What is the difference between CBD and CBDa?

Almost everyone has heard about CBD by now. From getting one and trying it for yourselves to encouraging others to give it a shot, the numerous health benefits of CBD need not require any explanation.

But have you heard of CBDa? Cannabis sativa has a variety of cannabinoids, with THC and CBD being the most popular and well-known elements. A less popular component of the cannabis sativa plant, CBDa is following the success path of CBD and making great strides in the market.

There is not much information regarding CBDa considering that research on it is still in very early stages. Without any doubt, it would not be surprising if the interest for CBDa surges within the next couple of years.

But wait! Why is CBDA being given considerable importance if CBD in itself has such a massive demand at the moment? What is the difference between CBD and CBDa? How is CBDa beneficial than CBD? You must surely have a lot of questions to which you require an answer.

That is where we can help. With this article, we answer all your queries and educate you on everything regarding CBDa. Read on to find what it is all about!

What is the difference between CBD and CBDA?

Cannabis sativa is a very distinctive plant and has tended to help humankind in an unusual manner. It contains around 110 cannabinoids as of now, and many more are likely to be discovered with the ongoing frenzied research. 

CBDa or cannabidiolic acid works similarly to CBD and THC, and offers various health benefits and enhancements. All cannabinoids are obtained from cannabigerolic acid (CBDa). It is then converted into three major cannabinoid precursor compounds, tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), cannabichromenic acid (CBCA), and the last one being the topic of interest, cannabidiolic acid (CBDa).

What is worth mentioning is that CBD is actually obtained from CBDa. In other words, CBDa is the acid form or precursor of CBD. It is then subjected to a process to obtain CBD, and this procedure is called decarboxylation.

While CBDa and CBD offer almost the same properties, CBDa has been found to possess better relieving effects than CBD. Indeed, only time will tell what more CBDa has to offer with more research being conducted on the subject. Let’s find out more about what is the difference between CBD and CBDa.

What is CBDA? 

CBDa comes from hemp, a particular variety of the cannabis sativa plant. It is a non-psychoactive component and phytocannabinoid found in raw cannabis. By interacting with your body and the endocannabinoid system, it gives the characteristic soothing feel. While it can be found more frequently in cannabis ruderalis varieties, modern research has contrived to specifically breed within the cannabis sativa variety.

CBDa, as mentioned above, is the raw or unheated form of CBD. It is present in abundant quantities and undergoes major transformations when heated or dried. Initially, they are of no value in the acidic ring form and remain predominantly inactive. When subjected to an increased amount of heat, or occasionally when left untreated for an extended period of time, the acidic ring breaks down. This results in the formation of active compounds like CBD. 

CBDa, like CBD, does not contain any component that affects your thought processes by inducing a feeling of highness or euphoria. It reacts with your receptors to calm any unsettling emotions. This quality makes it even more convenient for people to try along with CBD. 

How CBD and CBDA works 

Just like CBD, CBDa also provides health benefits without getting you high or stoned. Research on CBDa is in the preliminary stages, and from what scientists have been able to compile, it works differently from CBD but gives almost the same results. 

Everybody has an endocannabinoid system consisting of receptors, enzymes and endocannabinoids. There are two types of receptors, CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptors bind to the brain and central nervous system, making them responsible for coordinating movement, appetite, mood and other bodily functions. CB2 receptors interact with the immune system and other peripheral systems to govern pain and other inflammations. 

Once a CBD is ingested, the enzymes break down the cannabinoids and indirectly attach them to the receptors. This process thus activates the receptors, and an individual is able to extract the benefits.  

CBDa, unlike CBD, does not bind with the cannabinoid receptors. Instead, it influences the endocannabinoid system and boosts serotonin production. In this way, researchers have concluded that CBDa provides the same benefits as CBD by working differently. 

Benefits of CBDA

CBDa can be mixed with many products for therapeutic use. A recent study established that it acts as a COX2-inhibitor, a class of drugs that works against pain and inflammations. CBDa is easily able to block COX-2 when inflammation is present, and the acidic component of CBDa plays a vital role in this process. This is highly beneficial against arthritis, injuries, aches and pains. 

CBDa also works as an antiemetic, making it helpful to fight vomiting, nausea and other associated ailments. It is popular for improving your mood by reducing anxiety and depression. CBDa has also shown promise for its anticonvulsant, antibacterial and antioxidant properties. 

Is CBDA better than CBD? 

While it is still early stages, CBDa is very unique and holds a lot of potential cures in the near future. Initial phases of testing have found out that CBDa is more effective in treating pain, inflammation, depression and anxiety. Some studies have even made a breakthrough discovery that it has the ability to potentially prevent cancer, though more research is needed.

Research on animals has also confirmed that CBDa is more potent than CBD and THC. A Japanese firm that has been studying this topic for the past two decades conducted various experiments and has published a journal titled “Drug Metabolism and Disposition.” They have stated that while both CBDa and THC showed great inhibitory effects on inflammation, CBDa came out on top.

In another study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology, it is stated that CBDa reduced toxin-and motion-induced vomiting much better than CBD. Although CBDa has clearly demonstrated its effects in animal trials, the results and possible side effects on humans are yet to be determined. 

How to use CBDA? 

As with regular CBD, CBDa can be found in many different types of products. CBDa can be found in oils, capsules, tinctures, ointments, raw juices and other products. Depending on the manufacturer, CBDa can be present in CBD oils that you buy.

If the label mentions that CBDa is an ingredient or that CBD is present in its unheated form, then the CBD oil contains CBDa. Some tinctures and creams might also potentially contain CBDa if it was not heated or processed during their manufacturing. 

However, using CBDa in its raw form through vapes or other smoking devices is not feasible. CBDa naturally gets converted to CBD in the presence of heat, making it unattainable to experience CBDa in this method. 

Summary

Hopefully now you know what is the difference between CBD and CBDa. The way that CBDa works is almost similar to CBD and is able to produce much more beneficial effects, according to current research. Both are risk-free and safe options if you are suffering from any sort of illness. 

CBD products are readily available online and are quickly filling the shelves in most stores. CBDa is relatively new and is being tested on various stages. You can still naturally use it by grinding a handful of CBDa flowers and adding it to your daily intake of CBD oil or other smoothies. 

Although the benefits of CBD and CBDa are vast and proven, we request you to get the advice of your doctor before trying it for yourself. 

FAQs 

Is CBDa better for pain than CBD?

In an experiment with rats, CBDa was able to reduce pain and inflammation at a lesser dose than administered by CBD. Studies have also found that CBDa reduced pain to a greater level than drugs that are usually taken by athletes.

Standard drugs prescribed for professional athletes come with side effects. CBDa has no such shortcomings and is superior to CBD and other medications in relieving specific symptoms. 

Due to the insufficient research on this topic, it is advised not to take any unverified forms of CBDa without a certified prescription. 

What is the benefit of CBDa?

CBDa has been proven to be beneficial in a variety of treatments. It effectively boosts serotonin production and is able to improve psychological functions like mood, nausea, anxiety, depression, stress, among many others.

Moreover, it is also more advantageous than CBD in reducing the severity and frequency of seizures. Its anti-inflammatory properties also focuses entirely on healing without causing damage to your body.

Does CBDa convert to CBD?

Yes. The hemp plant cannabis sativa naturally contains several different cannabinoids. As mentioned above, CBDa is one of the main components obtained from the raw plant.

CBDa is the acidic form of CBD and is similar to THC and THCA. It is the precursor chemical to CBD and undergoes a process termed as “decarboxylation.” This process activates CBD by naturally converting CBDa to CBD through exposure to heat and air.

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