THCv, a non-intoxicating neutral CB1 antagonist, has the potential to address a growing concern within our community, which is metabolic syndrome (Abioye, Ayodele, Marinkovic, Patidar, Akinwekomi, Sanyaolu, 2020). With 1.9 billion people worldwide that are obese, metabolic syndrome has reached epidemic levels, which means we need new methods to reduce the rates of obesity. The record growing number of strokes, coronary artery disease (#1 cause of death worldwide), and cancer rates (#2 cause of death worldwide) are directly involved in metabolic syndrome and the increased number of mortality rates around the world (Kurtov, Rubinić, Likić, 2024). Metabolic syndrome is due to dysregulation that starts with fat accumulation that then triggers a series of inflammatory events followed by insulin resistance, dyslipidemia (elevated cholesterol, triglycerides, contributing to fatty plaque formation), high blood pressure (hypertension) and fatty liver disease (Smith, 2024).
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is what regulates energy homeostasis, which includes energy storage through increased appetite, enhancing lipogenesis (fatty acid and triglyceride synthesis), and glucose uptake in the peripheral tissues via the CB1 receptor, making the ECS a potential target for addressing obesity and metabolic syndrome (Smith, 2024).
To be more specific, CB1 receptors are involved in the “I’m hungry sensation”, which is due to the release of a hormone called ghrelin, which is regulated by CB1 receptors via the mTOR pathway (Kurtov, Rubinić, Likić, 2024). Since CB1 receptors are involved in the increase of food intake and energy storage, this gives us a specific target for addressing obesity. This means that a CB1 antagonist (blocker) like tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCv), a non-intoxicating cannabinoid could be a potential cannabinoid for treatment for obesity and metabolic syndrome.
In fact, using CB1 antagoist as a weight loss medication is nothing new to the world of medicine. Another CB1 antagonist medication called Rimonabant was used as an antiobesity drug in 2006 in Europe and although it was very effective, it was withdrawn from the market in 2008 because of “serious” negative psychiatric side effects (Kurtov, Rubinić, Likić, 2024). What if we were able to use natural plant compounds that have CB1 antagonist (blocker) properties that came without the negative side effects of Rimonabant? This is where we can thank science!
THCv is a naturally occurring cannabinoid (an analogue of THC) that comes without psychoactive properties of THC and THCv seems to hold much therapeutic potential for addressing metabolic syndrome, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The problem with NAFLD is the silent epidemic that Americans are facing, as many don’t even understand they are dealing with NAFLD. While I am not going to go too much into detail regarding NAFLD I will say that high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is directly tied to NAFLD, inducing fat storage (de nova lipogenesis), endoplasmic reticulum stress, liver inflammation, increased insulin resistance (what causes type II diabetes), and high cholesterol and/or triglycerides (dyslipidemia) (Coronati, Baratta, Pastori, Ferro, Angelico, Del Ben, 2022). The real problem is how these commercial food producers are hiding HFCS into ALL of our food. From soda, to ketchup, syrup, cereals, dairy desserts, to peanut butter, this fake food filler is toxic to our hepatocytes, which are our primary liver cells. A stagnant liver from HFCS consumption is directly correlated with obesity, toxin overload, and NAFLD.
THCv has CB1 antagonist properties, which was shown to suppress one’s appetite and decrease food intake (Smith, 2024). In addition to suppressing appetite, CB1 blockers (antagonist) like THCv were shown to have a positive impact on body weight, improving insulin and leptin levels (big plus for diabetes), improving glucose and lipid profiles, reducing fatty liver (hepatic steatosis) and liver fibroids (kind of like scar tissue, which impairs liver function) in rat models (Kurtov, Rubinić, Likić, 2024). This potentially opens the door for human trials. The drawback is the lack of studies and understanding of these plant compounds and the involvement with the ECS, which proves to be a very complex receptor system.
As time progresses forward, our understanding of these plant compounds and their interaction with the ECS will increase, giving us a better understanding of the therapeutic potential of exogenous cannabinoids like THCv. Although our understanding is limited when it comes to cannabinoid medicine due to the 120+ known cannabinoids and various phytochemicals (plant chemicals) acting together synergistically, we shouldn’t let that deter us from using these plant compounds to our benefit. This plant is nothing new to humans, as cannabis use for its medicinal value traces back to the earliest recorded documents known to man. Researchers often times put emphasis on the safety and efficacy profile of cannabis, which is a huge plus!
Here is what we know. Studies show that obesity and eating disorders are a result of ECS dysregulation. This means there are imbaances taking place in the body when we are suffering from an eating disorder, including the overconsumptoin of food. Therefore, we can use this tool (The ECS) to help re-establish endocannabinoid dysfunction, potentailly helping with energy homeostasis (Smith, 2024).
As previously stated (which I also just want to say it again to put emphasis on this CB1 antagonist), THCv was shown to suppress ones appetite, decreasing overall food intake, while simultaneously losing weight, improving insulin and leptin levels (big plus for diabetes), improving glucose and lipid profiles (great for high cholesterol), reducing fatty liver (hepatic steatosis) and liver fibroids (kind of like scar tissue, which impairs liver function) in rat models (Kurtov, Rubinić, Likić, 2024). Imagine the possibilities that more studies can bring to light when it comes to these amazing plant compounds. One amazing plant with seemingly endless uses. Now, that's what I call medicine!
Ps. This is also the first time I have mentioned that we have a new product coming to our tincture lineup (woooooop!). We will be introducing our THCv Oil (tincture) in the next coming weeks. This oil is specifically geared toward the potential for: weight loss, improving lipid levels, regulating glucose levels, and improving liver functioning, which is something we need big time! The fact that we can do this using a natural, non-intoxicating plant compound makes it that much better! Many “healthcare” (Insert sigh and eye roll) providers are jumping on this semiglutide or GLP-1 weight loss medications, including ozempic. Stay tuned for our next podcast because I will be talking more about our new product, what THCv is, how it can help, and why you want to avoid GLP-1 medications at all costs!
We are also taking pre-orders for our THCv Weight No More Tincture. If you want to be put on the list and reserve your bottle, shoot me an email at beescannafarm@gmail.com to get on this list. I know you can’t “Weight No More”!
Bee Well,
Brandon Farless
*This information is for educational purposes only. I am simply sharing information pertaining to these studies. No medical advice or claims are being made in my behalf.
References
- Abioye, A., Ayodele, O., Marinkovic, A., Patidar, R., Akinwekomi, A., & Sanyaolu, A. (2020). Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV): a commentary on potential therapeutic benefit for the management of obesity and diabetes. Journal of cannabis research, 2(1), 6. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-020-0016-7
- Smith, G. (2024). Weight loss and therapeutic metabolic effects of tetrahydrocannabivarin (thcv)-infused mucoadhesive strips. Cannabis. https://doi.org/10.26828/cannabis/2024/000206
- Kurtov, M., Rubinić, I., & Likić, R. (2024, September 18). British Pharmacological Society | Journals - Wiley Online Library. https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/prp2.75
- Coronati, M., Baratta, F., Pastori, D., Ferro, D., Angelico, F., & Del Ben, M. (2022).
- Added Fructose in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and in Metabolic Syndrome: A
- Narrative Review. Nutrients, 14(6), 1127. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14061127
- Uses, Interactions, Mechanism of Action | DrugBank Online. (n.d.). https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB00316
- Parker, W., Anderson, L. G., Jones, J. P., Anderson, R., Williamson, L., Bono-Lunn, D., & Konsoula, Z. (2023). The Dangers of Acetaminophen for Neurodevelopment Outweigh Scant Evidence for Long-Term Benefits. Children (Basel, Switzerland), 11(1), 44. https://doi.org/10.3390/children11010044
