New discoveries have found that the natural hemp cannabinoid, CBDA, may be the most potent compound in the hemp flower. With superior absorption to CBD, many consumers are finding significant health benefits, from stress and anxiety to joint pains and inflammation.
Suppose you've heard all about cannabinoids, which are richly found in cannabis plants. Then you might have heard about CBDA, which is among the amazing compounds present in the plant. According to new studies, CBDA offers many therapeutic benefits, just like the well-known cannabinoid - CBD. CBDA-derived products are a great alternative for many other traditional supplements.
However, we all know it can be challenging to find the right supplement for you with all the confusing options! And we also know how important it is to find one that works for you and your needs. That's why we've put together this guide. In this blog, we'll help you understand how CBDA pills work and dig deep into what they can do for you.
Article Highlights
- Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) belongs to the group of acidic cannabinoids, the most abundant compounds present in the cannabis sativa flower.
- It is now well known that CBDA is one of the most plentiful acidic cannabinoids found in the hemp flower.
- CBDA works by boosting the endocannabinoid system and is now found to have additional targets in the serotonin system.
- CBDA was recently shown to have between 450% to 1000% better absorption than CBD.
What Is CBDA?
Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) belongs to the group of acidic cannabinoids which are present in cannabis sativa. CBDA is created from cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), the mother cannabinoid that serves as the precursor for all cannabinoids.As such, CBGA is used to produce other major and minor cannabinoids in the acidic form, such as:
- Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA)
- Cannabichromenic acid (CBCA)
- Cannabidiolic scid (CBDA)
During cannabinoid biosynthesis, CBDA synthase converts CBGA to CBDA. Meanwhile, Olivetolic acid and geranyl diphosphate formation serves as a precursor to CBGA.
While the hemp plant does not have an enzyme to CBDA to CBD, CBDA serves as a natural precursor to cannabidiol (CBD) when it is exposed to heat. Similar to CBD, CBDA is non-psychoactive. That's why CBDA is a preferred choice for those seeking marijuana's therapeutic effects without its psychoactive properties.
It has long been known that CBDA is one of the most plentiful acidic cannabinoids in the hemp plant. However, depending on the hemp species, the profile of minor cannabinoids can change, yielding different ratios of the varying cannabinoids.
Though CBDA is not as well researched as CBD, recent studies suggest that it interacts in similar ways as other cannabinoids do. A unique property to all acidic cannabinoids is their superior absorption due to their natural acidic form.
Cannabidiolic Acid vs Cannabinol; How it Differs
CBDA has a carboxyl group in its chemical structures. The carboxyl group makes CBDA an acidic precursor of its respective compound, CBD. On the other hand, CBD does not contain this carboxyl group. This slight chemical structure between the two makes them both unique from each other.
In terms of conversion, when CBDA compounds are exposed to heat or light for extended periods of time, it converts into the decarboxylated forms, such as CBD. This decarboxylation process removes the carboxyl group from CBDA, converting it into CBD.
Recent research has also shown that CBDA interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the body similarly to CBD. Additionally, CBDA was found to have between 450% to 1000% better absorption than CBD. This indicates that it may have superior therapeutic potential. Some research teams have concluded its potent medical effects, which we will discuss further down in this article.
How Is CBDA Extracted From the Hemp Plant?
Extraction of CBDA, just like other cannabinoids, can be done via many different production processes to produce a chemical composition termed "crude extract". These include:- Ethanol extraction - the most common extraction process, used for large scale production of crude extracts.
- Supercritical CO2 extraction - a common production process that uses liquid CO2 to pull out cannabinoids and terpenes. Does not scale as well as ethanol or organic solvents.
- Propane/butane extraction - this has become less common due to difficulty scaling, but produces a high purity crude extract.
- Press extraction - this involves pressing the hemp flower to squeeze out the oil. Is typically for small scale producers, and has low efficiency.
- Water extraction - these extractions can be used to produce a trichrome rich material, and some producers are now using adulterated water to help isolate acidic cannabinoids.
- Winterization - this step is for removing fats and waxes from the crude extract, and involves mixing the extract in ethanol or isopropanol, cooling the mixture, and filtering off the resulting impurities.
- Cannabinoid isolation - this last step removes remaining unwanted compounds, such as chlorophyll and other compounds that can give the extract a bitter taste. While most companies use heat in this process, it destroys the CBDA by converting it into CBD. At Natural Dos, we developed a new process that isolates only CBDA and acidic cannabinoids without using heat.
Once the CBDA has been extracted, it can be further refined and processed. CBDA can be formed to create various products such as tinctures, capsules, gummies and topicals. It's important to take note that the quality and purity of the CBDA extract significantly depend on the extraction and purification methods used. The quality of the hemp plant material also determines the cannabinoid mixture.
Health Benefits of CBDA Pills
CBDA pills are an amazing product that can promote wellness. With incorporation into the pill form, you can get much higher doses of CBDA as well!
The health benefits of CBDA pills include the following:
Pain Relief and Inflammation
CBDA is best known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Multiple studies now indicate it is a promising alternative to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are designed to treat inflammation. This stems from its ability to inhibit COX 2 activity and production. In addition, the endocannabinoid system itself is integrated into most immune cells, and has long been a target for help with pain.
Some of the important findings for CBDA relief include:
- COX 2 is a critical pro inflammatory enzyme that is a target for many over the counter drugs, like ibuprofen and aspirin. CBDA has now been shown to be both a direct inhibitor and cause a decrease in COX 2 production indirectly.
- Endocannabinoid receptors, such as CB1 and CBD2, have long been known to regulate pain and inflammation, and there are now many reports on the benefits for these symptoms.
- Secondary receptors associated with the endocannabinoid system, such as TRPV1, are also known to be involved in pain perception. CBDA was recently found to activate this cell surface receptor, which may explain some of its analgesic properties.
Since CBDA pills are made of natural ingredients, they work by helping the body to heal quickly and effectively. CBDA pills are also a promising treatment option for pain relief.
Anxiety and Stress Relief
Many consumers are finding that like CBDA is great for calming the mind. Anxiety and stress can often cause poor sleep, and nothing worse then waking up to a racing mind and being tired at the same time.
CBDA pills are being studied as a potent solution for managing anxiety and depression. In addition to boosting the endocannabinoid system, new studied have found that it can activate the serotonin system through the 5HT1A receptor.
This is an important finding since this class of receptors is a common target for SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), the most common anti-depression set of drugs.
Nausea and Vomiting Relief
According to a recent studies, CBDA pills also help reduce nausea and vomiting. These symptoms can be particularly challenging for individuals undergoing cancer treatment. For this reason, CBDA pills are a promising option for managing these side effects.Overall, CBDA pills offer individuals a promising way to benefit from this compound found in hemp plants. Further study by a dedicated research team may lead to a better understanding of the therapeutic applications of CBDA capsules or pills.
How Do CBDA Pills Work?
The best way to learn how CBDA pills work is by understanding the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system is responsible for regulating homeostasis in the body. This can stimulate bodily functions like digestion, sleep, and immune regulation. The ECS also helps regulate appetite, pain perception, mood, and memory.CBDA pills are absorbed rapidly by the body, mainly due to the high absorption rate of CBDA and other acidic cannabinoids. Because you can put a higher amount of CBDA into the pill form, it allows for better dosing and you can titrate the proper amount specific to your body.
How to Take CBDA?
CBDA pills are easy to swallow and can be taken on an empty stomach or with food. You can also take CBDA in juice or water, which is easier for some people than taking pills. As such, if you have a hard time swallowing the pill whole, open it up and sprinkle the contents into your juice before drinking it.
Depending on what benefits you are looking for, you can take CBDA in the morning, early afternoon, or 1-2 hours before bed to help improve sleep.
Dosage Guidelines
If you are new to CBDA, we recommend starting out with only 1 pill, and see how you feel. Everyone is a bit different, and your individual biochemistry will determine what is ideal for you. We always recommend starting with a lower dose for a couple days and only going higher if necessary.
A typical starting dosage might range from 20mg up to 100mg, but we have customers who take much more in a single dose without side effects.
If you want to feel the full effects of CBDA in your body, then it's important that you don't drink alcohol while taking this product. Alcohol may impair the effects of CBDA and dampen the health benefits.
How to Find High-Quality CBDA Pills?
CBDA pills are a powerful way to reap many medicinal benefits cannabis has to offer. And you can get all the therapeutic effects of CBDA without having to smoke or vape cannabis.
Make sure that you're getting CBDA pills from a reputable and trusted source. You need to also check out if they are high quality and potent. But how do you ensure that your CBDA pills are high in quality?
First, check for the COA on the product bottle, as this lab report will tell you how much CBDA there is in each pill. Quality sellers will have a CoA you can look up online from the website of the brand you are buying from.
Next, make sure to look at the reviews of the products. Check out what other people say about their experiences with those products, too. These pieces of information can be easily found online.
Lastly, find out if the product that you are buying is third-party tested for pesticides or heavy metals. These lab tests will help tell if the product you are buying is high-quality.
Possible Side Effects
There are more and more studies have shown that CBDA is a safe and effective treatment for a number of health conditions. However, it's important to remember that it's still a compound that your body processes. And just like any drug or supplement, there are side effects associated with taking it.
The most common side effect associated with taking CBDA is drowsiness. The reason for this is that it binds to receptors in your brain which slow down neural activity. In fact, this is how it helps reduce seizures. CBDA slows down neural activity in the part of the brain that causes them.
However, not everyone will experience drowsiness when taking CBDA. The effects of CBDA ultimately vary from person to person. Some people who take high doses may also experience dry mouth and lightheadedness. For this reason, it's always recommended that you start off slowly with small doses. Until you know how your body responds to CBDA, refrain from taking large doses.
Speak with your doctor if you are on multiple medications or have a history of liver complications.
Takeaway
CBDA pills are a fantastic alternative to many other supplements on the market. CBDA offers various health benefits that can help improve overall well-being. It is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant, which means it does not produce the same "high" as THC does.CBDA pills are known to have anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, and anti-stress properties. It can also reduce nausea and vomiting, based on many studies.
CBDA pills work by affecting the endocannabinoid system. It helps regulate receptors all over the body, resulting in many therapeutic effects.
CBDA pills can be a great addition to your health and wellness routine.