THCV has been all the rage recently, noted in headlines as an appetite suppressant, “diet weed,” the munchie killer. The truth is that THCV is so much more than that. We know the power of the V and want to share the knowledge with the world! You can find THCV in many forms at ASC, tablets, mints, tea, vapes, and now Garden Society‘s new Reserve THCV preroll ten packs, which, luckily for you, are 10% off starting tomorrow, January 10th!

What is THC-V?

THCV is one of over a hundred cannabinoids in the cannabis plant; chemically, it’s only slightly different from THC (as pictured below). Still, it’s recently been in the headlines because of research done between 1976-2012 that has resurfaced, demonstrating its possibility for reducing cravings that are generally associated with a cannabis high. You may have seen it mentioned in articles entitled “Diet Weed” and the like. As monumental as this potential benefit is, it’s not the only positive vibe THCV puts out in the world. In this blog, we’ll dive into the other, possibly more exhilarating, benefits of this emergent cannabinoid and why we’re sure it’s your new coffee companion (or replacement!)

While THC is responsible for the most sought-after “high” associated with cannabis, not everyone loves the resulting side effects like increased appetite, drowsiness, or sluggishness; we get it. THCV is here to save the day! Studies have shown that it binds to the same receptors in your brain as THC, essentially acting as a blocker, so many people feel smaller amounts of the less-desirable effects when they take it in smaller doses. Studies have shown that THCV improves the body’s metabolism and how it processes sugars. It may not be the end-all, cure-all diet weed promised in some of the articles you’ve read since none of the subjects that tested it showed any weight change (gain or loss,) but it showed that THCV might help you digest food and process glucose more efficiently!

Now, as promised, we were talking about THCV’s other effects. They’re arguably better than the metabolism regulation, which is saying a lot so let’s dive into it before you judge a book by its cover (or fourth paragraph!) THCV is only slightly different than THC, chemically speaking, so the base effects are similar. THCV offers an additional option for nausea and inflammation relief, making it the focus of pharmaceutical research for Alzheimer’s and epilepsy treatments. As we stated previously, THCV binds to the same receptors as THC, which blocks some of the effects, including anxiety and paranoia, which are often exacerbated by THC intake. Studies have also shown that THCV is associated with the regulation of neurotransmitters like serotonin, melatonin, and cortisol (the stress hormone!) which all play a critical role in emotional and physical regulation throughout the day and night. Long story short, THCV doesn’t just have the potential to reduce the munchies; it might help regulate your mood, sleep, and stress by getting your hormones in check!

Does It Get You High?

Now the big question is, does THCV get you as high as THC? The short answer is no, not on its own. To reference ourselves once more, THCV binds to the same receptors as THC, which blocks some of the psychoactive and memory recall effects in addition to the ones like munchies, fatigue, etc. The intoxicating reduced impact has made it a perfect candidate for pharmaceutical research to develop treatments for epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and more as research on cannabis and its many cannabinoids continues.

Find THC-V at ASC

THCV is available in so many forms today! We love an accessible monarch. Find THCV at Airfield in Kikoko’s Boost Mints or Creativi-tea, Boost Tablets or Rosin Vaporizers from LEVEL, and finally, Garden Society’s all-new Reserve THCV Pre-roll ten-pack! Garden Society will be 20% off tomorrow, January 10th, so grab a pack while they’re on sale and feel the difference for yourself!