CBGa collapses in upon itself and forms the rings that comprise THCa, which as we all know decarboxylates into THC. See
this video from SantaCruz Labs.
Thank you for that video, that explained the basic concept behind the reaction, but unfortunately not the conditions that cause the reaction to take place.
I thought that you said that through vaping you decarb the entire material instantly anyway, so how would an increase in 5% pre-decarbed make much difference?
I don't believe I said that, what I recall saying is that the conventional understanding of the process dictates thus. I myself always question convention under the pretense that misunderstandings occur and are passed down. My curiosity lends me to use anecdotal evidence to try and understand these relationships better, and to compare conventional wisdom with first, second, or third-hand experience.
I think if more scientists did this, there wouldn't be such negative perspectives surrounding medical cannabis withing the larger medical community, but I digress.
If my theory regarding the volitization of cannabinoids is correct, then they can volatize similarly to various waxes, in which they don't necessarily form a vapor mixture, but a bunch of droplets, similarly to when people cool their vapor so they can see it (or over-saturate the air mixture). If this is the case, I imagine it is possible that not all THCa is decarboxylated, and that the compounds in the center of the droplets may actually be in the acid state.
This is just an idea I have and may have no factual basis, but it could explain the experience inquired about in the first post.
This also assumes that the larger droplets are absorbed through the lung-blood barrier, which is something I am somewhat skeptical of, which is why I initially proposed that it was the decomposition products that are responsible for the experiences detail within the original post.
Again, this is all my theory, and it is based purely upon word of mouth, so who knows how accurate any of it is.
Do you know where I could find some information on the chemical reactions that occur after harvest? I haven't found any real good sources, most people say that the sole reason to cure is to even out the moisture, which I know isn't the sole reason.
I wish I had some good sources for you, but unfortunately I do not.
I believe other reasons for curing exist, like the ones mentioned earlier, I believe that the quelling of harshness may be a result of the oxidation of chlorophyll (for combusters only), and the increase in potency due to the increase in decomposition products, or decarboxylated compounds. I have my doubts about a benefit for vaporists that don't grind, especially in the flavor department.
I find more reasons to love vaping every day.