Which Cannabinoid is Linked to Appetite Suppression? And, Where Can You Find it?

​There is one little known cannabinoid that consumers are increasingly turning to for it’s energizing and stimulating effects.

What’s also interesting about this cannabinoid is it’s potential for appetite suppression.

Studies have shown that the trace cannabinoid tetrahydrocannabivarin, or THCV, has been found to increase the brain’s neural response to rewarding and aversive food stimuli. Researchers concluded that this effect profile suggests it could have a positive use in treating obesity.

In addition to appetite suppression, THCV studies have also shown it has potential to regulate blood sugar levels in those with type 2 diabetes, reduce epilepsy-related seizures, delay brain degeneration associated with Parkinson's disease, and help with the symptoms of schizophrenia. 

Interestingly, THCV itself is not psychoactive, and actually seems to slightly reduce psychoactive affects of other THC cannabinoids.

THCV is found in trace amounts of most strains of cannabis, however, it’s difficult and costly to isolate and extract.

There are some strains which naturally have higher concentrations of THCV, and almost all of them come from sativas originating in Africa. Some of those strains are:

• Durban Poison, which has 1% THCV Doug's Varin, which ranges from 3% to 6% THCV. This strain is owned by Oakland, California-based California Cannabinoids.
  
• Pink Boost Goddess has 4.24 percent THCV, and was developed by California-based cannabis flower brand Flow Kana.
  
• The very rare Pineapple Purps strain has 4% THCV.
  
• And one of the easiest high-THCV strains to find, Jack the Ripper, comes in at 5% THCV or higher.

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