What is THCV? Effects, Benefits, Uses & More

Marijuana buds in a pink and blue set with smoke.

If you feel confused by how many new cannabinoids are being introduced into the mainstream cannabis market, you’re not alone. More and more “alternative cannabinoids,” or cannabinoids other than traditional THC, are making a name for themselves amongst the cannabinoid greats that we already know.

The days of cannabis only being a THC or CBD experience are over. With over 100 unique cannabinoids found in the cannabis and hemp plants so far, there are seemingly endless combinations of cannabinoids, cannabis products, and their desired effects.

One of the latest cannabinoids that the cannabis community has focused on is THCV. But what is THCV? Can THCV get you high? What is the difference between THC and THCV? Is THCV safe to use? We’ll answer all of those questions (and more) in our guide to everything you need to know about the THCV cannabinoid.

Want to try THCV? Our full spectrum delta 9 gummies offer THCV in addition to delta 9, CBD, CBG, CBN and CBC.

 

Key Takeaways

  • THCV is a mildly psychoactive cannabinoid found in small amounts in cannabis and hemp plants.
  • THCV produces effects of reduced appetite, calmer mood, and high-energy.
  • People who use THCV report it helps them with things like stress, pain, and blood sugar. However, there is not enough research available to back these claims.

 

What is THCV?

THCV (or tetrahydrocannabivarin) is a chemical compound found in cannabis called a cannabinoid. Since THCV is only found in the cannabis and hemp plants, it belongs to a class of cannabinoids called phytocannabinoids, which are cannabinoids found naturally in plants.

Some cannabinoids are used in a recreational manner while others are used for medicinal purposes. While research on the cannabinoid is still developing, THCV has shown positive promise in terms of being a vital cannabinoid utilized in medical marijuana and for medical marijuana patients.

 

What are Cannabinoids?

Cannabinoids are the most prevalent chemical compounds found in marijuana. The human body contains a naturally occurring system called the endocannabinoid system (or the ECS). When we smoke marijuana or eat weed-infused edibles, the cannabinoids enter our bloodstream and make their way through the endocannabinoid system ending up at our cannabinoid receptors in the nervous system and immune system. Cannabinoids then bind with these cannabinoid receptors to produce the feelings and effects we’ve come to know and expect from using cannabis.

While only a few are considered household names (like THC and CBD), there are actually over 100 different cannabinoids that have been discovered in the cannabis plant thus far. Since weed was federally prohibited in the United States for roughly 75 years, cannabis research was stunted for a long time. With the recent widespread legalization and decriminalization of marijuana across the United States, the opportunity for more resources and funding for cannabis research has been accessible.

Some of the most well-known cannabinoids include:

  • CBD (or cannabidiol) is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that’s primarily used in the health and wellness spaces of the cannabis industry. CBD is the most widely legalized cannabinoid across the United States and has been used to treat a myriad of ailments, including anxiety, mood regulation, pain, and inflammation.
  • Delta 8 THC is a mildly psychoactive cannabinoid that’s extremely close in molecular structure to delta 9 THC (or tetrahydrocannabinol). Some people like to refer to delta 8 THC as delta 9’s cannabinoid “cousin” or “sibling,” as they can be highly similar in some ways. However, they are not the same, the most significant difference being in the level of psychoactivity. In terms of strength, delta 9 THC is stronger than delta 8.
  • Delta 9 THC is the most abundant psychoactive cannabinoid found in marijuana. It’s the primary cannabinoid responsible for getting cannabis users high. So far, delta 9 THC is the most potent cannabinoid in terms of psychoactivity found thus far.
  • Delta 10 THC is another close molecular “sibling” or “cousin” of delta 9 THC, similar to delta 8 THC.
  • HHC (or hexahydrocannabidol) is a mildly psychoactive cannabinoid.

And while these are the most popular cannabinoids in the cannabis market at the moment, more cannabinoids like THCV are garnering a lot of talk and interest in the industry.

 

Can THCV Get You High?

THCV is very mildly psychoactive and is approximately a quarter as strong as traditional delta 9 THC or half as strong as delta 8 THC. This means that, for most experienced cannabis users, you’d have to consume a very large amount to actually feel high. For those who don’t frequently use cannabis or are only familiar with non-psychoactive cannabinoids like CBD, it may give a light psychoactive effect. Additionally, it’s important to note that because THCV does contain THC, it may show up on a drug test.

 

What is THCV Good For?

You may be thinking, “If THCV isn’t strong enough to get you super high, then what is it good for?” Thankfully, cannabinoids have a lot of different benefits that don’t include a strong psychoactive experience. Some people want to enjoy the other benefits and effects of cannabis without getting super stoned. That’s why CBD is as popular as it is within the health and wellness spaces. The discovery of more cannabinoids only widens the spectrum in which cannabis users can exist and becomes more inclusive of people of all skill and tolerance levels.

 

THCV Effects

It’s important to remember that the effects of THCV will vary from person to person. Because each person’s individual physiology and biochemistry are different from each other, you may experience some of these effects, all of these effects, or none of these effects. Please refer to the disclaimer below for more information.

Some potential effects of THCV may include:

  • Decreased appetite. Unlike traditional cannabinoids, THCV actually counteracts the munchies instead of causing them. This can be a great tool for cannabis users who are looking to combat binge eating disorders or obesity, but should be avoided by users who are looking to aid things like anorexia or bulimia.
  • Decreased feelings of anxiety. Similar to CBD, THCV is commonly utilized as a way to relieve stress without getting extremely high. Delta 9 THC can be too strong for some people and actually trigger feelings of anxiety instead of quelling them. Additionally, many people prefer to use cannabis as a way to combat depression, anxiety, or PTSD without using man-made pharmaceuticals that can come with a laundry list of adverse side effects.
  • Increased energy. Those who have used THCV have described the experience as energizing, uplifting, and motivating. This has made it popular among people who enjoy using cannabis in the morning or in place of caffeine.

 

Disclaimer: Delta Munchies is NOT providing any medical or legal cannabis advice. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the legality of cannabis or its potential effects of cannabis or any of its components, please reach out to a trusted medical or legal professional.

All statements made by Delta Munchies regarding delta 8, delta 9 THC, delta 10, HHC, CBN, CBG, CBD, THCV, and any/all other cannabinoids mentioned in this article have not been evaluated by the FDA. No entity at Delta Munchies is a medical professional, nor is Delta Munchies giving any medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the potential effects of cannabis, please reach out to a trusted medical professional.

Delta Munchies fully adheres to the federal legal standards of hemp cultivation and distribution in the United States. For more information, please visit our full disclaimer page.

 

THCV Benefits

It’s important to remember that the benefits of THCV will vary from person to person. Because each person’s individual physiology and biochemistry are different from each other, you may experience some of these benefits, all of these benefits, or none of these benefits. Please refer to the disclaimer below for more information.

Some potential benefits of THCV may include:

Balanced Blood Sugar Levels

According to a 2016 study done on humans and animals with diabetes, both CBD and THCV have shown promise in decreasing blood sugar levels, improving metabolism, and increasing insulin levels.

PTSD Symptom Relief

Cannabis as a whole has been found to have many neuroprotective properties, but THCV in particular has shown a lot of potential in regards to PTSD symptom relief as well as anxiety and depression symptom relief.

Help with Alzheimer’s Disease

It’s important to note that while there is still no definitive cure for Alzheimer’s Disease nor no proven way to prevent it, there has been some research conducted that shows that cannabis has potentially positive effects on patients with dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease.

Pain and Inflammation Relief

One of the primary reasons medical marijuana patients are prescribed cannabis is to relieve pain and inflammation. Cannabis (and THCV in particular) have shown incredible promise in regard to pain relief and inflammation relief.

Cancer Symptom Relief

It’s once again important to note that cannabis does not cure cancer nor has it been proven to prevent cancer. However, medical marijuana is a popular choice among cancer patients who are looking to relieve symptoms of cancer or chemotherapy, such as nausea, vomiting, pain, anxiety, and problems sleeping.

Help with Bone Injuries

While research is still ongoing, studies have shown that THCV among other cannabinoids has shown potential in helping with cell regrowth, particularly in the bones. This has made THCV a go-to cannabinoid for medical marijuana patients who are recovering from bone injuries.

 

Disclaimer: Delta Munchies is NOT providing any medical or legal cannabis advice. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the legality of cannabis or its potential effects of cannabis or any of its components, please reach out to a trusted medical or legal professional. 

All statements made by Delta Munchies regarding delta 8, delta 9 THC, delta 10, HHC, CBN, CBG, CBD, THCV, and any/all other cannabinoids mentioned in this article have not been evaluated by the FDA. No entity at Delta Munchies is a medical professional, nor is Delta Munchies giving any medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the potential effects of cannabis, please reach out to a trusted medical professional. 

Delta Munchies fully adheres to the federal legal standards of hemp cultivation and distribution in the United States. For more information, please visit our full disclaimer page.

 

What is the Difference Between THC and THCV?

THC and THCV are molecularly similar, as indicated by their extremely similar names. However, THC and THCV are actually very different cannabinoids that are often used for very different purposes. THC increases appetite, while THCV decreases appetite. THC is also significantly stronger than THCV and is typically used by seasoned stoners while THCV is predominantly utilized in the medical marijuana space.

 

What is THCV vs. Delta 8?

Delta 8 is also a form of THC (or tetrahydrocannabinol), just like delta 9 THC. This makes delta 8 much closer in molecular structure and user experience to delta 9 than to THCV. Additionally, delta 8 THC is approximately twice as psychoactive as THCV.

 

Where Can I Find THCV?

You’re more likely to find THCV in many full-spectrum cannabis products than as an isolate. Cannabinoids naturally exist together, which means extracting them together is a much easier (and less costly) process rather than isolating a single cannabinoid from the others. You’ll find that cannabinoid isolate products are much more expensive than cannabis products that feature enough cannabinoids to trigger the entourage effect.

The entourage effect is a naturally occurring phenomenon that occurs when multiple cannabinoids exist within one product. Each cannabinoid will play off the strengths of the others to create a supercharged cannabinoid experience. Cannabinoids love to work together, which is what makes full-spectrum products so potent; the more cannabinoids in the product, the stronger the entourage effect will be. And THCV is very good at encouraging the entourage effect to be as strong as possible!

 

High THCV Cannabis Strains

Some of the best cannabis strains with the most THCV include:

  • Red Congolese
  • Jack the Ripper
  • Durban Cheese
  • Skunk #1
  • Doug’s Varin
  • Pineapple Purps
  • Durban Poison
  • Power Plant
  • Willie Nelson
  • Pink Boost Goddess
  • AC/DC

While these are some of the more popular THCV-heavy strains, if you’re looking for a specific percentage of THCV, it’s essential to do your own due diligence and research brands and strains that may feature THCV at a higher level than others. When in doubt, reach out to specific companies or dispensaries for more information! Your local (or even online) budtenders should be more than happy to point you in the right direction.

 

Is THCV Safe?

Generally speaking, yes, THCV is safe. As of yet, there have been no recorded cases of severe or fatal injury or illness due to cannabis use. However, to determine if THCV (or cannabis in general) is a safe option for you, please consult a trusted healthcare professional. The only people who can determine whether cannabis will be an effective tool for you to use are you and your doctor.

 

Conclusion

While we don’t have any pure THCV products here at Delta Munchies, THCV is prominently featured in our full spectrum hemp-derived delta 9 gummies. These gummies create a smooth, elevated, and delightfully complex cannabinoid experience that will give you the best version of each cannabinoid inside.

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But don’t just take our word for it, we welcome you to become a part of the rapidly growing Delta Munchies family by trying our award-winning full-spectrum gummies today!