The non-intoxicating THCV cannabinoid helps with appetite control and focus
Medically reviewed by Katherine Golden, RN, and Eloise Theisen, NP
Written by Denise Rustning
THC or CBD are probably the first things that jump to mind when you hear about cannabinoids. However, THC and CBD are only two out of over 100 unique cannabinoids that have been found in cannabis and hemp, although many exist at very low levels and have not been studied. THCV, a cannabinoid that Healthline dubbed “Diet Weed” is one of the lesser-known cannabinoids that is rapidly moving into the spotlight.
THCV (tetrahydrocannabivarin) recently popped up on our radar with the launch of Wana Fit THCV gummies as a non-intoxicating option to help reset eating habits. Wana is one of Leaf411’s supporting members and is an industry leader when it comes to integrating cutting-edge science and technology into cannabis and hemp product development.
For their Wana Fit THCV gummies, Wana partnered with ECS Brands to source proprietary organic THCV and utilized Azuca TiME nano-encapsulation technology, creating a gummie with faster onset and increased bioavailability of THCV and other cannabinoids when compared to traditional edibles. You can read more about Wana’s product development process at this link.
What is THCV?
THCV only has one additional letter—the letter “V”—when compared to the more well-known THC. However, when it comes to potential effects, there’s a world of difference between these two cannabinoids which are molecularly different.
In fact, THCV affects your body’s endocannabinoid system differently than other cannabinoids. Mike Hennesy, Vice President of Innovation at Wana, offers an easy-to-understand explanation using the example of a car’s gear shift as an analogy for the CB1 receptors found throughout your endocannabinoid system.
(Need a refresher on the endocannabinoid system? Check out our 101 blog here.)
“Some cannabinoids put the CB1 receptor in neutral, while others put it in second gear or high gear or even put it in reverse gear,” Mike says. “That’s why you can find very different effects depending on the product or flower strain you’re using.”
Mike continues, “Using THC is like putting the car in “drive” with a range of effects including the intoxicating ‘high,’ while CBD is like putting the car in ‘neutral,’ or downshifting the car to a lower gear if someone is also using THC at the same time. THCV has an even different effect, like putting a car in ‘reverse’ with effects that are nearly opposite what the user would get with THC.”
Will THCV make you high? What are THCV’s effects?
Because THCV works differently on CB1 receptors, it does not create the intoxicating high that you would get from the more well-known THC. You can see a breakdown of the differences between THC and THCV in the table below.
(Research sources: https://jcannabisresearch.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s42238-020-0016-7 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5576603/ )
Will THCV help you lose weight? Here’s what the research says
We are guessing that many of you are interested in THCV’s potential to help with weight loss goals. What does the research say on this front?
ECS Brands, which Wana sources its THCV from, recently ran a 90-day, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled human clinical study on their proprietary Nitro-V THCV with support from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Participants did not make any other changes to their diet or exercise.
Among those participants who were assigned to the daily THCV group:
- 100% experienced weight loss, with participants losing up to 22 pounds over the 90-day study
- 61% reported a reduction in hunger
- 40% reported fewer food cravings
- 52% reported a reduction in anxiety
- Average body mass index (BMI) dropped by 3 points
In contrast, among the study’s placebo group (the participants who did not take THCV), only 36% lost any weight, and average BMI remained unchanged.
Wana Fit THCV gummies use the same Nitro-V THCV extract that was used in the ECS Brands study, but with the additional technology of Azuca TiME nano-encapsulation, meaning that bioavailability is improved.
Interested in adding THCV to your routine? Here’s what you need to know.
Your success in using THCV will hinge on setting realistic expectations and building an overall routine that supports your goals, whether that’s healthier eating habits or reducing stress.
Remember that THCV is a tool, not a magic wand. You still have to put in the work, but THCV can make it easier to overcome challenges and setbacks. If you’ve been trying to lose weight you’ve likely learned that a mix of strategies that includes mindful eating, exercise and adequate sleep is the best approach. Sustaining those good habits can be tough, though, especially in the face of cravings, holiday treats and less daylight hours for getting outdoor exercise. That’s when a cannabinoid like THCV can be useful as a tool for reinforcing your wellness goals.
In other words, THCV won’t cancel out the calories in that pint of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, but it may make it easier for you to stick with one serving as an after-dinner treat instead of polishing off the pint while watching a movie.
A special caution for consumers who face workplace drug testing
While Wana Fit THCV gummies won’t cause intoxication, they do contain very small amounts of THC (0.1mg per serving). This THC is converted into the THC-COOH metabolite and stored in body fat, where it accumulates over time. It doesn’t get you high, but it could trigger a positive workplace drug test result. Click here for more information on workplace drug testing, THC and CBD, and call our special Wana hotline number at 844-WanaFit (844-926-2348) if you have questions about how Wana gummies may impact workplace drug testing.
How to use Wana Fit THCV gummies
At Leaf411, we are very excited to see Wana Fit THCV gummies become available to consumers, given the company’s reputation for bringing high-quality, all natural, trustworthy products to market.
We thought we’d answer some basic questions here.
Q: When starting with Wana Fit THCV gummies, what’s a good starting dose?
A: We suggest starting with either a half-gummie or one gummie, and then adjusting your dose based on your tolerance. On this front, it can be helpful to use a journal to record how the product is affecting you. Some consumers have found that half of a gummie is a good dose while others have found two gummies to be most effective for focus and energy.
Q: Should I take the gummie at the same time each day?
A: Wana Fit THCV gummies should be taken in the morning to help with focus and energy. Take the daily gummie with food to help increase bioavailability (absorption).
Q: How long will it take before I notice a difference from taking THCV?
A: Most consumers report an immediate effect with regard to focus on and energy
Q: If it doesn’t seem like a single gummie is working, what’s the maximum dose I can take?
A: We suggest that you may increase your daily intake to two gummies a day if you are not experiencing any changes taking one gummie a day. Remember that journaling the effects of the product will help dial in your dose better to achieve maximum benefit.
Of course we encourage you to call the FREE Leaf411 WanaFit hotline at 844-WanaFit (844-926-2348) if you have specific questions about how to use THCV, or have other questions about potential medication interactions or even something as simple as how to read the product label.
How will THCV impact your ongoing cannabis or hemp regimen?
If you’re adding Wana Fit THCV to your ongoing cannabis or hemp CBD regimen, we suggest reviewing the products you’re using to know how many total milligrams per day of each cannabinoid you are consuming in case your clinical team asks. For the record, each Wana Fit THCV gummie provides 10mg of CBD, 0.1mg of THC and 0.5mg of THCV, so be sure to add that to your journal.
Also, if you already use cannabis, you may be wondering if THCV will impact the familiar high you get from THC-dominant products like cannabis flower. Indeed, we talked earlier about how THCV acts very differently on your endocannabinoid’s CB1 receptors than THC.
Does that mean that THCV can actually cancel out intoxication, for example when you over-consume and feel too high? Unfortunately, research is very limited in this area. One small study reported that THCV seemed to dampen the effects of THC based on participant reports; however, at this point it is not possible to make general conclusions from that one study.
Leaf411 can help you with your questions about THCV
Leaf411 can help you with your questions about THCVOur Leaf nurses have completed extensive education on the THCV cannabinoid as well as Wana Fit THCV gummies and are ready to answer your questions about this new non-intoxicating option for improved focus and appetite control. In fact, Wana has even partnered with Leaf411 to launch a special toll-free hotline number, 1-844-WanaFit (1-844-926-2348) that’s being shared with consumers who are new to Wana and the world of wellness-driven cannabis. Leaf411 nurses are also providing in-person consultations during special pop-up events at dispensaries in the Denver area. Keep an eye on Wana Brands or Leaf411 social media for dates and times.
Access to trustworthy information is especially important as Denver begins allowing cannabis delivery, which means that consumers may not be able to ask budtenders product-related questions like before. And of course budtenders are not qualified to answer medical questions about using Wana Fit THCV gummies or other products–but our Leaf411 nurses are fully up-to-date on the research and qualified to answer your questions!
Call the FREE Leaf411 hotline at 844-LEAF411 (844-532-3411) or chat with us from our home page during hotline hours, Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. MDT.
For more information on Wana Brands’ Optimals product line, visit https://www.wanabrands.com/optimals/
The Leaf411 cannabis nurse hotline provides free, anonymous education and directional support to the general public about the safe use of legal cannabis. We partner with select business members who meet our rigorous standards to extend our education and outreach efforts.
