CBDA
CBD's raw, acidic precursor
Cannabinoid
What is CBDA?
CBDA (cannabidiolic acid) is the raw, acidic form of CBD and the form the plant actually produces. Apply heat — smoking, vaping, or cooking — and CBDA loses a carboxyl group and becomes CBD. In its raw state it's non-intoxicating.
Effects
Because most people consume CBDA after it has decarboxylated into CBD, CBDA itself gets less attention. Early research suggests its own anti-inflammatory activity and has explored it for nausea — a landmark rat study found CBDA suppressed nausea at remarkably low doses and even potentiated the effect of the standard anti-nausea drug ondansetron. It also appears to interact with the same drug-metabolizing enzymes as CBD, so the same caution about interactions applies.
Research note
On a COA for raw flower, CBDA is usually the larger of the two CBD numbers — that's expected, and it's a sign the flower is fresh.
Conditions that cite this compound
These condition guides point here — they cover the same compound from the patient side.