What is THCV? The Skinny on “Diet Weed”

Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) is a lesser-known minor cannabinoid that’s similar in structure to THC. It belongs to a group of cannabinoids known as varins, which have a different structure from most of their brethren (1).

Sometimes called “diet weed” for its proposed energy-boosting and appetite-reducing effects, THCV is currently being investigated for treating obesity, diabetes, and more.

How does it differ from THC? Can THCV help with weight loss? Here’s what the science tells us about THCV and its effects.

What’s the Difference Between THCV and THC?

	THCV	THC
Intoxicating?	No* (2)	Yes
Comes from	CBGVa	CBGa
Potential benefits	Anti-diabetic, appetite suppressant, neuroprotective, boost energy & attention, counteract some negative effects of THC	Sleep aid, pain relief, neuroprotective, appetite stimulant, anti-nausea
How it works	Blocks CB1 receptor; blocks or activates CB2 receptor depending on dose	Activates CB1 & CB2 cannabinoid receptors

*Early research suggests that high THCV doses (100+ mg) may have some THC-like effects

THCV is a homologue of THC, meaning the two cannabinoids have a similar molecular structure. Like THC, which is mostly found in its delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) form, the THCV present in cannabis is also present in the delta-9 form.

Both THC and THCV also have a delta-8 isomer, which is the scientific term for a molecule that has the same chemical formula but a different arrangement of atoms. But these isomers are present in very small amounts in cannabis.

Still, THC and THCV have some crucial differences:

1. Unlike THC, THCV doesn’t appear to be intoxicating. This is helpful for those looking for health benefits without getting high. However, high doses have been reported to produce THC-like effects, such as euphoric mood.
2. THCV interacts with cannabinoid receptors differently than THC. THC is an agonist to both CB1 and CB2 receptors, meaning it activates them, producing a response (like hunger and the feeling of being high). In contrast, THCV is an antagonist or reverse agonist of CB1 receptors, which means it stops them from producing a response. It can be an agonist or an antagonist of CB2 receptors depending on the dose (3).
3. THC can increase hunger by activating CB1, whereas THCV appears to suppress it instead.
4. THC comes from CBGa (cannabigerolic acid), whereas THCV comes from CBGVa (cannabigerovarinic acid), the varinic version of CBGa.

Potential Effects & Benefits of THCV

THCV appears to have a host of potential benefits, including suppressing appetite, regulating blood sugar, and protecting against neurodegenerative conditions, acne, and some of the side effects of THC. There’s also some early evidence for the claims that it can enhance energy and focus.

May Boost Energy & Attention

A 2023 clinical trial in 18 healthy adults studied the effects of oral delta-8 THCV at doses of 12.5-200 mg. Delta-8 THCV is an isomer of delta-9 THCV, so its effects are fairly similar.

The study found that THCV improved attention and elevated ratings of feeling “energetic,” although this effect was not large enough to rule out random chance (2).

The study also reported that 100 mg and 200 mg doses produced THC-like effects, like a euphoric mood. But interestingly, these effects were not associated with being impaired or intoxicated.

Weight Loss Support

Research on THCV and weight loss is still in its early stages, but the cannabinoid appears promising. For example, a 2009 study found that THCV reduced appetite and promoted weight loss in mice that had free access to food (4). 

Another 2014 human study looked at the effects of THCV on the brain’s response to rewarding (chocolate) and aversive (moldy strawberries) food stimuli (5).

Twenty people were given 10 mg of THCV or placebo. THCV increased both responses, with the researchers concluding that THCV may have “therapeutic activity in obesity.”

Diabetes Support

THCV may help regulate blood sugar, which could be helpful for those with diabetes. A 2016 study found that THCV significantly reduced fasting blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes compared to placebo (6).

It also improved pancreatic cell function and levels of certain diabetes markers. 

Neuroprotective & Pain-Relieving Effects

A 2022 mouse study tested the effects of THCV and CBD neuropathic pain. Although both cannabinoids provided neuroprotection, the combination treatment had much greater effectiveness, providing more evidence for the cannabis entourage effect (7). 

Meanwhile, a 2011 study in mice and rats found that THCV may delay the progression of Parkinson’s disease and alleviate its symptoms through antioxidant and neuroprotective effects (8). 

Acne-Fighting Effects

Multiple studies have found that CBD can help fight acne by reducing oil production and reducing inflammation. Now evidence is growing that other cannabinoids like THCV also have skin-protective effects. 

For example, a 2016 petri dish study found that CBC, CBDV, and THCV all helped fight acne by reducing inflammation (9). THCV in particular was very effective at slowing oil production and reducing cell growth in sebocyte cells. 

May Reduce Effects of THC 

THCV may also counteract some of the side effects of THC. A 2015 placebo-controlled study in 10 male cannabis users found that dosing with THCV for five days before injection with THC reduced delayed verbal recall issues and elevated heart rate caused by THC (10).

Nine out of the 10 men also said THC felt weaker or less intense when taking THCV compared to placebo.

Does THCV Help With Weight Loss?

If you struggle with controlling your appetite, the idea of a cannabinoid that can suppress it might sound like a dream come true.

While the jury is still out on how THCV affects appetite and metabolism in humans, studies on rodents have found that it can reduce food intake, decrease body fat, and boost energy expenditure (11, 4). 

But before you go stocking up on THCV in hopes of shedding pounds, remember that animal studies don’t necessarily translate to humans. So while THCV’s potential appetite-suppressing effects are intriguing, more research is needed before we can endorse it as a “diet weed” weight-loss aid.

Is THCV Safe?

THCV appears to be well-tolerated with minor side effects.

A clinical trial on the safety of delta-8 THCV reported that it had a “favorable safety profile” (2). However, the study also found that higher doses (100 and 200 mg) produced THC-like psychoactive effects, with “euphoric mood” being the most common side effect.

So it’s possible that high doses of THCV can make you feel high.

Meanwhile, a study of delta-9 THCV in people with diabetes reported reduced appetite in 4 out of 12 and diarrhea in two out of 12 people taking THCV. The researchers concluded that “Both CBD and THCV were well tolerated, with the majority of patients experiencing AEs that were mild in severity” (6). 

THCV Dosage

The clinical studies we discussed above found THCV doses of 5-10 mg to be effective, so this dosage makes a good starting point. 

Keep in mind that the effects of cannabis products like THCV can vary from person to person. As with any cannabis product, the best practice is to start with a low dose and work your way up slowly until you find the dosage that gives you the desired effects. 

Types of THCV Products

You won’t find too many THCV products on the shelves yet, but some CBD brands are introducing products containing higher concentrations of THCV. Some THCV-rich products you can find online include: 

• Oil tinctures
• Gummies and other edibles
• Capsules

If you prefer your cannabinoids in cannabis flower form, THCV-rich strains are also available at dispensaries or online.

My Experience with THCV

In my experience testing 10 mg THCV gummies (pictured above), I felt slightly reduced appetite about 60 minutes after eating them, but it wasn’t a huge effect. I also felt somewhat increased energy and focus, almost like a light version of caffeine.

So THCV is worth a try for its purported energy, appetite, and focus benefits, but I’d be cautious of any grand claims until more research is done.

Cannabis Strains High in THCV

THCV is present in most cannabis plants but only some strains have high enough levels to offer benefits. 

Strains that originate in Asian countries including China, India, and Nepal, and strains from the southern regions of Africa have been shown to have the highest THCV content (11). 

Durban Poison is one of the most common strains that contain high levels of THCV (~1%), thanks to its South African origins. Other strains to look for include: 

• Jack the Ripper
• Pineapple Purps
• Durban Cheese
• Doug’s Varin 
• Willie Nelson
• Red Congolese

When in doubt, opt for cultivars originating from African countries. You can also go for hybrids that include African sativa in their lineage, like Skunk #1 and Cherry Pie.

THCV: A Cannabinoid With Exciting Potential

THCV appears to have various exciting benefits, including appetite suppression, neuroprotection, blood glucose control, and alleviating the side effects of THC. It may also have energy and focus-boosting effects, although more evidence is needed.

Before you look to THCV as a miracle weight loss aid or energy booster, keep in mind that researchers are only scratching the surface of this lesser-known cannabinoid. More clinical studies are needed to fully understand its effects.