CBDA vs CBD: What's The Difference?

Do you want to know the differences between CBDA vs CBD? Can they be used together? Learn more about cannabinoids and their effect on the human body.

Those who use cannabis are usually familiar with both THC and CBD. However, there is a new cannabinoid coming onto the scene - CBDA, or cannabidiolic acid.

CBDA is considered a raw form of CBD, and CBD is derived from CBDA. Though both cannabinoids are similar in their molecular structure, there are some critical differences. There is a lot of information that shows the synergistic effects of using both together, but let’s first discuss the details of each compound separately.

This blog post will cover the key similarities and differences between CBDA vs CBD, two non-psychoactive compounds derived from cannabis plants. To learn more about these two cannabinoids and the diverse health benefits you can gain from using cannabinoids regularly - keep reading.

What Are Cannabinoids?

Cannabinoids are naturally occurring compounds extracted from the cannabis plant. Of the 480 compounds present in the cannabis Sativa plant, only 66 are cannabinoids.

Cannabinoids interact with the body's endocannabinoid system, and two of the significant cannabinoid compounds are THC and CBD. The effects of cannabinoids in the body are received through cannabinoid receptors on the surface of cells within the body. There are two primary cannabinoid receptors in the body - CB1 and CB2. Since scientists only discovered the endocannabinoid system in 1992, there has only been a limited amount of research on the subject. The total influence of the endocannabinoid system is yet to be known. However, we do know that the endocannabinoid system plays a role in regulating the following bodily functions:

• Regulating the central and peripheral systems of food intake.
• Regulating liver function - lipid synthesis and lipid turnover.
• Regulating the muscle cells' glucose metabolism.
• Chronic pain.
• Inflammation and immune system responses.
• Mood.
• Learning and cognition.

Each cannabinoid interacts with the body in different ways, and it is essential to know the distinction between each cannabinoid type.

THC, CBDA, And CBD

THC and CBD are the most well-known cannabinoids derived from the hemp plant and are the most frequently used cannabinoids for medical and recreational uses. However, cannabis users are becoming aware of another type of cannabinoid - CBDA.

Here is some information about these different cannabinoids:

• THC - also known as tetrahydrocannabinol, is a psychoactive compound derived from hemp plants. Unlike CBD, tetrahydrocannabinolic acid makes users feel high and intoxicated. THC has different health benefits from CBD, such as increasing the appetite, reducing muscle spasms, and improving sleep with sedative effects. THC is the element in cannabis that makes consumers feel high and is the primary reason users smoke marijuana.
• CBD - though CBD comes from the same hemp plant as THC, it is not a psychoactive compound. It can make users feel relaxed, reducing pain and inflammation in the body and mitigating the symptoms of anxiety and depression. CBD comes in many forms, such as CBD hemp oil capsules, CBD tinctures, edibles, and topical creams and oils. Since CBD is activated using heat, users will experience the CBD benefits when smoking marijuana, alongside the benefits of THC.
• CBDA - CBDA stands for cannabidiolic acid and is in the glandular trichomes on the female seedless flowers of the cannabis plant. There are several studies that show CBDA is much more effective than CBD in treating many symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and nausea. Keep reading to learn about the fantastic CBDa benefits of this cannabidiol and how it differs from CBD oil.

Effects Of Cannabinoids In The Human Body

The effect a cannabinoid will have on your body depends on the area of the brain that it interacts with. For instance, if the cannabinoid interacts with the brain's limbic region, it will affect cognition, memory, and psychomotor performance. If the cannabinoid interacts with the mesolimbic pathway, then this may help to reduce the effects of pain in the body and stimulates pleasure and reward hormones.

CBDA Explained 

CBDA is a naturally occurring compound found in the cannabis plant and has recently risen in popularity as more cannabis users have become aware of the compound and its benefits. The extent of the CBDa benefits is yet to be fully discovered, as there has been limited research into the cannabidiolic acid form.

What is CBDA?

CBDA is the chemical compound precursor to CBD, found in the stems, leaves, and flowers of a cannabis plant. When the hemp plant is heat-activated, the acid is removed from CBDA, and CBD is formed. Most cannabis users aren’t familiar with CBDA oil. It is often converted to CBD using heat before it is used in a product or converted to marijuana that you can smoke for medicinal or recreational purposes.

But, what are the benefits of CBDA, and why is it becoming so popular?

Benefits of CBDA

The cannabinoids acid forms are usually not considered to have pharmacologically active properties. Decarboxylated forms of these acidic cannabinoids are believed to affect the endocannabinoid system in ways that cannot be achieved with their precursors.

However, recent studies have shown that CBDA oil has a similar structure to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, pain relief medications that you can buy over-the-counter to treat headaches, body aches, menstrual pains, and other mild inflammatory conditions.

For this reason, the scientific community is now exploring the immense anti-inflammatory properties of CBDA, and several studies have been completed showing very promising results.

In addition to its anti-inflammatory properties, the scientific community has found that CBDA binds very strongly (100 times more than CBD)  to serotonin receptors in the brain that can affect nausea, epilepsy, depression, and anxiety.CBDA could be a powerful new holistic healthcare method to help chemotherapy patients handle nausea and vomiting associated with their treatment.

How To Use CBDA?

There are many companies that sell hemp products, so it’s important to make sure you’re choosing a company that uses only high-quality ingredients and processes. Woven Earth uses only organically-grown hemp from farms in the USA and doesn’t use harsh chemicals or solvents to extract and refine CBD.

CBDA cannot be heated, or it will be converted to CBD. Consequently, you can’t consume CBDA in forms that require heat such as vaping, smoking, or cooking. CBDA that is found in marijuana will be destroyed by vaping or smoking, and the process to make edibles requires heat which also destroys the CBDA.

You will be able to find CBDA in the following forms:

• Tinctures - a tincture is a bitter concoction that you should place under the tongue, where it will have quicker entry into the bloodstream.
• CBDA oil - if you're looking for a less bitter alternative to a tincture, you may wish to try CBDA oil. You can apply CBDA oil under the tongue without the bitter taste, or you might want to add a few drops of CBDA oil to your morning coffee.
• CBDA capsules - one of the quickest and most convenient ways to take CBDA, capsules can be added to your usual supplements and taken twice daily to receive the benefits.

There are many companies that sell hemp products, so it’s important to make sure you’re choosing a company that uses only high-quality ingredients and processes. Woven Earth uses only organically-grown hemp from farms in the USA and doesn’t use harsh chemicals or solvents to extract and refine CBD and CBDA. Consistent use is important, so take it every day! 

Pros And Cons Of CBDA

If you're still unsure whether CBDA is worth trying, let's take a look at some of its pros and cons of CBDA.

CBDA Pros

• Extra benefits - recent studies find that CBDA offers similar benefits to CBD, but research has found it to be significantly more effective. In fact, specifically in the serotonin 5-HT(1A) receptor, CBDA is 100 times more potent than CBD at receptor activation.
• More natural - since more steps are involved in creating CBD, people believe that CBDA is a more natural alternative to CBD because it is not processed. Also, CBDA comes from the live plant, while CBDA comes from the dead plant.
• Mental health benefits - the relaxing properties of CBDA have proven useful in treating the physical symptoms that manifest alongside anxiety, depression, and stress.
• Some studies have shown that CBDA binds to the ​ SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, blocking the virus’s ability to infect people.

CBDA Cons

• Lack of research - since CBD oil has been popular for a long time, more study has been performed on this cannabinoid. CBDA has been studied for the past 10 years, but the FDA has not approved either cannabis plant extracts, so there are little to no regulations.
• Availability - there are thousands and thousands of CBD oil and many other products out there, but CBDA products are less widely available as it is less popular.
• Legality - it is not yet legal to buy CBDA products in some states. However, if you purchase full-spectrum CBD products, these will contain small traces of CBDA.
• Fewer options - CBDA will turn into CBD when heat is applied, so cannabis plant consumers cannot smoke, vape, or cook with CBDA. They can only consume it in its raw cannabis form.

Contrasts Between CBDA And CBD

While CBD and CBDA molecules are very similar-looking, this section is designed to clarify the key similarities and differences between CBDA vs CBD so you can make an informed decision about whether they are right for you.  

Similarities Between CBDA And CBD

CBDA and CBD are both cannabinoids. They are both derived from cannabis plants. Both CBDA and CBD are known for providing relief in the following ways:

• Reducing inflammation in the body
• Promoting wellness, relaxation, and an overall sense of well-being
• Reducing the symptoms of anxiety
• Reducing symptoms of nausea
• Decreasing the appetite

Differences Between CBDA And CBD

Scientists are currently exploring the vast possibilities of CBDA. The potential benefits of CBDA are promising. Some of the critical differences between CBDA and CBD include:

• CBDA is a more potent anti-inflammatory - scientists are performing studies and research proving CBDA to be a more potent anti-inflammatory drug than both CBD and some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) available over-the-counter or by prescription.
• CBD is more widely used - since the powerful effects of CBDA are only recently discovered, fewer CBDA products are available. This means you may not be able to find a wide variety of CBDA products compared to the wide variety of CBD oil and other edibles and products on the market.
• CBD is more stable, easy to extract, and versatile - Since there has been more research devoted to the effects of CBD and the production of CBD products, there may be more regulations on CBD products. However, since neither supplement is FDA approved, there are limited regulations on both products.
• Both cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid system differently - CBD seems to be a CB2 receptor agonist, while CBDA inhibits the COX 2 receptor.
• CBD can be heated - since the process of heating CBDA will convert it into CBD, there are fewer consumption options available. If you vape, smoke, or cook CBDA, this will convert it into CBD. So, if you wish to use CBDA, there will be fewer ways in which you can use the product.

Summary

CBDA is a raw form of CBD, and scientists are now discovering the significant potential of this new cannabinoid. CBDA shows promise as an alternative to NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) that is more powerful in reducing inflammation. The anti-anxiety effects of CBDA make it an excellent choice for those suffering from mental health conditions such as stress-induced anxiety and depression.

CBDA can be consumed in raw cannabis juice or as a supplement in a tincture, soft gel capsule, or CBDA oil. CBDA interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system differently from CBD, though the full extent of these differences is yet to be discovered.

Ready to try CBD oil and CBDA for yourself? Full-spectrum CBD with CBDa Oil from Woven Earth contains both CBD and CBDA, which takes advantage of the benefits of both major cannabinoid precursor compounds. The two work together synergistically, giving you relief from many symptoms including anxiety, stress, inflammation, and nausea. Pick up a bottle today!

Citations

• Crystal Raypole, A Simple Guide to the Endocannabinoid System Healthline Media; 2019.
• Br J Pharmacol, Cannabidiolic acid prevents vomiting in Suncus murinus and nausea-induced behaviour in rats by enhancing 5-HT1A receptor activation National Library of Medicine, National Center for Biotechnology Information; 2013.
• J Nat Prod, Cannabinoids Block Cellular Entry of SARS-CoV-2 and the Emerging Variants, National Library of Medicine, National Center for Biotechnology Information; 2022.