CBDa Vs CBD: Why Pick When You Can Have Them Both!

There’s no question that CBD continues to gain popularity as more and more people are trying to supplement this plant-based compound. Now, not nearly as many people have heard of CBDa, but it is a closely related compound that is finally starting to get more attention in the world of hemp extracts. But what is CBDa? How is it the same or different from CBD? And what does that mean for people who are searching for a plant based supplement?

Let’s dive into the science of CBDa vs CBD and find out!

CBDa vs CBD: The Ultimate Showdown?

The world of cannabinoids is ever-expanding. Scientists are constantly discovering new compounds, and with those discoveries comes a whole host of new potential applications (and delivery methods!) CBD and THC have been the focus of most of the last few years’ research, but there is another compound that is starting to gain attention – CBDa.

For those who need a quick refresher: CBDa is the acidic precursor to CBD. It is found in high concentrations in raw cannabis, and only converts to CBD when exposed to heat or UV light. This process is known as decarboxylation, and it’s how we source CBD from the raw, grown-in-the-USA plant materials we use when creating our Tanasi hemp-extracts.

So what are the major differences between CBD and CBDa? And is one more effective than the other? Spoiler alert: they’re actually better together than alone, as you can see by exploring our research on their combined effects.

CBDa vs CBD: The Differences

The most obvious difference between CBD and CBDa is their chemical structure. CBD is a cannabinoid that is already in its carboxylic acid form, while CBDa is simply the cannabinoid’s acidic form. This might not seem like a big deal, but it actually has a significant impact on how these compounds interact with the body.

So which one is better? CBD or CBDa? The answer may depend on what you’re looking for.At the same time, the answer may be different than you think: neither one is innately better than the other. But, when taken together, using Tanasi’s patent-pending, 1:1 formulation, our CBDa and CBD products deliver 2x the effects of a product that only contains CBD.

Will CBDa Make You High?

CBDa is a non-psychoactive compound, so it will not make you high. It works in the same general way that CBD does, so it is not THC or THC-like.

What Are the Effects of CBDA?

When it comes to how CBDa affects you, every individual is unique, and you’d have to try this compound for yourself to truly understand the experience. At the same time, many Tanasi customers have described the way they feel after trying our extracts containing CBDa in equal parts to CBD. And that may help you get a better idea of what to expect from this compound.

For that reason, we’re sharing what our customer Andi W. says about our softgels, containing our patent-pending blend of CBDa and CBD. She shared, “I switched from another brand, so I was nervous about how this would work. And it’s weird, but I just feel so relaxed and not anxious. I can tell when it wears off. I’m very happy so far.” 

Aren’t These the Same Benefits As CBD?

Generally speaking, yes, CBDa and CBD seem to make people feel very similar effects. This shouldn’t be overly surprising, as these two compounds are extremely closely related, and with CBD resulting from the processing of CBDa. Still, while both may produce similar effects in your body, the research is pretty clear from where we’re standing: the effects of either alone is less noticeable than when they are taken together. And that brings us to the next question…

Is CBDa and CBD Better Taken Together?

While research is limited on this point, our brand’s scientific research shows that combining these compounds makes them both more effective than when taken alone. Plus, when these are taken together alongside the additional hemp cannabinoids and terpenes we source from hemp plants, those compounds further boost each others effects, allowing you to experience what people describe as the entourage effect.

While more studies need to be done, there’s a reason that people are falling hard for our supplements that combine the two compounds, instead of keeping them separate. So, as it turns out, the solution to the CBDa vs CBD question ends up with a compromise: don’t choose! Just take both, at the same time and using our research backed, patent-pending formulation, in order to maximize the effects of both!

CBDa vs CBD: The Bottom Line

Both CBD and CBDa offer a wide range of potential effects. However, they do have some key differences that make them worth taking in combination, instead of choosing one over the other. Because of their different chemical structures, CBDa and CBD will work in different ways when you take them in a supplement. But, because you may want to experience the differing effects of both these hemp-plant extracts, we’ve coined the phrase “they’re better together.” And we’ve invested many years, and millions of dollars, into proving that fact with university-supported scientific research.

What does this actually mean, in pure English the rest of us can understand?

It means that there are certain things that CBDa does that CBD doesn’t. And, that the exact opposite is also true. Additionally, many people would like to experience the effects that both CBD and CBDa can produce in your body. They don’t want to have to choose, because both compounds have unique properties that make them popular supplements. So, how can you settle the great CBDa vs CBD debate? Just take a page from this blog post and try them together in our Tanasi product line. The combination of the two is far more effective than taking either one alone. (While we can’t exactly quantify the difference, we do feel confident saying that a CBDa and CBD product is at least 2x more effective than one containing CBD alone.) And, once you’ve absorbed that information, we don’t think you’d ever go back to trying one of these in supplement form without the presence of the other.