Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) has been making waves in the cannabis/hemp industry in recent years. This cannabinoid was first discovered in 1971 yet remains relatively rare in comparison to other cannabinoids on the market (Earlenbaugh, 2021).
Chemistry of THCV
THCV is similar to the cannabinoid we all know and love, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), but offers a more alert and focused high than the hazy-minded euphoric effects of the latter. Structurally, THCV is very similar to THC with a three-carbon chain (propyl) rather than five (pentyl), giving it the molecular formula of C19H26O2 (National Center, 2024). Like THC, THCV transitions from THCVA, its acidic precursor, upon decarboxylation; high heat causes the structure to drop the carboxyl group, leaving THCV behind (Earlenbaugh, 2021). While most forms of cannabis cause the well-known “munchies”, THCV has shown the opposite effect and suppresses appetite instead by “decreasing connectivity between the amygdala and the appetite and reward centers of the brain” (Earlenbaugh, 2024).
Potential Benefits
THCV has been showing lots of promise in treating metabolic disorders; in-vitro studies have shown THCV has anti-inflammatory benefits, including efficacy in reducing inflammation related to higher body fat levels and the ability to increase the metabolism of fatty lipids. In animal studies, THCV reduced glucose intolerance and insulin sensitivity (Earlenbaugh, 2024). GW Pharmaceuticals, the company that produced Epidiolex, an FDA-approved medicine derived from cannabis, is currently working on clinical trials for THCV-based medicine for type 2 diabetes (Earlenbaugh, 2021). In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study THCV and CBD were tested on type-2 diabetic patients and found significantly decreased blood sugar levels in comparison to the placebo (Earlenbaugh, 2024).
Metabolic disorders are not the only health issues that THCV can help; this cannabinoid has been identified as one of the potential antiepileptic and anti-convulsant cannabinoids found within cannabis (National Center, 2024). In an in-vitro and in-vivo study performed, THCV was found to exert “antiepileptiform and anti-convulsant properties, actions that are consistent with a CB1 receptor-mediated mechanism” and significantly reduced seizure incidences (Hill et al., 2010).
Conclusion
Science has come a long way since discovering cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system but it still has much further to go. Rising cannabinoids highlighted in this blog recently like CBN and THCV are making a splash within the cannabis industry; still, testing and trials must continue better to understand the benefits and effects of these new cannabinoids. Hopefully, the upcoming rescheduling of cannabis will open more avenues for more funded scientific research on the plant. Either way, THCV has certainly made a name for itself in the industry.
Sources:
Earlenbaugh, E. (2024, May 15). New study finds weight loss with THCV and CBD. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilyearlenbaugh/2024/05/15/new-study-finds-weight-loss-with-thcv–cbd/
Earlenbaugh, E. (2021, February 11). What is THCV and why is everyone talking about it? The Cannigma. https://cannigma.com/plant/what-is-thcv-and-why-is-everyone-talking-about-it/
Hill, A. J., Weston, S. E., Jones, N. A., Smith, I., Bevan, S. A., Williamson, E. M., Stephens, G. J., Williams, C. M., & Whalley, B. J. (2010). ??-Tetrahydrocannabivarin suppresses in vitro epileptiform and in vivo seizure activity in adult rats. Epilepsia, 51(8), 1522–1532. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1528-1167.2010.02523.x
National Center for Biotechnology Information (2024). PubChem Compound Summary for CID 93147, Tetrahydrocannabivarin. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved July 15, 2024 from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Tetrahydrocannabivarin.
