Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) is the decarboxylated propyl analogue phytocannabinoid of THCVa found in heated cannabis, and a homologue to THC. It was discovered in 1964 and is a high-energy and relatively abundant psychoactive non-psychotropic phytocannabinoid. It seems to mimic CBD’s anxiety relief, and recent research has shown it to be fairly effective in appetite-suppression, lending to its joke name of “diet weed.” THCV has also been shown to lessen a THC high, as it acts as a CB1 agonist at small doses, inhibiting the receptors and preventing more THC from being bound. It’s also been shown to partially bind to 5-HT1a receptors in the serotonin system, similar to CBD, and contributing to its antipsychotic effects.
Assistance
THCV in particular has been shown to assist with anxiety, OCD, stress, ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease, asthma, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, schizophrenia, seizures, epilepsy, spasticity, bronchitis, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, nausea, Parkinson’s disease, skin disorders, acne, dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, osteoporosis, liver disease, hepatitis, hemochromatosis, cirrhosis of the liver, PTSD and obesity.
Citations
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- Elsohly, MA. Feng, S. Murphy, TP. Warrington, AW. Ross, S. Nimrod, A. Mehmedic, Z. Fortner, N. Identification and quantitation of 11-nor-delta9-tetrahydrocannabivarin-9-carboxylic acid, a major metabolite of delta9-tetrahydrocannabivarin. Journal of Analytical Toxicology. (2001)
- Thomas, A. Stevenson, LA. Wease, KN. Price, MR. Baillie, G. Ross, RA. Pertwee, RG. Evidence that the plant cannabinoid Delta9-tetrahydrocannabivarin is a cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptor antagonist. British Journal of Pharmacology. (2005)
- Ross, SA. ElSohly, MA. Sultana, GN. Mehmedic, Z. Hossain, CF. Chandra, S. Flavonoid glycosides and cannabinoids from the pollen of Cannabis sativa L. Phytochemical Analysis. (2005)
- McPartland, JM. Duncan, M. Di Marzo, V. Pertwee, RG. Are cannabidiol and Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabivarin negative modulators of the endocannabinoid system? A systematic review. British Journal of Pharmacology. (2015)
- Cascio, MG. Zamberletti, E. Marini, P. Parolaro, D. Pertwee, RG. The phytocannabinoid, Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabivarin, can act through 5-HT₁A receptors to produce antipsychotic effects. British Journal of Pharmacology. (2015)
- Englund, A. Atakan, Z. Kralj, A. Tunstall, N. Murray, R. Morrison, P. The effect of five day dosing with THCV on THC-induced cognitive, psychological and physiological effects in healthy male human volunteers: A placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover pilot trial. Journal of Psychopharmacology. (2016)
- Piomelli, D. Russo, EB. The Cannabis sativa Versus Cannabis indica Debate: An Interview with Ethan Russo, MD. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research. (2016)
- Miller, S. Understanding Cannabinoids – CBC, CBG, THCV, and CBDV. Green Flower. (2018)