From the outside, it may appear that the cannabis industry has a penchant for coining new acronyms. There’s CBD, THC, CBN, 8-THC, Bulk CBG Isolate, and now there’s what appears to be a new acronym, THCV (often referred to as the diet weed), which is gaining media attention.
It raises questions that must be answered: What is THCV? Is THCV legal to use? Should you succumb to the hype and try those THCV cartridges and THCV gummies you see advertised? If so, where do you get authentic THCV products?
But, before you go any further, you should know that, like other cannabis products, THCV cannabis products have distinct THCV effects that set them apart. And, no, it isn’t just about suppressing appetite, as most of the hype suggests.
So, let’s take a look at this “new” cannabinoid on the market and see what it has to offer.
What exactly is THCV?
Is it some concoction concocted by cannabis growers to boost sales, as some conspiracy theorists claim? Nope. Is it some miraculous cannabis formula that guarantees you’ll lose weight, as some marketing claims? No, it does not.
Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) is a cannabinoid with a chemical structure similar to THC. But, unlike THC, it has a propyl (–C3) side chain rather than a pentyl (–C5) side chain. This is the single most distinguishable structural difference between THC and THCV.
As a result, the scientific community referred to it as THC’s younger brother, with similar but slightly less potent effects.
THCV is found in small amounts alongside THC in the majority of cannabis strains. Most cannabis strains contain insufficient tetrahydrocannabivarin to allow for commercial extraction.
Some THCV-rich cannabis strains, on the other hand, contain up to 16% of the plant’s dry weight. Tetrahydrocannabivarin cannabis strains (What a mouthful!) are mostly found in Africa, with a few exceptions in India, Thailand, Nepal, and Afghanistan.
THCV Cannabis: The Meeting of History, Research, and Popularity
Contrary to popular belief, THCV Isolate Wholesale is not a newly discovered cannabinoid. The compound was discovered in early 1973, just nine years after the discovery and isolation of 9-THC, also known as THC. Several studies have been conducted since then to investigate the effects and pharmacological applications of this cannabinoid.
You might be wondering why it wasn’t as popular as CBD and THC if it was discovered in the early 1970s. The problem is that, while we can describe THCV cannabis as relatively abundant in some pure sativa strains rich in tetrahydrocannabivarin, growing these strains and isolating THCV can be a difficult process.
What has altered?
The buzz has a lot to do with consumer anecdotes and the findings of THCV research over the years and more recently. These factors, when combined, resulted in a gradual increase in market demand. The rise in market demand prompted more research and a greater willingness on the part of cannabis growers to venture into the unknown.
Its unique properties as an appetite suppressant and a conditionally psychoactive substance contribute significantly to its popularity. A study evaluating the cannabinoid’s therapeutic benefit in the management of diabetes and obesity found that THCV cannabis can help suppress appetite and boost feelings of satisfaction.
The appetite suppressant effect differs greatly from that of THC, which increases appetite while decreasing satiety. As a result, consumers and growers began to refer to tetrahydrocannabivarin as the diet weed.
At a time when staying fit is popular across borders, it’s easy to see why patients are turning to THCV to manage their symptoms while allegedly reaping the additional benefit of staying fit.
The Effects of THCV
What are the consequences of THCV? Is THCV psychoactive?
Tetrahydrocannabivarin, like other cannabinoids, has a wide range of pharmacological and therapeutic effects. It’s important to know what to expect before trying a THCV cartridge, THCV tincture, THCV isolate, or THCV Isolate Wholesale gummies. Let’s look at the effects of this unusual compound.
Diabetes and Weight Loss
Diet weed’s appetite suppressing properties make it an excellent choice for weight loss patients who prefer to avoid the munchies during their weight loss journey.
According to a 2020 publication in the Journal of Cannabis Research, tetrahydrocannabivarin, unlike THC, acts antagonistically at cannabinoid receptors, resulting in a decrease in glucose and lipid intake. It also has appetite suppressant properties, creates a feeling of fullness, and raises metabolic levels.
Previously, researchers conducted some THCV Isolate Wholesale cannabis studies on mice to determine the substance’s weight loss on obesity. Given the effects of THCV on insulin-resistant myotubes and hepatocytes, the researchers concluded that the cannabinoid could be used to treat obesity-related glucose intolerance.
Overall, researchers believe that, while more research is needed, the indications are verifiable that tetrahydrocannabivarin is beneficial for weight loss and diabetes.
Psychoactivity
When an enthusiast asks, “What is THCV?” the psychoactivity question frequently follows. That is entirely correct. Unfortunately, the answer is not always clear with this cannabinoid because patient anecdotes tend to differ from research conclusions.
According to a 2020 publication in the Journal of Cannabis Research, the main advantage of THCV over THC is the lack of psychoactive effects. They attributed the lack of psychoactive effects to the fact that tetrahydrocannabivarin blocks cannabinoid receptors, specifically the CB1 receptors.
The CB1 receptors are the receptors with which THC interacts to produce a high feeling. Because THCV is antagonistic to these receptors, it is unable to influence patient psychoactivity. In some clinical trials, researchers gave tetrahydrocannabivarin to patients before giving THC, and THCV Isolate Wholesale inhibited THC’s short-term memory, paranoia, and psychotic effects.
On the one hand, researchers observed that at higher doses, THCV could become an agonistic substance, similar to THC, and induce highness. Patients, on the other hand, report that the compound makes them feel energetically high even at low doses as low as 0.1g, but the high does not last long. As a result, some people refer to it as the cannabis sports car—hyper and fast.
Is THCV therefore psychoactive? Given the two scenarios and the fact that everyone’s reaction to cannabis differs, it’s safer to conclude that tetrahydrocannabivarin is psychoactive. So, proceed with caution when using cannabis products.
Other THCV Side Effects
Anxiolytic effects: Researchers believe that THCV could be a useful treatment for anxiety patients because it reduces anxiety and paranoia in trial participants who received THC intravenous doses afterwards.
Anti-inflammatory effects: A mouse study suggests that THCV Isolate Wholesale could be used to treat inflammation. Patients also report that their pain is significantly reduced after taking their THCV doses.
There is evidence that the cannabinoid aids in the treatment of PTSD, acne, seizures, and psychosis. However, research is still being conducted in order to produce more concrete results.
Is THCV safe to use?
Diet weed is generally regarded as a safe substance to consume. So far, researchers have not found any THCV Isolate Wholesale effect that makes it dangerous for patients or recreational users.
Regardless, you should be aware that people react differently to cannabis products. It is critical that you comprehend what a low dose of this cannabinoid entails for your body. While some patients consider 0.1g to be a small or insignificant amount, others become very high on the same dose very quickly. If you have a low tolerance for THC, a THCV dose greater than 0.1g is not for you.
Furthermore, the appetite-suppressing effects of THCV Isolate Wholesale may put you at risk of developing an eating disorder. If you have a history of eating disorders, diet weed may not be for you.
Is it permissible?
Answering this question requires some technicality.
The 2018 Farm Bill permits the cultivation and sale of industrial hemp and its derivatives. Industrial hemp is cannabis that contains less than 0.3 percent THC. Industrial hemp is typically used to extract certified THCV products from certified growers. As a result, tetrahydrocannabinol derived from industrial hemp is technically legal under federal law.
However, THCV cannabis products containing THCV extracts from marijuana — marijuana containing more than 0.3 percent THC — are illegal.
Furthermore, your location is important. If recreational and medical marijuana are illegal in your state, owning a THCV Isolate Wholesale product will land you in hot water. Possessing a THCV product without a medical marijuana card in a state where only medical marijuana is legal will also land you in hot water. To be safe in legal states, always make sure you have a medical marijuana card before purchasing or possessing a product containing this cannabinoid.
As you can see, the answer to the question “is THCV legal?” is multilayered, with various outcomes. To confirm the legality of tetrahydrocannabivarin in your area, please contact Elevate Holistics or your local dispensary.
Where Can I Purchase Tetrahydrocannabivarin?
If you’re one of the many cannabis enthusiasts who discovered tetrahydrocannabivarin through the Vice documentary The Kings of Cannabis, you might be disappointed to learn that it’s not widely available in your local dispensary.
Because THCV and THCV products are growing market trends, there are very few outlets that sell them, most of which are online. If you’re wondering where to buy THCV, CannaAid Shop is one of the few places where you can get THCV cannabis products like cartridges, gummies, tincture, and isolates.
Keep in mind that THCV cartridges and THCV Isolate Wholesale isolates may be easier to find than THCV gummies and tinctures.
Alternatively, look for African landrace sativas (e.g., Durban Poison) or hybrid strains with an African influence—ask your budtender to recommend such strains in your area. You can try your luck with strains from India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, or Thailand.
To look for tetrahydrocannabivarin-rich strains, look for:
- Purps of Pineapple
- Doug’s Variation
- Malawi
- Congolese red
- Durban Cheddar
Elevate and THCV: A Better Understanding of Diet Weed
As the public’s interest in THCV Isolate Wholesale grows, researchers are delving deeper into the cannabinoid’s properties.
However, the question of “is THCV legal?” is one that can be crudely related to the “to be or not to be” quandary. The answers contain some degree of uncertainty. Having a medical marijuana card, on the other hand, eliminates most of those uncertainties and puts you on the right side of the law.
At Elevate Holistics, we specialize in making it simple for people like you to obtain your MMJ cards. You complete the entire process online, from the comfort of your own home. One of our incredible medical cannabis doctors will meet with you (virtually, of course) to help you decide whether MMJ is right for you. If it is, they will provide you with the necessary medical recommendation for your state medical marijuana card. It truly is that quick and simple. That is our intention.
