Unraveling THCa Side Effects
With the way THCa is rising in the cannabis industry, it’s not surprising that many users are oblivious to its side effects. Most people focus on the benefits and forget that they’ll have to deal with some THCa side effects.
Yes, THCa is a better alternative to pure cannabis THC products since you can juice it for its benefits without intoxication, but irresponsible use leads to harmful and damaging side effects.
THCa side effects range from simple fatigue to anxiety, tachycardia, weight loss, and dryness of the mouth and eyes.
This guide covers common THCa side effects that you may experience and how best to manage them.
What Does THCa Do?
If you’re using THCa, it’s most likely because your doctor prescribed it as a medicinal cannabis product to manage health problems such as joint pain, muscle spasm, and low energy, or you heard that it’s great for elevating your mood and boosting your appetite.
Whatever the reason for your usage, these are all true benefits of the product. But what they may not tell you is that THCa usage has side effects that can be dangerous if not managed properly. Don’t panic though, it’s not too much for you to handle.
The first step to properly managing THCa side effects is to prepare your mind for them. So, here’s a summary of what to expect.
Hidden THCa Side Effects That People Ignore
THCa side effects are typically temporary, but abusing the product can make them permanent.
From the mild THCa side effects to the extreme ones, these are the results to expect when you use THCa flowers, buds, or any other medium.
Tiredness
The Indica THCa strain, known for its stress relieving effects, would slow down your body system and relax your mind. For users who need high energy in the morning or evening, this tiredness is not welcome.
But if you’re struggling with sleep and simply need to unwind, the fatigue is a welcome distraction, as a THCa side effect.
So you see that tiredness as a side effect is not necessarily a good or bad thing. It’s simply a matter of perspective.
Dryness
One of the most obvious THCa side effects is dryness in the eyes and the mouth. It’s why some people are experts at identifying cannabis users, even if they only indulge in THCa flowers now.
This THCa side effect gets worse when you convert the THCa compound into THC through burning because of the smoke. Your eyes could get itchy and turn reddish for extended periods.
Dryness from THCa is also a scientific side effect because heating the THCa compound directly affects your tear and saliva glands.
Weight Loss
Consistent THCa use can cause weight loss, which is ironic, given that appetite improvement is one of its benefits. But here’s the thing according to research, the cannabinoids in THC are active, producing beneficial nutrients your body needs, such as Amino Acids, Fatty Acids, and Omega-3 Fatty Acids.
Anxiety
Each person reacts uniquely to using THCa, especially when they convert it to THC cannabis with heat. The decarboxylation process, which occurs from the heat reaction, causes intoxication in the user.
Intoxication itself can be a fun or bad trip. For some people, getting high triggers anxiety and its symptoms, such as panic attacks, hyperventilation, tachycardia (heavy heartbeat), and paranoia.
Managing THCa Side Effects
Can you manage THCa side effects? Yes, you absolutely can! The real question should be, how can you manage or avoid THCa side effects?
Understand Your Strain
THCa side effects may vary by strain. With the Indica pain relief strain, you’ll get dizzy, while Sativa energizing strains keep you hyper focused.
So, if you use the wrong type of THCa expecting certain results, you’d get unexpected side effects. Think of it like this if you take pure Sativa expecting pain relief, you’ll instead get hyperfocus and extra energy while the pain lingers.
That means you must always match your THCa to your needs.
Quality Check
Terrible THCa side effects come from using substandard products. So, you must always ensure that you’re buying your THCa from a licensed supplier.
Without proper licensing and regulation, there’s no way of knowing how your supplier makes their product because buying cheaper and unlicensed products would cost you your health in the long run.
Check out the brand’s policy on pesticides, fertilizer use, heavy metals, diluting or augmenting THCa with other substances for higher potency before buying from a brand.
At SuperGreens Hemp Co., we test all our products and are transparent with our customers on the contents and THCa/THC percentages.
Dose Control
Another leading cause for negative or prolonged THCa side effects is a lack of quantity control. You can’t afford to use THCa indiscriminately and then get confused when the side effects are extreme or last longer than expected.
Like with any other drug, use your THCa in moderation. As a beginner, start really slowly and observe your body’s response. Then, as you build tolerance, you can increase your dosage.
Hydration Is Key
Because dryness is an inevitable side effect of THCa, hydration is your best countermeasure for management and potential avoidance.
Always stay hydrated when you use THCa. It also helps to control the high and pace your body instead of hitting you fast and triggering anxiety or panic attacks.
Conclusion
Avoiding and managing THCa side effects isn’t rocket science. Anybody can do it as long as they have all the right information, as we gave you in this guide.
Start by acknowledging that no one is immune to THCa side effects, so you can prepare adequately for them. Understand your THCa strain, its natural potency, capacities, and your body’s response to the product. Follow the management tips in this guide for the best results. Then you can use THCa responsibly without worrying about harmful side effects.
