Where Can I Find THCV?

Where Can I Find THCV?
At present, people turn to cannabinoids as a source of calm, energy, and even help with pain management. Cannabinoids are the compounds found within the cannabis plant, or cannabis sativa, which interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system. This system is a source of transmission for the body, which signals to cells things that affect mood, appetite, and energy. As such, different cannabinoids interact and promote different effects within the body. Some of the most popular cannabinoids, such as THC and CBD, are well known for their attributes. For example, THC is the cannabinoid that produces the ‘high’ feeling within the body. CBD, on the other hand, derives from the hemp plant, which has fewer concentrates of THC and therefore lacks psychoactive properties. This provides the benefits of calm and focus without the ‘high.’

Knowing the differences between different cannabinoids can be critical to understanding which may best serve you, and how you may find them within products. A much lesser-known cannabinoid is THCV. Although there is not as much research at present on this particular cannabinoid, here we will provide a comprehensive overview of THCV and where you can find it today.

What is THCV?

THCV, or delta-9 tetrahydrocannabivarin, is a minor cannabinoid found within the cannabis plant. Although similar sounding to THC, it is more like CBD or CBN, as it mainly interacts with the body without providing the full euphoric effect. As one of the lesser-known cannabinoids, THCV is known to work in conjunction with other cannabinoids such as THC. THCV has potential benefits such as energy increase and appetite control, which when used in conjunction with THC can also lessen the psychoactive effects.

How does it work?

Like other cannabinoids, THCV works by binding to the endocannabinoid receptors in the body. When taken in high doses, it can work as a CB1 receptor agonist, which contributes to the energetic and ‘high’ feeling you find with THC. However, at lower doses it prevents THC from the CB1 receptor, therefore interfering with the psychoactive effects. As it is difficult to isolate on its own, it is often found with other cannabinoids, contributing to the effects of the greater known compounds such as THC.

How is it used?

At present, there are few products with THCV as the primary endocannabinoid. Instead, THCV can be found primarily with THC. Studies have shown possible benefits of utilizing the two together. THCV may interact with THC to curtail the psychoactive effects, and instead, increase energy in the body. It is known that it does increase energy levels, so it should be utilized at points of the day when you want to be alert, rather than at nighttime.



What are the benefits?

The potential benefits of THC-V include appetite regulation and energy-boosting. In a 2013 study, researchers utilized THC-V on mice, and found that when given in small doses, the brain reacted by increasing energy within the subject. THCV reacted with the CB1 receptors within the cannabinoid system, which promoted an immediate increase in energy.

Along with this, THCV is currently being studied for its ability to manage appetite and regulate insulin levels within the body. When taken in higher doses, THCV has the potential to increase insulin sensitivity, contributing to the feeling of ‘fullness’ we get after eating. This can be a potentially beneficial endocannabinoid for those experiencing chronic illnesses such as type 2 diabetes, as it may help regulate the body’s insulin levels.

Furthermore, THCV is often taken in conjunction with THC. When taken together, there is a possibility that it lessens the ‘high’ effect of THC, while also providing an increase of energy. This suggests interesting possibilities for further research on how THCV can be utilized for medicinal purposes when working in conjunction with other cannabinoids.

Bottom Line:

THCV is one of the lesser-known cannabinoids within the cannabis plant, yet it still boasts positive properties which make it exciting for medical research. Although it is not as well researched now, such as other cannabinoids, it has the potential to help manage chronic conditions. As it is not a psychoactive cannabinoid, it also is a solid candidate for medicinal properties. Through its positive interactions with other cannabinoids, it may best serve as an aid to how different compounds work within the body.

Although THCV is not as well researched, other cannabinoid strains are already utilized in human consumption for energy-boosting purposes. For example, VRB’s Focus + Calm Blend utilizes a blend of isolated CBD and MCT oil, which provides clean energy to keep you alert when you need it most. When looking for ways to regulate bodily functions and manage chronic pain, cannabinoids are an excellent source of support.

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