CBD vs CBDA for Anxiety? A Comprehensive Analysis

You know that feeling when you’re lying in bed and you seem to be lost in your own world? Your mind is racing with thoughts and you just can’t seem to shake off that worried feeling?

Yeah, I’ve been there too. It’s pretty challenging. Hence, finding natural remedies for anxiety is something many of us are familiar with.

That’s where CBD and CBDA come in. These are two chemical compounds from the cannabis plant that are making quite a noise as potent anxiety-relievers. But, many are wondering, which one is better?

And yes, that’s the million-dollar question!

I have seen a lot of new hemp derived cannabinoids on the market lately, so I know the space can get confusing.

So, sit back and join me in diving into the world of CBDA and CBD. Let’s find out which one might be our new anxiety-fighting hero.

Article Highlight:

• Did you know that CBDA (cannabidiolic acid) is naturally found in the hemp flower, and is the most abundant cannabinoid in freshly harvested hemp plants? Many people do not know that CBD oil comes from CBDA after it has been heated, typically during processing.
• If your new to the hemp space, both CBDA and CBD possesses diverse health benefits, but also have some significant differences. They have both been found to be particularly potent additions to anxiety management. Pretty cool, right?
• CBD is the most popular compound among other cannabinoids due to its ease of processing. Meanwhile, CBDA has only recently been on the market, as new technologies were developed to better purify it from the the hemp plant.
• While both CBDA and CBD products get to work on your endocannabinoid system, CBDA has over 500% better absorption than CBD, making it the most potent cannabinoid on the market.
• If your familiar with how your serotonin system helps regulate your mood, you may be excited to learn that CBDA can activate some of your serotonin receptors in the brain, lending further anti anxiety effects.
• If you’re considering trying CBDA or CBD for anxiety, it’s best to consult first with a healthcare professional. And remember, start with a low dose and slowly increase it to find the perfect amount for your needs. Happy experimenting!

Jump to:

• Understanding CBD and CBDA
• The connection between CBD/CBDA and anxiety
• How to use CBD and CBDA for anxiety relief
• Conclusion

Understanding CBD and CBDA

You know what’s been all the rage lately? CBD and CBDA from a cannabis plant. If you’re anything like me, you’ve heard the buzz around these cannabis compounds, but you might not know what they’re all about. So, let’s chat about CBD and CBDA, their differences, and how they work with our bodies.

Definition of CBD and CBDA

First things first, let’s talk about CBDA vs CBD. CBD stands for cannabidiol, and it’s a non-psychoactive compound found in hemp plants. That means it doesn’t get you “high” like THC does.

On the other hand, CBDA stands for cannabidiolic acid. It is like CBD’s raw, unheated sibling from the same plant material. It’s found in fresh raw cannabis plants and raw cannabis juice before they’re exposed to heat or dried in the sun. Just like CBD, CBDA doesn’t give you a “high” either. Plus, it’s thought to have some therapeutic potential like reducing inflammation and nausea.

Their Unique Chemical Structures and Effects

So, your wondering how are CBD and CBDA are different? well, CBDA has an extra carboxyl group in its molecular structure.

This group makes CBDA acidic, and also water soluble. When heating CBDA, this extra carboxyl group gets removed through the process called thermal decarboxylation, and voilà – it then directly produce CBD.

All cannabinoids from the hemp plant are naturally produced in their acidic form, and there are many acidic cannabinoids. One of the other common cannabinoids is CBDA (cannbigerolic acid), which is the mother cannabinoid for all downstream synthesis operations.

These acid forms makes them very soluble and very potent, meaning low doses can achieve greater effects than their neutral counterparts (e.g. CBDA vs CBD).

CBD vs CBDA for Anxiety

Have you had that feeling when your heart races, and your mind just won’t stop spinning and spinning? Yeah, that’s basically anxiety.

Recently, cannabinoids like cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) are making waves in the scientific community due to their different health benefits. Researchers found that they are potential remedies for anxiety disorders. Let’s dig deep into how these beneficial plant compounds might help promote a calmer state of mind.

Overview of Anxiety and its Symptoms

We’ve all felt anxious at some point or another, right? It’s pretty normal. But when anxiety becomes excessive or persistent, it might lead to an anxiety disorder, and we don’t want that.

Symptoms like restlessness, difficulty concentrating, and sleep disturbances can seriously impact one’s quality of life. It’s debilitating enough to affect the activities of daily living. It’s like having an unwanted guest that doesn’t know when to leave.

Mechanisms of Action for CBDA vs CBD in Reducing Anxiety

So, many are wondering, how do CBD and CBDA compounds from a hemp plant help alleviate anxiety symptoms? Well, it has to do with their interactions with the human body.

They work with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), cannabinoid receptors, and other neurotransmitter systems. Basically, all cannabinoids interact with the ECS. The ECS plays a crucial role in regulating our mood and stress response. Think of ECS like sort of a conductor, orchestrating a harmonious rhythm among our emotions.

CBD is a naturally occurring compound found to reduce anxiety. CBD stimulates the CB2 receptors found in the ECS. Remember that feeling of warm, fuzzy sensation after eating chocolate? That’s basically serotonin at work! They are one of the happy hormones in the body. By enhancing serotonin signaling, CBD may have anti anxiety effects.

Now, CBDA is like a lesser-known cousin of CBD. It’s among the major cannabinoid precursor compounds found in the cannabis sativa plant family. While it’s not as well-studied like CBD, it’s shown potential for reducing anxiety.

In a 2011 study published in Neuropschyopharmacology, the researchers found that 600mg of CBD could significantly decrease anxiety disorders in people with public speaking fears.

CBDA interacts with the serotonin system, specifically the 5-HT1A receptor. This receptor is known to regulate anxiety and mood, and is a classical target for the anti depression drug class SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors).

Additionally, CBDA also interacts with the endocannabinoid system through CB2 receptors in the brain and throughout the body.

Whats amazing about CBDA is the enhanced absorption compared to CBD, with between 450% and 1000% better absorption! Hence, it was concluded that CBDA shows promise in having anti anxiety properties.

CBDA and inflammation

You may be wondering why inflammation is in an article about anxiety?

It turns out, there is an important correlation between chronic inflammation and mental health. Many of the cytokines produced during states of inflammation can affect the neurons in the brain, and studies from the scientific community have continued to confirm this association.

It turns out that CBDA has unique anti inflammatory properties, it can inhibit the COX-2 enzyme (cyclooxyrgenase 2). This enzyme is increased during states of inflammation, and is the target for many nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), such as aspirin and ibuprofen.

How to Use CBD and CBDA for Anxiety Relief

Anxiety is a common mental health issue that affects millions of people worldwide. With the growing interest in natural remedies, many are turning to CBD and CBDA for that much needed relief.

These compounds, derived from the cannabis plant, have shown promise in reducing anxiety. Here’s how you can squeeze in the best CBDA or CBD into your daily anxiety-management routine.

Dosage Recommendations:

Here are helpful tips when finding the right dosage for a natural product, keeping safety in mind, and incorporating CBD or CBDA into your relief plan.

Finding the Right Dosage:

Dosage is crucial when using CBD or CBDA for anxiety relief. Optimal dosages can vary depending on factors like body weight, individual body chemistry, and anxiety severity. Here’s how you can find your sweet spot:

• Start with a low dose: Begin with a small dose of 20-40mg of the product per day. This can help your body adjust to the cannabinoids and minimize the risk of side effects. Since CBDA has much higher absorption you may end up landing on a lower dose. Most CBD studies need well over 100mg doses to get significant anxiety results.
• Gradually increase the dose: After a week that you still can’t feel the relief you want, slowly increase the dosage by 10-20 mg increments until you find the right amount for your needs.
• What is best to dose with? CBD products like CBD oil or CBD tinctures as well as CBDA products like CBDA drops, CBDA mints, or CBDA gummies.
• Consult a healthcare professional: Talk to your doctor, especially if you are on multiple medications, or have a history of liver complications. This is to make sure you’re on the right track and to discuss any potential drug interactions.

Safety First

Make sure you’re using CBD or CBDA was safely, keep these considerations in mind:

• Quality matters: Do some research and look for reputable manufacturers that provide Certificates of Analysis (COAs) and third party lab tests to ensure you are getting a clean, accurately labeled product.
• Drug interactions: CBD and CBDA could interact with certain medications. So consult your doctor first if you have an existing condition and take medications.
• Side effects: Some people may experience side effects like drowsiness, dry mouth, or gastrointestinal issues. If you do experience side effects while taking CBD and CBDA products, stop taking the supplement or decrease the dose.

Incorporating CBD or CBDA into Your Routine

To make the most of CBD or CBDA for anxiety relief, try implementing these tips:

• Choose the right delivery method: Experiment with different forms of CBD and CBDA products. This way, you can figure out what will work best for your needs and preferences. These can include CBDA capsules, CBDA tinctures, or CBDA gummies.
• The medicine works just fine on its own, but if you want great results make it a habit. If you are taking it for anxiety in the morning, put it next to your bed. I like mine for sleep, so I have it in the shelf in my bathroom.
• Its a supplement, which means its supposed to supplement your self care routine. Yes, its going to help, but if you still need to exercise and get some sleep!
• Establish a routine: Take CBD and CBDA products at the same time everyday to maintain consistency.

Conclusion

In the end, it’s all about figuring out what works best for you when it comes to finding that anxiety relief with CBDA and CBD products since they both possess amazing therapeutic properties. Some people may find CBD benefits for anxiety to work like magic. Meanwhile, other people may find that CBDA benefits are a way to go-to.

It’s essential to consider various factors like your body chemistry, the severity of your anxiety, and the kind of relief you’re looking for when deciding which one is better. While CBD oil is popular and well studied, CBDA oil holds promise by being 450%-1000% more potent than the latter, thanks to its higher bioavailability.

So, why not give both a try and see which one works best for you? Who knows, exploring these natural products might just be the key to managing your anxiety and boosting your overall well-being.

–Team Dos