To Be Or Not To Be? Carboxylated that is.

When cannabis is growing “on the vine”, the cannabinoids have an extra Carbon and Hydroxyl group on the molecules. This is an “Acid” moiety and the molecule is said to be “Carboxylated”. Just think Acid on the vine.

For many of the benefits of cannabis, the molecules must be heated to “De-carboxylate” the molecules. This forms the GENERALLY active forms of the molecules. However, there are clear benefits from the acid form of THC, or THC-A, but less is known about the acid form of CBD or CBD-A. It appears that it is not as active against cancer cells, but who knows about pain, anxiety, etc??? I don’t.

So, an opportunity has presented itself where a rich CBD oil is available that is for the most part carboxylated – Acid form. How about if we De-Carboxylate some of it and leave some alone? They would both be blended to the same concentration. We would then have two identical extracts with identical CBD/THC levels and identical terpenes. So, here, in theory, all will remain constant other than the acid form of the molecule.

These could be distributed as matched sets of extracts and patients give us feedback. It would probably be best to begin with anxiety and pain; diseases we can monitor easily.

Thoughts?

Author

Allan Frankel, MD Dr Allan Frankel is one of the few physicians in the US who truly understands Cannabis as a medicine. All treatments suggested have been well studied. Every patient seen by Dr Frankel is given a personally created Treatment Plan created with the patient's specific issues defined. Plant medicine requires "tuning" of the dosing. Dr Frankel works with his patients thru a messaging portal. The use of this portal, allows quick and simple follow up contact with Dr Frankel. Patients are not charged for these messages, as this is how Dr Frankel has learned what he has learned. Follow up appointments in person or by phone/video are also available when needed