secret Nature is the world’s most-trusted provider of cannabis products of all kinds — THCA and CBD included.
Summary: CBD and THCA compared
In the end, cannabis compounds like CBD and THCA will always have more in common than they differ from each other. Still, it would be a mistake to believe CBD and THCA are the same — one cannabinoid has the potential to get you high, but the other could never do so.
Like all the members of the cannabinoid family, CBD and THCA complement each other. Used in combination, they trigger the entourage effect, making the benefits of both cannabinoids stronger.
If you want to experience the cannabis plant to its fullest, use CBD and THCA together. If you’re after benefits that only one of these complementary cannabinoids can provide, though, make sure you select the right compound.
THCA vs. CBD FAQ
Dive deeper into the details surrounding THCA and CBD in the following FAQ:
Does THCA turn into CBD?
No, THCA has no chance of converting into CBD. Both cannabinoids start out as one substance — CBGA. Once enzymes have encoded CBGA to convert into a particular cannabinoid, though, it cannot be changed back.
CBGA that has turned into THCA through enzymatic exposure will remain THCA until it turns into THC. It cannot become a different cannabinoid precursor, which means it cannot become a different cannabinoid.
Can CBD turn into THCA?
No, CBD cannot convert into THCA under any circumstances. CBD has already solidified into its final form, meaning that any chances of the cannabinoid turning into THCA were already lost two chemical transformations prior. Also, it’s impossible for a decarboxylated cannabinoid to turn back into a cannabinoid precursor, another reason CBD could never become THCA.
Do CBD products contain THCA?
Yes, you can expect full-spectrum CBD products to contain at least some amount of THCA. The THCA concentration in CBD products is usually below 1%, however. THCA is not counted as part of the 0.3% THC limit for federal regulatory purposes.
How powerful is THCA?
The intoxication potential of THCA depends on how you use it. In its acidic, non-converted form, THCA is about as “powerful” as CBD in its ability to get you high. When you expose THCA to heat, however, it becomes THC, which is considered to be one of the most intoxicating natural cannabinoids in existence.
Which is stronger: CBD or THCA?
If you’re counting potential for intoxication as strength, THCA is certainly stronger than CBD. For those seeking relief from pain, however, CBD might be “stronger” than THCA. Whether you consider CBD or THCA to be stronger depends on the reason you’re using cannabinoids in the first place.
Is THCA better than CBD for anxiety?
Anxiety affects individuals differently. Some might benefit more from CBD’s calming effects, but others may find that THCA’s perception-altering properties help them separate from anxiety better. Try each cannabinoid separately, and then together, to determine whether CBD or THCA works better for your anxiety.
