{"id":4010,"date":"2021-07-20T22:28:49","date_gmt":"2021-07-20T22:28:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/weedmaps.com\/learn\/?p=4010"},"modified":"2026-02-22T13:41:15","modified_gmt":"2026-02-22T13:41:15","slug":"acidic-vs-activated-cannabinoids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/weedmaps.com\/learn\/the-plant\/acidic-vs-activated-cannabinoids","title":{"rendered":"Acidic and activated cannabinoids: What's the difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Whether you're a seasoned cannabis user or a total newbie to the herb, cannabinoids are likely to be familiar to you. The unique chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant are famed for affecting the body's endocannabinoid system<\/a> in various ways. For example, THC leads with an intoxicating high, while CBD may help relieve anxiety.    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But did you know that plant cannabinoids<\/a>, like THC and CBD, can occur in both an activated and an acidic form? Or that the different forms of the same cannabinoid can enact distinct effects on our physiology?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let's explore what acidic cannabinoids are, how cannabinoids become activated, and the potential benefits of each form. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\tWhat are acidic\/non-activated cannabinoids? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Acidic cannabinoids are raw and occur naturally in cannabis and industrial hemp plants. THCA<\/a> and CBDA<\/a> are both acidic cannabinoids. The extra \u201cA\u201d stands for acid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMany people are surprised to learn that cannabis and hemp plants do not directly produce the well-known cannabinoids tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), or any of the hundreds of others researchers have identified,\u201d said Dr. Dustin Sulak, founder of Healer<\/a>, a medical cannabis education platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t\t

\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"raw\n\t\t\t<\/a>Photo by: Gina Coleman\/Weedmaps<\/cite>
One of the most important distinguishing features of acidic cannabinoids is that they are non-psychoactive when taken alone.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\t\t\t