Everything You Need To Know About CBDA

CBD is something that most people are certainly familiar with, if not intimately acquainted with. But what about CBDA, also known as cannabidiol acid? Let’s take a closer look at this other chemical compound, which tends to be much lesser-known.

What is CBDA?

CBDA is a chemical compound that is native to cannabis plants and is actually present prior to when CBD forms. Though CBD tends to get most of the attention, CBDA has been garnering more attention recently thanks to the trend of raw juicing of cannabis, as well as a recent trend of combining CBD with CBDA in cannabis oils. (source 1)

In fact, every key cannabinoid that is present in cannabis and hemp begins as CBGA, otherwise known as cannabigerol acid. Every cannabis strain has its own plant enzymes that will then convert their CBGA into different combinations of three major cannabinoid precursor compounds, including cannabidiol acid (CBDA), cannabichromene acid (CBCA), and tetrahydrocannabinol acid (THCA).

After CBDA forms, then it gets converted into CBD through a process known as thermal decarboxylation. In this process, the heat forces the molecule to drop its acidic carboxyl group, either happening instantly when the cannabis gets lit in order to be vaped or smoked, or by slowly degrading over time if the cannabis is left out at room temperature for an extended period. (source 2)

Can you consume this chemical compound?

Funnily enough, even though this chemical compound is present in large quantities in cannabis in its raw form, most users of cannabis don’t ever actually consume it, since it is decarboxylated during the most common forms of cannabis consumption, like smoking or vaping. If individuals would like to consume CBDA, the most common forms of consumption available include tinctures, topical creams, or, as mentioned previously, by drinking raw cannabis juice.

Benefits of CBDA use

You might be wondering what benefits this lesser-popular chemical compound has that CBD does not, and why would anyone go out of their way to consume it? After all, for many years, CBDA and its other cannabinoid acid comrades were not considered to be what is known as pharmacologically active, due to the fact that it does not have an impact on the human body’s endocannabinoid system in the same way that CBD and THC do.

However, new research (as in, within the last 12 years) has found that the molecular structure of CBDA is actually quite similar to many well-known NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). In fact, CBDA was shown in research to demonstrate the same behavior that allows NSAIDs to reduce inflammation in the body.

The future of CBDA

There is no doubt that the future for CBDA, once a much lesser-known compound than its closest relative CBD, is bright, as more and more research on this cannabinoid acid is undertaken and developed. Be sure to keep an eye out for future applications of CBDA, and, as always, check out Growers Choice Seeds for all of your cannabis-related needs.