What is THCV? Is It Psychoactive Like THC? Benefits, Usage & How It Works!

THC and THCV are two different compounds found in cannabis, and they can have very different effects on your body and mind. While both come from the same plant, THC is the well-known compound, while THCV has its uniqueness. Understanding what THC-V is, how it works in the body, and what makes it different from THC can help you choose the one that works best for what you’re looking for.

What is THC-V?

THCV stands for Tetrahydrocannabivarin (say that five times fast). And yes, this is also a naturally occurring compound in the Cannabis sativa plant (the same plant where we get THC and CBD from). More specifically, it’s a lesser-known cannabinoid that shows up mostly in sativa-dominant strains. Strains found to have higher concentrations of THC-V include Doug’s Varin, Durban Poison, and Malawi Gold, which primarily originate from Africa.

Okay, quick nerdy moment, chemically, although THCV is structurally identical to THC, it has different pharmacological and physiological effects at certain doses. While THC has a five-carbon chain, THC-V has just three. That tiny change leads to significant differences in how they affect your body.

Now, in raw cannabis plants, THCV doesn’t exist yet. Instead, it starts as THC-VA (Tetrahydrocannabivarinic acid, a mouthful, we know, which gets converted to THC-V when it’s heated up (like when you vape, smoke, or bake it). This process is called decarboxylation, and it’s how many cannabinoids activate.

Just like the Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), which comes from olivetolic acid and eventually becomes THC, Tetrahydrocannabivarinic acid (THC-VA) is formed from varinolic acid, making it the natural precursor to THC-V. Once biosynthesis wraps up, a little heat — from sunlight, smoking, or vaping — triggers decarboxylation into their active, neutral counterparts, THC-V and THC.

There are also two main types (isomers) of THC-V:

• Δ9-THCV (most commonly found in nature)
• Δ8-THCV (can be semi-synthetically made and is less potent)

Even though THCV was discovered way back in 1972 by Roger Adams, it stayed under the radar for decades. Thanks to modern research and a growing interest in minor cannabinoids, it’s finally getting the spotlight it deserves.

Is THC-V Psychoactive?

Historically, scientists believed THCV didn’t cause the kind of mental or emotional changes we associate with cannabinoids like THC. So, it wasn’t thought to alter perception, mood, or cognition in a noticeable way. Through human trials published by Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, there are some statements that show what THCV behaves like.

At low doses, multiple sources agree that THC-V doesn’t feel psychoactive

When taken in small amounts, THCV doesn’t trigger the typical high that THC does. In fact, most people feel little to no mental alteration at all.

What do people actually feel at low doses?

Even though it’s not strongly psychoactive, THC-V can create a very subtle buzz. Users often describe it as:

• Clear-headed
• Energizing
• Focused

But things change at high doses.

In human trials, when participants took much higher amounts of THCV (like 100 mg or 200 mg of Δ8-THC-V), some did start to report noticeable effects. They felt something happening mentally or physically, indicating that it can act like a psychoactive compound under certain conditions.

Compared to THC, higher-dose effects were mild.

Even at these bigger doses, people didn’t get high in the way you’d expect from THC. There was no heavy sedation, no confusion, and no intense euphoria. Just light effects on mood or body awareness. Even under 10 mg of Δ9-THC can cause very noticeable effects in some people. But with THCV, even at 10–20x that amount, the effects were still less intense. That says a lot about how different these two cannabinoids really are.

THC-V can be psychoactive, but not in the way most people expect. Unlike THC, THCV is less likely to be the cause of:

• Paranoia
• Anxiety
• Sedation
• Memory fog

It might even block THC’s effects.

Some research hints that at lower doses, THC-V can counteract some of THC’s more potent effects, meaning it could block some of THC’s effects, like anxiety, memory issues, or even the sense of being overly high. So if you take just a little, you might not feel much of a thing at all (and it might even dampen the effects of THC if you mix them).

Once you increase the dose, THCV flips the switch and starts behaving more like THC, activating those CB1 receptors in your brain and producing a mild high. But even at higher doses, THC-V’s high is… different. It tends to be more energizing than euphoric, more mental than physical, and doesn’t hang around forever. That’s why many people say it feels more like a sativa-style, perfect for when you want to stay sharp.

THC vs. THC-V – What’s the Difference?

How does THCV work in the body?

It affects your endocannabinoid system (ECS)—a network in your body that helps control things like appetite, mood, pain, and memory. The ECS works through two main receptors:

• CB1 – mainly in the brain
• CB2 – mainly in the body (immune system, organs, etc.)

Unlike THC, which activates CB1 (and gives you the high), THC-V primarily blocks it, especially in normal or low doses. Instead of making you feel all spacey and hungry, THCV might make you feel more alert and focused.

And because it blocks those CB1 receptors, it reduces appetite, which is why it’s being studied for weight loss or managing diabetes. At high doses, it might slightly activate CB1, but not enough to get you truly high.

Potential benefits of THCV – Is THC-V medically promising?

Here’s what the research (and some early human studies) suggest it might help with:

• THCV may suppress appetite and speed up metabolism. Unlike THC, which gives you the munchies, THC-V blocks the CB1 receptor, so instead of wanting snacks, your body burns more energy. In a 2020 animal study, mice given THCV burned around 30% more energy daily and gained less weight, even when eating freely.
• A study on people with type 2 diabetes found that taking 5-10 mg of THC-V daily for 13 weeks improved insulin sensitivity, glucose tolerance, and blood sugar control.
• Other studies have shown it may help with fat metabolism. Interestingly, in a small human trial, a single 10 mg dose didn’t directly reduce appetite, but it did alter brain activity; participants had less reward response when looking at food, which might help with emotional eating.
• Might protect the brain, especially in diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and MS.
• Often delivers a focused, energetic feeling without brain fog.
• May reduce anxiety without the paranoia linked to THC.
• Early research shows potential as an anticonvulsant.
• Might help manage symptoms related to schizophrenia.
• Can reduce THC’s intensity, anxiety, and side effects.
• Helps reduce inflammation and calm the immune system.

How to use THCV?

With so many different products out there, it can get a little confusing figuring out where to start. THC-V can be taken depending on your preferences and how quickly you want to feel the effects.

Cannabis Flower

Cannabis strains, especially Durban Poison, Malawi Gold, or Doug’s Varin, naturally contain higher levels of THC-V. You can smoke or vape its buds for fast-acting effects. These strains are typically sativas, which tend to be more energizing.

Tinctures

Tinctures are liquid drops (either oil- or alcohol-based) that you can take under your tongue or swallow. They offer precise dosing, but take a little while to kick in, usually 1–2 hours.

Edibles (Like Gummies or Capsules)

These are super popular because they’re easy and discreet. You eat one and wait. Gummies usually start working in 30 minutes to 2 hours. Capsules are similar but lean more toward the 1–2 hour mark. Once they hit, the effects last longer than if you smoked or vaped.

Vapes (Carts, Disposables, E-liquids)

Vaping THCV is one of the fastest ways to feel something using disposables. Most people feel it within a few minutes to 15 minutes. Dosing is often measured in puffs. Usually, 1 to 3 is enough to start.

Extracts (Isolate, Distillate)

These are super concentrated versions of THCV. You can add them to food, dab them, mix them into vapes, or even turn them into topicals (like creams). They’re great if you like to customize your experience.

Best place to get high-quality THCV products

When it comes to buying THCV, quality is everything. Because THC-V tends to appear in smaller amounts naturally, many products claiming to include it might offer very little, or worse, be cut with mystery ingredients. So it’s worth doing a little digging before you hit that add to cart button.

Start by looking for brands that are transparent about what’s in their products. A legit THCV product should come with a Certificate of Analysis (COA) from a third-party lab, clearly showing how much THCV (and any other cannabinoids) are in the mix. Bonus points if the company lists where their hemp is sourced from and how it’s extracted, and includes honest customer feedback you can browse through.

Elyxr is one brand that’s gained attention for being at the top of this. While we offer various hemp-derived cannabinoid products, we also ensure each product has up-to-date lab reports and detailed info. That kind of clarity makes it easier for consumers to feel confident in what they’re using, especially with something more niche like THC-V.

Keep scrolling if the product sounds too good to be true, has no lab results, or is vague about its ingredients. Stick with brands prioritizing transparency and safety over some hype created in the market.

Is THCV even worth checking out?

Well, yes. However, as with any new supplement, starting slow with its dose and finding what works best for your body is truly important. Everyone’s reaction can be different, so dosage is key to making the most of it. While the potential is there, it’s also worth noting that research on THC-V is still going on.

As always, checking the product details, reading reviews, and selecting something that aligns with your well-being is a good idea. These THCV products could be a great addition to your routine, but take your time, experiment at your own pace, and remember to listen to your body because the journey is all about what feels right for you.