CBDA

What is CBDA?

CBDA, or cannabidiolic acid, is the most common acidic compound found in the cannabis plant. CBDA acts as a precursor, or parent, to the much better-known cannabinoid CBD. Essentially, CBDA is the raw form of CBD.

When CBDA is dominant in a cannabis plant, it’s called type III cannabis by researchers, or simply hemp. Since cannabis plants generally favor making one of the acidic cannabinoids over another, high CBDA cultivars carry low amounts of other acidic cannabinoids (e.g. THCA or CBGA).

CBDA is quite delicate and requires special handling to extract and process. When exposed to heat, certain extraction processes, air, long shelf-life, or even digestion – CBDA readily converts to CBD in a short time. This process is known as decarboxylation. The amount of time this process takes depends on the cultivar, the temperature, and the type of heat or extraction used, but happens pretty fast if not careful.

CBDA is plentiful in high-CBD cultivars and hemp carrying low THC. We can find this compound in products such as capsules, topicals, and tinctures. Juicing raw cannabis leaves is also a popular consumption method for ingesting CBDA and CBD. Keep in mind, blender heat may degrade some or even all the CBDA into CBD.

Effects of CBDA

Like its close relative CBD, CBDA is a non-impairing compound. Unlike THC, CBDA will not make consumers feel high.

Instead, CBDA quickly breaks down into CBD in the body. CBDA is 1000 times more potent than CBD at serotonin receptors. Breaking down into CBD increases levels of anandamide, a feel-good endocannabinoid that helps alleviate anxiety and regulate mood, among other things.

Because of this, some beginner consumers of CBD and CBDA products may feel a profound sense of relief, unlike anything they’ve ever experienced. This can result in relaxation, antidepressant effects, and stress relief.

Potential Benefits of CBDA

Much like its close relative CBD, many scientific studies have been conducted on CBDA. The vast majority of these students were done on rodents in a laboratory setting. Researchers have been observing the reactions lab mice have to CBDA since 2003.

To be clear, there aren't any clinical studies done yet on CBDA. This means that the potential benefits aren’t confirmed, and are not yet fully known. Based on animal and computer studies, CBDA may be:

• Pain relieving
• Anti-inflammatory (with selective COX-2 inhibition, like Celecoxib)
• Anti-nausea and anti-vomiting (at lower doses than CBD in mice)
• Neuroprotective (benefits in mice models of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s)
• Anticonvulsant (also at lower doses)
• Antidepressant (more effective in male mice than female)
• Potentially beneficial for chronic liver diseases
• Preventing SARS-Co-V-2 entry into cells for infection, and potentially easing symptoms
• Anticancer effects on various leukemia and breast cell cancer types

Potential Side Effects of CBDA

CBDA is delicate and quickly metabolizes into CBD in the body. You may notice increased effectiveness over CBD, since CBDA is estimated to be three times better absorbed than regular CBD. It’s also better absorbed within an hour or two after meals.

On the other hand, increased absorption also means you are more likely to experience side effects at lower doses than plain CBD. You could experience mild, temporary side effects that are common to CBD, such as:

Gastrointestinal disturbance Tiredness and sleepiness Loss of appetite Increased liver enzymes

CBDA is generally safe and well-tolerated. Serious side effects are rare, but may occur if taken with anti-epileptic medications. It’s important to tell your doctor about any cannabinoid use, including CBDA and CBD.

What We Learned: CBDA

CBDA is just one of the many cannabinoids and other potentially beneficial compounds in whole-plant cannabis medicine. Here’s what else we learned about CBDA:

• CBDA, or cannabidiolic acid, is the raw form of CBD.
• Because of the acidic group, CBDA is estimated to be three times better absorbed into the body (bioavailable) than neutral CBD.
• When exposed to heat, extraction processes, air, long shelf time, and even digestion, CBDA converts to CBD quickly and easily.
• CBDA is plentiful in high-CBD cultivars and hemp, and CBDA dominance defines type III cannabis.
• Like its close relative CBD, CBDA is non-impairing, but increases good-feeling endocannabinoids and mood receptors.
• Unlike THC, CBDA will not make you feel high.
• Beginner consumers of CBD and CBDA products may feel a profound sense of relief, unlike anything they’ve ever experienced. This can result in relaxation, antidepressant effects, and antianxiety benefits.
• Researchers have been observing the reactions lab mice have to CBDA since 2003.
• CBDA interacts with our serotonin receptors similarly to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant medications, and with 1000 times the strength of regular CBD
• CBDA quickly breaks down into CBD in the body, so you may expect a similar profile of potential benefits and side effects – but both may come at lower doses than CBD.

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