What Is THCV? And Seven Other Questions

January 25, 2024

If you’ve never heard of THCV, THC-v, or delta 9 tetrahydrocannabivarin, then you’re not alone. THCV is a lesser known and underappreciated cannabinoid that has a ton of promising applications. Read on and we’ll answer all of your questions about this exciting new product!

What is it?

Delta 9 tetrahydrocannabivarin, or THCV (for those of us who didn’t ace our chemistry classes), is a rare cannabinoid that’s found naturally in the flowers of hemp and cannabis plants. It’s one of the lesser-known cannabinoids, but early studies suggest that it has the potential to be hugely useful in a ton of different situations.

Where Does it Come From?

THCV only exists in trace amounts in most hemp and cannabis plants. In order to get the full benefit of just the THCV, it has to be extracted from the plants and turned into an oil.

Our THCV is extracted from natural hemp, which means that it’s federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill!

What’s the Difference between THC and THCV?

The biggest difference between THC and THCV is essentially how high they’ll get you. THC is a lot more psychoactive than THCV, but we’ll talk more about that later. Why is this, though? We’ll have to go back to the chemistry: if you want the technical lingo, THC has a propyl group, while THCV has a pentyl group. Essentially, because of this difference on the structural level of THC and THCV molecules, they interact differently with CB1 (the cannabinoid receptor that deals primarily with your brain and is responsible for the “head high” of THC products).

THC “sticks to” and activates CB1, giving you that head high and the “stoned thoughts” that conventional weed is known for. At low to moderate doses, THCV actually blocks CB1. This is what makes THCV so special!

A side note for the vaping enthusiasts among us: another difference between THC and THCV has to do with temperature. THCV has to be vaporized at a slightly higher temperature than most other cannabinoids, since it has a boiling point of 428 ° Fahrenheit. Luckily, Bay Smokes carries variable-temperature vape batteries so that you can get the most out of all of your cannabinoids.

What does THCV Do?

When taken with THC, THCV can help to mitigate some of the intoxicating effects of conventional cannabis. For many people, this results in a clear-headed and motivated high, better for getting creative than for chilling on the couch.

When taken on its own in low to medium doses, THCV can have a lot of really incredible effects. Keep in mind that research into THCV is just beginning and that this isn’t medical advice, though.

For those in the know, one of the biggest differences between THC and THCV is that THCV won’t give you the munchies and might even help to suppress your appetite. THCV could be a game-changer if you often find yourself on the wrong side of a family-sized bag of chips after a smoke sesh!

There has also been preliminary research to suggest that THCV could aid in supporting well-being as it relates to several different conditions. THCV might help to stabilize blood sugar in patients with diabetes. It has been shown to help with panic attacks, specifically in people diagnosed with PTSD. THCV might also help support people with Alzheimer’s disease. THCV can help to support and even stimulate bone growth, and early research suggests that it is neuroprotective and shows promise for supporting people with Parkinson’s disease. Finally, research also suggests that THCV has significant anti-inflammatory properties. Talk about a powerhouse of a cannabinoid!

That being said, the research into THCV is still very new, so stay tuned for more findings. Also, we’re not medical professionals, so talk to your doctor if you have any questions.

What Does THCV Feel Like?

And now, the question you’ve been waiting for: will THCV get you stoned?

It depends.

At low doses, THCV doesn’t bind with CB1. If you take a small-to-medium amount of THCV, it’s non-psychoactive. This means you’ll get all of the great effects and benefits of THCV without the intoxication and effects on your thinking that THC can produce. THCV can also help to counteract some of the unpleasant sensations that can come with THC overindulgence— namely anxiety and the munchies.

At higher doses, THCV switches to a CB1 activator. This means that if you take a medium-to-high amount of THCV, you will likely get some psychoactive effects and a little bit of a head high. It also means that we suggest taking it really slow when you’re trying THCV for the first time and figuring out what kind of effects that you want!

Even though THCV is not as potent as THC or even Delta-8, it can still produce a mild, motivating, and energizing feeling as well as a high that doesn’t affect your thinking quite as much as some other cannabinoids. The result is a clear-headed and focused experience perfect for getting in the zone on your latest passion project, going to the gym, or playing a few rounds of your favorite game.

Is THCV Safe?

Like all other cannabinoids, the research into THCV is pretty new. However, there is a lot of evidence to suggest that THCV is just as safe as all other cannabinoids when purchased from a trusted source and used responsibly by adults.

Here at Bay Smokes, we rigorously test our products to ensure the best possible safety and purity for our customers.

There’s also a lot of early research to suggest that THCV has some promising medical applications. The future of cannabis is looking brighter by the minute!

Is THCV Legal?

Thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill that federally legalized hemp and hemp products, THCV is legal in most states. Currently, THCV is legal in Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

That being said, we’re not lawyers, either. Cannabis laws and regulations are always changing, so check with an attorney about your state’s laws if you have any questions.

Where can I get THCV?

Ready to try it out? You’re in the right place! Here at Bay Smokes, we carry a few different options. One of the most versatile ways to enjoy THCv is in the form of THCv distillate. We also carry THCv cartridges, if discretion is more your style. And finally, if you’re looking for convenience, it doesn’t get any easier than our THCv disposable vapes. 

Cheers!