Despite your complex life your body has one goal every single day – to remain balanced. Scientifically, we call this “homeostasis.” To your body, this is the meaning of life and for you it is crucial in how you feel and operate every day, both physically and mentally. Yet, without a single conscious thought, your body works 24/7 to maintain this balance.
So, what controls it?
Have you heard of the “Domino Effect?”
That’s exactly what happened when scientists started to study how certain compounds from a plant affect your body. A plant that humans have been cultivating for 12,000 years.
And, like the domino effect, one discovery led to another, and another, until we uncovered something remarkable that will show just how much we still don’t know about the human body.
The discovery was a new regulatory system called your Endocannabinoid System (ECS) and the early research has revealed that its sole goal is to regulate your balance, homeostasis.
So, where is the next domino?
It’s between you and us. We are the next domino.
The last 20 years of research into the human body and these compounds, particularly phyto-cannabinoids (plant-based), have already uncovered amazing insights and while we still have a lot to unpack and study there is an exceptional amount of research suggesting many potential therapeutic effects.
And, it all makes sense when you start to learn how they play a role and interact with your ECS and other crucial receptors and enzymes that govern how the human body functions day-to-day.
We’re here to translate what the research suggests so you can take advantage of the latest insights into human function and make informed decisions that leave you feeling confident in more than one way.
How will CBDa impact your health decisions?
Everyone’s goal is to feel good with minimal effort, that’s why most of us tend to react to things that happen to us rather than work to prevent them.
Before we dive into the science behind how it works and the list of potential benefits, and research, let’s set the scene and look at how this might impact you and your health decisions going forward.
You’ve likely dealt with pain, anxiety, stress, burnout, sleepless nights…the list goes on.
In truth, these are common struggles all of us face at some point in our lives.
And, when it comes to handling them, you have two paths:
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The holistic route:
- Things like:
- herbal remedies and supplements:
- Magnesium or melatonin for sleep
- Chamomile tea and turmeric for relaxation and anti-inflammation.
- Personal/Holistic Services
- Chiropractor for pain
- Masseuse for relaxation and recovery
- Maybe a Therapist for mental health
- herbal remedies and supplements:
- Things like:
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The conventional route:
- Everyday household items like NSAIDs for various types of pain and inflammation, or possibly prescription medications for anxiety, depression, or more advanced inflammation.
- Of course, any serious medical issues always warrant professional medical attention.
- Everyday household items like NSAIDs for various types of pain and inflammation, or possibly prescription medications for anxiety, depression, or more advanced inflammation.
It’s easy to see why many turn to conventional medications – accessible, doctor-recommended, and predictable:
“Take 2-4 pills every few hours, and you’re set.”
And with it comes the long list of potential side effects (they aren’t fun, I’ve been there), long-term use concerns (very common in ex-athletes), and the realization that these may only mask symptoms without addressing deeper issues.
The natural route, by contrast, appeals to us all and is a booming topic, yet it’s rarely straightforward or fast and effective.
More so, often confusing, filled with conflicting advice, and the results typically only come from major lifestyle changes. Which is great, just not practical in our modern lives.
This is where CBDa comes into play. In short, it acts as a bridge by combining the simplicity, near-immediacy and effectiveness of conventional options with the safety, benefits, and confidence that come with natural choices.
What exactly is CBDa vs CBD? Which is better?
Both of these are called phyto-cannabinoids. They come from the Cannabis-Sativa plant family, which consists of both Hemp and Marijuana.
Think of CBDa as the “parent” of CBD, an acidic precursor that transforms into CBD when exposed to heat (even just room temperature) and UV rays – a process known as decarboxylation, which also happens over time. This is one reason you only see CBD products on the market.
Why haven’t you seen CBDa, only CBD?
Because CBDa is more complex to work with and the research wasn’t around to make it worth the effort and investment to obtain it and make it accessible and affordable as a product, until now.
While CBD has dominated the market – today, you can find CBD everywhere, from grocery stores to coffee shops, with around 1 in 3 U.S. adults (2022) having tried it for benefits like:
- Chronic Pain Relief
- Anxiety and Stress Reduction
- Improved Sleep Quality
Scientists and emerging research have found that CBDa preserves unique properties that may make it more potent, targeted, and potentially more effective in specific areas.
What does this mean?
While CBD comes from CBDa they still have different interactions with your body as they have different chemical structures.
Though the term “better” is relative to the individual and desired effects, we think so.
Both are promising, however, considering the most impactful and desired benefits CBDa stands out.
And the research backs this perspective.
From existing research we know that CBDa holds a unique advantage over CBD by interacting with key receptors and enzymes in your body that CBD either doesn’t or is less effective at.
3 Key Differences Between CBD and CBDa:
1. Enhanced Mood Management & More
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- Your serotonin receptors are vital for regulating mood, anxiety, appetite, sleep, pain, and nausea.
- Because CBDa is up to 100x more powerful at engaging these receptors, it may offer more support for managing stress, anxiety, and other serotonin-related functions:
- For example, enhanced nausea control, which in particular may help manage the after effects of Chemo therapy induced nausea.
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2. Better Pain and Inflammation Management
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- CBDa focuses on inflammation-controlling enzymes like COX-2, helping reduce discomfort without the gastrointestinal risks of typical painkillers (caused by COX-1 enzyme interaction). It does this at 9:1 ratio compared to CBD – meaning it is 9 times more active on COX-2 than COX-1 enzymes.
- This highly targeted property suggests CBDa could be your natural alternative for managing:
- Chronic pain and inflammation
- Exercise-related soreness and recovery
- Joint discomfort
- And more
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3. Enhanced Absorption Means Better Value, More Effectiveness
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- Because CBDa is absorbed 5-11 times better than CBD:
- You need smaller doses to achieve results
- Effects kick in faster
- Your body uses more of what you take
- Each bottle provides more value for your money
- And most of all, less potential for interaction with other substances
- Because CBDa is absorbed 5-11 times better than CBD:
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Though because of CBDa’s complexity there is less research compared to CBD. From what scientists know, these unique interactions is why it’s considered a promising natural compound and is the latest center of attention alongside your ECS.
Studying cannabinoids has already unlocked new discoveries about the human body, such as your ECS. And, ongoing research is even exploring CBDa’s potential impact and treatment of certain conditions in the future.
Particularly:
- neurological (Parkinsons, Alzheimers),
- psychological (PTSD, depression, anxiety, motivation),
- chronic (autoimmune, Fibromyalgia),
- age-related (skin, energy, joint, cognition),
- and potentially some cancers (Breast, Colon, Pancreatic).
How you make your decisions:
From food labels to product labels you’re more aware than ever that what you consume and use directly on your skin has an effect on your health.
The more you understand these interactions, the more confident you feel making the right decision.
We want to enable you to understand how CBDa can make an impact on your health through digestible research.
Let’s take a deeper look at how these natural compounds interact with your body.
What is your ECS?
Your ECS acts as your body’s conductor, orchestrating major systems that control functions like
- Learning and memory,
- Mood regulation,
- Temperature control,
- Sleep patterns,
- Immune function,
- Pain sensation,
- And more…
Put simply, here is how it works: when you experience any type of internal or external “stimuli” – like stress or pain – your ECS activates to counteract the effects. The goal is to continue to do this until you are back to your normal, balanced, state.
For example, when you experience stress it activates the systems responsible for regulating your mood and works to help restore you to that calm and relaxed state of being.
In fact, your ECS is so important it has led to new discoveries about the human body already.
Did you know migraine, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) had no concrete evidence as to what causes them?
All we knew was that if you had one, you typically had another.
Recent research has classified something called “Clinical endocannabinoid deficiency (CECD)” which may explain the origins of these and other “treatment-resistant syndromes”.
Given its a hot topic, you may find interest in CECD and its potential relation to neurotransmitter deficiencies:
- Mood changes:
- depression, anxiety, irritability, etc.
- Sleep changes:
- insomnia, poor sleep quality, sleeping too much.
- Cognitive changes:
- poor concentration
- Appetite:
- loss or overstimulation (eating too much)
- And other symptoms.
How CBDa works: ECS, receptors, and enzymes
As we previously mentioned your Endocannabinoid System (ECS), referring to it as a conductor. In scientific terms, the ECS is a complex regulatory network of cells.
Put simply, it functions as a reactive control system. When something disrupts your natural balance – like stress or pain – your ECS activates to help restore that “normal” feeling.
It does this through creating and then sending your endo-cannabinoids to carry out specific actions – think of this as sending messengers to tell a system what to do.
The three unique components of your ECS:
1. Endocannabinoids:
The two most studied endocannabinoids are:
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- anandamide (AEA):
- Mostly involved in regulating mood, appetite, pain sensation, and memory.
- When life throws stress at you, anandamide is like the calming message that ensures things stay manageable.
- 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG):
- Mostly involved in regulating appetite, immune function, and pain/perception.
- anandamide (AEA):
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These cannabinoids are naturally designed to attach to your cannabinoid receptors, they are:
2. Cannabinoid Receptors (CBRs):
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- CB1 receptors: Mainly found in the central nervous system (affecting mood, memory, pain, etc.)
- CB2 receptors: Primarily found in the peripheral nervous system and immune cells (affecting inflammation and immune response). And recently regulation of your neuronal function in the central nervous system.
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Once your endocannabinoids have carried out their purpose your body sends enzymes to break down your endocannabinoids, like a cleanup crew. These enzymes are,
3. Targeted Enzymes:
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- Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH): Breaks down AEA
- Monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL): Breaks down 2-AG
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How CBD and CBDa interact with your ECS:
While neither CBD nor CBDa binds directly to your cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2, they instead impact the ECS by modulating your natural endo-cannabinoid levels by interacting with the enzymes responsible for their breakdown. Put simply, they stop the breakdown of your endo-cannabinoids
- For example, CBD inhibits FAAH, the enzyme that breaks down your AEA endocannabinoid which plays a key role in mood regulation. By inhibiting FAAH, CBD increases AEA levels in your body, potentially enhancing mood and reducing anxiety.
However, CBD does have a unique type of effect on your CB1 receptors – it changes its shape and response without binding to it. In science, this is called allosteric modulation.
- This is why CBD can reduce the effects of marijuana (also referred to as THC, the phyto-cannabinoid known for its high effects)
The last receptor we know CBD and CBDa both interact with is called your
How CBD and CBDa interact with receptors:
We’ve already mentioned the most notable differences between CBDa and CBD.
Recap, CBDa has:
- 100x serotonin interaction than CBD.
- 9 times more powerful on COX-2 enzyme than COX-1 than CBD. Better pain and inflammation management.
- 5-11x better absorption than CBD. This is called bio-availability.
TRPV1 Receptors:
- Involved in detecting temperature changes and pain sensations.
- Activation of TRPV1 can lead to desensitization, which may reduce pain perception and inflammation.
- This interaction contributes to the analgesic (pain-relieving) and anti-inflammatory properties of CBD and CBDa.
Research is ongoing into how CBD and CBDa may interact with other important receptors in your body. For now, it is limited as the impact has not been significant nor had enough scientific eyes on it.
Additional receptors that CBD has been shown to interact with:
- GPR55 Receptors (CBD):
- Acts as an antagonist, potentially supporting bone density and inhibiting cancer cell growth, with implications for conditions like osteoporosis and certain cancers.
- PPARγ Receptors (CBD):
- Activates PPARγ, which influences metabolism and inflammation, supporting insulin sensitivity and potentially aiding in conditions like type 2 diabetes and obesity.
- Glycine Receptors (CBD):
- Enhances glycine receptor effectiveness, helping reduce pain and muscle spasms by amplifying natural inhibitory signals in the nervous system.
- Other TRP Channels (CBD):
- Interacts with channels such as TRPV2, TRPA1, and TRPM8, which may help modulate immune function, neurotransmitter release, and temperature sensation.
How EverLife makes CBDa accessible:
Since 2016, our founder, Michael Jones, has partnered with industry leaders to refine methods – particularly extraction methods – that make CBDa more accessible and affordable. Through our work, EverLife brings this potent compound to you with a focus on education, quality, and effectiveness. Translating the latest research into digestible information while providing verified products for you to experience its benefits.
This article was just an introduction to these specific phyto-cannabinoid compounds. We encourage you to conduct your own targeted research as their potential expands into multiple domains.
FAQ
Can you take CBDa and CBD together?
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- Yes, many people take both CBDa and CBD together to potentially experience a synergistic effect. CBDa and CBD interact with your body’s systems in slightly different ways, which may help you achieve a more comprehensive balance. This is ideally the essence of “full-spectrum” and “broad-spectrum” products.
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What is Full-Spectrum CBDa?
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- Full-Spectrum refers to products containing all of the natural compounds found in the cannabis plant, including cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. There are over 100. This combination is believed to produce an “entourage effect,” where these compounds work together to enhance the product’s overall effects.
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Is CBDa Cannabis?
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- CBDa is found in the Cannabis Sativa plant family. This family of plants contains both Hemp and Marijuana plants. The term “cannabis” has been heavily associated to Marijuana, which refers to its psychoactive effects coming from THC. However, Cannabis Sativa is a plant family.
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Will your CBDa make me high?
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- No, our CBDa products will not make you high, as they contain less than 0.3% THC (the psychoactive phyto-cannabinoid) and in most cases are non-detectable in our verified lab results.
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Notes & Disclaimers
Disclaimer:
EverLife Wellness and the author of this article strictly invokes the first amendment rights of freedom of speech and of the press without prejudice. EverLife Wellness has no association or affiliation to the following research publications. This article is not written or reviewed by medical professionals. This is provided as an educational resource only. Most studies linked are animal studies. These statements have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration. Our products are not intended to diagnose, cure, prevent or treat any disease. It is always our recommendation to make informed decisions and consult your licensed healthcare professionals.
Author’s Note:
I encourage you to explore your own research or click on any of the highlighted and linked publications throughout this article for your convenience. I caution you, “new” in terms of research is relative. Most studies referenced are based on animal models. However, I will comment that all mammals possess an Endocannabinoid System (ECS), receptors, and enzymes. Furthermore, phyto-cannabinoids are uniquely abundant in the Cannabis-Sativa plant family and human use has dated back around 12,000 years, which places the plant among humanity’s oldest cultivated crops. I’m excited to share the continued research as cannabinoids gain more popularity as a natural alternative.
Consulting a Doctor?
In multiple quantitative studies, healthcare professionals felt unfamiliar with cannabinoid pharmacology and clinical applications and were not confident in discussing cannabis-related products to their patients as they felt unqualified.
If you choose to consult your primary care professionals, as we recommend, please provide them with our scientific publication overview for them to feel more confident surrounding cannabis-related products and how they interact with your body and potentially other medications you are on.
You can find it here: “Cannabinoid Research for Doctors” and if you wish to understand more you can view our Cannabinoid Drug Interactions Guide For Consumers