THCA Tincture For Paediatric Seizures

[podencoid]

Just adding this out of interest.

Full article here: http://tokesignals.com/parents-thca-tincture-works-just-as-well-as-cbd-for-pediatric-seizures-heres-how-to-make-it/

There Is An Effective, Non-CBD, Non-Psychoactive Way To Control Seizures With Cannabis.

Most of us have heard, in the past few months, about the wave of “medical marijuana refugees” descending upon cannabis-friendly destinations like Colorado. Many of these refugees are families who have children suffering from Dravet syndrome and other severe forms of epilepsy and pediatric seizures, and ever since CNN correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s documentary, “Weed,” more and more of these parents are willing for their kids to try cannabidiol (CBD) oil.

Demand for the particular high-CBD strain, Charlotte’s Web, has gone particularly crazy since Dr. Gupta’s show aired, because it was the one mentioned by name. What many panicked parents don’t realize, upon first entering the initially bewildering world of medical cannabis, is that there are a number of other high-CBD strains as well, some with reported numbers higher than those of Charlotte’s Web.

Several state Legislatures, particularly in more conservative states such as Alabama, are also considering “CBD-only” legislation which would legalize CBD oil but leave THC illegal. This is particularly unfortunate for a number of reasons. Two of the major ones are (1) research has shown the cannabinoids, including THC and CBD, work most effectively in combination with each other, through syngergistic effects; and (2) the passage of “CBD-only” legislation serves to increase and emphasize the “scariness” and “otherness” of THC. Demonizing THC is just silly, because it’s one of the best, most non-toxic of anti-inflammatories, anti-tumor agents, antioxidants, and neuroprotectants known.

And beyond that, almost none of these parents and other patients realize they could fight seizures just as effectively with uncarboxylated THC — that is, tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, THC acid or THCA — as they could with CBD. Furthermore, THCA is no more psychoactive than is CBD, thus allaying parental concerns about getting their children high. No psychoactive effects are experienced from THCA that hasn’t been carboxylated to THC.

THCA is one of the cannabinoids primarily found in fresh cannabis, although in variable amounts, according to CannLabs. Once the marijuana plant is exposed to heat — such as when smoking or vaporizing cannabis — THCA decarboxylates to THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the form that gets you high. What happens on a molecular level is that the carbon dioxide in the cannabis is released, as a carbon atom in the acid gets lost, converting THCA to psychoactive THC.

THCA, found in the flowers, leaves, and stems of young cannabis plants, is biosynthesized by the trichomes. It plays a critical role in protecting the trichomes, and thus the plants themselves, from insects and other predators.

Although THCA has no psychoactive effects of its own, it acts as a cannabinoid receptor agonist, and in so doing helps in its neuroprotective (brain protection) effects. THCA has also been shown to be an anti-inflammatory agent. It has anti-proliferative qualities that help inhibit the growth of cancerous cells, as well as anti-spasmodic abilities that are useful among epileptic patients.

Since THCA works just as well as CBD for seizure control, and THCA is cheaper and more accessible than CBD (especially in the speculative environment created by CBD’s recently skyrocketing popularity), THCA means patient empowerment.

In contrast to the specialized, low-THC/high CBD plants needed to make CBD extracts, any high-THC cannabis strain can be used to make THCA tincture.

“Any high THC strain can be used,” prominent Australian cannabis breeder/researcher Mark Heinrich told Toke Signals on Monday. “As it is THCA, there is no issue of the high, so that makes strain choice less selective.

“Truly, this is universally (read globally) available to even the poorest people,” Heinrich told us. “I have sent the simple method to doctors in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and China, with more countries coming.

Screen Shot 2014-02-18 at 3.05.23 PM“This is HUGE, and it is so simple,” Heinrich told Toke Signals. “There is no need to spend huge money on CBD if THCA is just as good.

“We are getting good results with CBDA, CBD, THCA, and CBN,” Heinrich said. “We are doing great things in Oz, and now being with Dave Mapes has broadened our reach.

“Right now, the predators and the sharks are making a killing off CBD, but make no mistake — THCA works just as well and we have proof it does,” Heinrich said. “We want everyone to have access to the tutorials to empower them to be able to make their own and not be reliant on CBD merchants.”

What’s even better, the info is FREE, Heinrich told us. “How cool is that, mate? And think how many folks can now get help — empowerment of parents!”

[syrus420]

Very interesting read