When beginning a journey into the world of cannabis-based supplements, there seems to be a growing amount of information to process, and new products are regularly springing onto the market. There are often confusing and contradictory claims about the benefits and uses of various cannabis derivatives. While the FDA still has not approved the vast majority of cannabis-based compounds for clinical or medicinal use, recent changes in the laws governing cannabis have revealed many compounds as having promise in providing benefits and helping to relieve inflammation, stress, and anxiety for many users. The commercial viability of these compounds and products has spurred new rounds of research, development, and clinical study. 

Phytocannabinoids are a class of various unique compounds found naturally in the cannabis plant. There are over 100 different types of phytocannabinoids that have currently been identified. The concentration of many of these compounds will vary among individual cannabis strains, and will often differ with the manner in which they are grown and handled. While it is the source of the compounds that cannabis is best known for, cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) is often referred to as “The Mother of all Cannabinoids”. Subsequent cannabinoid compounds are transformed through decarboxylation, where the compounds are activated by exposure to heat and oxygen. 

Introducing CBDa One of the products to emerge in the cannabis-based supplement market is one of the most basic. CBDa or cannabidiolic acid is the base compound from which the more familiar CBD (cannabidiol) is derived. While CBD may be the more popular and well-known cannabis compound in current use, CBDa as a precursor and as a viable therapeutic compound is currently undergoing further study. Studies have shown that CBDa is effective against nausea. It has effects similar to antidepressant medications, it can be used for the treatment of epilepsy, and is showing promise as an effective remedy for insomnia. By attaching to a specific serotonin receptor that governs the response to nausea and anxiety, CBDa is estimated to be up to 1000% more effective in relieving those symptoms than CBD alone. 

The benefits of a full spectrum CBDa such as Ananda Professional CBDa Gels as demonstrated by the Entourage Effect bring all of the therapeutic properties of cannabis compounds for relief of symptoms of inflammation, stress, sleeplessness, and nausea.

The unstable nature of CBDa, and that it decarboxylates at room temperature have made it difficult to work with. Despite being abundant in raw form, CBDa is often not accessible to most cannabis users due to the common consumption methods. Since CBDa transforms into CBD with the introduction of heat and oxidation, there is no smokable application for CBDa. CBDa softgels would be an easy way to access the benefits of this compound.

There are research studies underway to develop methodologies for making the CBDa molecule more stable for commercial purposes. The potential therapeutic benefits of CBDa are coming to light. One clinical trial has shown CBDa to be more effective than a commercially available medication for nausea commonly prescribed to chemotherapy recipients. 

Note- For informational purposes only. Please consult your physician before beginning or discontinuing any medication. CBD or CBDa should not be used with any medication containing a “grapefruit warning”.  Commercial cannabis compounds may, by law, contain no more than 0.3 % of THC. While this is not enough THC to create a psychoactive effect, it may still be detectable in some tests. If you are prohibited from using any product containing THC or any hemp-derived products, CBD/CBDA treatments may not be an option.