Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2023-01-13 Origin: Site
THCV is a cannabinoid, a rare element that is only present in some cannabis strains of the plant, but in very small amounts. With its own nutritional value and rare ingredients, it has certain research and use significance in medicine.
THCV and THC have similar molecular structures and, to some extent, similar effects. However, THCV has unique biochemical properties that interact differently with the human body. It turns out that these interactions may confer some clinical benefits. While research into potential uses is still ongoing, this cannabinoid could become a key part of new treatments for a variety of health problems.
The origin of THCV appears to be similar to that of the major cannabinoids, but different elements are involved. THCV begins with cannabigerovarin acid (CBGV-A), one of two precursor cannabinoids. The other, of course, is CBGA cannabigerol, which is a precursor to THC, CBD, and CBC. Just as CBGA is broken down, CBGV-A is converted to THCV-A (tetrahydrocannabinol acid) by the action of an enzyme. THCV-A is then converted to THCV through a process called decarboxylation.
Chemically, the main difference between THCV and THC is the presence of a 3-carbon group instead of a 5-carbon group in its molecular structure. Both THC and THCV are active on the CB1 and CB2 receptors of the endocannabinoid system. However, at low doses, THCV acts as an antagonist of CB1 receptors rather than an agonist like THC. This means that small doses of THCV may reduce the psychoactive effects of THC. Low doses can also counteract THC's negative side effects such as anxiety, paranoia, increased heart rate, and even hunger. However, at higher doses, THCV acts as an agonist at the CB1 receptor (like THC), and is therefore inherently psychoactive.
Research on THCV is more limited than other cannabinoids. Like many other members of this chemical family, THCV binds to receptors located in various organs and systems, such as the brain and the immune system. This interaction in turn may have some beneficial effects on our bodies.
For example, research published in the International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology suggests that it may act as an appetite suppressant, potentially modulating reward and aversion mechanisms in the brain that are linked to obesity and eating disorders.
In a double-blind study of healthy volunteers, the researchers measured their neural responses to rewarding and aversive food-related stimuli using magnetic resonance imaging and the volunteers' subjective ratings. Low doses of THCV (which in turn acted as a CB1 antagonist) were able to increase their neural responses to aversive stimuli while attenuating their responses to food rewards. These results, while requiring further research, suggest a possible therapeutic application of THCV for obesity.
In addition, THCV may contribute to mechanisms that regulate blood sugar levels, and a study in patients with diabetes showed that THCV significantly reduced fasting plasma glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes and also improved pancreatic function. And a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 62 diabetic patients used varying ratios of THCV and CBD to assess changes in cholesterol concentrations, insulin sensitivity, liver triglyceride levels and other key health markers. As detailed in the study, THCV improved function across the board, leaving HDL (a1 lipoprotein) unchanged in plasma. While these findings again need to be supported by future research, these findings suggest that THCV may eventually become a new glycemic control agent for type 2 diabetes.
Finally, the effects of THCV on psychosis were studied in vivo in rats and in vitro in rat and human cell cultures. It was found to reduce stereotypic behavior in rats, reduce the amount of time rats were immobile in the forced swim test, and normalize hyperactivity, social behavior, and cognitive performance in rats. It has also been shown in vitro to enhance 5-HT₁A receptor activation, thereby partially inhibiting the effects of neurodegenerative artificial agents.
This research needs to be further confirmed by more laboratory studies and possibly clinical tests on patients. However, these positive results already suggest that THCV may have the ability to ameliorate and reduce the devastating cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia in humans. Potential Benefits of THCV The main potential of THCV lies in suppressing appetite and reducing anxiety, depression or PTSD. Where to Find THCV Currently, most common strains contain less than 1% THCV, making it expensive to extract large quantities of this cannabinoid. Higher THCV contents were found in descendant lines of pure sativa Iandraces from Africa and Nepal.
Breeding cannabis strains that are high in THCV and low in THC is one of the new challenges facing cannabis breeders, and there are now strains that are specifically bred to contain high THCV and THC content. When looking to pick THCV strains, you can look for pure sativa genetics, but keep in mind that cannabinoid content will vary from harvest to harvest.
In turn, note that planting settings that simulate tropical climates have a greater chance of producing more THCV. Strains like Durban Poison, Jack the Ripper, and the rare Doug's Varin all have some of the highest amounts of THCV. African sativa like Power Flower (offspring of Jack the Ripper like Mother Gorilla), or offspring of Durban Poison (like Royal Cookies) also produce large amounts of THCV.
However, only Doug’s Varin was bred specifically for THCV. Therefore, there are currently noes THCV isolates, or pure THCV extracts, on the market. THCV clearly shows potential for medical use, and while, like other cannabinoids, more research is needed, we are looking forward to the future.
