What are the Supportive Benefits of CBDa & CBGa?
At one time, people thought that the acidic forms of cannabinoids were useless, which is why they’re still called inactive cannabinoids. However, recent research suggests that there’s a lot more to CBDA and CBGA than once thought. In an early study in 2008, researchers found that CBDA was able to block an enzyme called COX-2. The thing is, the COX-2 enzyme is important in the inflammation process. That suggests that CBDA may be able to have supportive benefits for inflammation.
Then, in 2013, a study on mice found that CBDA could reduce nausea better than CBD could. That means that including CBDA into a wellness routine may provide supportive benefits to those with nausea. On the other hand, CBGA has many supportive benefits of its own. One study in 2018 found that CBGA might be able to stop an enzyme called aldose reductase (ALR2).
A high quantity of ALR2 is usually found in people with diabetes and is thought to cause many problems, including heart disease. That means that CBGA might have supportive benefits for those with diabetes.
CBDa, CBGa, and COVID-19
Perhaps the most exciting finding of all is that CBDA and CBGA might have supportive benefits for COVID-19. Earlier this year (2022) a research paper was released from Oregon State University claiming CBDA and CBGA can keep the SARS-CoV-2 virus from entering cells. Basically, the SARS-CoV-2 virus can infect people because of its spike proteins. These spike proteins are like arms that search for a specific receptor called human ACE2 (hACE2).
These hACE2 receptors are found mainly in the lungs and around the body. Once the spike proteins of the virus touch the hACE2 receptors, they can grab hold of and subsequently infect human cells. The thing is, according to the research, CBDA and CBGA can connect to the spike proteins. That means that, according to their study, the cannabinoids block the virus and keep it from attaching and infecting human cells.
