A recap on what THCV is…

If you have not heard about THCV or you didn’t know the efficacy and benefits it possesses, we hope you now know it’s one of marijuana’s most potent medicinal cannabinoids. Though it is considered to have little to no psychoactive effects at low doses, when used in large quantities it gives users euphoric, intense and short-lived highs.

It is also interesting to note that while THCV shares a similar profile to THC right down to psychoactivity, it also inhibits some of the negative side effects of THC such as heart rate increases or weight gain. There have been few marijuana strains with more than 2% THCV until recently, but now growers are breeding unique THCV-high plants in the knowledge that this cannabinoid is set to become very popular in the near future.

The Research:

THCV research is somewhat limited at present, but this is beginning to change, as our understanding of the therapeutic potential beyond THC and CBD begins to gather pace.
So, while the perceived benefits of THCV are largely unknown, we are beginning to explore its potential, and some of the thinking is very exciting. We thought we would share some of it with you here.

The Benefits of THCV

Research suggests that THCV has a number of therapeutic benefits, as well as offering a faster and potentially more effective ‘high’ than THC when used in high doses. That said, we must remember that the research is in its early stages, and therefore we must be wary about any claims until it forms part of more mainstream investigations.

THCV as an Appetite Suppressant

This is probably the source of most excitement when it comes to THCV, with some early indications suggesting that it has the ability to act as a suppressant of appetite, therefore offering hope for people fighting obesity or an eating disorder.

Unfortunately, the scientific evidence supporting these claims is fairly limited, but some research is underway.

Researchers investigated the potential of THCV for treating obesity through its effect on neural connectivity in a 2015 study. The results indicated that THCV has a positive impact on brain sections that are normally altered in people with obesity. The study concludes, “This effect profile indicates the potential therapeutic activity of THCv for obesity.” Moreover, because THCV is an antagonist of cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2, it is suspected that it can inhibit the effects of THC at precise doses that have been shown to stimulate the appetite.

THCV as an Anticonvulsant

THCV may be instrumental in reducing seizures and spasms, showing promise for people with Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and epilepsy. THCV was found to exert anticonvulsant effects and decreased epileptiform activity in a test performed on adult rats. “Epileptiform” refers to epilepsy-indicative brain wave behavior. Although the research is still very early, these findings suggest that THCV may be used therapeutically to reduce the symptoms of conditions of hyperexcitability.

 

THCV for Diabetes

Insulin resistance and the inability to regulate blood sugar are two of the most prevalent symptoms of Type II diabetes, and THCV animal studies have shown that blood glucose levels are reduced and insulin production is increased, making it a potential remedy for diabetes. It has shown to help ease the neuropathic pain, another painful diabetes symptom.

THCV for Weight Loss

As of 2016, an estimated 1.9 billion adults are either overweight or obese, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) stats. This is equal to 39% of the adult population globally, while 13% are overweight. Such estimates also include data from impoverished nations so in Western nations the numbers are even bleaker.

One of the major reasons for the success of THCV in this area is that it does a great job of suppressing CB1 receptors. Research shows that the optimal dosage for weight loss purposes is about 3 mg per kilogram of body weight. Research also indicates that THCV and CBD high strains work better than THCV and THC lower strains do.

THCV for Diabetes

THCV helps reduce your appetite and not only is it a great weight loss tool, but it could also possibly become a lifesaver for people with diabetes. A study published in 2013 by Wargent et al. showed that THCV exhibited some excellent potentials as a possible treatment method for diabetics suffering from an intolerance to glucose due to obesity.

THCV for Treating Inflammation

The research team found that THCV decreases swelling and pain in mice. These are two of the key inflammatory symptoms following exposure to inflammatory chemicals. Intriguingly, the team also looked at Rimonabant’s impact and found it impeded the effects of THCV, which is a visible sign that THCV activates cannabinoid receptors. After inflammatory exposure, the mice were given THCV every day for four consecutive days during the test. The scientists reported that the mice did not build up a tolerance to the compound as well as being effective in reducing inflammation.

THCV for Reducing Anxiety

Research has shown that THCV may reduce or even eliminate panic attacks, which can be a fantastic remedy for people with PTSD or other anxiety disorders. Scientists have determined that THCV has worked because it suppresses the ‘panic mode’, which occurs during our natural threat response.

If you have experience of THCV, whether as a grower or researcher, we would love to hear from you. This is an area of growing interest in medicinal cannabis and we’d be happy to share your knowledge on CBDworldnews.com

Ian Parkes

Ian has been writing for a number of high growth industries for the past decade. Having plied his trade in the craft beer industry, Ian drew parallels between that and the world of CBD and soon became fascinated. Ian enjoys writing about innovation in the industry, particularly as it relates to the development of the leading brands.

See all posts by Ian Parkes

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