What Is THCV? Benefits, Effects & Legality

What is THCV? It is one of the newly discovered cannabinoids starting to get a lot of attention for its array of potential benefits. Cannabis culture has such fire and drive in it that every now and then, it never lacks something new and exciting.

The cannabinoid is getting its time to shine, and most people are more than ever interested to know about it. 

Let us unmask THCV to help you understand why you should add it to your wellness regime. You want to know why the recent studies have spiked so much interest in it, see what it has to offer, and what sets it apart from more common cannabinoids. 

What Is THCV? 

THCV, aka tetrahydrocannabivarin or diet weed, is a minor cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. You can also call it a young brother to the famous tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) because it offers almost similar but less potent effects. 

Let us get into a bit of science behind this. THCV has a chemical structure similar to THC. But it has a propyl side chain, while THC has a pentyl side chain. This subtle difference dictates their varying benefits and effects. 

That is to say; it might not give you the intoxicating effects associated with THC. So, what are the effects of THCV? It delivers a clear-headed, uplifting buzz that comes along with a burst of energy, mental focus and clarity. Also, THCV cannabinoid is effective when it comes to reducing appetite. 

What Cannabis Strains Have High Levels of THCV? 

There are a few specific cannabis strains available that produce viable quantities of THCV. Besides, these strains require highly controlled cultivation procedures – only a few expert farmers from particular regions are able to cultivate them. 

Nowadays, most producers are isolating THCV from plants and infusing it into different finished products such as cannabis oils, edibles and drinks. 

Most potent and best THCV strains come from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Thailand and West Africa. They include Doug’s Varin, Durban Poison, Pineapple Purps, Willie Nelson, Skunk #1, Power Plant, and more. 

Some professional farmers go the extra mile and breed a few of these strains, like Pineapple Purps and Doug’s Varin, in order to produce higher levels of THCV. 

How to Consume THCV Products 

THCV-infused products come in several forms and varieties. You can find them in the form of edibles, extracts, oils, tinctures, etc. Also, most cannabinoids, including THCV, are available as smokable flowers or in vape form, such as cartridges and disposables.   

Smoking 

You might find yourself wondering, can I smoke THCV? YES, you can smoke THCV flowers or buds. And you can enjoy your cannabis in various ways, such as using a glass pipe, bong or water pipe to smoke. Or you can go for much better options like THCV blunts or joints. 

Smoking cannabis remains the most loved and popular method of using the herb. Inhaling cannabis - whether smoking or vaping - has the highest bioavailability - the ability of the cannabinoids to get absorbed and used by the body - and faster onset time. 

It takes a few seconds to a minute or two for you to feel the effects of THCV after smoking. Inhaling cannabis best suits folks who want faster results like a burst of energy or quick relief of physical discomfort. 

Vaping 

Vaping is one of the best ways to experience faster cannabis effects. If vaping THCV fits your routine, be sure to invest in a quality vaping kit. It is because THCV has a higher boiling point compared to other cannabinoids, meaning you will need a strong battery or vape pen. 

The good news is that most vape pens from CBD Genesis can maintain high temperatures without overheating. Also, some manufacturers combine THCV with other cannabinoids with lower boiling points. Some products on the CBD Genesis shop with mixed cannabinoids are Jeffrey Disposable and Elyxr Disposable.

You do not want a pen that is not able to withstand high temperatures as it might get spoilt, ruin the cannabinoid, and strain your budget when replacing it. 

You do not need to get a new battery if you have one. But a new battery, especially when vaping THCV, is better than a used one. It will give you a better inhalation experience and will not make your throat sore. 

The effects of THCV start to kick in after a few puffs (in less than a minute) and last for about 2-6 hours. Keep in mind that these effects vary from person to person and depend on how much product you use and experience with vaping. 

Sublingual Use 

Sublingual use simply means placing THCV oil or tincture under the tongue and holding it for some time (about 1-2 minutes) before swallowing. The cannabinoid enters the bloodstream through the tissues under the tongue. 

Placing THCV under the tongue lets you get the most out of your product. It is one of the administration methods with high bioavailability. 

THCV bypasses the digestive system allowing more of it to enter the bloodstream quickly without being first metabolized by the stomach and liver. 

Sublingual use offers faster onset of effects similar to vaping and smoking, so it is essential to dose your THCV accurately. 

Oral Ingestion 

You can put THCV oil in the mouth and swallow it directly, but it will drastically offer different effects compared to sublingual use. Never heard of that? Despite the form of THCV you use, orally consumed cannabis will end up in the stomach. 

Oral use is subject to first pass effect. THCV goes through the digestive system where it is partially broken down before being absorbed. As a result, only a small portion (up to 20%) of the cannabinoids enters the bloodstream. Plus, the effects take a long time to kick in (up to 2 hours), but they last for a long time (up to 8 hours). 

Oral ingestion offers a constant supply of cannabis for a whole day. And edibles such as gummies or tablets are the best THCV products to use orally. 

THCV can also be added to drinks, smoothies, or food. Edibles are an excellent and discreet way to consume THCV and best suit people who do not like any “weedy” taste or smell near them. 

Note: While this cannabinoid does not get you high when using low to moderate dosages, it can result in a positive THCV drug test. So you will want to cease using any THCV-infused product for some days when you have an upcoming drug test. 

Can I Legally Buy and Possess THCV in the United States? 

This question has no straightforward answer, and here is why. 

The 2018 Farm Bill permits the production, sale, and distribution of industrial hemp together with its derivatives as long as they possess not more than 0.3%THC. As such, most products manufactured with hemp-extracted THCV are legal under federal law. 

THCV legality is different from one state to another. This means buying and possessing THCV and its derived products depends on the state you live in. 

Every state has its cannabis laws as well as stringent guidelines when it comes to using the herb. For instance, you can use marijuana-THCV or hemp-THCV in most states only when you have a medical card from a professional doctor. 

Some states allow the use of both marijuana-based and hemp-based products for recreational and medical purposes. Feel free to use THCV products if you come from such states. 

If your mother state allows the use of hemp-derived THCV, buy products with zero or less than 0.3% THC. And source them from reputable brands like CBD Genesis that observe quality, honesty, transparency, and safety. 

A few states prohibit the possession of any cannabis-related products, even if they are extracted from legal hemp. Never get your hands on THCV if you live in such areas to avoid trouble with the law! 

Down the line, study the cannabis laws in your state before purchasing THCV products. 

Will THCV Get You High? 

The short answer is YES. You can get high, but only when you use high THCV dosages. Theoretically, this cannabinoid possesses psychoactive and non-psychoactive effects at varying dosages. Does this confuse you a little bit? Do not be, as we will dig deeper. 

At low to moderate doses, THCV acts as an antagonist to CB1 receptors in the brain, which is the exact opposite of THC. As a result, it could offer a great advantage of counteracting the psychoactive effects of THC when taken together. Even much better, it can manage the intense hunger or munchies associated with THC. 

At high doses, the cannabinoid acts as a CB1 receptor agonist, much like THC. What does that mean? Consume too much THCV, and you will trigger the CB1 receptor producing a psychoactive buzz. 

The beauty of THCV high is that it tends to be clear-headed and stimulating - as earlier stated. The onset time of its effects is faster and acts for a short time compared to Delta 9 or Delta 8. It is because THCV does not bind as strongly as these two cannabinoids at the CB1 receptors. 

Even so, you should dose THCV properly to benefit the most. Besides, using too much will be a waste of this quite beneficial cannabinoid. 

Is THCV Safe To Use on a Daily Basis? 

When you use a medication, supplement, or something else, especially when it is new to the market, it is imperative to ask yourself, “is the product safe?” You might do that, but how will you know or prove it is truly safe?

We let you know with a resounding “YES” that it is safe to use THCV on a daily basis. Like most cannabinoids, THCV is well-tolerated by the body – you cannot become sick, dependent on, or addicted to the substance. Side effects are quite rare. And if they happen, they amount to minor unwanted reactions that wear off with time. 

If you plan to or already consume THCV daily, you must measure your dosages accurately and use it responsibly. Do not forget to consult your doctor before incorporating THCV products into your daily routine. 

Also, let your doctor know you want to use THCV when you are under prescribed medications. It might interact with some of them, increasing the risk of adverse reactions or toxicity. 

The truth is, using THCV every day is not going to entirely change your life. But it will definitely help with lots of health issues you might be facing. And could even prevent some in the long run. 

Is THCV Lab Tested?

 The cannabis industry is not regulated, resulting in unethical manufacturers or poor-quality products in the market. 

Independent testing is crucial to ensure consumer safety by making sure cannabis-based products are free of any pesticides, heavy metals, or other harmful ingredients. 

Luckily, every THCV product on the CBD Genesis website is third-party lab tested, and the lab results are available to every customer. As much as we want to profit, we invest in customer safety and satisfaction. 

Most reputable cannabis companies employ independent lab testing, which is a good sign of brand integrity. Anybody can make or purchase THCV tincture and stick an attractive label on it. And advertise whatever ingredients or cannabinoids profile they want. 

Suppose every manufacturer implements everything they can to produce quality products. In that case, the only way legit ones can prove this and separate themselves from fraudulent manufacturers is through third-party lab testing. 

Always work with brands that are actively testing their cannabis products through independent labs.  

Why Choose CBD Genesis? 

By now, you know the ins and outs of THCV, so the question, “what is THCV” will never bother you again. And now that this cannabinoid offers an excellent way to get high legally and enjoy the numerous benefits of cannabis, be sure to source it from legit brands. 

CBD Genesis is among the most reputable cannabis brands in the United States. THCV might be a rare cannabinoid, making it hard to access its products. 

But thanks to CBD Genesis! You can get the best THCV strains and other cannabis products at affordable prices. 

How does THCV feel or make you feel? Let us know in the comment section below.