What Is The Difference Between CBD & CBDA
What is the Difference Between CBD & CBDA?
In brief:
• CBDA (cannabidiolic acid) is the natural form of CBD made by the hemp plant. The hemp plant itself doesn’t contain much CBD.
• When heated, CDBA becomes CBD (cannabidiol), and the extraction process often involves high pressure and heat.
Scientists have shown that full-spectrum products containing not just CBD, but also other cannabinoids and terpenes are more effective than CBD isolates.
The reason for this improved response is that the different compounds in the full-spectrum product interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system at various levels. CBD isolates effects, on the other hand, are much narrower.
How is CBD Extracted?
CBD comes from CBDA
CBDA converts into CBD through a chemical reaction called decarboxylation. This reaction is triggered by heat, which many manufacturers apply during their extraction and production process.
CBD interacts directly with the endocannabinoid system. CBDA, however, appears to have other biologically significant activities. Studies have demonstrated that one of CBDA’s abilities is to inhibit the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes. The COX enzymes are responsible for inflammation and are the target of traditional anti-inflammatory drugs like paracetamol and ibuprofen.
Therefore, while CBD helps to reduce the pain we feel, CBDA helps to manage the inflammation that might be the cause of that pain.
This is but one example of how CBDA and CBD have different yet synergistic effects.
Further Research
Many other synergies have been shown in areas such as anxiety and sleep that support the fact that the combination of cannabinoids and terpenes makes for a more complete and helpful product.
What are Terpenes?
Terpenes occur naturally in the hemp plant and are what gives it an earthy aroma. Throughout nature, terpenes are also found in rosemary, lavender and citrus fruits. We have used terpenes to help in health conditions or to make us feel better for many years. Have you ever used lavender essential oil to help with sleep and relaxation? That smell is from a terpene called linalool. Ever felt re-energised and brighter after smelling lemon? That is limonene, a terpene also known by its anti-depressant activity.
As you probably have worked out by now, terpenes smell strong. ElleVance products are rich in hemp terpenes, and hence, they have a strong earthy aroma.
Terpenes are Sometimes Lost or Removed
Terpenes can be lost in the extraction process when taking CBD from the raw hemp material. Also, some companies intently remove them from the extract to make hemp oils more appealing to the palate. The downside of this is that the products then lack the properties of these aromatic compounds.
The compounds found in hemp were designed by nature to work together more effectively than an isolated compound. When these compounds interact with our body’s systems, they achieve what is known as the entourage effect.
