Chronic pain affects more than 20% of Americans, who often turn to addictive opiates and painkillers for relief. The good news is that research shows Delta-9 THC may be a promising therapeutic agent to relieve chronic pain as effectively as opioids and other commonly used treatments. THCA, another cannabinoid gaining popularity, also shows promise for chronic pain relief, and it might help with different forms of pain than THC.
Here we look at THC vs THCA for relieving chronic pain and its symptoms, including differences in their legality and best product types for pain relief.
How Does THC Work for Chronic Pain?
Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is the active ingredient that gives marijuana its psychoactive effects. THC binds with natural cannabinoid receptors throughout the body, particularly CB1 receptors in the brain and central nervous system.
Many chronic conditions stem from neuropathic pain, which happens when various factors, such as trauma, infections, or inherited diseases, damage the nervous system. When Delta-9 THC binds to receptors related to the nervous system, several effects occur that can help relieve chronic pain:
Boosts happiness levels: THC causes brain cells to release dopamine, a feel-good brain chemical. The Annals of Internal Medicine reported that mood plays a significant role in treating chronic pain, and THC’s mood-boosting effects can significantly help patients reframe their relationship to discomfort.
Regulates pain signals: THC can affect receptors in the brain that interpret pain signals. By changing how our minds receive these signals, THC can control pain thresholds and possibly replace addictive opioid drugs.
Reduces inflammation: Chronic pain often relates to autoimmune disorders and diseases in which inflammation is out of control. THC has anti-inflammatory actions that can reduce inflammation and help people feel more comfortable.
A review of cannabis research gathered from 15,000 participants found that cannabis with higher THC ratios resulted in a “moderate improvement in pain severity.”
According to a NASEM report on randomized clinical trials, THC reduced pain by 40% in numerous health conditions, including:
- Peripheral neuropathy (nerve pain from diabetes)
- Spinal cord injury
- HIV or complex regional pain syndrome
- Cancer
- Chemotherapy
- Muscle and joint problems
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Multiple sclerosis
What Is THCA?
THCA, short for tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, is another naturally occurring cannabinoid in hemp and cannabis plants. Chemically, it is almost identical to THC, except it contains an extra carboxyl group. This additional ring causes the most significant difference between THC vs THCA. THCA won’t get you high. THCA has a different shape than THC, so it can’t bind to the brain’s receptors that produce marijuana’s euphoric, trippy effects.
Still, THCA and THC are closely related. You can think of THCA as the “precursor” to THC. It mainly exists in young, freshly harvested marijuana plants. As marijuana plants age, a chemical process called decarboxylation removes THCA’s extra molecular ring and converts it into THC.
Heat is the natural catalyst that decarboxylates, or “decarbs,” THCA into THC. Applying heat, such as smoking, vaping, dabbing, or cooking cannabis for edibles, converts nearly all THCA into the psychoactive version, THC.
How Does THCA Work for Chronic Pain?
THCA shares many of THC’s therapeutic qualities. However, its extra carboxyl group also results in different interactions with the human body. For instance, THCA displays some effects more in common with CBD, marijuana’s other widely known cannabinoid.
While THC binds with receptors in the brain to address neuropathic pain, THCA, and CBD seem to primarily affect neurotransmitters responsible for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions.
Research shows that THCA has several benefits that can help those with different types of chronic pain:
Anti-Inflammatory: THCA may possess more anti-inflammatory properties than CBD and THC, reducing chronic pain and muscle spasms related to inflammatory diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.
Anti-Seizure: Preliminary findings suggest that THCA may help with seizure disorders and spasms related to epilepsy and multiple sclerosis.
Relaxation: THCa can be calming and relaxing without psychoactive effects, similar to CBD products. It can serve as a sleep aid and help with insomnia, a common symptom of chronic pain.
THC vs. THCA: Differences in Legality
Depending on state laws where you live, THC and THCA legality may affect your pain management options.
Many states have legalized marijuana for medical and recreational use. But the U.S. government still classifies Delta 9 THC as a Schedule I substance, making it federally illegal. On the other hand, THCA is federally legal.
Best THC Products for Chronic Pain
Many people with chronic pain prefer oral and sublingual extracts, along with smokeable flower.
- Smokeable flower: Many users smoke Delta 9 THC directly from the source material, which quickly sends THC to the brain via the circulatory system and can relieve pain in minutes.
- Oils, extracts, and tinctures: These versatile options are easy to add to food or beverages or place under the tongue.
- Edibles, such as gummies and candies: THC edibles travel through the digestive system, which slows and intensifies their effects. They can relieve pain longer than smoked cannabis, often for four or more hours.
How to Consume THCA for Chronic Pain Relief
Heating cannabis, when smoking or making edibles, will convert THCA into regular Delta-9 THC. To avoid decarboxylation, chronic pain sufferers who want THCA should consume raw cannabis or cold-pressed extracts that don’t involve heating.
- Raw cannabis juice: Raw cannabis might be the healthiest and most accessible way to consume THCA for its pure effects alone. Incorporating raw cannabis into a juicing routine and supplementing it with superfoods like dandelion greens, blueberries, or almond milk is popular for better THCA efficacy and taste.
- Tinctures or drops: Raw cannabis tinctures have high levels of THCA and are easier to dose and travel with than juicing.
- Topicals: Transdermal patches apply to the skin like nicotine patches and stay on for 8-12 hours for localized pain relief.
The Bottom Line
THC and THCA can be promising therapies for different types of chronic pain. Products with higher THC ratios are better for neuropathic pain because THC acts on receptors in our brains and central nervous system. THC’s psychoactive effects also provide an essential mood boost, which can significantly impact treatment.
In raw cannabis form, THCA offers users many therapeutic benefits in line with THC and CBD but without psychoactive effects. Like CBD, THCA can potentially better relieve inflammation, muscle spasms, and seizures. THCA is also federally legal, which can make it more accessible.
