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CBD vs. CBDA: What Are The Differences?
You have probably heard of CBD because of its health benefits. But CBDA? Most likely not. CBD has been viewed as a very promising cannabinoid because of its use for medical purposes and this is the reason why CBDA has been ignored until recently.
CBDA is now gaining popularity because cannabis users are now beginning to juice raw cannabis leaves. So, you wonder, what the difference is between CBD and CBDA. Let us find out.
Most people think that because CBD comes from CBDA, their chemical compound is the same. The reality is that there are many differences between the two including their chemical composition, their working mechanism, and their health benefits.
Let’s take a deeper dive into CBD vs CBDA.
What is CBD and CBDA?
CBD is cannabidiol, one of the compounds in the cannabis plant. Only a small amount of CBD is contained in fresh cannabinoids. Likewise, CBDA or cannabidiolic acid is also a compound present in the cannabis plant. You can find CBDA in fresh cannabinoids in abundance.
CBDA is the raw form of CBD. This means that CBD is produced only when raw cannabinoid is heated. CBDA can also be transformed into CBD slowly over time when the plant matter is left to sit.1
Heating raw cannabinoid results in decarboxylation. In decarboxylation, a carboxyl group or weak acids in a compound is removed. Decarboxylation can happen when a substance is heated, vaporized, or cooked. Decarboxylation transforms CBDA into CBD.
Similarities Between The Two
One of the similarities between CBD and CBDA is that they do not make humans high, unlike THC.
Also, most effects caused by both CBD and CBDA are due to the activation of serotonin receptors. Serotonin receptors are substances found in the brain that carries signals across nerve cells. Serotonin receptors are responsible for regulating sleep, nausea, mood, feelings, and anxiety.
Differences Between The Two
Chemical Structure
The chemical composition of CBD is simpler than CBDA since a carboxylic acid group is absent. This was eliminated during the decarboxylation process. This removal of the carboxylic group has made the inactive components of CBDA into components that are active. This has made CBD possess more therapeutic properties.
Working Mechanism
The impact of CBD and CBDA on the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) is both positive. This helps to control the balance in immune response, metabolism, mood, cellular communication, and other bodily functions.
There is no direct interaction of both CBD and CBDA with the main receptors of the ECS, but they can both stimulate and constrain other receptors for the body to be healthy.
The main difference between CBD and CBDA when it comes to the working mechanism is the type of receptors they affect.
CBD reacts with serotonin, vanilloid, and adenosine to alleviate pain, anxiety, depression, inflammation, and other conditions.
CBD also inhibits some receptors so that blood pressure, bone density, and cancer-fighting abilities are improved.
CBDA, on the other hand, blocks receptor activities that cause inflammation. This allows CBDA to reduce inflammation, seizures, and other disease symptoms.
When CBD and CBDA work together, they can give the best results, especially if the condition is a result of improper regulation of multiple bodily systems.2
Studies also showed that CBDA can improve the effectiveness of CBD. This means that users can take smaller amounts and still retain their effectiveness.3
Health Benefits
CBD and CBDA are both suitable for medical use since they are both non-psychoactive. While both CBD and CBDA have almost similar health benefits, they differ in terms of therapeutic effects.
The reason for this is that certain dominant curative properties of CBDA have been activated in CBD because of decarboxylation. At the same time, CBD also lost valuable cannabis oils called terpenes. This has resulted in a broader scope of health benefits for CBD although there are fewer terpene-related benefits as CBDA.
Health Benefits Of CBD
*It is effective in treating epilepsy syndromes in children. Most of these syndromes don’t respond to medications. Researches have shown that CBD reduced or even stopped a number of seizures.4
*CBD is commonly used to alleviate anxiety and depression. Treating these problems with drugs has side effects including agitation, insomnia, headache, drowsiness, and sexual dysfunction. With CBD, anxiety, and depression are treated effectively.
*It is also helpful for patients with insomnia. CBD can help a person fall asleep as well as help him stay awake.
*Chronic pain can be dealt with and treated with CBD. Pain and inflammation resulting from arthritis can be reduced by applying CBD on the skin. Research also shows that CBD can hinder inflammation and neuropathic pain which are pains that are difficult to handle.5
*Acne is a common skin problem that can be reduced with CBD. Acne is caused by bacteria, oily secretion, genetics, and more. CBD has anti-bacterial properties that can help treat acne. Sebum production can also be reduced effectively.
*High blood pressure can be reduced by CBD. The heart can be protected from many conditions.
*CBD can help treat neurological disorders like multiple sclerosis. It can also help relieve the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, fatigue, fever, convulsion, and more.
*CBD can also help ease cancer symptoms. It also helps reduce the side-effects caused by cancer treatments such as nausea, pain, and vomiting. The anti-cancer properties of CBD have helped reduce and treat cancer. CBD has proven effective in the reduction of breast cancer cells.6
Health Benefits Of CBDA
*CBDA has anti-depressant effects but is lower than CBD.
*It lessens nausea more than CBD because of the stimulation of the serotonin receptors.7
*It also treats inflammation just like CBD.
*CBDA can potentially treat epilepsy. Its bioavailability is better than CBD, producing quicker results. A fewer amount of CBDA is required to attain a healing effect compared to CBD.
*CBDA can also help prevent tumors. It can also aid in preventing breast cancer cells from transferring in certain cancer lines.8
*Studies show that CBDA can cure arthritis and inflammation like NSAID9 (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). NSAIDs are drugs that treat inflammation. This drug is taken by people who suffer from arthritis. But NSAID has many side effects including high BP, stomach ulcers, kidney damaged, headaches, and hemorrhage.
*CBDA is also a powerful anticonvulsive. Since CBDA has great bioavailability, it only takes less effort and time for the body to metabolize the compound.10
CBD vs CBDA may have many differences but both are very valuable to the health of anyone. However, you need to make sure that you select CBD and CBDA products that are helpful and safe if you need to consume these potent compounds to treat your specific condition.
If you have a business that sells CBD, reach out to us for a quote on wholesale CBD products, bulk CBD isolate, bulk CBD distillate and more.
