CBGA stands for cannabigerolic acid. Found almost exclusively in young plants, many consider it to be the “mother of all cannabinoids” because it is the precursor to most cannabis compounds.
Through a process aided with heat and light called biosynthesis, CBGA can convert to:
Israeli scientists Yehiel Gaoni and Raphael Mechoulam first identified CBG in 1964. A few decades later, in 1996, researchers at Kyushu University found that CBDA predominantly biosynthesizes from CBGA.
Scientific Findings on CBGA
It is important to note there is little to no clinical research on the effects of CBGA in living humans. There is, however, in vitro and silico research available on CBGA. The Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated CBGA products, and they are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Nevertheless, the scientific research on this compound is promising. Here are just a handful of the current findings on CBGA in peer-reviewed studies:
What is CBDA?
CBDA stands for cannabidolic acid. It is one of the byproducts of CBGA and the direct precursor to CBD. CBDA converts to CBD via decarboxylation, a chemical reaction that removes a carboxyl group from a molecule.
When you purchase CBD flower, a lot of what you get (at first) is actually CBDA. By combusting the flower or heating it, you can decarboxylate it, thus receiving the effects of CBD. However, finding bioavailable CBDA on its own in the hemp market is difficult.
Scientific Findings on CBDA
Much like CBGA, it's important to note that products that contain CBDA products are not meant to diagnose, cure, or treat any medical condition. The findings below are for general information and should not be taken as medical advice.
Here is what studies have found so far about CBDA:
- May act as a selective inhibitor for cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, a compound in the human body that's a common target for anti-inflammatory drugs
- Having 100x the affinity for binding to 5-HT1A receptors compared to CBD, researchers have implicated 5-HT1A receptors in the cause and treatment of disorders such as depression and anxiety
- Results from a study about a CBDA derivative and obesity treatment support a clinical trial in humans
Shopping for CBDA + CBGA Products