If you thought cannabis was all about Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD), think again. New cannabinoids are being discovered and tested by scientists all of the time, with Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) grasping the cannabis community’s attention lately.

When isolated in their purest form, these cannabis compounds can provide the body with much-needed nourishment. This is known as crystalline – a concentrate with potencies hitting 99.9 percent.

Found in raw cannabis, THCA and CBDA are two cannabinoid acids that could play a major role in the future of cannabis medicine.

What is a cannabis concentrate?

“Concentrate” is a word commonly mentioned in the cannabis industry. It comes in many forms, such as wax, honey oil, butane hash oil, shatter, budder, dabs and, of course, crystalline. A cannabis concentrate is created by separating the chemical compounds found in cannabis, such as the cannabinoids and terpenes.

Why should you consider using cannabis concentrate like THCA and CBDA crystalline, you ask? Well, this crystal-like substance is extra potent and pure, therefore you can feel confident that you’re getting a sufficient dose of cannabis therapy. 

Here’s the scoop on THCA and CBDA

The incredible thing about THCA and CBDA is that they have separate properties and benefits.

It’s not just these cannabinoid acids that are created naturally by cannabis, but also:

• CBGA (Cannabigerolic acid)
• CBCA (Cannabichromenenic acid)
• CBGVA (Cannabigerovarinic acid)
• THCVA (Tetrahydrocanabivarinic acid)
• CBCVA (Cannabichromevarinic acid)
• CBDVA (Cannabidivarinic acid)

Of all the cannabinoids that are present within the trichomes, THCA and CBDA are the most prominent. Precursors to THC and CBD, these cannabinoids become active during the last stages of senescence in the cannabis plant cycle. Decarboxylation occurs at this time, causing the cannabinoids to activate. In its raw acidic form, it is inactive.

How is THCA and CBDA isolated into crystalline?

An extraction process, of which normally involves the use of solvents, will take place to separate the cannabinoids from the raw plant material.

No trace of terpenes, flavonoids, lipids or fats is found in the raw cannabis plant matter. What this means is that isolates have no aroma, flavor or color.

The extraction process is essential to make THCA and CBDA isolate. Butane is probably the most common solvent used to isolate THCA and CBDA. However, the procedure can also be carried out using propane, chloroform, and hexane.

Impure elements can be removed from the plant matter and refined into crystalline by using varying levels of pressure, heat, and motion to separate the material into liquid form. It is not advisable to attempt this kind of extraction process if you are not a professional or, at the very least, experienced.

Does THCA produce the same effects as CBDA?

When the quantity of THCA and CBDA is visible, they look a bit like crushed rock salt. Despite the fact they have a similar molecular composition, these compounds have different medical qualities.

Let’s take a look at some medical properties of both:

THCA – Non-psychoactive, this cannabinoid has anti-inflammatory, anti-emetic, and neuroprotective properties.

CBDA – Also non-psychoactive, this cannabinoid has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-nausea properties.

How can I consume THCA and CBDA crystalline?

The ways in which you can consume the highest-grade THCA and CBDA isolates is by no means limited.

You could mix your e-liquid with THCA/CBDA crystals and inhale the vapor. A recommended ratio is 70/30.

Alternatively, create your own tinctures by mixing the crystals with hemp seed oil, coconut oil or olive oil. Allow the crystals to diffuse into the oil by putting the sealed tincture in some hot water for 10 minutes.

Crystalline can also be baked into edibles by first stirring the crystals into butter and dissolving until the two ingredients combine well. Dabbing is another method of consumption for THCA and CBDA crystalline.