Cannabidiolic acid (CBDa) is the raw, untreated or un-activated form of CBD. CBDa is naturally occurring in resin glands of the cannabis plant. When CBDa is heat treated, there is a change in its molecular structure – the acid group of the molecule breaks down resulting in the commonly known cannabinoid CBD. For this reason, CBDa is often referred to as ‘raw CBD’. Just like CBD, CBDa is non-psychoactive.
Research so far suggests CBDa possesses similar qualities to CBD, for instance its anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties as well as a potential epilepsy and anti-psychotic treatment.
CBDa tinctures
Tinctures or oils are one of the most effective ways to dose CBD and CBDa if taken correctly. Holding a CBD oil under ones tongue (sublingual administration) results in the CBD, and in this case CBDa, to be absorbed directly into the blood steam through tissues under the tongue and through the gums. While this method of taking CBD is a little tricky, and the taste off putting to some, it has a high rate of CBD absorption
- For more information on sublingual administration, read our guide on how to take CBD oil.
- To calculate how much CBD in milligrams (mg) are in each drop of oil, check out our CBD dosage calculator.
Endoca Raw CBD + CBDa Hemp Oil 1500 mg – $127
- CBD Content: 1500 mg (CBD + CBDa)
- Price: $127.00
- Number of 10mg doses: 150
- price per 10mg dose: $0.85
- Made with organic hemp
- Vegan, gluten free, non-GMO
- Lab testing
- Reputable company
Endoca Raw CBD + CBDa Hemp Oil 300 mg – $29
- CBD Content: 300 mg (CBD + CBDa)
- Price: $29.00
- Number of 10mg doses: 30
- price per 10mg dose: $0.975
- Made with organic hemp
- Vegan, gluten free, non-GMO
- Lab testing
- Reputable company
Health benefits of CBDa:
1) Anti-inflammatory and pain reliever
COX (Cyclooxygenase) is an enzyme involved with the bodies pain and inflammation response. Over the counter drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen provide relief by inhibiting the COX. This study found cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) to selectively inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX)-2.
2) Reduce nausea and vomiting
In-vito testing has found CBDa to reduce nausea and vomiting and shows promise for treating anticipatory nausea for which no specific therapy is currently available.
3) Epilepsy treatment
Just like CBD, CBDa has been found to be a very effective Epilepsy treatment. This patent application found “Cannabinoid treatment significantly reduced seizure severity” and “CBDA may be a useful candidate for use in the treatment of epilepsy which requires immediate emergency treatment”.
The application made some very interesting comments around using CBDA in combination with CBD:
“Furthermore the greater bioavailability of CBDA may mean that it can act more quickly than CBD. This quality could lead to useful combination products which comprise CBDA in combination with CBD. The CBDA may be useful in providing a rapid onset effect whereas the CBD may be useful in providing a sustained effect.”
The patient also proposes that CBDa is required in lower doses compared to CBD:
“As the cannabinoid CBDA is more bioavailable than its neutral form CBD, it is likely that a far lower dose of CBDA will be required in comparison with CBD when treating the same indication. For example providing a human with a dose of 20 mg/kg of CBD to treat epilepsy may be effective, whereas the dose of CBDA required may be a log fold lower.”
4) Inhibits breast cancer migration
CBDa has been found to inhibit aggressive human breast cancer migration. A Japanese study conducted in 2012 found one of the effects of CBDa involved activation of RhoA – an inhibitor of cancer cell mobility. Cancer cell mobility is the invasion of cancer cells into surrounding tissue.
5) Potential anti-psychotic
This patient explores using CBDa in combination with other cannabinoids and anti-psychotic medicaments for use in the prevention or treatment of psychosis and psychotic disorders.CBDa capsules
Taking a capsule containing a precise amount of CBD is an easy method of dosing CBD. Compared to other products such as oils or vaping, capsules are highly convenient and simple for the user to know exactly how much CBD they are taking. The downsides to capsules are in-flexibility when it comes to dosing (you cant take half a capsule) and the fact that if the capsule is swallowed, CBD is digested rather than absorbed subliminally, which is less effective. This disadvantage can be mitigated if one opens the capsule in their mouth and holds the oil under their tongue for over a minute. This method of ‘sublingual administration’ is the most effective way to dose CBD.
Endoca Raw Hemp Oil Capsules 1500 mg CBD + CBDa
- CBD Content: 1500 mg (CBD + CBDa)
- Price: $127.00
- 30 capsules containing 50 mg CBD each
- $4.23 / capsule
- Made with organic hemp
- Vegan, gluten free, non-GMO
- Lab testing
- Reputable company
Endoca Raw Hemp Oil Capsules 300 mg CBD + CBDa
- CBD Content: 300 mg (CBD + CBDa)
- Price: $29.00
- 30 capsules containing 10 mg CBD each
- $0.97 / capsule
- Made with organic hemp
- Vegan, gluten free, non-GMO
- Lab testing
- Reputable company
Complete CBD tincture guide
How to identify reputable brands, understand CBD labels, get good value for money and the best way to use a CBD tincture so that you get the most out of your product.