What is Cannabicyclolic Acid (CBLA)?

Cannabicyclolic Acid (CBLA) is a class of non-psychoactive cannabinoids found in Cannabis. Based on its non-psychoactive nature, CBLA is considered a fairly rare compound.

Keep in mind, Cannabichromenate (CBCA) is produced by cannabigerol (CBGA) from marijuana plants, which later produces cannabinoids such as CBL, CBC, and CBLA when heated to a certain temperature or for a duration of time.

Different heat and different durations bring about different molecular responses, as you probably guessed.

First Discovery

The discovery of CBLA dates back to 1972 by Shoyama. Initially, Cannabicyclol (CBL-C5) was considered to have a THC-type structure and was named THC III. However, it was isolated in 1967, got renamed to cannabicyclol/cannabipinol, and the structure revised.

The photochemical conversion of cannabichromene into cannabicyclol also prompted another revision of the original structure considering the speculation about the origin of the compound.

Therefore, it is not considered an original cannabinoid, yet it is regarded as one of the most stable cannabinoid acids to heat. CBLA is also said to be resistant to decarboxylation, thereby creating tiny amounts of CBL when heated up.

HOW DOES CBLA WORK?

There isn’t much scientific insight available because cannabis doesn’t produce a significant amount of cannabicyclolic acid, naturally. Cannabichromenic acid (CBCA) in its original nature, is converted into cannabicyclolic acid when it is exposed to environmental changes such as a difference in light patterns, or heat variations.

As a rare, non-intoxicating compound that originates as cannabichromenic acid (CBCA), it converts to cannabicyclolic. Studies have shown that cannabicyclolic acid (CBLA) reduces inflammation since it comes from another compound’s degradation.

Cannabicyclol from a crude plant material reveals no apparent optical rotation. However, an [a]D 3-was reported, and it could form due to natural irradiation in the plant or by an artifact formed in the crude extract. However, the structure was finally confirmed as the correct structure by NMR and X-ray analysis, although the absolute configuration is unknown.

Cannabicyclolic acid (CBLA-C5 A) was first isolated as optically inactive colorless prisms and identified as the A acid of cannabicyclol due to its methyl ester and by comparison of the decarboxylation product with cannabicyclol.

The photochemical conversion of CBCAC5 A to CBLA-C5 A was observed. Interestingly enough, CBLA-C5 A exists in larger amounts when cannabis is early in the vegetative phase and stored.

This prompted the conclusion that CBLA-C5 A is not a genuine substance but a byproduct produced by natural irradiation of CBCA-C5 A during storage.

Possible Therapeutic Benefits of CBLA

In the highly competitive landscape of cannabis efficiency, CBLA has virtually the same benefits as some other cannabinoids:

Reduces anxiety
Reduces inflammation
Increases lab productivity
Decreases solvent costs
Relieves pain
Controls nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy
Relaxes muscles
Reduces tumor

Several peer reviewed studies exist that mention the potential benefits of CBLA.

References

Frontiers in Plant Sciences: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7333344/
Journal of Liquid Chromatography & Related Technologies: https://bedrocan.com/wp-content/uploads/preparative_isolation_of_cannabinoids_from_cannabis-2004.pdf
Mahmoud A. ElSohly, Desmond Slade, Chemical constituents of marijuana: The complex mixture of natural cannabinoids, Life Sciences 78 (2005) 539 –548.
Marijuanadoctors.com: https://www.marijuanadoctors.com/weed-101/cannabis-dictionary/cannabicyclolic-acid-cbla/
Science Direct: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0031942207004955

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