Most have heard of cannabidiol (CBD). You may be wondering how cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) is different and what the benefits of taking it are. There is becoming more and more research available on this cannabinoid as it becomes more commonly used and studied.
CBD vs. CBDA have many similarities, but we see that CBDA may be even more effective in treating some ailments than CBD. In this article, we will discuss how the differences between CBD and CBDA and their amazing health benefits.
What is CBD-A?
Cannabidiolic acid (CBGA) is the parent of cannabinoids. It, in a way, creates the others. CBGA has a vital role in a growing cannabis plant to help regulate the size of the plant and direct the energy from sunlight and moisture to produce leaves and seeds.*
CBGA is converted into a combination of three different precursor cannabinoids:
- Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA)
- Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA)
- Cannabichromenic acid (CBCA)
When exposed to heat or light, these precursor cannabinoids convert to the more commonly known cannabinoids, such as CBD. THCA becomes THC, CBDA becomes CBD, and CBCA becomes CBC.
If you were to study the cannabis plant, you would find no CBD present in the plant. CBD is created when its parent cannabinoid, CBDA, is heated. CBDA is an acid precursor of CBD in raw, living Cannabis. The letter A stands for acid.
When Cannabis is left at room temperature or heated to 230º or more, the heat causes the CBDA to lose its acidic structure called carboxyl groups. The CBDA is then converted to CBD. This process is called decarboxylation.
Is CBD-A better than CBD?
If you are curious about which is more potent, your answer is CBDA. Studies show that when given equal amounts of the two cannabinoids, the benefits of CBDA are more effective than CBD (1).
CBDA is more water-soluble and maybe 11 times more easily absorbable than CBD. There is not a lot of research to show the side effects of CBDA, but some studies suggest that it doesn't have as much of a sedating effect as CBD.
CBDA has a higher bioavailability than CBD and acts more quickly. Neither have any side effects of intoxication. CBD-A may help reduce many negative health conditions, including discomfort, queasiness, and mental health.
CBD-A for Discomfort
We have quite a bit of research provided from animal studies that CBD can help reduce discomfort.* We are discovering now that CBDA could be even more effective than CBD in assisting discomfort.* CBDA decreases the COX-2 enzyme, which is responsible for inflammation* (2).
The National Library of Medicine (3) published a study done on rats. When equivalent, low doses of CBD and CBDA were given, CBDA effectively reduced discomfort sensitivity. CBD in the same low dose had no effect.
Many people who manage discomfort daily report that CBDA is effective in treating their discomfort and may work better than their NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).
Chris Carmichael, member of the 1984 US. Olympic Cycling Team and endurance sports coach (4) shared in his blog that CBD and CBDA have helped him manage his knee discomfort while training for long-distance biking.*
He says that CBDA products have been most effective for him compared to CBD products. Many other people report CBDA to be more effective in reducing discomfort than CBD oil.
CBD-A for Queasiness
Feeling Queasy all the time can be very exhausting and stressful for individuals experiencing motion sickness, undergoing treatments, or experiencing queasiness for other reasons.*
A study by The National Library of Medicine (5) shows that CBDA inhibits toxin and motion-induced queasiness. This could be life-changing if you struggle with motion sickness regularly or are undergoing treatments with queasiness side effects.*
CBDA for Mental Health
Research on CBDA is still being discovered, but from our evidence, we believe it to be effective for mood-related issues.* CBDA affects the serotonin receptors 5-HT1A.
CBDA works similarly to antidepressant drugs or selective serotonin reptile inhibitors (SSRI) but without possible negative side effects such as stomach ulcers, indigestion, or problems with the liver, kidneys, and heart.
Animal studies show a reduction in worry-related mental health. In this study by The National Library of Medicine (6), cows were fed hemp, high in CBDA. Their results show that CBDA reduced stress and inflammation in the cows.
The cows lay down more often, and the stress hormone cortisol was lower. Studies that have been done on rodents also show CBDA to be effective in reducing stress.
Will CBD-A Get You High?
It is a common misconception to assume that all cannabinoids can cause a high effect. However, CBD and CBDA are both non-psychoactive. They will not cause you to get high.
The only known cannabinoids that may cause a high effect are Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other THC variants. A high caused by THC is due to the psychoactive effects brought on by the THC when taken in large quantities.
Can I Fail a Drug Test Taking CBD-A?
CBDA alone will not cause a failed drug test. CBDA does not contain THC and does not have any psychoactive side effects. If you make smoothies from hemp cannabis leaves or eat the whole leaf, there will be THC content.
If you take full-spectrum CBD containing CBDA, this also contains a very small amount of THC. If you are looking for CBDA that won't possibly cause a failed drug test, look for broad-spectrum CBDA or CBDA Isolate. These products do not contain THC and should be safe to take without the risk of failing a drug test.
Marijuana contains a lot of THC (The cannabinoid that causes a high). Eating the cannabis leaf may cause a failed drug test and make you high because THC is much more abundant in marijuana than in hemp.
Depending on the law concerning marijuana where you live, it may or not be legal to consume marijuana recreationally. Hemp contains less THC and does not typically cause intoxication.
What Is The Best Way To Take CBD-A?
The most convenient way to take CBDA may be to take drops under the tongue (sublingually). Since CBDA is a natural compound in cannabis leaves, you may enjoy eating raw cannabis leaves or flowers in a salad or smoothie or making cannabis leaf juice.
You may also enjoy seeping the cannabis leaves in water. This will not completely convert the CBDA to CBD, but you may get the benefits of both that way.
The CBDA in Cannabis can at least partially carboxylate if left at room temperature for a long time. The most promising way to take CBDA may be to take it as a tincture or softgel capsule.
CBDA can not be vaped or smoked because this would cause the CBDA to become CBD.
The entourage effect
The entourage effect is when you get the full effects from the whole hemp or cannabis plant.
Studies show that when two cannabinoids are given at one time, there are more benefits than those two cannabinoids provide individually.
For example, in this study published by the National Library of Medicine (7), CBDA and THC were given together to mice. It was discovered that "when ineffective doses of CBDA or THC alone were combined, this combination produced an anti-hyperalgesia effect and decided inflammation."
We recommend this product, which contains CBDA and CBGA. Each cannabinoid in this product has unique therapeutic and immune-boosting benefits when together.*
Sum It Up!
CBDA vs CBD, both are very similar with a few differences. It wins in a few departments, though. It's more potent, more naturally bioavailable, and more easily absorbable.
It might be better for treating ailments like queasiness and inflammation and doesn't have the sedative side effects that CBD sometimes does.
For some people, it may work best to take both CBD and CBDA oils together. Thanks to the entourage effect, you can experience the benefits of both plus their strengths combined because these cannabinoids work great together.
Here at Zatural, we know that being educated can help you find relief from your health challenges and more fully enjoy life!* We have all the details about hemp products and the benefits of CBD.
CBDA + CBGA Full Spectrum CBD Softgels
These amazing softgels contain a high concentration of cannabinoids along with high-quality CBDA and CBGA. They are a powerful CBD supplement that can be taken daily to unleash their therapeutic properties.
For educational purposes only, FDA DISCLAIMER
*FDA DISCLAIMER -These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.