Tetrahydrocannabivarin, or THCV, is a chemical extracted from cannabis that has unique effects and medical purposes than other cannabinoids such as THC and CBD. We’d want to introduce you to this intriguing substance, which claims to generate considerable waves in the cannabis industry as we learn about and utilize its full potential, whether you’re a medical marijuana patient seeking for a certain sort of relief or a casual user searching for a particular effect.
THCV, or tetrahydrocannabivarin, is a psychotropic cannabinoid that is mostly found in Sativa-dominant cannabis strains. It has been observed to give a more active, alert, and energetic euphoric sensation than other cannabinoids. As a result, it is frequently advised for daytime or whenever productivity is required.
This is because THCV works in a different way than THC. It acts as a powerful anti-inflammatory and has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety. As a result, it’s beneficial in the treatment of post-traumatic-stress-disorder (PTSD). It’s also neuroprotective, making it an excellent option for treating Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis. Compared to THC, THCV targets hunger rather than euphoria.
Where Can I Find THCV?
So you’re looking for the aforementioned effects, but you’re not sure where to start. Because THCV is so uncommon, most strains just have tiny traces of it, making it difficult to achieve the required therapeutic effect. As a result of its growing popularity, more THCV-rich items are anticipated, but in the meantime, here are some helpful hints for locating this rare medicinal treasure.
- Look for sativas with a lot of THCV. THCV is most prevalent in landrace strains from Africa, according to laboratory testing. Durban Poison is one of the more well-known high-THCV strains, but other choices may be found in the table below.
- Is it difficult to locate a pure African sativa? Many strains have incorporated African DNA that raises the THCV chance. Cherry Pie, for instance, may produce a substantial THCV level via its Durban Poison parent. Leafly’s strain pages or ask your budtenders to introduce you to their African crossbreeds may reveal lineage information.
- The terpene profiles listed in this article are based on testing done by THCV Experts. However, genetics alone can’t guarantee a high-THCV strain, and cannabinoid concentrations varies from harvest to harvest. If you have the opportunity, ask your budtender for lab-tested strains to verify that you’re receiving a THCV-rich product.
High THCV Cannabis Strains
This is not an exhaustive listing of strains with high THCV contents, but they are included. These crops may be consumed fresh or used to make extracts, oils, and edibles with a higher cannabinoid content. Doug’s Varin and Pineapple Purps were designed with a higher THCV in mind. Stick to African sativas if you want the most THCV.
Can THCV get you high?
Yes, THCV can be psychoactive in limited cases, but there is a condition: THCV is only psychoactive when taken in high dosages comparable to those of CBN. When taken at higher doses in potent strains, THCV produces stimulant-like effects that promote mental clarity. They’re also quick-acting and fast-dissipating (hence the sports car joke).
What Are The Benefits Of THCV?
THCV, like CBD and CBN, has several benefits. It offers fast psychotropic effects and dissolves swiftly, making it ideal for people who don’t want to be high for extended periods of time. THCV’s medical efficacy has already been confirmed in research, as well as its cognitive benefits.
Obesity and Weight Loss
Functional foods that include capsaicin or other chemicals related to chili peppers have been studied for potential appetite-suppressant effects. According to researchers, the chemical CHV may help people who are overweight. Low dosages (5 to 7.5 milligrams) of CHV have been found to block CB1 activity, which inhibits hunger by blocking the action of CB1 receptors. THCV has also been found to enhance memory, attention, and learning in several studies. THCV may help people lose weight by enhancing connectivity in regions of the brain that are often damaged in those who are obese, according to other research published in the Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology. This study suggested that THCV could help people reduce weight, but it did not support the appetite-control idea.
Diabetes
There’s also evidence that THCV can assist people with diabetes. In 2013, the Nutrition and Diabetes Journal investigated THCV’s potential effects on Type 2 diabetes in mice. The research revealed that THCV increased energy expenditure and reduced glucose intolerance in obese mice. THCV also improved insulin sensitivity in diabetic mice. The study found that THVC may be a “therapeutic for obesity-related glucose intolerance.” Another study from 2016 revealed that THCV enhanced pancreatic cell function in persons with Type 2 diabetes.
Anti-inflammatory
THCV is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that has anti-inflammatory properties, according to studies conducted. THVC may help prevent a variety of age- and stress-related ailments by virtue of its anti-inflammatory effects, according to investigations done by the Journal of Pharmacology. THCV aids in the reduction of swelling in mice, according to research published in the Journal of Pharmacology. Furthermore, despite eating it for four days in a row, the mice showed no sign of tolerance toward the cannabinoid. THCV, according to a study in the British Journal of Pharmacology, can reduce inflammation and pain caused by it by interacting with chemical receptors in the body.
Tremors and Seizures
Another advantage that we have evidence for is THCV’s potential to relieve tremors caused by diseases like ALS, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease. Scientific study also demonstrates that THCV can help decrease epileptic seizure frequency. Furthermore, research suggests that THVC may reduce the number as well as severity of seizures when they happen. A study published in the Epilepsia journal found that THCV was effective both during a seizure and before seizures as a prophylactic measure.
Dr. Sunil Aggarwal, Founder & CEO of Genesis Lifestyle Clinic is a big fan. Check out what he has to say about it! -> Dr. Sunil Aggarwal, the founder and president of Genesis Lifestyle Clinic, is a great follower of David Lamach’s Varin THC/THCV products. We’ll discuss his comments later in the article.
How Does THCV Work?
THCV vs. THC
THCV has effects that are similar to THC but it is not psychoactive at high dosages. The most significant distinction between the two is that THCV truly inhibits hunger at low doses, unlike THC. Studies have revealed that THCV can counteract some of THC’s qualities, making it great news for individuals who don’t want to get high.
How does THCV occur?
THCV is a naturally occurring non-intoxicating cannabinoid produced by the cannabis plant and has a structure that is comparable to THC’s, although it is formed via a completely distinct precursor. While most cannabinoids, including THC and CBD, are the results of CBGA (cannabigerolic acid) synthesis, THCV is the final product of CBGVA (cannabigerovarin acid). When exposed to heat or light, CBGV transforms to THCV. Pure sativas from Africa, China, Nepal, Pakistan, India, Thailand, and Afghanistan are prominent sources of THCV.
How does THCV work in the body?
THCV acts through binding with chemical receptors in nearly every system of the body, including those that interact with THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids. The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is made up of two primary chemical receptors called CB1 and CB2. This system is engaged in overseeing a wide range of bodily activities necessary for good health.
CB1 receptors are present throughout the body, but they are particularly concentrated in the brain and nervous system, whereas CB2 receptors are more common in the immune system. THCV works as an antagonist to CB1 receptors at low doses, meaning it can block some of the effects produced by THC, such as the munchies and intense mental highs.
THCV activates both CB1 and CB2 receptors at higher doses, resulting in effects that are more similar to THC. This leads to the improved euphoric and cognitive benefits as well as therapeutic value.
Is THCV water-soluble?
THCV is only soluble in oil-based liquids, so it does not dissolve in water. nThat being said, scientists have developed a solution called nano emulsions (more on that in our blog about water-soluble cannabinoids). THCV can break down into nano particles that dissolve completely in water through sophisticated mechanical operations.
What is the boiling point?
THCV has a much higher boiling point of 511 degrees Fahrenheit, which is about 112 degrees higher than THC. As a result, you may make edibles at a greater temperature, but there’s a catch: as the temperature rises above 245 degrees Fahrenheit, many cannabinoids and terpenes begin to vaporize, resulting in flavor and therapeutic benefits loss. On the plus side, if you only want THCV in your edible
THCV Products
What type of THCV products are available?
Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) can be found in full-spectrum hemp and cannabis products, including oils, waxes, and edibles. THCV may also be found in extracts and isolates, as well as distillates.
Doug’s Varin High-THCV Vapes
Another example is California Cannabinoids’ Doug’s Varin vape line, which was launched earlier this year. One of Doug’s Varin vapes is THCV-only, and the other combines THCV with CBD on a 1:1 ratio. Both items contain between 25% and 35% THCV and last roughly half as long as a THC high. When David Lampach, CEO of California Cannabinoids, assisted in the creation of these products, he responded to “tremendous consumer” demand for THCV.
Varin THCV is a high-THC, low-intoxicating strain that’s been bred and developed by the company. The goal was to develop a strain that had less psychoactive effects than THC alone but still offered the advantages of such potency.
What are some other high-THCV products?
- Ace of Spades (A shatter): 2.4%
- Agent Orange Nug Run (A shatter): 1.9%
- Slim Hash: 38.44%
Are there other high-THCV strains?
THCV, also known as tetrahydrocannabivarin, is a cannabinoid present in cannabis. THCV levels are not as rare as CBD and THC, although “high” may be an appropriate term. However, in certain situations, THCV content can exceed that of THC. According to the American Journal of Botany, African and Asian strains with the highest amounts of THCV are among the most popular.
Other THCV strains include:
- Doug’s Varin Harmony Pre-Rolls: 3%
- Flow Kana Pink Boost Goddess: 4.24%
- Pineapple Purps: 4%
- Durban Poison: 0.5% to 1%
- Malawi: 0.5% to 1% (estimated)
- More high-THCV strains here.
How do I extract THCV?
THCV is less abundant in plant biomass and, as a result, more expensive to extract. The procedure is nevertheless quite similar, thanks to lower amounts of THCV present in plant tissues. THCV is extracted using a chromatography technique based on superfluid liquid solvents such as CO2 or ethanol to rid the extracts of chemicals. The solution is then evaporated with heat under a vacuum to remove any gas and generate a high-purity THCV concentrate. To maintain potency, THCV goods should be kept at room temperature and away from direct sunshine.
THCV Potency And Testing
How is THCV’s potency measured?
The potency of THCV is measured in the same manner as CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids are detected by ACS Laboratory’s High Performance Liquid Chromatography System with UV Detection. LCUV, a high-performance liquid chromatography technique that uses ultraviolet light to detect molecules at different wavelengths
Why Does THCV Matter?
The buzz surrounding THCV is growing, and the cannabinoid promises to be one of the next big components in the industry. There are currently few strains on the market that generate significant amounts of THCV, leaving a market gap and opportunity for being one of the first companies to commercialize high-THCV strains or extracts, according to Benzinga Market Research.
The THCV strain is for anybody who has ever wanted to try cannabis but was afraid of the high and munchies associated with THC. While it doesn’t have the same intoxicating effects as its powerful counterpart, low doses of THCV provide substantial energy, mental clarity, and appetite-suppressant qualities that may entice even the Type A’s among us. Its capability to attract a broader audience of consumers is an enormous benefit.