CBD science: The Difference Between CBD and CBDA

Both CBD and CBDA are cannabinoids, unique compounds that form in hemp and cannabis plants. CBD is considered the most promising cannabinoid for medicinal purposes, and, as such, CBDA has been somewhat neglected. However, the trend of cannabis leaf shakes has returned attention to the CBDA, and now many people wonder what the difference between them is.

The relationship between CBDA and CBD

First, it is essential to understand the natural relationship between these two cannabinoids. CBDA is found in unprocessed plant matter and is the acid precursor of “active” CBD. Both CBDA and CBD develop for the first time in cannabis plants in the form of CBGA cannabinoid. Once an enzyme arrives, CBDA synthase converts CBGA into CBDA. At this point, CBD is formed from CBDA through the decarboxylation process, which involves applying heat to remove the carboxyl group. The decarboxylation process can occur instantaneously, such as when it is vaporized or cooked; It can also occur more slowly over time when plant matter is allowed to settle.

The differences between CBDA and CBD

It is essential to clarify that both CBDA and CBD are not psychotropic; they will not locate or damage their mental processes. Although the CBDA is considered mainly inactive and, therefore, auxiliary to the CBD, it may have interesting potential in its own right. Like CBD and other cannabinoids, CBDA is believed to have anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory characteristics, among others. Even so, the CBDA still does not have a wealth of research that is accumulating in favor of the CBD. The anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, anxiolytic, antiproliferative, and antioxidant functions of CBD make it a versatile cannabinoid that gains strength in many health and wellness related industries. So, what place does CBDA occupy?

CBDA key research

Nausea and vomiting

Despite being labeled “pharmacologically inactive,” the CBDA has shown potent effects in the laboratory against nausea and vomiting. A 2013 study in animal models analyzed not only CBDA’s ability to reduce these symptoms but also its potential to improve activation of the 5-HT1A receptor.

The results were encouraging; The researchers noted that “compared to cannabidiol, CBDA shows significantly greater potency to inhibit vomiting in shrews and nausea in rats.” In addition, they concluded that CBDA worked best in activating the 5-HT1A receptor, in addition to showing the potential to treat nausea.

• Inflammation

There is a lot of documentation on the anti-inflammatory benefits of CBD, which includes a good part of high-quality studies on cannabinoid. CBDA could also be a good candidate to reduce inflammation. It was shown that CBDA is even more competent than THC to block COX-2, an enzyme that is produced as a result of inflammation. In addition, it was determined that the “carboxylic acid residue” of CBDA (the “A”) was crucial in the role of the cannabinoid as a selective COX-2 inhibitor.

• Breast Cancer

With respect to breast cancer and CBDA, research in this field is very poorly developed, not to mention that it is a very controversial issue. For example, Dr. Sean McAllister, a very prolific scientist in the field of cannabinoid research, discovered that THC and CBD seemed to inhibit and kill cancer cells. He also discovered that “compared to CBD, CBDA had negligible effects on the cell viability test against multiple cancers, so we were never too interested in the molecule.”

A study supports this referred to by Dr. McAllister, under the title “Antitumor activity of plant cannabinoids with emphasis on the effect of cannabidiol in human breast cancer.” The study found that among all the cannabinoids (including THC, CBG, and CBC), CBD was the most potent in combating breast cancer, while CBDA was the least effective.

On the other hand, a 2012 study at Hokuriku University found that CBDA inhibits the migration of breast cancer cells to a form of aggressive breast cancer. But the conclusions drawn from this investigation are by no means conclusive. CBDA is not a secondary actor.

It is clear that, despite any deficiency in research, the CBDA shows qualities other than CBD that make it a very interesting compound. Even so, both cannabinoids maintain a relationship that requires further analysis and experimentation. As more cannabinoids come to light, it is essential to distinguish the individual features of each one, as well as how they all interact as a complete chemical Phyto complex.