What is CBDA?

CBDA – Cannabidiolic Acid is a compound that is produced by both cannabis and hemp. It is abundantly found in the live plant of the CBD variety and is the king compound in industrial hemp and its’ by-products. Just like CBGA, CBDA converts to CBD over time and when exposed to heat. As mentioned in last week’s article CBGA converts to three major cannabinoids precursor compounds depending on which plant enzymes are activated to direct the synthesis when decarboxylation occurs. This occurs simply when the plant is introduced to or exposed to heat or sunlight. So CBDA is then converted to CBD!

CBDA is a unique cannabinoid that doesn’t bind to the CB1 or CB2 receptors instead it interacts with the Endocannabinoid System by inhibiting an enzyme called Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). CBDA is recognized as a strong anti-inflammatory due to its characteristics as a selective COX-2 inhibitor. Cyclooxygenase has enzymes 1 and 2 and they both have different responsibilities and roles within the body. These enzymes are associated with inflammation after an injury or an infection. Specifically, COX-1 is responsible for maintaining the stomach and intestinal lining and COX -2 causes inflammation. So, by blocking the COX-2 enzymes CBDA can relieve inflammation and pain that is associated with inflammation.

CBDA also works in the same way as NSAIDS do or Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs but without damaging effects to the gut. NSAIDS like ibuprofen and aspirin work by inhibiting the effects of these enzymes but with long-term use can damage the gastrointestinal tract, so CBDA is a great alternative without damage to your body with long-term use. This can overall relate to an array of illnesses and ailments that are affected by inflammation that can be helped or benefit from CBD and CBDA!

Within a recent rodent study CBDA was shown to have affected the levels of serotonin producing receptors hinting at the usefulness of CBDA as a medication for chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting. This of course does not have to be nausea only related to cancer treatment but also to other conditions that induces such symptoms. There are obviously several stressors that can trigger the body to release excess serotonin within cancer treatment like radiation and chemotherapy. CBDA can help control nausea with its effect on serotonin which was more problematic for cancer patients than the vomiting itself. With this in mind, CBDA could show potential in effectively fighting depression.

CBDA can also act as a powerful anti-convulsive to which we discussed when we explored CBD on its own. Lower doses of CBDA were noticed for lowering the risk of negative CBDA side effects. In some cases, CBDA proved more effective in reducing seizures compared to CBD. Lastly, CBDA acts an anti-cancer and anti-tumor compound that specifically inhibits a specific type of breast cancer. While inhibiting COX-2 it also reduced the effectiveness of a protein called Id-1. This protein is associated with inducing cancer cell growth and cancer cell survival. CBDA also has a greater bioavailability, so the body is able to metabolize the compound with less effort and overall less time.       

Resources? 

https://www.leafly.com/news/cbd/what-is-cbda-cannabidiolic-acid-marijuana-cannabinoid

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7321064/#:~:text=CBDA%20appears%20to%20be%20able,1A%2Ddependent%20mechanism%20of%20action.

https://blog.lunatechequipment.com/understanding-what-cbda-is-and-its-health-benefits

https://farmerandchemist.com/blogs/news/cbda-and-cbga

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