CBDa- What is it? How does it differ from CBD?

As the cannabinoid market continues to evolve, the industry and consumers are
seeing a multitude of products and extracts that contain other cannabinoids besides
CBD. CBD has developed a reputation for possible effects that range from anxiety relief
to inflammation relief, and a slew of other benefits. So what is different about CBDa?

What exactly is it?
CBDa is the acidic precursor to CBD- meaning that with a catalyst, it converts into
CBD. In the case of CBDa, the catalysts can be heat, oxidation, time, or a combination
thereof. This process is called “decarboxylation”, and was originally thought to be
required because the target molecule in hemp and hemp extracts was always CBD. As
cannabis products become more and more popular, we start to wonder what all these
other cannabinoids are, how they behave under different conditions, and what they can
do for us. One thing studies are suggesting is that CBDa has an affinity for the 5-HT1A
receptors- which help regulate our moods, cognition, memory, and many other
biological functions through Seratonin production. Drugs that exhibit high level activity
on these receptors are considered to be antidepressants. For more information on 5-
HT1A receptors and what they do, check out this study. Other studies suggest that
CBDa is superior to CBD because of it’s higher affinity for these receptors- at least twice
as high in one study. 5-HT1A receptors also help to relieve nausea, so that is another
potential benefit of CBDa, according to the research.

CBDa and Bioavailability
One of the most interesting things about CBDa is its ability to be more readily
absorbed by our bodies- meaning that we get more of it in our bloodstream than we do
CBD. Another study showed the possibility of something truly amazing- Full Spectrum
extract showed the absorption of CBDa to be 14 times higher when administered versus
CBDa as an individual molecule. This means that our minimally processed CBDa Oil is
the best vehicle for CBDa delivery. We extract our CBDa oil using a Proprietary Liquid
CO2 System, and because of our methodology, we are also able to retain the other
valuable components like fatty acids, terpenes, and other cannabinoids along with the
high levels of CBDa in the extract. This is great for our consumers because no harsh
solvents must be introduced or removed as CO2 naturally dissipates from the oils,
leaving behind a true-to-plant extract with the best possible profile.

CBDa and COX-2 Activity
COX-2 is enzyme that promotes inflammation through speeding up the production of
chemical “messengers” called prostaglandins. If the enzyme can be inhibited,
inflammation is reduced. This is the primary function of NSAID medications, like
Ibuprofen and Naproxen. The drawbacks to them is that they can cause damage to
organs like the liver. This study suggests that CBDa may be absorbed elsewhere in the
body and may not pose the same risks as NSAIDs- which over long term use can reduce
or eliminate the amount of damage inflicted on organs and tissues while still relieving
inflammation. Here is a brief explanation of COX-2 function and mechanisms regarding
selective NSAIDs. The search for natural alternatives to current standards in over-the-counter relief may narrow as we begin to see the regulations unfold, and we suspect
that CBDa will widely be accepted one day as a viable treatment option for pain as long
as the research supports it. Our Full Spectrum products utilize these solvent free
extracts to deliver CBDa to our consumers with very consistent results regarding the
quality of the extraction and cannabinoid profiles. Stay tuned to the Blog to see what is
coming- our team is perpetually developing new products and formulations and are
dedicated to bringing the highest quality to your door, and have something great in store
for you. Be sure to subscribe to our email list so you don’t miss any opportunities to try
our new products!