CBDa stands for Cannabidiol Acid.
It is found in abundance in hemp and other CBD-rich varieties of hemp before they mature, and is a precursor to CBD.
CBDa’s expected effects
- Anti-anxiety/antidepressant effects
- Relieves panic attacks
- Relieves vomiting and nausea
- Relief from seizures and convulsions
- Anti-inflammatory effects
- Prevention of metastasis of cancer cells

Although CBDa is expected to have high pharmacological and physiological effects, it has not been studied specifically until now. The reason for this is that acidic cannabinoids with the letter “A” (Acid) are unable to bind to cannabinoid receptors and affect the ECS like THC and CBD.
However, recent studies have shown that they can indirectly affect the ECS by binding to receptors in the body other than cannabinoid receptors, and support physical problems.
Characteristics of CBDa
1. CBDa has a high affinity for the serotonin receptor (5-HT1A), which is known as the happy hormone, and has a 100-fold higher affinity than CBD.(Reference: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/ )
2. CBDa is absorbed into the body at a higher rate than CBD.
3. CBDa has been shown to inhibit MDA-MB-231, which is active when breast cancer cells metastasize.
The most important feature of CBDa is its affinity for serotonin receptors. Serotonin is a type of neurotransmitter that affects sleep, nausea, and mood, and CBDa is expected to have a higher effect on the aforementioned than CBD.
CBDA Production
CBDa is produced from CBGA (cannabigerolic acid) as a precursor by the action of an enzyme (synthase), and CBGA undergoes the following three changes by synthase
THCA | THC | |
CBGA | CBCA | CBD |
CBDA | CBD |
So, CBDa is a worthy precursor to CBD.
How to consume CBDa
If you want to consume CBDa, you need to choose an ingredient that contains Raw CBD, which can be decarboxylase into CBD not only by heat and light, but also by hemp maturation and the passage of time.
For this reason, full-spectrum items rarely contain CBDa, no matter how well they are made. Raw CBD products, on the other hand, contain “pre-decarboxylase cannabinoid acids” including CBDa.