There has been a lot of buzz lately about hemp and CBDA after a new study from Oregon State University found that two compounds commonly found in hemp have the potential to combat COVID-19. Even though laws and regulations are constantly changing, hemp is becoming more extensively researched and consumers are realizing the therapeutic value of hemp, and more specifically, CBDA.
What Is CBDA?
In preliminary studies, CBDA has been shown to treat inflammation, anxiety, seizures, and even certain types of cancer. It is now seen as the next frontier in cannabinoid-based therapy. CBDA is the parent compound to CBD and is made with living hemp, which helps sustain the plant’s natural molecular structure. Because of these new studies, more consumers have been turning to the compound as an alternative therapy, and Inesa Ponomariovaite, CEO of Nesas Hemp, believes this will lead to a growing demand for these products.
“I am a holistic health expert. My mother had cancer, and I did not want her to take any chemotherapy and try all-natural remedies,” Ponomariovaite said. “I was specifically looking for hemp products in the market that I could give to my customers, but I saw a very dirty industry and had a hard time making sure companies had the best products. I was devastated because I knew we had amazing plans and an opportunity to heal the world and make it a better place. I came back home after all my investigations and traveling the world, consulted with top doctors, and made my own.”
All cannabinoids in cannabis and hemp come from cannabigerolic acid (CBGa), the mother of all cannabinoids. Plant enzymes then convert the CBGa into a combination of the three major cannabinoids precursor compounds: tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), cannabichromenic acid (CBCA), and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA). CBDA is a non-psychoactive compound that serves as a precursor to CBD. More specifically, CBDA is decarboxylated to create CBD, meaning it is heated. Since CBDA is alive and part of the living plant, this is why Ponomariovaite believes so heavily in its healing properties.
Can CBDA Really Help Prevent COVID-19?
New research out of Oregon State’s Global Hemp Innovation Center, College of Pharmacy, and Linus Pauling Institute found that two compounds commonly found in hemp have the potential to combat the coronavirus. The compounds cannabigerolic acid, or CBGA, and CBDA block a critical step in the process the virus uses to infect humans. So far the acids have been found to be effective against the Delta and Alpha variants in preventing entry of the COVID-19 virus into human cells. Further studies are required to see if it is effective against the Omicron variant, according to NBC.
“The buzz lately has been about connecting the dots between CBD and COVID prevention or support. Obviously the research conducted by the team at Oregon State University speaks for itself in terms of where the bridges between CBD and COVID may intersect, but what we believe at Sky Wellness is that we are just scratching the surface of what we know about cannabinoid mother and minors in the CBD family and the positive and effective impacts it may have for preventative and therapeutic care, including virus-based maladies as research is indicating. To us, that is the exciting part. There is more research to do, more ground to cover, and more to discover that may — like this recent research suggests — show us use cases and value for CBD and its derivatives that have been right under our noses all this time,” Thom Brodeur, CEO of Sky Wellness, said.