CBDA vs CBDV: Unraveling the Differences
Hey there! Bet you’ve heard a thing or two about Cannabidiol (CBD), right? You know, that there over 100 different cannabinoids found in cannabis sativa plants?
They each have their unique characteristics and benefits to offer, that can totally vary from what you’d expect.
Today, we will get familiar with a couple of intriguing, yet, not-as-famous cannabinoids: CBDA and CBDV. They’re not as well known, but once you get to know them, you’ll see they also have a lot to offer!
Article Highlight
- Both CBDV (Cannabidivarin) and CBDA (Cannabidiolic Acid) are non psychoactive, meaning neither one of them will get you high.
- Cannabidivarin (CBDV) – Found in tiny doses in some cannabis strains, it’s believed to help with things like seizures, inflammation, autism challenges, and kicking nausea to the curb.
- CBDA, the precursor to CBD, is the most abundant natural cannabinoid found in the hemp flower. With some exposure to higher heat, it morphs into our beloved CBD. On its own, it fights inflammation, nausea, stress and anxiety, and may even act like a tiny bodyguard against some viruses like COVID-19.
- Now, CBDV and CBDA are cousins but with cool, distinct features. CBDA has much better absorption than CBDV, and thus is considered the more potent cannabinoid of the two.
- Grasping these differences could open up new avenues for your health and wellbeing. Just remember, checking in with your healthcare pro before integrating new cannabinoids in your routine is a must!
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What is CBDV
Ever stumbled upon cannabidivarin (CBDV)? If not, let me introduce you! CBDV is one of those low-key guys among the cannabinoid compounds who doesn’t crave the limelight. Like its famed cousin CBD, it won’t get you high. It’s sort of a rarity, it is typically found in very low amounts in the cannabis plant, especially in the landrace strains of cannabis sativa and cannabis indica.
CBDV, like all neutral cannabinoids, comes from CBDVA (Cannabidivarinic acid), which is in the acidic cannabinoids class. This class is defined by the presence of a carboxyl group, which is the natural state of cannabinoids.
In fact, you wont find CBDV in the cannabinoid biosynthesis pathway since all the major and minor cannabinoids are created in the “acidic” form. It is only during processing do you convert CBDVA into CBDV.
The Potential Perks of CBDV
So, what’s the deal with CBDV? How does it fit into the big picture of your wellness? While scientists are still deciphering its complete chemical composition and diving deep into the world of cannabinoid biosynthesis and cannabis sativa plants in general, they’ve already unearthed some impressive benefits!
The CBDV Superpowers
Here’s how CBDV can potentially make a splash in your life:
- It’s a potential anti seizure effects. In scientific lingo, we call this anticonvulsant properties – essentially it could help keep any unwanted seizures under control. These effects may be due to its interactions with the transient receptor potential vanilloid channels, such as TRPV1, involved in neuronal hyperexcitability.
- CBDV may have potential anti inflammation effects. Its studied anti-inflammatory effects in vitro in nerve cells could be promising news if you’re looking to soothe something inflamed.
- Its potential superpower also stretches towards autism spectrum disorder – something scientists are eagerly exploring.
- Dealing with tummy trouble? CBDV might come to the rescue, potentially helping in reducing nausea.
However, the downside for CBDV is that all the research studies used very high concentrations. In the animal studies, the concentrations used would translate to between 700mg to over over 2000mg per dose.
In the one human trial, they used a dose of 600mg, and found some effects in patients with autism spectrum disorder.
These high doses highlight the poor absorption of the neutral cannabinoids compared to their acidic cannabinoid counterparts.
Intro to CBDA
Let’s chat about another fascinating chemical compound, CBDA, or cannabidiolic acid. Remember CBD? Well, think of CBDA as CBD’s ‘parent.’ CBDA is found in raw, unprocessed cannabis and hemp plants, particularly in cannabis sativa.
So, how does humble cannabidiolic acid transform into the superstar CBD? Let’s take a little science trip. It’s all about the heat exposure. This process, called decarboxylation, occurs when you apply heat to the plant or extract, causing a chemical reaction that turns CBDA into CBD.
Many people are not familiar with CBDA or other acidic cannabinoids because conventional purification processes use heat, with destroys CBDA in the process.
New technologies developed at Natural Dos are able to isolate only acidic cannabinoids and create a Natural Spectrum CBDA oil with enhanced absorption.
Benefits of CBDA
Cannabis researchers have started delving into the properties of CBDA and found a range of potential CBDA benefits:
- Anti inflammatory: CBDA was found to inhibit the inflammatory enzyme COX-2 (cyclooxygenase 2). This enzyme is critical to stimulating inflammation, and is the main target for many drugs like ibuprofen and aspirin.
- Anti seizure: There are now multiple pre clinical trials showing that CBDA can reduce the symptoms of seizures, similar to the effects found by CBD, but at lower doses.
- Enhanced absorption: CBDA, like other acidic cannabinoids, have superior absorption, and compared to CBD, it is over 500% better absorbed. While we dont have direct comparison of CBDA vs CBDV, we can assume they act like their other neutral cannabinoids.
- Stress and anxiety: CBDA has been studied in pre clinical trials for stress and anxiety relief with promising results. The best results are reported by the many enthusiasts of CBDA oil though.
CBDA is one of the nonpsychotropic plant cannabinoids, meaning it doesn’t get you high. It’s also among the many promising acidic cannabinoids found in cannabis sativa.
Subsequent studies are constantly uncovering more about CBDA’s chemical profile. Additionally, previously reported findings show many cannabinoid compounds work together, with CBDA being part of that team effort.
How CBDA is made
The enzyme producing CBDA in the plant is called CBDA synthase just like how THCA is produced by tetrahydrocannabinolic acid synthase. Both these synthases use the mother cannabinoid, CBGA (cannabigerolic acid), as a substrate to create either CBDA or THCA.
Comparing CBDA and CBDV
Alright, now you’re buddies with CBDA and CBDV, let’s chat about what makes each of them unique.
CBDA is better absorbed than CBDV, and thus has higher bioavailability. This term refers to how well a compound is absorbed and gets into the blood stream. For example, a 50mg dose of CBDA might have the same blood concentration as a 300mg dose of CBDV.
This is critical to determining the benefits, since a poorly absorbed compound will not have significant effects unless used at much higher doses.
CBDA and CBDV’s Potential Benefits
Both CBDA and CBDV have some similar properties, although at different doses.
- Pre clinical trials show that both compounds have some anti inflammatory effects. However, there are much fewer studies on CBDV at this point.
- Both compounds show anti convulsant effects either in vitro or in animal models, but more work needs to be done for CBDV to elucidate how this is happening.
- Both CBDA and CBDV seem to interact with the TRPV1 channels involved in nerve cells signaling, however, CBDA appears to inhibit while CBDV may increase activation temporarily.
At this point, there is just not much research on CBDV.
Conclusion
At this point CBDV requires much further analysis by the scientific community before they we really understand its unique mechanisms. CBDA is farther along the research track, and the acidic cannabinoids are receiving a lot of attention due to their high bioavailability.
Keep in mind, though, we’re venturing through a brave new world of understanding these awesome cannabinoids. Our dedicated science people are constantly digging up new goodies and, while what we’ve got so far looks exciting, there’s heaps more to discover about their full potential.
Now, before we hit the road, let’s shoot straight for a minute. Safety first, always. Before you invite CBDA and CBDV to your health party, take a moment to have a talk with your doctor. After all, taking care of numero uno—you, that’s who!—should always top your of your list when considering different supplement.
