THCV Gummies: The Ultimate Guide

Introduction

In the world of cannabinoids, one particular compound is causing a buzz for its potential as an appetite suppressant and a solution for weight management problems — THCV.

While Cornbread Hemp doesn't sell THCV gummies, in this article we hope to inform and educate consumers who have questions about them. So, what are THCV gummies? How is THCV different from THC? And what does it do? We'll answer those questions and more.

What’s THCV?

Marijuana and its effects have been known to humans for millennia, with its first documented use stretching back to 2,800 B.C.E. in China.1 However, it wasn’t until 1964 that the plant’s main psychoactive compound was identified — a cannabinoid by the name of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC for short.2 Just six years later, in 1970, another variant of this cannabinoid was discovered.3 It was given the name tetrahydrocannabivarin, or THCV.

So what is THCV and how does it compare to THC? THCV and THC differ slightly in molecular structure.  The “V” in THCV stands for “-varin," — the ending of its full name, tetrahydrocannabivarin. "Varin" is a term used to describe a particular type of cannabinoid molecule that has a shorter side chain with fewer carbon atoms than other cannabinoids. 

In the image below, you can see that the THC molecule (on the left) has a side chain consisting of five carbon atoms (the extra atoms are highlighted in the red box). The THCV molecule (on the right) only has three carbon atoms in its side chain.4

This subtle molecular difference means that THC and THCV behave differently and similarly at the same time.

THCV vs. THC

That extra chain of atoms means that THC and THCV behave differently and similarly at the same time. Most users say that THCV's effects are not as strong as a THC buzz. There is some animal research that says that THCV gummies can help with weight loss by being an appetite suppressant.⁴ Some people say that THCV gives them increased energy, and sometimes brands market products called THCV energy gummies.

Strains of hemp rich in THCV are difficult to grow and process. THCV is most prevalent in sativa strains of cannabis like those grown in Africa, China, Nepal, Pakistan, India, Thailand, and Afghanistan.⁵ Most THCV on the market is converted synthetically from another cannabinoid.

Unlike CBD, if THCV is taken at high doses, there can be a psychoactive reaction. At high doses, THCV behaves like THC, as an agonist to the CB reactors. These reactions are fast-acting and fast-dissipating.⁶

THCV vs. THC

You're likely already aware of the effects associated with THC. It's the primary compound in cannabis plants that causes you to feel "high." It's sometimes used for pain management or to alleviate mental stress, and it can also cause increased hunger and food cravings — known as "the munchies."

Like THC, THCV is also psychoactive, though most who have experienced its effects say they’re not as strong as those from THC.

Some THCV users report that THCV gives them increased energy, and brands will occasionally market THCV products as "energy gummies."

The key difference, however, is THCV's effect on appetite. In some animal studies,5 THCV was found to increase satiety, decrease appetite, and activate energy metabolism. This research suggests that THCV may be clinically useful in obesity weight management and weight loss.

Due to its potential effects on hunger and metabolism, THCV is rising in popularity among cannabinoid products. It's sometimes called "diet weed" or "weederall" because of its reputation as an appetite suppressant and its ability to provide a lighter, more energetic high.

THCV vs. CBD

CBD (aka cannabidiol) is another well-known cannabinoid. Hemp plants, which are a variety of cannabis, contain high levels of CBD and low levels of other cannabinoids. Hemp also contains THCV and THC, although THC levels may not exceed 0.3% (by law).

Unlike CBD, if THCV is taken at high doses, it behaves like THC and you may experience psychoactive effects with reactions that are fast-acting and fast-dissipating.6

THCV is most prevalent in cannabis sativa strains like those grown in Africa, China, Nepal, Pakistan, India, Thailand, and Afghanistan.7 However, most THCV on the market is converted synthetically from another cannabinoid. This is because while THCV can be extracted from hemp like CBD, strains of hemp that are rich in THCV are difficult to grow and process. 

What Are THCV Gummies?

Gummies are cousins to snacks like gummy bears, gum drops, fruit gels, gummy worms, and other chewy fruit-flavored candies. They're typically gelatin or fruit-pectin based, which is what gives them their texture.

THCV gummies are the most popular kind of THCV edible. They're small, bite-sized, firm but jiggly edibles that are typically fruit-flavored. Most importantly, they contain THCV.

Are THCV Gummies Legal?

Is THCV legal? According to Analytical Cannabis, THCV is somewhat legally complicated.

Schedule I drugs are defined as those with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse and are illegal under the Controlled Substances Act. Examples of Schedule I drugs include, heroin, LSD, marijuana (cannabis), ecstasy, and peyote. Unlike THC, THCV is not a Schedule I drug.8

"While the act does prohibit cannabis and cannabis extracts, THCV could still possibly be legally derived from hemp under the provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill," Alexander Beadle of Analytical Cannabis writes.9 

The Farm Bill made hemp plants with a THC content of 0.3% or less legal, and that legality extended to include their extracts (CBD and other cannabinoids, including THCV).

The gray area comes with another act (the Federal Analogue Act) which could label THC and THCV as analogs (similarly structured compounds) and therefore make THCV illegal as well. However, many consider that these cannabinoids are different enough to avoid this fate.

In short, THCV is not listed as a controlled substance in the 1971 Controlled Substances Act.10 The only form of THC specified in this legislation is delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol. Under the 2018 Farm Bill, THCV is classified as hemp, like CBD and other hemp cannabinoids.11

In the U.K., on the other hand, THCV is listed as a Class B drug12 (less harmful than class A drugs), as well as a Schedule 1 drug13 (without therapeutic value and prohibited from being possessed or prescribed). It's been declared to have "no medical benefit" and scientists must obtain a special license to even study it.

Will THCV Cause a Failed Drug Test?

Before you rush out to get yourself some THCV gummies, consider that THCV is still very closely related to THC. Some common drug tests can't discern between different cannabinoid content, and it's possible that THCV use could trigger a positive drug test.

THCV Gummies and Weight Loss: Is This Real?

THCV is touted for its potential appetite-suppressing, weight-loss-promoting qualities. This makes it an intriguing option for those in the intermittent fasting community or anyone looking for a natural way to suppress appetite. But are these claims real?

• Results from an animal study from 2009 suggest that THCV might reduce food consumption and weight gain.14

• A study in 2013 observed that THCV might reduce obesity-related glucose intolerance.15

• One study found THCV decreased fasting blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.16 However, there was no effect on appetite or body weight observed in these patients compared to the placebo group.

• For a 2015 study, researchers set out to determine how THCV might affect food reward and aversion.17 In the end, it was found that THCV actually increased brain region activation in reaction to chocolate or aversive foods (such as rotten fruit). Still, it didn't seem to affect the participants' pleasure or desire for the foods.

So the reviews are a bit mixed. Still, there is evidence to suggest that THCV offers potential benefits in the weight loss department.

THCV Gummies on the Market

Although there's definitely more we could know about THCV, the current understanding of its potential effect on appetite and weight management has already ushered in a slew of THCV gummies and other supplements.

While THCV is pretty consistently marketed for weight loss, they can differ markedly from one brand to the next. For example, how much THCV they contain can be drastically different. Some brands may advertise their THCV gummies as "non-intoxicating," whereas others with a higher amount of THCV per gummy may promise their THCV gummies will deliver a buzz.

It's important to note that no matter what the label says, THCV can still produce psychoactive effects; however, these effects are more subdued than those from THC.

Organic CBD Gummies: The Difference

As great as it sounds to chew a fruity little gummy and have all your weight loss worries disappear, it may not be as simple as that. In truth, THCV gummies may not be for everyone.

First of all, some may be concerned with the potential of experiencing psychoactive effects as a result of taking THCV gummies. Not only that, the studies we discussed earlier in this article indicate that THCV doesn’t always have the desired effect on body weight or appetite. 

Additionally, if you prioritize an organic lifestyle, THCV gummies aren’t for you — THCV gummies are never organic because THCV is a synthetic cannabinoid. In this way, it could be said that truly high-quality THCV gummies don't exist.

If you’re looking for organic gummies, another option is to incorporate full-spectrum CBD gummies into your wellness regimen. CBD is non-psychoactive, making it an excellent choice for those who want to enjoy the potential health benefits of cannabinoids without any mind-altering effects.

CBD has been found to interact with the body's endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is responsible for maintaining equilibrium — or balance — within the body. In addition to supporting overall wellness, CBD is known to support mood, help with occasional sleeplessness, and relieve everyday stress.

CBD can even help alleviate occasional aches and pains from exercise-induced inflammation (especially useful for those of us who are trying to visit the gym more often).

Rather than just hoping to suppress appetite, many people choose CBD to support the structure and function of their bodies in general by adding high-quality CBD gummies to their wellness routines.

What To Look for in CBD and THCV Gummies

Regardless of which type of cannabinoid gummy you decide to use, it's important to know how to find a good one. Let's explore some of the key things to consider when choosing a cannabinoid gummy — whether THCV or CBD.

Natural and Artificial Flavors and Colors

As is true for other foods and supplements, the more natural, the better. Do your best to avoid artificial colors and flavors and, instead, opt for natural ingredients.

For example, Cornbread Hemp CBD Gummies are made with organic flavorings from real fruits and berries and natural coloring from organic beetroot.

Organic Fruit Pectin vs. Gelatin

Gelatin is a clear substance made from boiling bones, skin, or other animal parts. It's commonly used as an ingredient in gummies and other gelatinous foods to give them their unique texture. It may not matter to most people, but for those trying to maintain a vegan or vegetarian diet, gelatin is a no-no.

A great substitute is fruit pectin. Pectin is a thickening agent derived from plants and it actually produces an even firmer texture than gelatin, making it a perfect vegan-friendly substitute.

Organic Hemp Extract (Cannabinoids)

One key difference to look for in cannabinoid gummies is whether or not they use organic hemp extract.

“So what, if it's not organic?” some might think. Actually, especially when it comes to hemp products, you should care.

The hemp plant is what's called a "bioaccumulator." This means that hemp absorbs contaminants like heavy metals and pesticides from the soil in which it's grown, and it absorbs them at a faster rate than it can release them.

Long story, short: Hemp grown in contaminated soil, with the use of pesticides, will still contain those contaminants and pesticides when it's harvested. And any cannabinoids extracted from that hemp will also contain those contaminants and pesticides.

Imagine purchasing THCV gummies only to discover that they contain harmful toxins and heavy metals. Not a great start to your wellness journey, is it?

That's why it's so important to only consume cannabinoids that are made from organically grown hemp. USDA regulations control how organic crops are grown as well as the quality of the soil in which they're grown, so organically grown hemp doesn't have the chance to absorb these harmful contaminants — because they're not in the soil in the first place.

Honest Reviews

As with all hemp-derived products, it's important to purchase gummies from a reputable brand you can trust. Start by reading reviews to get a feel for what other customers have experienced with the brand and product.

Product reviews may be part of a company's own marketing (like on the brand's website), or they may be found in respectable news sources.

Once you find reviews for the product you're interested in, it's important to then determine if the reviews are real or not. We live in a time of review-driven sales, and some unscrupulous companies have been known to buy reviews or even post their own fake reviews. 

The easiest way to tell the difference between real and manufactured reviews is by looking for an inconsistent pattern of posting dates. If there's a spike in the number of reviews right after a new gummy flavor is released, for instance, those reviews are likely paid for. The other way to check a review is to click on the profile of the person who left the review to see if they’re real.

Third Party Lab Tests and Reports

Any reputable cannabinoid company will use third party lab tests to confirm the exact cannabinoid content of their products, and to screen for any harmful contaminants.

They’ll also make the results of these tests available on their websites, in the form of certificates of analysis (COAs).

Always look over the COA of a cannabinoid supplement before purchasing it. If the company doesn't provide COAs or do third party testing, don't purchase from them.

Finding Balance in Your Wellness Routine

In conclusion, while THCV gummies may possibly offer unique potential health benefits in the realm of weight management and appetite suppression, it's important to keep in mind their psychoactive effects and consult with your doctor if you have concerns.

On the other hand, organic CBD gummies can provide a more balanced approach to supporting your body's structure, function, and overall wellness, making them a suitable choice for individuals seeking a holistic approach to improved physical well-being.

Whichever option you choose, remember that maintaining a healthy body weight is a multifaceted endeavor. Supplements are most effective combined with proper sleep, regular physical exercise, and a nutritious diet.

Organic CBD Gummies From Cornbread Hemp

Cornbread Hemp offers high-quality organic CBD gummies that taste amazing, thanks to their all-organic natural flavors and ingredients.

Our Full Spectrum CBD Gummies are made using organic Flower-OnlyTM extract that contains CBD as well as a variety of other cannabinoids, including THC (0.3% or less). These cannabinoids work together to enhance the overall positive effect of the gummies.

It's not just our hemp extract that's organic. From the blue agave sweetener and fruit flavorings to the citric acid and tapioca syrup — our CBD Gummies are USDA certified organic across the board.

Cornbread Hemp CBD Gummies come in three flavors — watermelon, berry, and peach. Explore these and other CBD products at our online store.