Previously considered a minor cannabinoid in terms of the overall cannabinoid profile, large amounts of CBDa have recently been shown to exist in certain ruderalis strains, as well as hybrids such as Cannatonic C-6 and ACDC. The levels of CBDa found in these strains and hybrids, in fact, are potentially higher than the levels of THCa. Decarboxylated when heated, CBDa becomes CBD in the same way that THCa becomes THC, and is not psychoactive. Research has shown that CBDa demonstrates anti-emetic (lessens vomit/nausea) and anti-proliferative (limits cancer cell growth) effects – in other words, an ideal choice to combat the effects of cancer. In addition, CBDa is also an anti-inflammatory (lessens inflammation) that possesses anti-bacterial properties.
POTENTIAL THERAPEUTIC BENEFITS
• Antibacterial – Inhibits the growth of bacteria.
• Anti-Emetic – Relieves vomiting and nausea.
• Anti-inflammatory – Works to systematically reduce inflammation.
• Anti-Proliferative – Helps to limit the growth of cancer cells.
CURRENT RESEARCH
The anti-bacterial properties of CBDa were studied by Leizer et al in a report released in 2000, where they discussed the idea that greater levels of CBDa in a plant indicates greater antimicrobial potency in the CBD that results.
Reinforcing the results of a 2011 report that discussed the function of CBDa as an anti-emetic, a 2013 study released by Bolognini et al indicates that CBDa inhibits vomiting and nausea through the process of inciting 5-HT1A activity. This is potentially a very useful medicinal use for CBDa, and hopefully more research will be conducted in order to explore possible uses.
Two separate studies, released in 2013 and 2014 respectively, conducted by the same researchers found that CBDa effectively treats both anticipatory nausea as well as acute nausea in chemotherapy patients.
In a 2012 government-funded study, Takeda et al found that CBDa shared the anti-proliferative effects found in multiple other cannabinoids, such as THC and CBD. The study, which found that CBDa could limit the spread of human breast cancer cells, also reported the potential of this particular cannabinoid to be effective even with more aggressive forms of cancer. This is the first time that a component of a cannabis plant has been recognized to possess this kind of value against the spread of aggressive cancer cells.