Move Over THC. The Future of Cannabis is THCV. Marijuana that gets you insanely high but never stoned? No munchies and it actually makes you lose weight? Cannabis as a treatment for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s? THCV is the chemical that might make all these dreams into reality. In the world of marijuana THC has long been the rock star of cannabinoids. After all, it is the one that gets you high. More recently CBD has garnered attention amongst the medical community. But there’s another player out there that deserves notice. THCV is a powerhouse of a cannabionoid that merits some serious scrutiny from both medicinal and recreational users. What are Cannabinoids? Marijuana flowers produce chemicals called cannabinoids. These mimic endocannabinoids, molecules which occur naturally in the human body. Cannabinoids bind to receptors in the spinal cord and brain, an action which creates a wide range of pleasurable and medicinal effects. What is THCV? THCV is just shorthand for tetrahydrocannabivarin. It is nearly identical to THC, the only difference being a small side-group of atoms. This tiny molecular distinction gives THCV a very unique set of characteristics. Perhaps the most immediately obvious trait of this cannabinoid is the quality of the high it delivers. THCV is highly psychoactive. It makes you feel a euphoric, soaring high that is markedly clear-headed. It can be strong to the point of being psychedelic, but remains highly functional and creative. THCV in Medicinal Marijuana In addition to providing a powerful cerebral hit, THCV holds great promise for the medical community. Here are a few of THCV’s potential uses medicinally: Anti-Obesity A University of Buckingham study found that THCV might be the answer to the problem of obesity related to Type II diabetes. While THCV does not slow weight gain or food intake, it does increase energy expenditure and, most importantly, reduce glucose intolerance, which is exactly what Type II diabetes patients suffer. Previously synthetic drugs have been made which have a similar action to THCV, but their use has been discontinued due to a host of nasty side effects. Smoking strains high in THCV is a natural way to encourage weight loss and combat glucose intolerance without unpleasant health consequences. Ameliorate and Slow Parkinson’s Symptoms THCV has strong anti-oxidant properties. This coupled with its unique relationship to the body’s cannabinoid receptors make it specially designed to ease Parkinson’s tremors. A study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology found that it is highly promising in the treatment of Parkinson’s. It not only reduces tremors associated with Parkinson’s, but seems able to slow the actual progression of disease. Treatment for Neurologic Diseases, Addiction and More Unlike other cannabinoids such as CBD, THCV is what is known as a CB1 independent drug. As described by Raffa et al. in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, that means that it doesn’t need to interact with the body’s main cannabinoid receptor to have a pharmacological effect. In the book Marijuana and Madness from the Cambridge University Press, Castle et al. state that THCV’s unique mechanism of action in the body make it a promising drug for the treatment of neurological disorders like schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s Disease, drug and alcohol addiction, bone disorders and epilepsy. Which Strains Have THCV? THCV is present in nearly all common marijuana strains to some extent, though it is especially high in South African Sativas. A study published in the American Journal of Botany found that THCV is found in C. Indica (in this case that refers to cannabis that is used recreationally or medicinally) and not in C. Sativa (hemp). The strains with the highest levels of THC came from Southern Africa, Nepal, India and Eastern Asia. Our two favorite strains with high levels of THCV are Pineapple Purps and Durban Poison: Pineapple Purps While breeders claim that Pineapple Purps has a ratio of THC to THCV of 3:1, Donald P. Land, Ph.D., President/Chief Scientist at Halent (a Bay Area cannabis testing lab), says the THCV levels are even higher, at a ratio of 2:1. That makes this the single strain with the highest levels of THCV out there. Expect soaring, euphoric highs and some serious psychedelic experiences. Durban Poison Durban Poison is the South African landrace Sativa from which many of today’s high THCV Sativa strains originate. It features a clear, functional and powerfully euphoric high, a trait which has placed it amongst the best-selling strains available for many years. This is a variable strain offered by several seedbanks. Flowering can finish in as quickly as nine weeks or linger for nearly 15. But all the seeds on offer promise the mind-blowing high and sweet anise flavor of the original Durban Poison. Why not get into THCV? With a powerful, clear-headed high and promising medicinal effects THCV is poised to become the next big newsmaker in the cannabis world. Scientists are interested in its unique chemical action, and smokers will begin seeking it out for its unbeatable mental effects. Keep an eye out for THCV in the news, and ask your local dispensary for a strain that’s full of your new favorite cannabinoid.
