What Is CBDa? Everything You Need To Know About This Curious Cannabinoid Acid

Even though we all love CBD, some credit should be given to cannabidiolic acid (CBDa). CBDa, is essential because it serves as a precursor to CBD. Everything you need to know about CBDa oil is in this handy guide.

Raw cannabis plants contain a chemical component called cannabidiolic acid (CBDa), found in the plant's resin glands (trichomes). Essentially, raw cannabis is made up of the plant's fresh flowers and leaves. The cannabinoid THCA accounts for 95% of the cannabinoid in fresh cannabis, whereas CBD accounts for just 5%. Certain strains of cannabis have a higher concentration of CBDA than others. High-CBD strains have the highest concentrations of CBDA. Some hemp-type cannabis strains provide CBDA, which may be purified and used as a dietary supplement. CBD and CBDA are not psychoactive. CBD is assumed to be the active ingredient, whereas CBDA is supposed to be the inert one.

In What Manner Does CBDa Become CBD?

According to Pratap et al. (2020), when CBDa is subjected to pressure, it changes into CBD. Moreover, CBD is formed when CBDa is heated. Decarboxylation or decarbing is the term used to describe the process of turning CBDa into CBD. Some call this "activated" CBD since the acid group of the molecule dissolves with heat and time. Direct sunshine or lighting are the most common sources of this stress in agricultural contexts. Decarboxylation removes an additional carboxyl ring from the molecular chain of CBDa. CBD is triggered as soon as this occurs. For decarboxylation, heat is the most frequent method. Phytocannabinoids are induced in hemp fibers as a result of this treatment. This energy drives molecular processes that transform CBDa into CBD. Hemp flowers may also be decarboxylated to activate CBD in the home gardener. 240 degrees Fahrenheit is an ideal temperature for baking hemp. Allow the buds to decarboxylate for 15-20 minutes after flipping them over. CBD content will be degraded if the flowers are burned. Age, altitude, and other variables affect oven temperatures; thus, it's impossible to generalize. When you're checking on your flowers, keep this in mind. You may need more or less depending on how much time it takes you to decarboxylate your hemp.

CBDa's Working Mechanism

Even though CBD production is a significant achievement for CBDa, it is not its only one. Using CBDa oil by itself may have some advantages. CBDa differs from other phytocannabinoids in the way it affects the body. For the most part, phytocannabinoids interact with CB1 or CB2 receptors. These processes influence endocannabinoid system communication, which affects our cellular network.

Cannabinoid receptors have distinct interactions with each phytocannabinoid. THC, for example, is fond of CB1 receptors and binds to them all across the brain and spinal cord. As a result, we get a psychoactive sensation when we eat THC-rich items. When it comes to cannabinoid receptors, CBDa doesn't show much interest. The endocannabinoid system seems to be favorably influenced by CBDa by increasing the equilibrium of the COX-2 (cyclooxygenase-2) enzyme. CBDa, on the other hand, has the potential to provide its own set of health advantages. According to Fellous et al. (2020), other phytocannabinoids gain from adding CBDa to their potency. The entourage effect is a term for this synergistic action. The endocannabinoid system is influenced favorably by each phytocannabinoid's unique skill set. Therefore, CBDa isolates are preferable to full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD products. Full spectrum and broad spectrum CBD products maximize the entourage effect, whereas CBDa distillate may be useful. By adding more phytocannabinoids, the effect is amplified.

CBDA to Treat Nausea and Vomiting

New research reveals that the cannabinoid's indirect stimulation of 5-HT1A serotonin receptors is responsible for its ability to alleviate nausea and vomiting. CBDA seems to activate 5-HT1A receptors in the same manner as 5-HT1A, although its effects appear to be more prominent. CBDa is also useful in managing the symptoms of treatment-resistant anticipatory nausea, a syndrome that often accompanies chemotherapy treatment. CBDA was proven better at reducing nausea and vomiting than the original drug, CBD. According to Bolognini et al. (2013), CBDA demonstrates much more ability to prevent vomiting in shrews and nausea in rats and to enhance 5-HT1A receptor activation than CBD. For nausea and vomiting, the cannabinoid looks stronger before decarboxylation, i.e., before transforming it to CBD with heat.

CBDA as an Anti-Inflammatory Agent

CBDA and CBD interact with the receptors of the body's biggest regulatory system, the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Both cannabinoids, CBDA and CBD, affect cannabinoid receptors, although they interact differently in this system. Unlike its decarboxylated relative, cannabidiol, CBDA seems to impact enzymes and non-ECS receptors differently. According to Ruhaak et al. (2011), cyclooxygenase enzymes interact with CBDA (COX enzymes). Prostaglandins, lipid chemicals that cause inflammation, are produced partly by these enzymes, among their many other functions. An action comparable to that of NSAIDs such as aspirin and ibuprofen is seen in CBDA, which selectively inhibits the synthesis of COX-2 enzymes. Anti-inflammatory cannabinoids CBDA and THC are more powerful inhibitors than CBD and THC.

Conclusion

CBDA has a lot of promise in the rapidly expanding marijuana market. Scientists and supplement consumers have high hopes for CBDA, even though most of its potential is unknown. There is a possibility that CBDA might be a useful addition to your wellness regimen for those of you who are just beginning to dabble with CBD and health supplements. CBDA is a safe alternative to THC since it does not produce any psychoactive effects or pose any health dangers (such as if your company drug tests). If you want to get the most out of your health regimen, try some raw CBDA.

References

Bolognini, D., Rock, E. M., Cluny, N. L., Cascio, M. G., Limebeer, C. L., Duncan, M., ... & Pertwee, R. G. (2013). Cannabidiolic acid prevents vomiting in S uncus murinus and nausea‐induced behaviour in rats by enhancing 5‐HT1A receptor activation. British journal of pharmacology, 168(6), 1456-1470.

Fellous, T., De Maio, F., Kalkan, H., Carannante, B., Boccella, S., Petrosino, S., ... & Iannotti, F. A. (2020). Phytocannabinoids promote viability and functional adipogenesis of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells through different molecular targets. Biochemical Pharmacology, 175, 113859.

Pratap Singh, A., Fathordoobady, F., Guo, Y., Singh, A., & Kitts, D. D. (2020). Antioxidants help favorably regulate the kinetics of lipid peroxidation, polyunsaturated fatty acids degradation and acidic cannabinoids decarboxylation in hempseed oil. Scientific reports, 10(1), 1-12.

Ruhaak, L. R., Felth, J., Karlsson, P. C., Rafter, J. J., Verpoorte, R., & Bohlin, L. (2011). Evaluation of the cyclooxygenase inhibiting effects of six major cannabinoids isolated from Cannabis sativa. Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 34(5), 774-778.