Maximum Yield Australia/New Zealand March/April 2020 | Page 47

It is primarily found in raw or living
cannabis. THCA is composed of two
isomers named THCA-A and THCA-B.
Due to THCA-B’s stabilisation and
crystallisation abilities, research for
this isomer is focused on the modelling
of the molecule for cannabinoid
receptor studies and the biosynthetic
cannabinoid pathway. For this reason,
the medicinal benefits are not well
known. However, THCA-A is of growing
research interest for its therapeutic
properties, which include anti-
inflammation, neuroprotectiveness,
anti-emetic, and anti-proliferative
properties. These properties can
reduce nausea, pain, cancers, and
other neurodegenerative diseases.
THCA-A is of great interest but lacks
clinical application. This is largely
due to its thermal instability and how
easily it is decarboxylated into THC.
The heat instability is so great, it can
be decarboxylated by smoking, baking,
and even storing at room temperature.
To overcome this instability clinically,
extracting using olive oil shows greater
durability for a longer period of time
when compared to other extraction
methods. Additionally, shelf life can
be extended when storing without any
heat inputs, exposure to sunlight, and
being stored in a refrigerator.
Other studies have shown THCA-A
can be protected in its raw state when
glandular trichomes with 10 per cent
terpenoids are present. Essentially,
the trichomes act as a seal and the
terpenoids provide many antioxidant
compounds protecting the internal
compounds from thermal degradation
as well as oxidative stress. THCA-A
is of great potential as it shows it can
bind to cannabinoid receptors at lower
concentrations. However, THCA-A
is more desirable therapeutically
as it is both more potent and has no
psychoactive effects. For these reasons,
it is the main reason why juicing or
eating raw cannabis is of great benefit.
Much like THCA, CBDA is a
non-psychoactive cannabinoid
compound with many therapeutic
effects. CBDA is an acidic precursor to
CBD and is easily morphed into CBD
with heat. CBDA is largely found in the
leaf material of cannabis. While there
is much information regarding CBD,
the study of CBDA is just beginning.
However, it has been reported that
CBDA is a selective cyclooxygenase-2
(COX-2) inhibitor. COX-2 is the
main pathway responsible for pain,
inflammation, and other diseases in
humans. CBDA has also been reported
to aid in the reduction of highly
aggressive breast cancer cells. CBDA
also helps in reducing symptoms of
nausea, vomiting, and some symptoms
of psychosis. Furthermore, these
chemical compounds have shown to
create synergy with the gut microbiome
by reducing inflammation, creating
greater microbiological
diversity, inhibiting
gastric acid
secretion, and
enhancing
food intake.
Superfood By Definition
Considering the modern definition
of what a superfood is, it’s difficult to
argue cannabis is not a superfood.
Not only does cannabis offer many
health benefits, it can be consumed
in many ways, and is able to be
eaten in its entirety. Cannabis
chemical compounds have been
shown to greatly inhibit many
disease-causing pathways. In time,
cannabis may become one of the
greatest therapeutic plants we know.
Research has shown the best way to
get all these benefits is to consume
the plant in its raw form and use
every part of the plant. The
best way to get all these
benefits is to juice or
eat the plant from
seed to root.
“
hemp
hemp seeds
contain iron,
calcium, magnesium,
phosphorus, potassium,
zinc, and folate.”
Maximum Yield
45