Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV, THV), also known as tetrahydrocannabivarol, is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found naturally in Cannabis sativa. It is an analogue of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THCV can be used as a marker compound to differentiate between the consumption of hemp products and synthetic THC (e.g., Marinol).
THCV is found in largest quantities in Cannabis sativa subsp. sativa strains. Some varieties that produce propyl cannabinoids in significant amounts, over five percent of total cannabinoids, have been found in plants from South Africa, Nigeria, Afghanistan, India, Pakistan and Nepal with THCV as high as 53.69% of total cannabinoids. They usually have moderate to high levels of both THC and Cannabidiol (CBD) and hence have a complex cannabinoid chemistry representing some of the world's most exotic cannabis varieties.
THCV can be found in a wide range of materials. Inbred lines in the GW programme have been derived from South African cannabis landraces, Chinese hemp seeds, and THC strains. Plants from the latter group are considered convenient to work with because they have very reasonable production characteristics. Cannabigerovarin (CBGV) can be formed instead of Cannabigerol (CBG) when divarinolic acid is added the THCV instead of the more commonly added olivetolic acid.
It has been shown to be a CB1 receptor antagonist, i.e. blocks the effects of THC. In 2007 GW Pharmaceuticals announced that THCV is safe in humans in a clinical trial and it will continue to develop THCV as a potential cannabinoid treatment for type 2 diabetes and related metabolic disorders, similar to the CB1 receptor antagonist rimonabant.
THCV is found in largest quantities in Cannabis sativa subsp. sativa strains. Some varieties that produce propyl cannabinoids in significant amounts, over five percent of total cannabinoids, have been found in plants from South Africa, Nigeria, Afghanistan, India, Pakistan and Nepal with THCV as high as 53.69% of total cannabinoids. They usually have moderate to high levels of both THC and Cannabidiol (CBD) and hence have a complex cannabinoid chemistry representing some of the world's most exotic cannabis varieties.
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THCV can be found in a wide range of materials. Inbred lines in the GW programme have been derived from South African cannabis landraces, Chinese hemp seeds, and THC strains. Plants from the latter group are considered convenient to work with because they have very reasonable production characteristics. Cannabigerovarin (CBGV) can be formed instead of Cannabigerol (CBG) when divarinolic acid is added the THCV instead of the more commonly added olivetolic acid.
It has been shown to be a CB1 receptor antagonist, i.e. blocks the effects of THC. In 2007 GW Pharmaceuticals announced that THCV is safe in humans in a clinical trial and it will continue to develop THCV as a potential cannabinoid treatment for type 2 diabetes and related metabolic disorders, similar to the CB1 receptor antagonist rimonabant.
