What is Decarboxylation?

What is Decarboxylation - by: Zamnesia

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Post by GreenLeafTalk

Decarboxylation is the process of heating up cannabis to activate the THC, CBD and other cannabinoids within it. Without heat, these compounds are unable to pass through the blood brain barrier. This is why marijuana is smoked, vaporised or cooked before it enters the body – it is pretty much required if you want the effects of the active compounds.

Looking at it a bit deeper, decarboxylation is a chemical reaction where the COOH carboxyl group of atoms are removed from the cannabis, exiting in the form of H2O and CO2, (water and carbon dioxide). As cannabis grows, it goes through a process known as photosynthesis. During this process, CO2 is absorbed, where it then combines with free hydrogen within the plant to create carboxylic acid. This is known as carboxylation. The main carboxylic acids of interest are THCA and CBDA, the precursors to THC and CBD respectively. When cannabis is growing, it is THCA and CBDA that it contains, not THC or CBD. This is why raw cannabis does not get you high in anywhere near the same capacity as decarboxylated cannabis.

The process of decarboxylation can occur naturally to some degree with time and heat, often as a process of drying cannabis, or being stored too long. But this natural decarboxylation is nowhere near as efficient or potent as human intervention, i.e. smoking, vaporising or cooking. When this occurs, the CO2 is removed from the acids, turning them into the much sought after cannabinoids.

However, there is another function at play here as well. One that recreational THC enthusiast will be keen to avoid. At around 70% decarboxylation, THC starts degrading into CBN, and it happens at a faster rate than THCA is being converted into THC, causing a rapid and significant drop in THC content. It is also worth noting that at this point, unconverted THCA is turned into CBNA, and CBNA continues to be converted into CBN, causing CBN content to rise even faster. THCA can also turn into CBNA with time and air exposure, which is partly why marijuana can lose its potency with age or improper storing.

Don’t let this scare you though. CBN has its uses, especially for medical oriented users. CBN is associated with being a sleep aid, an antioxidant, and a measure against glaucoma, amongst other things.