What are The Natural Cannabinoids?

Part 2.

Previously I talked about CBGA, the primary natural cannabinoid from which all other natural cannabinoids are derived. Today we are going to talk about the other natural cannabinoid found in hemp, CBDA, which is short for cannabidiolic acid.

Hemp has returned to the heartland and our health is better for it.

CBDA is enzymatically produced from CBGA and is biologically active. It inhibits the COX-2 enzyme which is part of the body’s natural inflammatory response.

CBD, cannabidiol, had long been considered a minor cannabinoid since it wasn’t often found in recreational cannabis. Industrial hemp also contains natural cannabinoids including CBGA and CBDA. When heated, CBDA is converted to CBD.

Research with CBDA has shown it to reduce vomiting and nausea and also to have anti-proliferative effects which suggest it may limit the growth of cancer cells. CBDA also lessens inflammation and possesses anti-microbial properties.

POTENTIAL THERAPEUTIC BENEFITS

• Anti-microbial — Inhibits the growth of bacteria.
• Anti-emetic — Relieves vomiting and nausea.
• Anti-inflammatory — Helps promote a healthy inflammatory response.
• Anti-proliferative — Helps to limit the growth of cancer cells.

CURRENT RESEARCH

The antimicrobial properties of the natural cannabinoids in hemp were explored in a paper titled: The Composition of Hemp Seed Oil and Its Potential as an Important Source of Nutrition. The authors found that higher levels of CBDA in hemp was associated with an increase in antimicrobial activity.

The anti-emetic properties of CBDA were explored in a paper titled: Cannabidiolic acid prevents vomiting in Suncus murinus and nausea-induced behaviour in rats by enhancing 5-HT1A receptor activation. This is a very beneficial effect that may have many useful medicinal applications.

The anti-proliferative effects of CBDA has been shown in a study titled: Cannabidiolic acid, a major cannabinoid in fiber-type cannabis, is an inhibitor of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell migration. This study showed that CBDA like THC and CBD may reduce or eliminate the spread of cancer and may even be effective with more aggressive forms of cancer.