Thcv : The Sports Car Of Cannabis
What Is CBD Oil?
CBD (also known as cannabidiol) is the non-psychotropic component of marijuana or hemp. CBD oil is a mixture of the CBD isolate (pure CBD) + an oil like olive, hemp, or coconut. CBD oil won’t get you high because it doesn’t have the mind-altering properties of marijuana’s tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content (they are sourced in different ways).
It is also important to know that CBD oil is not the same thing as hemp seed oil. The two are often marketed interchangeably, but CBD oil is richly concentrated in cannabidiol, whereas hemp seed oil only contains trace amounts of cannabidiol, if any.
To ensure that you’re truly getting skin care containing CBD, look for “cannabidiol” on the ingredient list.
CBD Oil for Acne
What’s clear from numerous studies is that CBD oil functions as an anti-inflammatory. So how does that translate to skin care? One way is its ability to help calm skin, particularly skin that’s acne-prone. Because acne is an inflammatory condition, research indicates CBD’s soothing properties can help diminish breakouts and reduce redness. Surprisingly, recent findings also show that CBD has the potential to decrease excessive sebum (oil) production, as well as help offset other triggers of acne.
Without question, far more conclusive, scientific studies are needed, but CBD’s potential as an alternative acne solution is exciting. In the meantime, you can read up on other acne treatments with definitive research supporting them.
CBD Oil for Anti-Aging and Wrinkles
It turns out CBD oil also has antioxidant properties which contribute to the research indicating it can help lessen the visible signs of aging skin. By counteracting free-radical damage, CBD anti-aging creams may be able to help visibly diminish issues like wrinkles, skin dullness, and ruddy skin tone.
CBD Oil for Sensitive Skin
Another benefit of CBD oil is that it has been found to have significant soothing properties. Its substantial skin-calming and skin-normalizing effects can help minimize issues related to skin sensitivity, including redness. Even if you don’t think of your skin as “sensitive” per se, all skin types are affected by environmental stressors, so CBD’s soothing mechanism can help keep skin in check.
If you know a little something about the cannabis plant, you may already know that cannabis is packed with a variety of different chemicals called cannabinoids and terpenes.
There are over 400 different substances that your cannabis could contain, but often people only talk about the two most common cannabinoids: tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). While these two cannabinoids have powerful therapeutic properties, there are so many other incredible compounds that cannabis can produce.
One of these other cannabinoids is tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV). While not as easily found as its better-known cousin, THC, folks prize THCV for its unique set of effects, including its ability to curb appetite.
What Is THCV?
THCV is a cannabinoid with a lot of similarities to the ever-popular THC. Its chemical structure, like its name, bears a striking resemblance to THC. The two also share some similar effects, such as:
A psychoactive high
A boost of energy
A sense of euphoria
But THCV isn’t just a THC copy. It has its own unique effects, feel and therapeutic uses. And frankly, many people prefer THCV’s effect profile to that of THC.
Some cannabis connoisseurs and cannabis scientists praise THCV as the “the sports car of cannabis” due to its smooth, focused and energetic high. It also doesn’t seem to give people the same negative effects that THC sometimes can, like:
Paranoia
A racy feeling
Couch lock
Increased appetite
THCV is also much rarer than THC is, so it can be hard to find—and more expensive to buy. This lack of availability has also added to the allure of THCV as a high-end cannabis option.
But in recent years, more and more brands are adding THCV products to their menu, so it’s becoming increasingly more available for everyday cannabis consumers.
5 Therapeutic Uses for THCV
So, why do people seek out THCV? Well, aside from enjoying its euphoric high, there are a few reasons why people like to consume this potent cannabinoid:
1. THCV May Help With Weight Loss by Curbing Appetite
Even if you’re relatively new to cannabis, chances are you’ve heard the term “the munchies.” THC has a noted effect on appetite—sometimes causing intense food cravings for sweet or fatty foods.
If you struggle with weight management, this can be a big negative side effect of marijuana for you. Trying to stay on a diet or limiting your caloric intake can be rough if you’re constantly craving less-than-healthy foods.
But THCV works differently than THC. Instead of causing food cravings, THCV has been shown to actually suppress appetite. This has made it a popular choice among folks looking to lose weight or to avoid gaining weight from overeating after they medicate with cannabis.
Studies on mice show that consuming THCV may even lead to reductions in body weight.
If the munchies have been holding you back from trying the plant, THCV-rich cannabis could be the perfect solution.
2. THCV Is Being Explored as a Treatment for Diabetes
THCV is also being researched for its effect on diabetes—and the cannabinoid has shown promising results. In studies on THCV and diabetes, THCV was able to help significantly decrease fasting blood sugar levels, and showed promise as a way to control blood sugar levels, too.
GW Pharmaceuticals, makers of cannabis-based drugs Epidiolex and Sativex, is even working on a THCV-based drug for Type 2 diabetes. In lab tests, this medicine was able to lower blood sugar levels between meals and improve insulin production.
RELATED: HOW MARIJUANA CAN HELP CONTROL DIABETES & ITS SYMPTOMS
3. THCV Seems to Help Calm Anxiety
Another potential use for THCV is as an antianxiety treatment, particularly when used in combination with THC. While THC is well known for helping to ease anxiety, it can also create added anxiety and paranoia for some when dosed incorrectly.
But in studies on THC in combination with THCV, researchers found that THCV inhibited THC’s negative side effects like paranoia and racing heartbeat.
This could make THCV a very helpful solution for folks with both anxiety issues and sensitivities to THC’s negative side effects.
4. THCV Has Shown Promise in Alleviating Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease
THCV is also being studied for its ability to work as a neuroprotectant. It’s been specifically studied as a potential treatment for Parkinson’s disease, and so far, the results have been promising.
Scientists say that given its antioxidant properties and its ability to activate the cannabinoid receptors CB2 but block the CB1 receptors, THCV’s profile could be able to help ease Parkinson’s symptoms and even to delay the disease’s progress.
While more research needs to be done to understand how to best use this cannabinoid for Parkinson’s patients, the results of this study show that it has great promise as a neuroprotectant.
RELATED: HOW MARIJUANA CAN HELP WITH PARKINSON’S DISEASE
5. THCV Could Act as a Bone Health Supplement
Finally, THCV may be helpful as a supplement for bone health. Studies show that THCV can actually promote the growth of new bone cells.
THCV may also help with your body’s natural process of bone remodeling. This is when the body replenishes and heals bones by replacing old bone tissue with new bone tissue. Since THCV can help with this process, it’s being researched for osteoporosis sufferers as well as for folks with other bone-related conditions.
How to Find THCV
Unfortunately, THCV isn’t widely available, but you can find it more easily than you used to be able to.
Lab tests indicate that THCV is most abundant in sativa strains, and particularly in landrace sativa strains from Africa, such as Durban Poison. Looking for these African landrace strains is often the simplest way to find high levels of THCV.
Of course, if you can’t find a pure African sativa, there are other high-THCV cannabis strains that come from crossing one of those African sativas with other cannabis strains. Just look for strains that were bred with an African sativa parent and it should indicate higher than average THCV levels. Two strains that fit the bill are:
Cherry Pie
Artemis Maximus
Not sure if a strain contains THCV? You can always check the cannabinoid test results to see if THCV is present. Cannabinoid content can vary, even in strains that usually carry high levels of THCV, so make sure you’ve double checked your lab results for THCV levels.
Once you’ve found a high-THCV marijuana strain, you can consume it like any other cannabis flower—smoke it, vape it or turn it into an edible.
One tip if you like to vape your cannabis flower: THCV has a boiling point of 428 degrees F, which is higher than THC’s boiling point. So, you’ll need to turn your vaporizer temperature up if you’re planning on vaping THCV and reaping all of its benefits.
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