THCV Benefits: What Is THCV and How Does It Work?

There are over one hundred cannabinoid products that have been uncovered; however, there is a lot that is still unknown. One of these compounds is THCV, found in the cannabis plant. This article talks about THCV, what it is, and its benefits.

CBD has been the most popular cannabinoid from the cannabis plant; however, the time of CBD being the only thing about cannabis is over as more compounds are coming up. More than one hundred cannabis compounds have been found in the cannabis plant, and much more research is being done thanks to modern technology. THCV is one of the compounds recently found to be part of the cannabis plant. This article looks at this product carefully and provides basic information about it.

What is THCV?

THCV (tetrahydrocannabivarin) is a compound found in the cannabis plant and has unique effects when consumed. THCV has some structural elements that make it unique, although it is normally thought to be very similar to THC; Balíková et al. (2014)  found that many people have been suggesting that THCV might have therapeutic benefits that might help the users to focus. Although you can find this compound in the cannabis plant, it exists in a small percentage, making it very difficult to extract this compound.

Most of the THCV that companies produce might be derived from CBD derived from hemp and not from cannabis directly. However, several cannabis varieties contain higher levels of THCV; these varieties might include the pink boost goddess and the Durban poison. Researchers and hemp stakeholders are, however, looking for a way to utilize hybrids of the cannabis plant to utilize the production of THCV.

What Does Taking THCV Feel Like?

THCV has many similarities with THC; some of the users of THC-V have reported feeling euphoria, energy, and uplifting when they take it. Users also report experiencing a sense of clear-headedness, focus, and a boost in their creativity and motivation when taking THC-V. According to Swift et al. (2013), this might be because of the ability of THC-V to interact with the endocannabinoid system just like THC does to affect you in many ways. However, because THCV doesn't bind with the CB1 receptor cells as THC does, the effect of THCV might last a little shorter than that of THC.

THC-V doesn't affect your headspace; you can think, act and operate normally, but you might experience the feeling of being more alert; although some report feeling more perceptual differences such as a slower/ faster perception of time, colors may appear more vivid. Sounds or music may feel a little different than what you are used to. But besides just these feelings, THCV affects the body differently and might benefit users.

Benefits of Using THCV

The cannabis plant has been used by men for a long time for various health benefits, including helping with insomnia. With the rise in demand for cannabis products, more and more people are opting to use Cannabis products, which might also include THCV. Researchers are investigating the effects of THCV and how it might just help improve health. One of these health benefits includes helping mental benefits, which might help those with mental health benefits. THCV has shown properties to help those with anxiety caused by a traumatic event or obsessive-compulsive disorder. It makes sense that THCV can affect your mood because it has shown evidence of interacting with the endocannabinoid system that normally affects your mood.

The effects of THCV don't just end there; it is thought the endocannabinoid system is responsible for your body's sleep and wake cycle. Therefore, many researchers claim THCV to have properties that might help those with sleeping problems and insomnia get good quality sleep. Although THCV has some similarities with THC, it seems it might just have the properties of combating psychotic effects. Jadoon et al. (2016) linked THCV to having antipsychotic effects to help improve social behavior, cognitive performance, and even those with schizophrenia.

THCV has also been linked to affecting the way the body responds to inflammation; this is thought to be because of the anti-oxidative properties of THCV for those that have experienced injuries or some diseases that might cause chronic inflammation, such as Crohn's disease. Some of the studies that have been done have also linked THCV to having neuroprotective abilities; Espadas et al. (2020) showed that THCV might be able to help those with seizures and tremors, although further human research is required on this matter. Another benefit of using THCV products might be to help balance sugar levels; this is because of the ability of THCV to influence your insulin sugar levels, especially in those with type 2 diabetes. Abioye et al. (2020) revealed that it could help those with obesity by suppressing their appetite. This is because the ECS (Endocannabinoid system) controls the appetite of a person, and THCV might have the potential to help those with an eating problem.

Are THCV Products Available?

You have heard the different benefits of THCV, and you have decided to try out THCV for yourself, but it might be like trouble for you to look for THCV products. However, the market of cannabis products never seems to stop expanding, with many companies joining the industry more recently. You can find cannabis products easily, and thanks to modern technology, you can easily purchase cannabis compounds online.

However, if this is your first time purchasing cannabis products, you might want to take a few takeaway notes to help you search for the perfect product. When shopping for THCV products, you can easily check for the test results to see what contents are in the product. This will go a long way to help you get a picture of what to expect in the products and if the product has what percentage of THCV and other compounds that might be of value to you.

Conclusion

The cannabis industry has been growing in recent years as more and more people opt to use its products for various health benefits. THCV is one of the compounds with many benefits that might help you deal with some of the medical issues you are facing. However, before you jump into using THCV products, there are some points to take down; it might be better to seek advice from your health advisor and check on the legality of THCV in your area. You can join the large group of CBD enthusiasts around the globe and try out Cannabis products.

References

Abioye, A., Ayodele, O., Marinkovic, A., Patidar, R., Akinwekomi, A., & Sanyaolu, A. (2020). Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV): A Commentary On Potential Therapeutic Benefit For The Management Of Obesity And Diabetes. Journal Of Cannabis Research, 2(1), 1-6.

Balíková, M., Hložek, T., Páleníček, T., Tylš, F., Viktorinová, M., Melicher, T., ... & Horáček, J. (2014). Časový Profil Hladin THC V Krevním Séru U Rekreačních A Chronických Kuřáků Marihuany Po Akutním Užití Drogy–Implikace Pro Řízení Motorových Vozidel. Soud Lek, 59(1), 2-6.

Espadas, I., Keifman, E., Palomo-Garo, C., Burgaz, S., García, C., Fernández-Ruiz, J., & Moratalla, R. (2020). Beneficial Effects Of The Phytocannabinoid Δ9-THCV In L-DOPA-Induced Dyskinesia In Parkinson's Disease. Neurobiology Of Disease, 141, 104892.

Jadoon, K. A., Ratcliffe, S. H., Barrett, D. A., Thomas, E. L., Stott, C., Bell, J. D., ... & Tan, G. D. (2016). Cannabidiol (CBD) And D9-Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) Are Nonpsychoactive Phytocannabinoids Affecting Lipid And Glucose Metabolism In Animal Models. This Study Set Out To Examine The Effects Of These Compounds In Patients With Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes Care, 39, 1-10.

Swift, W., Wong, A., Li, K. M., Arnold, J. C., & Mcgregor, I. S. (2013). Analysis Of Cannabis Seizures In NSW, Australia: Cannabis Potency And Cannabinoid Profile. Plos One, 8(7), E70052.