THCV Isolate: The Diet Weed in Purest Form

Since the discovery of the very first cannabinoid in the early 1940s, research has progressed and discovered 120 cannabinoids to date. The two major cannabinoids are THC and CBD, but there are hundreds more you probably haven’t heard of.

As cannabinoid research progressed, people come up with creative ways of consuming marijuana. Most products in the market today contain concentrates or the purest forms of cannabinoids in varying proportions. THC isolate is one of the most common ones, but its cousin is slowly gaining attention too. In case you haven’t heard of THCV isolate yet, we got you covered.

What is THCV?

THCV is short for tetrahydrocannabivarin, a minor cannabinoid known for its appetite suppressing qualities, making it popular to weight-conscious cannabis connoisseurs. Due to this, THCV is dubbed as the “diet weed” or the “weight loss cannabinoid.”

Aside from its use in appetite suppression, THCV can potentially provide people with an array of benefits and unique effects. THCV was discovered in 1973, and while it isn’t as popular as CBD or THC, it is an extremely well-studied cannabinoid.

How does THCV occur?

THCV is closely related to THC in terms of chemical structure, but it’s actually derived from an entirely different precursor. While most cannabinoids, including THC and CBD, are the byproducts of CBGA (cannabigerolic acid) synthesis, THCV is the final byproduct of CBGVA (cannabigerovarin acid). CBGV converts to THCVA, which eventually becomes THCV when exposed to heat or light.

THCV is most commonly found in pure sativas originating in Africa, China, Nepal, Pakistan, India, Thailand, and Afghanistan.

How does THCV work in the body?

All cannabinoids like THCV interact with the body through the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a complex cell-signaling system identified in the early 1990s by researchers when exploring about THC.

The ECS contains receptors located all throughout the body and can impact the way we feel and think. The two primary chemical receptors are called CB1 and CB2, which are involved in regulating a wide range of our body’s functions required for optimal health.

CB1 receptors are found throughout the body, but are concentrated in the brain and nervous system, while CB2 receptors are more prevalent in the immune system. At low doses, THCV acts as an antagonist to CB1 receptors, which means it can block some actions caused by THC, such as the munchies and intense mental highs.

However, when THCV is consumed in higher doses, it activates both the CB1 and CB2 receptors, and exhibits effects that more closely resemble THC. This results in the enhanced euphoric and cognitive effects along with therapeutic benefits.

What are the Health Benefits of THCV Isolate?

THCV may be more known as an appetite suppressing cannabinoid, but research has shown that it also offers other therapeutic benefits. The following are the reported benefits of THCV isolate:

• Regulating blood sugar levels
• THCV may help reduce seizure activities
• Aiding in muscle control
• May help in protecting brain neurons
• Easing symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease
• Analgesic and anti-inflammatory

Read more:
THCV Benefits

THCV Isolate: How is it extracted?

Extracting THCV is expensive due to its lower content in the cannabis or hemp plant itself, but the process is the same with other cannabinoids. THCV is extracted through a chromatography process that uses super fluid liquid solvents such as CO2 or ethanol to separate the compounds from the plant. The solution is then evaporated with heat under a vacuum to remove all the gas and leave a high-purity THCV concentrate behind.

The resulting concentrate is now the isolated compound, with potency ranging from 91-99% THCV content. Remember, THCV products should be stored at room temperature and away from direct sunlight to preserve potency.

What type of THCV products are available?

THCV can be found in almost every type of full-spectrum cannabis and hemp products, including oils, waxes, and edibles. THCV can also be found in more potent concentrates such as extracts and isolates, and distillates.

As mentioned earlier, it is expensive to extract THCV alone, so getting a product with minimal THCV content can be pricey too.

Other than that, THCV is an emerging cannabinoid with a lot of therapeutic potential. With obesity still one of the major health problems in the United States, THCV might be the next big thing that can potentially minimize this issue due to its appetite-suppressing qualities. There may be some research revolving around this cannabinoid today, but more information can still be uncovered as more studies progress in the future.