CBD is a famous cannabinoid because it is at the center of the ever-growing CBD industry. But did you know that to get CBD, you would need to produce CBDA first? CBDA is gaining traction in the cannabinoid space due to its beneficial health effects.
Learn more about the difference between CBDA and CBD. This post will help you understand how they work and what form they are typically manufactured.
What is CBDA?
CBDA stands for cannabidiolic acid, a cannabinoid found in cannabis and hemp plants. Many people are unaware of CBDA, which serves as a natural precursor to CBD (cannabidiol), a more prominent hemp molecule. Thus, CBDA is closely related to CBD.
Unlike CBD, CBDA is predominantly present in the raw, unprocessed hemp plant material. When you gaze upon a freshly harvested hemp or cannabis plant, CBDA takes center stage, not CBD.
CBDA converts to CBD through a process called decarboxylation. This chemical reaction may occur naturally when hemp undergoes heat, such as drying, curing, or heating, during consumption methods like smoking or vaping.
CBD oil is achieved by heating raw hemp plants inside an oven. A particular carboxyl group is released in this process, explaining CBD’s emergence. Light and oxygen can also cause decarboxylation, though it would be slower.
Potential CBDA Benefits
Based on emerging research studies, CBDA shows promise in helping the human body achieve overall wellness. However, to use CBDA, you have to consume hemp in its raw form to access its therapeutic benefits.
Today, if people would want to consume CBDA, they will buy raw cannabis juice or raw hemp extracts. But still, we have limited availability for products rich in cannabidiolic acid.
CBDA, a still overlooked bioactive compound, shows promise in the world of wellness due to its potential therapeutic benefits:
- CBDA can prohibit the growth of harmful cells in human breasts.
- CBDA has been observed to improve the production of a specific compound in our cells that deals with viruses.
- CBDA is believed to produce anti-trembling effects caused by small-scale overwhelming brain electrical activities.
More research is needed to confirm the unique benefits of CBDA to the human body. These studies will help us understand how CBDA produces these health benefits.
How does CBDA work?
The hemp plant comprises different cannabinoids that can influence the human endocannabinoid system (ECS). Within it are two cannabinoid receptors that interact with the different cannabinoids of Hemp:
- CB1 receptors are present in the brain and throughout the central nervous system. They can also be found in the lungs, kidneys, liver, and reproductive organs.
- CB2 receptors are located in the peripheral tissues of the immune and gastrointestinal systems of the human body. They are crucial in modulating the body’s immune response and inflammation.
Although both CBD CBDA are cannabinoids, CBDA only interacts with the CB1 receptors. The same cannabinoid receptor that binds with THC (a plant molecule responsible for marijuana’s psychoactive effects).
When introduced into the endocannabinoid system, CBDA acts as an inhibitor the activity of a specific enzyme, the COX-2 enzyme. As CBDA inhibits COX-2, the minor cannabinoid helps modulate inflammation and pain perception. Thus, it can offer potential benefits to users without the “high” relatively associated with cannabis use.
From here, we can say that CBDA oil is a promising hemp product that harnesses therapeutic benefits for people seeking pain relief.
How to Consume CBDA
Smoking CBDA oil may lead to creating CBD since it is one way to induce decarboxylation. Now, how can you make use of CBDA products? Here are some practical suggestions:
- Raw hemp leaves and flowers can be used as cooking supplements. They can be added to salads, smoothies, and other favorite dishes.
- Some CBDA users can also buy hemp flowers to prepare CBDA-infused tea.
- People can consume CBDA by taking Stirling Energy Gummies, Immunity Gummies, and CBDA Isolate.
What is CBD?
CBD is a famous cannabinoid found in several hemp extracts. It has another well-known counterpart, which is the THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Compared to THC, CBD does not induce psychoactive effects, making it an effective alternative for those seeking therapeutic benefits without the associated “high.”
Today, CBD is available in CBD Oil, capsules, gummies, topicals, and isolates. Each offers unique benefits in terms of absorption rates and duration of effects. For instance, CBD oil placed under the tongue (sublingual method) enter the bloodstream rapidly compared to CBD capsules, leading to quicker effects.
Potential Benefits of CBD Oil
Based on CBD research, CBD oil can induce several helpful effects. Some CBD benefits involve specific issues regarding the following:
- Sleep
- Appetite
- Relaxation
- Immunity
- Focus
- Pain Relief
- Digestive
CBD oil products are also manufactured to benefit our beloved pets, such as dogs and cats.
How does CBD work?
CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), a specialized system distributed throughout different bodily systems, such as the central nervous system, immune, reproductive, and gastrointestinal systems.
The ECS is believed to orchestrate several bodily functions that are essential for health and well-being. Some of these are sleep regulation, mood modulation, appetite control, memory formation, and reproductive function.
The ECS’s CB1 and CB2 receptors serve as special docking sites for the cannabinoids of hemp plants. Compared with CBDA, CBD displays a minimal binding affinity for these receptors. CBD indirectly influences these receptors, promoting a sense of overall wellness and balance.
How to Consume CBD
There are several ways to take advantage of CBD oil benefits. Check them out below:
CBD Tinctures/CBD Oil are plant-based extracts suspended in a carrier oil. They are typically administered sublingually (under the tongue). When you buy CBD oil, you may want to try a full-spectrum CBD oil if you are looking to experience the sought-after entourage effect. But if you are worried about failing a drug test, try broad-spectrum CBD oil. This product is THC-free, but it can still produce the entourage effect since it contains other cannabinoids.
CBD Edibles are another good choice for enjoying CBD. These are food products infused with cannabidiol. The most famous of them all are the CBD gummies. These sweet treats can help you experience the unique benefits of CBD, such as strengthening your immunity or producing energy to get through the day.
CBD Topicals offer targeted relief in certain areas affected by discomfort. They are lotions, creams, and salves infused with CBD and other active ingredients (e.g., magnesium, lavender, menthol, and aloe vera). CBD topicals are popular for addressing muscle soreness, joint pain, and skin care concerns.
CBD Capsules can be considered as oral supplements containing CBD oil encapsulated in a gelatin or vegetarian capsule. These CBD products’ strengths involve offering a convenient and discreet way to consume CBD while also providing precise dosing control. Some CBD capsules offer relief after doing a strenuous activity, while others will help you sleep well.
CBD Isolate is the purest CBD product available today. A CBD isolate is typically manufactured in crystalline powder form and only contains CBD. Some brands offer other cannabinoids in their isolates, such as CBGA (otherwise called cannabigerolic acid) and CBDA.
CBDA vs CBD: How Are They Different from Each Other?
CBDA vs. CBD: Chemical Structure
Because CBDA belongs to a group of acidic cannabinoids, its chemical structure includes a carboxylic acid, distinguishing it from CBDA. CBD, being a decarboxylated form of CBDA, has no carboxylic acid.
CBDA vs CBD: Source and Occurrence
CBDA is naturally present in raw hemp (it also exists in a cannabis plant), particularly in the early stages of its growth. CBDA levels are high in the freshly harvested hemp plant prior to decarboxylation.
CBD is formed from CBDA after decarboxylation, which typically occurs during the drying, curing, or heating of a hemp or cannabis plant. CBD is the predominant cannabinoid found in most CBD products in the growing CBD industry.
CBDA vs CBD: Psychoactive Properties
Both CBD and CBDA possess psychoactive properties. Consuming them gives CBD users health benefits without the high effects typically associated with marijuana use.
CBDA vs CBD: Interaction with the ECS
CBDA and CBD have the ability to interact with the human endocannabinoid system, albeit in their own unique way.
Research shows that CBDA only binds with the CB1 receptors, preventing specific enzymes (COX-2) that promote inflammation. On the other hand, CBD from a CBD oil interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system by indirectly influencing cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2).
CBDA vs CBD: Isolation Difficulty
Extracting CBDA can be challenging due to its instability and susceptibility to degradation during extraction processes. Maintaining optimal conditions to preserve this compound’s acidic form requires careful attention to factors such as temperature, pH, and extraction methods.
On the other hand, CBD oil extraction processes vary in complexity depending on the desired purity. Common methods of extraction to produce CBD oils would be CO2 extraction, ethanol extraction, and lipid extraction. Stirling CBD exclusively uses a unique and safe solventless extraction to manufacture its bestselling CBD oils.
CBDA vs CBD: Prices of Products
CBDA oil-based products might be more expensive than CBD oils due to the additional challenges associated with extracting and preserving CBDA in its natural form. Also, the limited availability and higher production costs may contribute to higher price points of products rich in cannabidiolic acid.
Prices for CBD products vary because they come in different forms, potencies, and formulations. For example, a broad-spectrum CBD oil might cost more than a full-spectrum CBD oil since the former requires further processing to become THC-free.
CBDA vs CBD: Potential Benefits
Both CBDA and CBD have been shown to offer different health benefits when interacting with the human endocannabinoid system. Their similar benefits might include relief from body aches and binding on certain serotonin receptors.
CBDA vs CBD: Which Should You Buy?
Now that you know the key differences between CBDA and CBD, you might want to know which of these hemp and cannabis compounds you should choose to incorporate into your wellness regimen.
Since CBD and CBDA can offer positive benefits to the human body, choosing which product you should use can be a matter of personal preference. Either CBDA oil or CBD oil can help Hemp and cannabis users.
Just be mindful that the benefits of CBDA oil may need more research. This is a relatively unknown cannabinoid, and we have limited studies about it.
What to Look for When Buying CBD and CBDA Products?
Quality and Purity
Buy products made using high-quality, organically grown hemp plants. Check for third-party lab tests, which come with Certificates of Analysis. Such documents ensure that the product is free from contaminants, including pesticides, heavy metals, and residual solvents.
Potency and Dosage
Here, you should consider the concentration of CBD. If you are buying CBD oil, note the amount of CBD present in one dropperful. Buy products that match your individual needs and preferences.
Extraction Method
Choose products that come from solventless extraction so you have peace of mind that they do not contain harmful compounds. Stirling CBD exclusively uses “cavitation method” an innovative way to extract cannabinoids using only water and ice.
Transparency and Reputation
Only shop hemp-based products from reputable CBD companies. They only utilize transparent manufacturing processes and positive customer reviews. Stirling has a sterling reputation when it comes to customer service and commitment to quality and safety standards.
Legal Compliance
It is imperative that you buy CBDA & CBD Oil products that are Farm Bill-compliant. This is because you are complying with the federal law regarding CBD products.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CBDA?
CBDA is one of the cannabinoid acids that naturally occur in an industrial hemp plant material. For many, it is an unknown cannabinoid, but it shows potential in helping the body attain wellness. CBDA is a precursor plant compound that eventually becomes CBD.
What are CBDA products used for?
Because CBDA binds to certain cannabinoid receptors, it is believed to produce several health advantages, such as addressing infection, physical discomfort, and pain. Since CBDA interacts with the human endocannabinoid system, it can induce the following benefits.
Can you find both CBD and CBDA in a hemp plant?
Yes, these cannabinoids may exist in the same hemp plant.
What cannabinoid receptors does CBDA interact with?
Emerging research suggests that CBDA only interacts with CB1 receptors. Future studies involving CBDA will show how CBDA further influences the innate endocannabinoid system.
What other acidic cannabinoids occur naturally in a cannabis sativa plant?
Other acidic cannabinoids that you may find in a cannabis sativa plant include THCA, CBCA, and CBDA. These are also called major cannabinoid precursor compounds because they eventually lead to THC, CBC, and CBD.
Is there a difference between CBDA from a hemp plant and a cannabis plant?
Yes, there is a difference between CBDA derived from a hemp plant and CBDA derived from a cannabis plant. While both Hemp and cannabis are varieties of the Cannabis sativa plant species, they are distinguished primarily by their THC content and legal classification.
