We would like to share some exciting news with you.
Today, we are launching three, new CBD oils with a decarboxylation of just 60%, which ensures that the CBD oil keeps a high level of natural CBDa.
The products are available in our webshop.
What is CBDa?
CBDa stands for cannabidiolic acid, and as the name suggests, this molecule is closely related to CBD. In fact, scientists consider CBDa to be the parent molecule of CBD as it is converted to CBD through the process of decarboxylation (often through heating).
CBDa is what is known as a carboxylic acid, meaning that its structure contains a carboxyl group comprising one carbon, one hydrogen, and two oxygen atoms, commonly expressed as COOH. When you expose this molecule to high temperatures, this group breaks up to form carbon dioxide and hydrogen. What you are left with is cannabidiol (CBD).
Although to some extent this reaction happens naturally over time, the process is extremely slow. However, when you smoke or vape cannabis, you speed up the process greatly.
CBDa and cancer
One of the conditions for which CBDA is offering hope is cancer, specifically breast cancer. Studies have shown that CBDa has the potential to suppress breast cancer cells and inhibit them from spreading throughout the body, a process known as metastasis.
The researchers found that exposing cancer cells to CBDa for just 48 hours downregulated the expression of an enzyme called cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which is part of the inflammatory process and may play a role in as many as 40% of cases of invasive breast cancer. CBDa also appeared to influence a gene called SHARP1 (also known as BHLHE41), which has the action of inhibiting breast cancer metastasis.
Since experts estimate metastasis to be responsible for up to 90% of the deaths related to breast cancer, this finding could prove vital in improving the prognosis for patients diagnosed with this life-threatening condition.
CBDa and inflammation
Since CBDa appears to inhibit COX-2, it has proven anti-inflammatory properties.
Many conventional anti-inflammatory drugs work by inhibiting COX-2, and doctors commonly prescribe them in the treatment of painful conditions such as arthritis.
CBDa, nausea and vomiting
A study found that CBDa effectively relieved toxin and motion-induced vomiting in shrews, and reduced nausea in rats. Most significantly, these scientists suggest that CBDa could reduce nausea and vomiting even more effectively than CBD.
It appears that these potent effects are a result of CBDa enhancing the activation of 5-HT1A receptors. These receptors are designed to bind with the neurotransmitter serotonin and are prevalent in the digestive system.
More research is definitely necessary to establish the effects of CBDA on nausea and vomiting in humans. However, if proven, this treatment could offer a much needed relief to patients suffering from the side effects of chemotherapy as well as nausea related to other conditions.
CBDA for stress and anxiety
There is little evidence currently available to support this use of CBDa, but some have suggested that this compound could be useful in the treatment of stress and anxiety in humans, due to many similarities with CBD.