Most people have heard of CBD, but what about CBDA? It is the precursor to CBD, and in many ways is the superior cannabinoid. If you currently take a CBD product to boost your health and wellness, you are definitely going to want to keep reading to learn more about CBDA. Let’s discuss how this minor cannabinoid has the potential to help individuals in major ways.
What is CBDA?
It is an acidic cannabinoid that can be found in small traces in the hemp plant. Though closely related to CBD, they are not the same. When CBDA is decarboxylated, a process where cannabinoids are exposed to heat, it converts to CBD. This poses a problem when extracting the acidic cannabinoid, as the majority of extraction methods must utilize heat in the process for sufficient extraction. This causes a conversion of CBDA to CBD, leaving very little to none, of the acidic cannabinoid left in the final extract. Due to growing popularity and the many benefits of CBDA, global solution providers have found ways to extract cannabinoids without the use of heat, allowing them to extract CBDA and other acidic cannabinoids at a mass scale. These advances in extraction technology help to deliver products with acidic cannabinoids to the market for consumers to enjoy.
CBDA is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, meaning it will not induce any euphoria like the well-known THC. Instead, it leaves those who consume feeling more focused, with decreased anxiety. Additionally, it can be used to counteract uncomfortable euphoria from ingesting too much THC.
What are the benefits
It has been less researched compared to other cannabinoids. However, the research that exists and emerging research shows that it has great therapeutic value. Here are some of the many benefits the acidic cannabinoid holds.
Anti-Seizure
Seizures affect more than 65 million people globally and have a significant impact on the patient’s quality of life. The risk of premature death is three times greater for patients with epilepsy compared to that of the general population. There is an immediate need for therapeutics patients can depend on and CBDA has shown great potential through research to help patients with various seizure disorders. There have been numerous studies conducted verifying the anti-seizure properties of CBDA and many have taken notice. Currently, GW Pharma has a pending patent with the FDA for the therapeutic use of plant derived CBDA in the treatment of epilepsy. GW Pharma is the maker of Epidiolex, a plant-based formulation of CBD to treat seizure disorders in patients 2 years or older. They are striving to make a more effective version with CBDA. Within the patent it was found CBDA was more effective than CBD at reducing seizures, citing CBDA was more bioavailable. Additionally, it was found patients would need much lower doses of it for therapeutic effect when compared to their CBD formulation.
Anti-Anxiety and Antidepressant
One of the most common mental illnesses in the USA are anxiety disorders, which are affecting more than 40 million persons, and which is unfortunately the case, half of those persons are also diagnosed by depression. Though there are many medications on the market to help relieve symptoms patients may experience, they only help about 60%-70% of patients. Additionally, they can come with an array of unwanted side effects, including memory loss, slurred speech, and dizziness. CBDA is a potential plant-derived therapeutic without unwanted side effects. Through research, it has demonstrated a great affinity to the body’s 5-HT1A or serotonin receptor. Activation of the receptor is a crucial component in antipsychotic, anti-anxiety, and antidepressant medications, as it mediates the effects the drugs deliver. CBDA activates the receptor, even more so than CBD, allowing it to help alleviate some of the symptoms those with anxiety and depression experience.
Covid-19
Research has found CBDA can potentially help with the global fight against Covid-19. A 2024 Oregon State University study introduced CBDA, along with CBGA, to the Covid-19 virus in vitro. Both acidic cannabinoids blocked the cellular entry of the virus by binding to the spike protein. This action can also help patients with hepatitis and HIV. With Covid-19 having a massive impact the last few years, and numerous lives being lost to the virus, it is prominent that more research is done.
In addition to the above therapeutic benefits, CBDA has also displayed powerful anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects, as well as its ability to reduce nausea and vomiting. As more research is conducted, soon we will know of even more benefits this acidic cannabinoid holds.
What happens when you add it into an existing cannabinoid routine?
Adding it into an existing cannabinoid routine helps to boost the benefits of all cannabinoids present via the entourage effect. The entourage effect is a phenomenon where compounds taken together work synergistically to boost the effects of their singular parts. This means when CBDA is introduced into an existing cannabinoid routine, it helps to boost the effects of all cannabinoids present, allowing one to feel heightened therapeutic effects with lower doses.
Additionally, it is highly bioavailable. Bioavailability is the fraction of a drug or supplement that is absorbed and able to have an effect. CBDA has been found to be 19x more bioavailable than CBD. This means when an equivalent amount for CBDA and CBD are ingested, the body is absorbing much more CBDA. When taking both CBDA and CBD simultaneously, one is able to feel more benefit, and need much lower doses for desired effects.
What products have CBDA in them?
Currently there are only a few global solution providers that can extract CBDA at a mass scale, causing a majority of products on the market to only contain trace amounts of CBDA. With popularity growing, soon we will see more CBDA prominent products on the market for consumers to enjoy. If you can’t find a pure CBDA product, made with CBDA isolate, full spectrum and broad-spectrum products are a great place to start. They both contain all the naturally occurring cannabinoids within the hemp plant, except the broad spectrum is THC free. It is important to always check the COA (certificate of analysis) to verify the product has CBDA. Due to its conversion to CBD when heated, the amount of CBDA in the product is dependent on how the company manufactures their product. Additionally, it is important to note, many companies advertise hemp flowers as “CBDA rich”. However, when it is smoked, it becomes CBD. So, unless you plan on juicing it, CBDA smokables are not the way to go to gain the benefits of CBDA.
Whether you are looking to support your daily health and wellness or help aid a specific ailment, CBDA may be able to help. It is a powerful cannabinoid and in many ways is better than the well-known CBD. Great news, there have never been any severe side effects reported. When you try it, you have nothing to lose, yet so much to potentially gain.
Always consult your primary care physician prior to adding any health or wellness supplements into your routine.
Visit EssentiaScientific.com to learn more about CBDA and their water-as-solvent extraction technology.
