Tetrahydrocannabivarin
THCV
A structural cousin of THC with dose-dependent and somewhat paradoxical behaviour: a CB1 antagonist at low doses, an agonist at high ones.
Preclinical onlyIntoxicating
Evidence status
Some early human metabolic research exists. Appetite and energy claims used in marketing are not clinically established.
THCV is often marketed as "diet weed" on the basis that CB1 antagonism suppresses appetite — the opposite of THC. There is early human work on metabolic parameters in type 2 diabetes, but appetite suppression as a consumer benefit is not established.
At higher doses THCV behaves more like THC and is intoxicating. Product labelling rarely makes clear which side of that curve a given dose lands on.
Commonly used for
- • Marketed for appetite suppression and energy — not clinically established
Cautions
- • Intoxicating at higher doses.
- • Dose-response is biphasic, making effects hard to predict.