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With over 100 different types of known cannabinoids the Cannabis plant is full of interesting compounds, with most of these compounds differing greatly from one another. For example, Tetrahydrocannabivarin, commonly referred to as THCV, is a very unique cannabinoid that may have some potential benefits for people that use it.

THCV is one of the lesser-known cannabinoids of the Cannabis plant, and was mostly ignored by researchers in the past as most resources were focused on researching more well known compounds such as CBD, THC, CBN, and CBG.

However, THCV is now gaining in popularity, and for good reason. Some users of THCV have noted its ability to treat a wide spectrum of ailments, while others report increased focus. But what is THCV all about and how it is different from THC?

What is THCV? 

Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) is a cannabinoid found inside the Cannabis plant and like the name suggests, it has a similar chemical structure to the THC compound. THCV is an intoxicating compound meaning that it can get you high while also offering the therapeutic effects that you would typically receive from other Cannabis-derived compounds. 

Even though THCV was discovered in 1973, there hasn’t been much research done on the compounds since the isolation process was complex and pricey. Instead, scientists primarily focused on cannabinoids like THC and CBD that are more abundantly available in the Cannabis plant. 

For many years, the general perception about THCV was that it is a non-intoxicating compound, meaning that it can’t get you high. But, upon further review, it’s quite similar to THC in its chemical structure. Researchers have found that if THCV is consumed in large quantities, it may give you a cerebral high and could make you feel lightheaded.

Is THCV the same as THC? 

THCV and THC have almost identical chemical structures, but there’s a slight difference at the end of the chain for these compounds. THC features an additional hydrocarbon chain which makes it unique and slightly different from THCV. And although the chemical structure is quite similar, the properties of both these compounds differ from each other in many areas. 

Interaction with Endocannabinoid System 

THCV and THC, both interact with the body using the CB1 and CB2 receptors of the endocannabinoid system. However, THC activates and boosts the CB1 receptor that increases appetite while THCV suppresses the CB1 receptor that also suppresses the food appetite of a person. Research on THCV revealed that a dose of somewhere between 5mg-10mg may have an effect on the appetite of a person. 

Potency 

Furthermore, THC is a highly potent compound and when consumed in its natural form, it can make you high mentally and/or physically depending on the strain and potency. THCV is quite weak in terms of potency compared to THC, and if someone using small doses of THCV daily (AKA micro-dosing) then likely to get refreshing health benefits from the compound without getting too high to be productive. 

Health Benefits of THCV 

The initial research on THCV shows promising results that it may indeed help with a wide spectrum of ailments. Fortunately, most researchers concluded that THCV is a viable option for the treatments of many ailments including pain relief, epilepsy, and more. Here are a few more health benefits of THCV that you should know about: 

Anti-inflammatory

Researchers recently concluded that THCV is an anti-inflammatory agent and it can significantly reduce inflammation across the body when used properly. Ultimately, THCV being an anti-inflammatory agent isn’t quite surprising since the majority of cannabinoids have this natural healing property. 

Bone Growth 

Previous research suggests that THCV holds unique properties that encourage bone growth inside the body. It was concluded that consumption of THCV may help with bone fractures and growth issues. 

Mood Elevation & Focus  

One of the main reasons for the spike in consumer interest in THCV are for it’s potential elevated mood and ability to focus better on specific tasks. While more research needs to be done on the mood and focus benefits of THCV, it’s a popular topic by customers in dispensaries across the USA. 

Conclusions

THCV has the potential to be the next big thing in the Cannabis industry, but there’s still a lot that is unknown aboun this unique cannabinoid compound. As more research is released along with new ways to ingest and enjoy it’s benefits, the discussion on THCV is just getting started and it won’t be long before it will be on the shelf of every dispensary. For the latest cannabinoids including THCV and other alternatives, check out Fig & Thistle’s Dispensary Menu. Check out our feature in CNBS’s Best San Francisco Dispensaries Guide. If you’re looking for similar benefits from a different cannabinoid compound, but sure to check out our article on CBN benefits and how it differs from CBD.

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