The Benefits of CBDA with CBD

By now, most cannabis enthusiasts have a basic knowledge of cannabinoids, including THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). Further, they probably understand that they can have an effect on the body when consumed or applied topically in the form of an extract. There are over a hundred compounds in all the varieties of cannabis plants, including the industrial hemp plant. (That’s the low-THC plant variety from which we extract our legal CBD +CBDa supplements.) Along with CBD and THC, the plants also contain terpenes, phytocannabinoids, and terpenoids. And, swimming among those hundreds of compounds is a lesser-known cannabinoid called CBDA, whose effects on the body our 10-team force of university-based scientists has been researching for several years. 

In a minute, we’ll highlight some of our findings on CBDa. (Specifically, why we combine this compound with CBD in a 1:1, patent-pending formulation in all of our hemp-extracted supplements.) But first, we know that not everyone of you is as familiar with this compound as we are. So, for those who may be new to CBDA, read on to find more about this cannabinoid, including its potential benefits when combined with CBD.

What Is CBDA?

Cannabidiolic acid, also known as CBDA, is a cannabinoid that occurs naturally in the cannabis and hemp plant. It was first isolated in 1996, but not much has been discovered about this cannabinoid until recently. A known fact is that CBDA is the acidic precursor of CBD, which means that CBDA is naturally transformed into CBD. CBDA is therefore abundant in fresh cannabis leaves and flowers before they are dried, heated, or cured. In fact, all active compounds in the cannabis and hemp plant are initially found in their acidic forms, which is the case with CBDA.

How Is CBDA Formed in Cannabis or Hemp?

Before cannabinoids reach their final stage (such as CBD and THC), they all start as CBGA. It explains why CBGA is branded the “mother of all cannabinoids” since it is the compound from which all other cannabinoids originate. Through enzymatic reactions that take place in the plants’ trichomes, CBGA is converted to various cannabinoids in different percentages.

CBDA vs CBD

How does cannabidiolic acid compare to CBD? The acidic forms of cannabinoids are pharmacologically inactive. For instance, THCA doesn’t get you “high,” even though THC does. Therefore, many people thought that CBDA didn’t have any effects, even though CBD has. However, newer research suggests that CBDA may well produce its own effects in your body. Then, when you combine CBDA with CBD in one common extract, we’ve learned that the effects people experience are 2X more noticeable than products with CBD alone. 

How Does CBDA Work?

CBDA is a bioactive substance. And that’s why it can produce effects in your body. But, because CBDA converts to CBD with heat or light, it’s a lot harder to access a CBDA supplement. (Or, if you can, expect to pay a much higher price, since the acidic compound is only present in small amounts in mature hemp plants.)

As such, it’s hard to determine how CBDA works on it’s own. Most people don’t have the chance to experience CBDA’s effects for themselves, even though that’s the best way to understand how hemp extracts work. But don’t worry, there’s a better way to explore this compound. And that’s by taking them together, in one Tanasi supplement, fueled by our patent-pending, 1:1 formulation of CBD to CBDA.

Potential Benefits of CBDA with CBD

While the exact mechanism isn’t exactly clear, CBDA and CBD just work better together. To quantify their amplified benefits, our scientists discovered the combination is 2.7 times more effective than CBD alone. But, to simplify our explanation (who wants to deal with decimal points?!) we just say the combo is 2X more effective.

What Are the Best Ways of Consuming CBDA?

While we can’t detail the exact effects or uses of CBDA, if you’re already on the bandwagon, you’re going to want to know the best ways to consume it. The best way to do this is to start with the raw and uncured leaves and flowers of the cannabis or hemp plant. These can be infused into topicals like creams, balms, or even ingested orally.

Other than infusing into various topicals, raw cannabis or hemp plant leaves and flowers can be enjoyed raw by:

• Juicing it and mixing it with other juices. This helps make it less bitter.
• Steaming the leaves lightly before eating.
• Shedding the leaves and using them to make a salad.
• Garnishing food with the leaves.
• Using the leaves in sauces and salad dressings.

If you are looking to use cannabis or hemp plant leaves and flowers for CBDA benefits, proper storage is crucial to keeping the cannabinoid intact. When exposed to high temperatures, decarboxylation occurs, and you may no longer enjoy CBDA, but CBD. Therefore, it is advisable to store cannabis leaves and flowers in a refrigerator, just as green and leafy vegetables would be stored.

Why Combine CBD and CBDA?

At Tanasi, our team of university-based scientists have discovered that CBDA and CBD work better together. That’s why when you buy Tanasi products, you’re getting our proprietary blend of CBD and CBDA. Together, you’ll experience the power of both these compounds. What’s more, you can experience this without the hassle of sourcing raw plant material. 

Are There Side Effects of Using CBDA?

Currently, there are very few CBDA products in the market. Most people use the raw leaves and flowers of the cannabis and hemp plant to enjoy the benefits of CBDA. It is, therefore, safe to say that there are no foreseeable side effects of CBDA, which makes it generally safe to use. However, always consult with your doctor before taking CBDA. Your doctor will guide you on dosage and know if it will interact with any of your medications. 

Conclusion

Cannabidiolic acid, commonly known as CBDA, is a cannabinoid present in cannabis and hemp plant. It comes from CBGA, just like most of the other cannabinoids, and is CBD’s acidic precursor. Research on this cannabinoid indicates that it can have various effects in our body. More importantly, our research shows that you can magnify those effects by taking the compound in a 1:1 formulation including CBD. And, with that in mind, we invite you to shop our CBD + CBDA extracts today!