What Is CBDA and What Does It Do?
CBDA or Cannabidiolic Acid is a phytocannabinoid found in cannabis that has a wide range of potential benefits.
Cannabinoids are naturally occurring chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant. As of today, over 100 cannabinoids have been isolated. These compounds interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system and research finds more and more ways they can be used to benefit our health.
The most common cannabinoids are THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD (Cannabidiol), CBC (Cannabichromene) but they all come from the so-called “mother of cannabinoids” - CBGA (Cannabigerolic acid). CBGA is converted into the acidic form of the above mentioned cannabinoids respectively - THCA, CBDA, CBCA. Their subsequent transformation into THC, CBD, and CBC respectively takes place through a process called decarboxylation - the cannabinoids are “activated” through heat and sunlight.
What is CBDA? CBDA vs CBD
CBDA (Cannabidiolic Acid) is a very common cannabinoid that is a precursor of CBD, or its raw form, so to speak, with their “relationship” being similar to that of THCA and THC. CBDA was first isolated in 1965 and is one of three major cannabinoids contained in the raw plant.
Where is CBDA Found? How to Consume CBDA?
CBDA is found in larger quantities in low THC cannabis strains, and of course, industrial hemp. These are often referred to as high CBD strains, like Silver Stem's Incredible Power, when in fact they are actually rich in CBDA, until you smoke it or use other means to heat/activate it. Thus, smoking CBDA is impossible since the heat converts it to CBD but there are a number of ways you can get your dose of this cannabinoid. The most common ways include consuming raw hemp, or hemp oil, as well as CBDA capsules, tinctures and topicals.
Is CBDA Legal?
CBDA is usually treated the same way as CBD - if it is hemp derived and the product contains less than 0.3% THC, it can be legally sold and shipped within the US as a result of The Farm Bill passed in 2018.
What Are the Benefits of CBDA?
Since the studies are usually focused on non-acidic forms, THC and CBD have overshadowed other lesser known cannabinoids. But, the growing number of CBDA research shows that it may demonstrate a number of potential health benefits. To date, most CBDA studies have been conducted on animals, namely rats.
CBDA is considered more potent than CBD, but their benefits do not always coincide. In some cases CBDA has shown to be more efficient when combined with CBD.
Although more studies are needed, the CBDA cannabinoid may potentially help with the following:
Nausea. May have the potential to combat intestinal motility, nausea and vomiting, and so more effectively than CBD.
Tumors. A study has shown that CBDA may potentially help fight a certain type of breast cancer cells.
Inflammation. A typical anti-inflammatory drug inhibits Cox-1 and Cox-2 enzymes - the former is responsible for inflammation proper, and the latter protects the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, meaning, meaning that prolonged use of anti-inflammatory drugs may cause damage to it. CBDA can selectively inhibit Cox-2, without affecting the Cox-1 enzymes.
Depression. Works as an antidepressant similar to CBD but potentially much more effective.
Seizures. When developing Epidolex, the first FDA approved drug containing CBD, the pharmaceutical company also researched CBDA and fount that it also shows potential benefits in helping with seizures.
Skin Diseases. The same study showed promising results in combating skin inflammation.
As with other cannabinoids, more and more studies are being conducted, and we will surely see new uses of the CBDA cannabinoid.
