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What is the difference between CBD and CBDa

Updated: Jul 11, 2020

Benefits of CBDA vs. CBD

CBDA (cannabidiolic acid) is just one of a number of compounds that are manufactured by both cannabis and hemp. Found in ample quantities in live plant breeds, it then converts to the more popularly known cannabinoid CBD (cannabidiol) over a period of time or when it is exposed to heat.



Cannabinoids are compounds that work with your body to produce both medicinal and recreational reactions like relief from either pain and stress or even euphoria. It is likely that you have already heard of both CBD and THC are these are the most popular cannabinoids today and both are taken from the so-called “mothership” cannabinoid which is CBGA or cannabigerolic acid.

But what is the endocannabinoid system and what role does it play in your bodies?

CBGA transforms into three primary cannabinoid precursor compounds that rely on which plant enzymes are triggered to conduct the synthesis. They are the following:

· THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid)

· CBCA (cannabichromenic acid)

· CBDA (cannabidiolic acid)

When decarboxylation happens by subjecting the cannabis plant to either sunlight or even heat, the CBDA is transformed to CBD. Basically, CBDA is the raw condition of CBD. In this day and age, CBDA can be found in many products like capsules, topical creams, hemp oils and CBDA tinctures. One company — Puretherapymd — specializes in these. There are even people that juice raw cannabis to get CBDA concentrate. If you are wondering what does CBDA do and why it’s important, read on below, as we will discuss that.

What are the Prospective Medical Benefits of CBDA?

Most cannabinoids easily bind with either the CB1 or CB2 receptors but what makes CBDA unique is it does not function that way. What CBDA does is that it engages with the endocannabinoid system by inhibiting the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme. The COX-2 enzyme are linked to inflammation especially after an infection or an injury occurs so by restricting those, CBDA can give a person relief from inflammation and pain.

In research studies that involved rodents, the study’s proponents uncovered that CBDA had a substantial impact on serotonin, which is a chemical generated by nerve cells that assist in signaling between different cells. Serotonin also plays a very important role in human functions such as sleeping, eating, digestion, motor skills and emotions.

When the body is placed under stress — for example, when a person is undergoing chemotherapy — it triggers the release of excess serotonin that then leads to nausea and vomiting. While vomiting can be remedied by numerous means including medication, the feeling of nausea is trickier to get a handle on. A lot of cancer patients attest that nausea is a lot more stressful than vomiting since it is a continuing sensation that they cannot stop. As a matter of fact, one in every five patients halt their cancer treatment since they abhor the feeling of nausea.

However, scientists believe that CBDA can impact the body’s 5-HT serotonin-producing receptors, which means it might be useful as medication for chemotherapy-induced nausea/vomiting (CINV) and other related conditions.

What is the State of Research Being Done on CBDA?

Scientists and researchers have been conducting extensive research on CBDA for the better part of a decade. Back in 2008, one study took a close look at the possibility of CBDA being utilized as an anti-inflammatory agent by carefully studying its COX-2 inhibitor qualities.

What the research team did was compare the molecular makeup of CBDA with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that are usually used against inflammation and discovered that their structures were similar in that both had the capability to inhibit or block COX-2 receptors. This particular study brought CBDA to the fore as a promising anti-inflammatory agent.

In as much that CBDA is able to regulate that nauseous feeling, researchers have also found that it can also work as a potent anticonvulsive. As a matter of fact, experts have discovered that CBDA has more affinity for the 5-HT receptors, resulting in greater bioavailability, which means the body can easily metabolize the compound with less effort and time.

This ability could also mean that CBDA might be an effective solution to counter depression.

This same receptor affinity could also mean that CBDA could perhaps effectively fight depression. After all, CBDA does work on the 5-HT receptors in a way that is similar to how a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant medication would.

Recently, a lot of research involving CBDA involves pre-clinical studies that does not involve any humans. While it goes without saying that human trials remain a must, there are medical cannabis firms that are leading the way. However, these prescription drugs still need the approval of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before they can be made available to the public.




Please visit www.puretherapymd.com or our store in Alpharetta, Georgia to find out about the products that we have. We offer fast shipping to ensure that you can get our oils in hand to start to experience the benefits of CBD for yourself in no time.

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