We have recently heard a lot about CBD but less about its chemical precursor, CBDa (cannabidiolic acid). The raw version of CBD has an array of exciting benefits, but CBDa is a little different from the compound we are more familiar with.
CBDa products like CBDa oil are only becoming more popular. In this guide, I want to discuss what makes CBDa unique and whether it’s worth paying extra. But before we explore the specifics, let’s start with my top five CBDa oil products of 2023!
Endoca – Raw Hemp Oil Drops (CBD / CBDa)
Endoca combines classic CBD with raw CBDa in these unprocessed, therapeutic hemp drops. Marketed as a medium-strength oil, this tincture is perfect if you haven’t tried CBDa before, delivering 30mg of hemp extract per serving (full dropper) or 1mg per drop.
Unheated and unprocessed, Endoca’s CBDa oil has all the cannabinoids needed to keep your endocannabinoid system in tip-top shape. Add in terpenes, essential vitamins, and minerals, and you’ve got a powerhouse tincture oil!
Endoca products are third-party tested for purity and potency. This CBDa oil is federally compliant and contains less than 0.3% THC.
MONTKUSH – Raw: CBDa Oil Drops
Enjoy the benefits of CBDa with these impressive raw drops from MONTKUSH. Loaded with 500mg of CBDa rosin extract, each full dropper administers a shade under 17mg of CBDa goodness, enhanced by the organic coconut oil carrier.
MONTKUSH uses organic, non-GMO industrial hemp grown in Vermont in compliance with Vermont Department of Agriculture regulations. They don’t use any pesticides or herbicides, as the third-party report from Evio Labs shows.
The report confirms that MONTKUSH’s CBDa Oil is genuine and that the full-spectrum hemp extract also contains CBC, CBG, and a variety of delicious terpenes!
Reverence Botanicals – CBDa Raw Hemp Oil (Full-Spectrum)
Reverence Botanicals sets impeccably high standards and delivers in all areas with this full-spectrum CBDa Raw Hemp Oil. Made via supercritical CO2 extraction, Reverence’s tincture has a pure, clean, and crisp taste.
The full-spectrum hemp extract boasts a 4:1 ratio of CBDa to CBD and traces of CBC, CBG, and CBT. The humulene, myrcene, and guaiol terpenes make for a flavorful and relaxing experience.
Reverence Botanicals uses organic industrial hemp cultivated in a small farm near the National Forest border and mixes MCT oil into the tincture to increase cannabinoid absorption. This CBDa oil is third-party tested and Farm Bill compliant.
Myriam’s Hemp – CBDa Oil
Myriam’s Hemp specializes in premium hemp products, and this CBDa Oil is another success story. With more than 750mg CBDa (25mg per serving), minor cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, expect potent full-spectrum effects.
Myriam’s blends the organic hemp extract with equally organic cold-pressed olive oil, ramping up the therapeutic value of this sugar-free, vegan-friendly tincture. Myriam’s formulates its oil with maximum absorption and efficacy in mind.
The third-party lab report from pH Solutions shows Myriam’s Hemp CBDa Oil contains less than 0.3% THC and that it’s free from heavy metals, microbial, and mycotoxins. Look no further if you want a pure and potent CBDa tincture!
Active CBD Oil – Green 17% (with CBDa)
Take your CBDa in a different form with this 1-gram syringe from Active CBD Oil. No injections are required! Squirt the oil under your tongue or mix it into a beverage. The syringe allows for more precise CBDa dosing than regular tincture oils.
The hemp extract contains 17% CBD and a selection of minor cannabinoids, including CBG, CBC, and CBDa! Active CBD Oil uses organic, non-GMO hemp, cultivated without pesticides and chemical fertilizers and extracted via the gold standard supercritical CO2 method.
The Active CBD Oil Green Syringe is regularly third-party tested and has sufficient amounts of CBD but no detectable THC, which is great if you’re wary about drug tests!
What is CBDa?
Cannabidiolic acid (CBDa) is the chemical precursor to CBD and is often described as CBD in its raw form. CBDa is created from cannabigerolic acid and olivetolic acid.
While we refer to products like CBD flower as having a certain percentage of CBD, the compound present at this stage is really CBDa. The acidic form of CBD only becomes the CBD we’re better acquainted with through a process called decarboxylation.
When smoked or vaporized, CBDa decarboxylates and transforms into CBD. Chemically, the decarboxylation of CBDa into CBD involves the loss of one carbon and two oxygen atoms. These atoms are lost at the 1 position of the benzoic acid ring.
What’s the difference between CBDa and CBD?
Interestingly, unlike most other cannabinoids, CBDa does not bind with cannabinoid receptors in the endocannabinoid system (ECS). In contrast, CBD is a CB1 and CB2 receptor antagonist.
Instead, existing research suggests that CBDa interacts with receptors outside the ECS. Staggeringly, CBDa displays a 100-fold greater binding affinity to serotonin 1A (5-HT1A) receptors than CBD. Furthermore, CBDa is an inhibitor of COX-2 enzymes.
Possible benefits of CBDa
Even though CBDa and CBD are similar, we can see that these cannabinoids have slightly different effects. So far, most studies have looked at CBD, but there’s reason to wonder if CBDa could be even more beneficial.
But I want to make this clear: CBDa oil and other CBDa products have no approved medicinal uses as of December 2022. Please consider the following information on CBDa as educational content only and not as medical advice.
As a COX-2 inhibitor, CBDa displays intriguing potential as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). This interaction was first described in a 2008 paper published in Drug Metabolism and Disposition.
CBDa may also help alleviate nausea and vomiting, according to a 2013 study featured in the British Journal of Pharmacology. Researchers found that CBDa did this more effectively than CBD, thanks to its enhanced activation of 5-HT1A receptors.
The study also proposed that CBDa may be an effective treatment for anticipatory nausea, a condition for which we don’t currently have any working medications.
However, we shouldn’t get too carried away, as the study was only conducted on animal models – specifically, rats. Such research is often a good indicator of a substance’s effect on humans, but we can’t be sure without a similar study in humans.
How to take CBDa Oil
Sublingually: The fastest way to receive CBDa’s benefits is by taking your tincture oil under the tongue. The sublingual absorption method allows the CBDa to bypass the first-pass metabolism, meaning the CBDa kicks in within minutes.
Apply a few drops or a full dropper of raw CBDa oil under your tongue, and then hold it for as long as possible. The longer you hold the oil, the more CBDa your sublingual glands will absorb into the bloodstream.
Orally: This method of consumption involves swallowing the oil immediately rather than holding it under the tongue. You could also stir some oil into a drink or blend it into a meal to cover the natural, raw hemp flavor.
Consuming your tincture orally essentially turns it into an edible. Compared with sublingual absorption, this results in a longer-lasting CBDa experience – perfect if you are combating chronic symptoms.
Topically: Few people consider tincture oils as topical products, but you can use them in this way – either directly, or by mixing the CBDa tincture with another salve or cream.
Applying CBDa to the skin may work well if you need targeted relief from your ailments. For example, using CBDa on the skin may manage arthritis flare-ups more effectively than swallowing or sublingually absorbing a tincture oil.
Why choose tincture oils?
I love tincture oils because they produce fast-acting effects without the harmful health consequences of smoking and vaping. But if you want a longer-lasting experience, we have seen how tincture oils can also do that.
Furthermore, with tincture oils, you can be confident of getting an accurate dose – each drop or full dropper contains a specific amount of CBDa.
And if discretion is a priority, tincture oils shine in this department, too. There’s no aroma, unlike when smoking joints or vaping e-liquids. You can keep your consumption lowkey, even when out in public.
What to Look For When Buying CBDa Oil
At this stage, relatively few companies are making CBDa oil, and those that make these products tend to style themselves as high-end brands.
But just because a company claims to be making premium CBDa oil doesn’t mean they are. Scammers are always trying to take advantage of innocent and unwitting customers.
I’ve picked out four things you need to look for when buying CBDa oil. Keep these in mind and you’ll have no difficulty finding safe and effective CBDa that’s well-suited to your requirements!
Third-party lab reports
Does a product really have that much CBDa, and is it genuinely free from contamination? A third-party lab report is the only way to be sure. These independent analyses verify whether companies are making truthful claims about their CBDa products and if the products are legit.
If the concept of third-party testing is new to you, it’s needed in the legal hemp industry due to the lack of product regulation from the FDA. No laws require third-party testing for CBDa products, but it’s become standard for honest brands operating in the market to conform.
Composition of cannabinoids
Some CBDa oils contain pure CBDa, whereas others have a mixture of CBDa and CBD. Since CBDa products are more expensive to make, be prepared to pay more for tinctures that consist exclusively of CBDa extract.
The type of hemp extract also matters. For example, CBDa tinctures made with full-spectrum hemp have trace amounts of THC, which could cause problems with drug tests. If you get drug tested often, consider products manufactured with CBDa-isolate extract.
Terpene profile
Full-spectrum CBDa oils also contain terpenes – these compounds are renowned for having a pungent aroma, but they produce beneficial effects of their own.
CBDa oils with an indica terpene profile are decidedly more relaxing, whereas CBDa tinctures with sativa terpenes have more stimulating effects.
If a tincture contains terpenes, check what type these are before purchasing. It’s no good buying an energizing CBDa tincture if you want something to help you sleep!
MCT oil
Products with MCT oil as the carrier are generally more effective than those without it. MCTs help increase the bioavailability and rate of absorption of CBDa molecules into the bloodstream. Hence, the same CBDa dose is more potent when combined with MCT oil than when taken in isolation.
How to Store Your CBDa Oil
Store CBDa oil in cool, dark, dry conditions and, crucially, away from direct sunlight. Some brands recommend storing CBDa oil in the refrigerator to preserve freshness.
Indeed, as CBDa decarboxylates into CBD when exposed to heat, it’s more important to keep CBDa tinctures cold than regular CBD oils.
How Long Does CBDa Oil Last?
If kept fresh, CBDa oil should last for a few months. There is a higher risk of CBDa decarboxylating into CBD than CBD degrading into a less effective substance.
However, even if some of your CBDa does turn into CBD, it won’t render your tincture useless. CBDa and CBD have broadly similar effects.
Purchasing CBDa Oil Online vs. Shops Near Me
You may find physical shops selling CBDa, but I am a firm advocate of purchasing all legal hemp products online. It’s easier to find out whether CBDa oil products are legit when buying online, and these products are often cheaper, too.
Sadly, convenience stores and gas stations don’t care about third-party testing as much as they should. When shopping at these stores, there’s no guarantee you’ll find relevant lab reports, which makes it impossible to trust the products they sell.
