With new cannabis-derived products flooding the market after the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, it can be pretty hard to track of them.
However, there is one product that has stood out from the rest. Nicknamed by users as "weederal," "skinny pot." and "diet weed," THCV gummies have emerged as one of the more popular cannabis-derived products currently available. And their nicknames can provide great insight into their potential benefits.
What Is THCV?
Before delving deep into the purported benefits of THCV edibles like THCV gummies, it is worthwhile to learn more about the cannabinoid known as tetrahydrocannabivarin or THCV.
Scientists have known about THCV since the Sixties, having isolated and identified various cannabinoids around that time. Of course, most people are aware of THC and CBD. On top of that, there is a serious lack of studies on the other cannabinoids.
THCV is found in both hemp and cannabis plants where the cannabinoid is found in limited quantities. And because of this, THCV is classified as one of the rare cannabinoids. THCV is usually found in African Sativa strains. However, most of the THCV products available now are manufactured using other types of cannabinoids.
Some experts have compared THCV to CBD because it can control or reduce some of the effects associated with THC. For example, THC can cause munchies. However, THCV can do the opposite: suppress your appetite.
What Is the Difference Between THC and THCV?
THCV is closely related to THC, as evidenced by their names. Looking at the molecular structure of THCV, you will see that it looks like THC, except that it lacks a few carbon atoms.
Another key difference between the two cannabinoids is how they interact with your endocannabinoid system. THC activates the CB1 receptors in the body. That activation is primarily responsible for the psychoactive effects associated with THC.
THCV, on the other hand, behaves differently, depending on the dose. Consumed at lower doses, THCV is classified as a CB1 agonist. As an agonist, this simply means that the cannabinoid cannot get you high.
However, when you consume large doses of THCV, the cannabinoid becomes an agonist like THC. When this happens, you can experience psychoactive effects.
But according to some studies, the effects of THCV are slightly different from the effects associated with some cannabis strains. THCV products, like THCV gummies, can stimulate your mind and keep it clearheaded. Some users report experiencing short-term euphoria after THCV use. Compared to THC, the euphoria from THCV is fast-acting but has a shorter duration.
What Is a THCV Gummy?
Gummy bears are popular, bite-sized treats that kids enjoy. THCV gummies are similar to gummy bears, fruit gels, gum drops, and fruit gels, with one exception: they contain THCV. Like regular gummy bears, THCV gummies come in a variety of flavors, including fruity ones.
Aside from THCV, THCV gummies may also contain organic tapioca syrup, water, citric acid, cane sugar, food color, and natural flavors.
Delta 8 Gummies vs THCV gummies
Delta 8 is another cannabinoid that is similar to Delta 9 THC. This cannabinoid is present in both hemp and cannabis plants.
From a chemical structure viewpoint, Delta 8 is similar to Delta 9. However, hemp and cannabis contain trace amounts of Delta 8.
And like THCV, Delta 8 is also available in gummy form. In gummy form, Delta 8 is much closer to THCO in terms of effects, including inducing munchies.
If your goal is to get a mild buzz, you should choose Delta 8 gummies. But for weight loss, nothing comes close to THCV gummies.
What Are the Effects of THCV Gummies?
One of the main reasons behind the emerging popularity of THCV products like THCV gummies is their effects and potential benefits.
Appetite suppression
Some users call THCV skinny pot because of its ability to suppress your appetite. If you have been struggling to lose weight, you might want to try THCV gummies and couple them with regular exercise, adequate sleep, and eating clean foods to reach your weight loss goals. However, THCV should be avoided by people with eating disorders.
Diabetes
According to some studies, THCV has the potential to help diabetics by aiding in the reduction of insulin resistance and controlling blood sugar.
Alzheimer's disease
In another study, researchers discovered that THCV can help in managing the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, including brain lesions, motor control, and tremors.
Bone growth
Another research is looking into the potential of using THCV for bone-related issues like osteoporosis because the cannabinoid stimulates the production of new bone cells.
Anxiety
Researchers are looking into the possibility of using THCV goods like THCV gummies to help people manage the symptoms of anxiety and related conditions like PTSD. Unlike conventional treatments, THCV gummies can aid in managing anxiety without numbing a person's emotions.
Substance abuse
In a study conducted using rodents as test subjects, researchers discovered that THCV can help curb substance dependence. This might be particularly beneficial for people who have been struggling to stop smoking.
How Can THCV Gummies Help Reduce Weight?
THCV has been dubbed as skinny pot and diet weed because of its ability to help you lose weight. But how exactly can THCV gummies trigger weight loss?
Cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid system which is comprised of various receptors and enzymes. These receptors and enzymes interact with a variety of compounds, including cannabinoids like THCV.
Although there is still much to learn about the endocannabinoid system, experts agree that this system helps in regulating a variety of bodily functions, including those related to moods, sleep, and appetite.
The receptors of the endocannabinoid system can be broadly classified into two types, the CB1 and CB2 receptors. In the case of THC, the receptor interacts with CB1 receptors. This interaction triggers the human body to release hormones that are responsible for stimulating appetite.
THCV. on the other hand, suppresses hunger by blocking CB1 receptors. Experts have been aware that blocking these receptors and attempts have been made to use this to help people to lose weight. However, drugs that have been specifically designed for this purpose carried a few drawbacks.
One example of a drug that attempted to exploit the appetite suppressant effect of blocking the CB1 receptors is Rimonabant. The drug gained approval in 2006 and delivered its promise of helping patients lose weight and manage blood glucose. However, the drug was withdrawn from the market two years later because of one major drawback: it caused depression in patients.
Analysis of Rimonabanant revealed that it had the ability to reduce a person's response to a pleasurable stimulus. At the same time, it increases a patient's negative response to noxious stimuli, like food that tastes and looks awful.
Experts theorize that suppressing a response to a pleasurable stimulus led to depression in patients. Aside from that, the drug did not only block the pleasure of tasty food. It may have also altered how patients perceive pleasure.
THCV works differently from Rimonabant. Instead of causing depression in patients, the cannabinoid just suppressed a person's appetite without causing an impact on their mood.
Aside from safely suppressing a person's mood, one major advantage of THCV is that it can control your blood sugar and insulin levels. This is particularly beneficial if you are suffering from type 2 diabetes.
Can THCV Gummies Get You High?
Because of its similarities to THC, it is not unusual for some people to believe that THCV might also be intoxicating.
According to initial studies, THCV can get you high. Lab analysis indicates that the cannabinoid is less potent than THC. But one interesting thing about THCV and its psychoactive effects is that dosage plays a pivotal role.
Taken in lower doses, THCV has an antagonist effect. To put it simply, the cannabinoid does not have any psychoactive effect. However, when you take large doses of THCV products like THCV gummies, then the cannabinoid produces psychoactive effects.
Users who have tried THCV say that the effects include clearheadedness and intense euphoria. Scientists even say that THCV may work with THC to produce this intense euphoria. However, the euphoria produced by THCV doesn't last very long.
Another interesting fact about THCV is that it has a few similarities with CBD. Like CBD, it can act as a buffer against some of the psychoactive effects of THC. One notable example of this is THCV's ability to suppress munchies that are typically caused by THC.
But unlike other substances that prevent you from feeling hungry, THCV does not turn off your need to consume food. Additionally, rodent test subjects that were given the cannabinoid consumed the same amount of food. Scientists believe that THCV can help in weight loss by regulating insulin resistance.
When it comes to the appetite-suppressant effect of THCV, dosage matters. To lose weight, you need to take a small dose of THCV gummies that will ensure that THCV acts as a CB1 agonist, leading to appetite suppression. Curiously, some experts theorize that when taken in larger doses, THCV can act like THC and stimulate a person's appetite. Certainly, if your goal is weight loss, you will also need to factor in other fitness essentials like exercise, diet, and rest.
Are THCV Gummies Legal?
Is THCV legal? That depends largely on where you live.
In the United States, the status of certain cannabinoids, including THCV, falls in the grey area. THC is classified as a Schedule I drug which means two things. First, it has no accepted medical use, and second, it has a high potential for abuse.
THCV isn't classified as a Schedule I substance. Furthermore, it is not included in the list of prohibited substances in the Controlled Substances Act. The Federal Analog Act does not recognize THCV as an analog of THC, making it technically legal.
Furthermore, the cannabinoid is not classified as a controlled substance in the Controlled Substances Act of 1971. Instead, THCV is classified as a hemp-derived substance, in accordance with the 2018 Farm Bill.
In countries like the United Kingdom, THCV is classified as a derivative of cannabinol. This means that the cannabinoid is included in the Misuse of Drugs Act of 1971.
Buying the Best THCV Gummies
With many brands of THCV gummies coming into the market, finding the best THCV gummies may seem like a daunting task. Here are a few tips that will help you choose which THCV gummies to buy.
Ingredients
Ingredient quality has a direct correlation to the overall quality of a product like THCV gummies. Simply put, you should choose a THCV gummy brand that uses only the best ingredients. As much as possible, avoid gummies that use artificial colorings and flavors.
Third-party testing
Reputable brands subject their products to third-party testing for purity and potency. Using a third party for testing is vital for objectivity and impartiality. When shopping for THCV gummies, look for their certificate of analysis.
Customer reviews
Customer reviews are the next best thing to actually buying a product. When you are shopping for THCV gummies, take the time to check product reviews. Notice specific trends and patterns instead of focusing on overly positive or downright destructive reviews.
Dosing THCV Gummies
The great thing about THCV gummies compared to other products is that you will get a consistent dose every time.
THCV gummies come in various dosages. However, the most common dose is 10mg per THCV gummy. This dosage works for most people. However, the dosage can be highly personal, depending on several factors, including your current level of tolerance, personal metabolism, and specific goal for consuming THCV gummies.
If you are new to taking THCV gummies, it is best to start with a low dose so that you can familiarize yourself with the effects. Some THCV users recommend starting out with half a gummy.
If your goal is to suppress your appetite and increase mental clarity and energy, you should use a low dose, somewhere between five to 7.5mg. Fifteen to 20mg is considered a high dose and can lead to effects like increased appetite and euphoria.
Using THCV Gummies for Weight Loss
Compared to THC, THCO, Delta 8, CBN, CBG, and HHC, the THCV cannabinoid does not stimulate appetite when taken in small doses. This specific quality has earned it the monicker of the skinny pot. But how exactly do you use THCV gummies if your goal is weight loss?
If your goal is to lose (and keep) excess weight off, you should take a low dose of THCV gummies. This is because at lower doses, THCV acts as a CB1 agonist, helping you suppress your appetite. Start with half a gummy so that you can test the weight loss effects of THCV.
If you feel that your appetite remains the same, wait for two full hours before consuming another half of a gummy. This will give the THCV ample time to kick in. Now, if you still feel hunger pangs, you can increase your dosage, ideally by another half gummy.
For THCV users looking to lose weight, there is no specific time that you should take THCV gummies. However, if you want an energy and focus boost, it is best to take these gummies in the morning. This will allow you to enjoy the mental boost of THCV without having to deal with this effect late at night when you are trying to get some rest.
One important thing to remember about THCV gummies is that they aren't magic pills that will instantly melt excess weight away. THCV gummies are weight management tools that you should use in conjunction with other tactics. THCV gummies help you lose weight but they cannot do this task on their own.
To fast-track your weight loss, you should use other weight management tools like regular exercise, eating clean and nutritious food, and spending enough time for rest, recovery, and sleep. By combining all of these, you can get better weight loss results compared to relying solely on THCV gummies.
THCV Gummies - Beyond Weight Loss
While weight management might be the most appealing benefit of THCV gummies, for many users, weight loss is just the proverbial icing on the cake.
If you have been struggling to lose weight, THCV gummies can offer invaluable support to your goal of getting fitter. But weight loss and fitness aren't the end goal for many THCV users. Losing excess weight can mean staving off lifestyle diseases and conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, sleep apnea, fatty liver disease, and osteoarthritis.
With a sensible diet and consistent exercise, THCV gummies can help you overcome the struggle of dealing with excess weight and aid in improving your overall health and quality of life. But take note, THCV gummies won't magically melt your excess weight away. You need to put in time, energy, and effort to get closer to your fitness goals. With patience and consistent effort, THCV gummies can help you lose weight and transform your body.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will THCV gummies get you high?
Technically, you can get high from eating THCV gummies because of their psychoactive effects. The intoxicating effects of THCV are similar to the effects of THC. However, you must eat a large amount of THCV gummies if your goal is to get high.
How long does it take to feel the effects of THCV gummies?
Like other edibles, THCV edibles like gummies can take a longer time to take effect compared to cannabis buds and vape products. On average, it can take around half an hour before you feel the effects of THCV gummies. The effects usually reach their peak at around the four-hour mark.
How long do THCV gummies last in your system?
THCV gummies can stay in your system for up to eight hours. THCV edibles like gummies tend to stay longer in the body because they take a longer time to be metabolized.
Are THCV gummies safe?
THCV products like THCV edibles are fairly new to the market. And as such, there is only a small amount of study conducted on them. But generally, these products are safe to consume.
Does THCV show up on drug tests?
Most routine drug tests do not detect THCV. Instead, these tests pick up THC in your system. However, there are specialized tests for cannabis use that can detect THCV in your system.
