"CBDA...what's that?! Is that a typo? I thought it was all just CBD! Why so many acronyms?!"
If you've navigated our website, or are still learning about hemp and CBD, you've probably had these thoughts rush through your mind. Most people come to hemp wellness through CBD, and for good reason. But if you've spent any time exploring full-spectrum products, you may have noticed another cannabinoid appearing on lab reports, ingredient lists, and as on option on our site: CBDA.
What is CBDA?
CBDA, short for cannabidiolic acid, is the raw, unheated precursor to CBD. It's what naturally exists inside the living hemp plant before any heat is applied. When hemp is harvested and exposed to heat through drying, extraction, or processing, a chemical reaction called decarboxylation occurs, and CBDA converts into CBD.
Think of CBDA as CBD in its most natural, plant-native state.
CBDA vs CBD: What's the Difference?
While CBDA and CBD come from the same plant and share a structural relationship, they interact with the body in meaningfully different ways.
CBDA is the chemical precursor to CBD. It is sometimes referred to as raw CBD. When exposed to heat or sunlight, CBDA goes through decarboxylation and turns into CBD. Hemp plants contain both CBD and CBDA. The amount of each present depends on the particular hemp strain and the stage of processing the plant is in.
To produce hemp oil with high levels of CBDA, we harvest fresh hemp plants and put them through a gentle, low-heat extraction process using either ethanol or CO2, to pull the naturally occurring CBDA and other beneficial compounds from the hemp material. It is critical to ensure the CBDA is not exposed to high heat, otherwise it will go through decarboxylation and convert into CBD. CBDA will also naturally convert to CBD slowly over time regardless of heat exposure. To account for this, we only work with fresh hemp material and test levels frequently.
For a deeper look at how these cannabinoids work inside the body, see our guide to the endocannabinoid system.
CBDA Benefits
Here's what makes CBDA genuinely worth your attention.
Most CBD products on the market are made from fully decarboxylated extract, which means the CBDA that once existed in the plant has been entirely converted to CBD. You get the benefits of CBD, but you lose everything the raw cannabinoid had to offer on its own.
At Flora Sophia, we've made a deliberate choice not to do that with every formula. Because we grow and process our own hemp, we have the ability to preserve CBDA in select products, something most brands can't claim because they never handled the plant in the first place.
Research into CBDA benefits is still developing, but early findings and user experience point to several areas of interest:
- Calm and relaxation. CBDA is associated with a natural sense of calm that many people find distinct from CBD
- Improved mood. Early research suggests CBDA may interact with serotonin receptors, which play a role in mood regulation
- Stress response support. CBDA may support a healthier response to everyday stress through pathways distinct from CBD
- Nausea support. Some of the most promising early research points to CBDA's potential in reducing nausea
- Anti-inflammatory properties. Like CBD, CBDA has shown promise as an anti-inflammatory compound in early studies
In 2022, Oregon State University published a study finding that CBDA binds to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, blocking a key step in the process the virus uses to infect people. Further research is needed to replicate these results, but the study was published in the Journal of Natural Products and made waves across the health and wellness community. Scientists continue to explore the potential of CBDA.
What is CBDA Good For?
While CBDA and CBD are very similar in composition, they are believed to affect the body differently. In general, CBD is well suited for anyone looking for support with everyday stress, inflammation, and physical discomfort. CBDA, on the other hand, is ideal for anyone looking for the benefits of calm, relaxation, and improved mood.
These are general guidelines and it is important to note that each person reacts differently to different cannabinoids. More research is needed to definitively recommend CBDA for specific applications. Sometimes it takes experimenting with different individual cannabinoids or combinations to achieve the desired results. Serving size can play a pivotal role as well. Try a product at a particular serving size for at least two weeks consistently before increasing your serving size or trying a different product.
Should I Only Take CBDA?
Whether to take only CBDA versus combining it with another cannabinoid depends on the individual and their desired results. There is no one-size-fits-all recommendation. Many people find our 23mg CBDA tincture helpful in achieving the results they're looking for, while equally as many others prefer to combine cannabinoids and either take the 23mg CBDA tincture alongside another product, or take advantage of our 35mg 2:1 CBD+CBDA formula to experience the benefits of multiple cannabinoids together. Ultimately, CBDA is effective on its own or in combination with other cannabinoids like CBD and CBG.
Explore our full CBDA collection to find the right fit for your routine.
Will CBDA Make Me Feel "High"?
Unlike THC and similar to CBD, CBDA does not have psychoactive effects. CBDA can potentially make you feel drowsy, relaxed, or sleepy, but it does not make people feel "high." Customers are able to achieve improved moods and relaxation without compromising their mental clarity, which is a big part of why CBDA has become such an attractive natural option.
What Does CBDA Taste Like?
Our full spectrum CBDA tinctures taste similar to our full spectrum CBD products. Because all of our products are full spectrum, they have a strong natural, earthy hemp taste. One difference is that CBDA can taste a little more harsh and may cause a slight burning sensation in the back of the throat for some users. Some customers describe CBDA as having a slight "bite" to it. This is due to the raw acidic nature of CBDA and is no cause for concern. To help limit the hemp taste and potential burning sensation, many customers will pair our CBDA tincture with one of their favorite drinks or snacks.
How Does CBDA Fit Into a Full Spectrum Product?
CBDA is found naturally in full spectrum hemp extracts that have been minimally processed. When you choose a full spectrum product from Flora Sophia, you're getting not just CBD but the broader family of cannabinoids the plant produces, including CBDA, CBG, CBN, and trace THC. This is the foundation of the entourage effect, where cannabinoids work together to deliver a richer, more balanced result than any single compound can on its own.
Most brands never interact with the raw plant at all. We do. That's what makes preserving CBDA in our formulas possible, and what makes farm-to-you hemp more than just a phrase for us.
Frequently Asked Questions About CBDA
What is CBDA?
CBDA stands for cannabidiolic acid. It is the raw, unheated form of CBD that exists naturally in the living hemp plant before any heat processing occurs. When hemp is dried or heated, CBDA converts into CBD through a process called decarboxylation.
What is the difference between CBD and CBDA?
CBD is the decarboxylated, heated form of the cannabinoid. CBDA is its raw precursor. They interact with the body through different pathways, with CBDA associated more with calm, mood, and relaxation, while CBD is often used for everyday stress and physical discomfort support.
Does CBDA get you high?
No. CBDA is non-psychoactive. It does not produce a high. It may promote feelings of relaxation or drowsiness, but it does not affect mental clarity the way THC does.
What are the benefits of CBDA?
Research is ongoing, but CBDA is associated with calm, mood support, stress response, and potential anti-inflammatory and anti-nausea properties. It works best in a full spectrum formula where it can interact synergistically with other cannabinoids.
Is CBDA better than CBD?
Neither is universally better. They serve different purposes and work differently in the body. Many people find that using both together, like in our 35mg 2:1 CBD+CBDA tincture, delivers the most balanced results.
Where can I find CBDA products?
Flora Sophia carries one of the few farm-grown, full spectrum CBDA tinctures available. Browse our CBDA collection to explore your options.
Advisory
As always, whenever you introduce a new product into your routine, it is important to consult a medical practitioner. Although there are no known extreme side effects of CBDA, individuals may experience drowsiness, sleepiness, dry eyes, or throat irritation. We do not suggest taking CBDA when operating heavy machinery or while pregnant or breastfeeding.
We hope you now know much more about CBDA than you did before! At the very least, you can be confident that we didn't just mistakenly add an "A" at the end of CBD. Now that you know more about it, CBDA might be exactly what you've been looking for. Don't just take our word for it, read the many reviews before trying one of our tinctures to unlock the benefits of CBDA.