CBDA: Cannabidiol acid
CBDA, or Cannabidiol acid, is a cannabinoid found in cannabis plants. When CBDA is heated, it turns into CBD.
Cannabidiol acid is a precursor compound, which means it can produce other compounds. CBDA originates from CBGA and can convert into CBD through decarboxylation.
What is the difference between CBDA and CBD?
Before being heated, the cannabis plant produces CBDA, which is the acidic form of CBD. Once exposed to heat, CBDA is converted into CBD through a process called decarboxylation.
What is decarboxylation?
Decarboxylation is the process of heating cannabis to activate its compounds. This process converts inactive compounds (such as CBDA) into their active forms (such as CBD). When cannabis is heated, the acidic forms of cannabinoids lose a carboxyl group, resulting in their non-acidic counterparts.
Do I need to decarboxylate my medical cannabis products?
Most medical cannabis oil products are heated during their production, which converts CBDA into its active form, CBD. Medical cannabis flower does through decarboxylation when vaporised.
To find out if you are eligible for medical cannabis treatment in the UK, check out our fast and free medical cannabis eligibility checker.
If you would like to learn more about medical cannabis in the UK, Releaf is here to help. In addition to this medical cannabis glossary, we have an extensive blog and education hub to explore, both filled with resources that UK medical cannabis patients, prescribers, and educators have been asking for.