CBD is big, but will THCV become the biggest cannabinoid hit of all time?

THCV, the most fascinating member of the cannabinoid family?

Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) is a cannabinoid that has received a great deal of attention from many researchers and cannabis enthusiasts. This rare cannabinoid compound is found in minute amounts in some unique cannabis strains. Nevertheless, it has attractive properties, especially from a medical point of view.

Although THCV is considered a very close cousin of THC, it offers a different experience. THCV is known to stimulate psychoactive effects in higher doses, but in small amounts users experience clear effects from consuming cannabinoids.

Until recently, only wild-type and specific landrace strains contained low levels of THCV. But with the advent of modern hybrids, higher amounts and concentrations of THCV can be extracted. THCV from hybrid strains is also known to stimulate more desirable effects.

This guide explores everything you need to know about the rare THCV and highlights specific strains with relatively high levels of the cannabinoid. Let’s start!

Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV)

THCV is quite similar to THC, sharing the same molecular structure and broadly similar effects. But THCV has a distinct biochemical property that evokes various reactions in the body.

As it turns out, these reactions have many clinical and medical benefits to our overall health. However, research is still ongoing to authenticate its potential uses. This means that THCV could one day be an important component in new treatments for various types of diseases.

The origins of THCV

The sources of THCV are no different than those of the main cannabinoids, although other compounds are involved. THCV begins its journey as one of the two precursors to cannabinoids, cannabigerovaric acid (CBGV-A).

The other precursor is CBGA, a precursor to CBD, CBC, and THC. Similar to how CBGA is broken down, CBGV-A is broken down to THCV-A (tetrahydrocannabivarinic acid) through an enzymatic reaction. THCV-A is further broken down into THCV through a decarboxylation process.

Differences between THC and THCV

On a chemical level, the main feature that differentiates THCV from THC is a 3-carbon group instead of a 5-carbon group in its molecular structure. In terms of psychoactive effects, THCV can be as potent as THC, inducing a more intense and psychedelic high, albeit for a short time.

Both THCV and THC are active at the CB1 and CB2 receptors of the endocannabinoid system. However, unlike THC at low doses, THCV acts as a CB1 receptor antagonist. This implies that minute amounts of THCV can negatively affect the psychotropic effects of THC.

Low doses of THCV also counteract the side effects of THC, such as paranoia, anxiety, excessive appetite and increased heart rate. At higher doses, THCV acts like THC, serving as a CB1 receptor agonist, thus stimulating psychoactive effects in users.

However, while THC offers an intense high and psychedelic effect in high doses, the effects wear off quickly and quickly compared to THC. As a result, THCV-rich cannabis strains are considered to be cannabinoids that induce an explosive intensity but a brief high without appreciable sedative effects.

Possible benefits of THCV

As things stand, laboratory tests and results have shown that THCV has great medicinal potential, but these tests are not proof of precise clinical applications. Nonetheless, the potential health benefits of THCV have been identified as an appetite suppressant, treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder, treatment of stress and anxiety, and depression.

Further studies combined with user testimonials need to be conducted to confirm these potential benefits.

legality around THCV; Does it show up on drug tests?

No details have been established regarding the legality of THCV. Most countries are still silent about the cannabinoid as the International Convention on Psychotropic Substances does not provide for it. However, since it has a similar molecular structure to THC, it could be considered equivalent. So if you are in a country with low weed tolerance, you could be prosecuted for possession of THCV.

Currently, no specific drug testing for THCV has been established, and whether THCV will reflect a drug test remains unclear. But relying on the science doesn’t make THCV, which is only present in minute amounts, a valuable indicator of cannabis use. In the meantime, there’s also a possibility that a drug test might mistake THCV for THC, but we still can’t be sure.

THCV percentage in the cannabis plant

As previously mentioned, THCV is a rare cannabinoid, with most common strains containing less than 1% THCV. This makes extracting THCV in bulk expensive. However, higher levels of THCV have been detected in progeny strains of pure sativa landraces from Nepal and Africa.

Growing cannabis strains with higher THCV and lower THC percentages is the new challenge that many growers are trying to solve. However, there are already some high THCV and THC strains on the market. If you want to choose a high-THCV strain, pure sativa genetics are your best bet. But remember that the cannabinoid percentage varies from one harvest to the next. Also note that you need a grow facility that stimulates tropical climates for a better THCV yield.

Cannabis strains like Jack the Ripper, Doug’s Varin, and Durban Poison have the highest THCV percentages. Strains native to Africa such as Royal Cookies (a descendant of Durban Poison) and Power Flower (a descendant of Jack the Ripper) also have significant levels of THCV. A direct interpretation is that there are no pure THCV extracts or THCV isolates available on the market.

Conclusion

Interest in THCV continues to grow, but studies on its effects have been slow and difficult due to its scarcity and the outdated laws that govern cannabis. THCV shows potential for medicinal uses, but more research is needed to determine these medicinal benefits. THCV by itself can also serve as a recreational substance, offering an intense but short-lived high.

Will THCV become as popular as CBD and THC in the near future? It’s too early to tell, but the future holds a lot for all cannabis consumers.

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