Quitting smoking? THCV may be able to help

If you’re reading this, you probably want to quit smoking or have a loved one that is trying to quit. After all, smoking accounts for about one in five deaths in the United States every year and is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in our country. We know how bad it is, but we also know how hard it is to quit.

A recent scientific study shows that the rare cannabinoid THCV (tetrahydrocannabivarin) may be able to help people break their addiction to nicotine, the main ingredient in tobacco. Scientists also suggest looking into THCV’s ability to break addictions to other drugs and alcohol. Meanwhile, for those of you also trying to lose weight, you can read about THCV for appetite control and weight loss here.

THCV and addiction

THCV is naturally found in very small quantities in cannabis, hemp and some other plants. Like CBD, THC and other cannabinoids, it interacts with one’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is responsible for many of our mental and physical reactions including pain, mood, appetite and sleep. You can learn more about the ECS and how rare cannabinoids work here. THCV is a CB1 receptor antagonist and a CB2 receptor agonist. This combination has been found to offer anti-addiction properties.

The scientific study on smoking was carried out with THCV tested in seven different rodent models relevant to nicotine dependence, including self-administration, nicotine-seeking behavior and anxiety-like behavior signaling nicotine withdrawal.

The key results from the study showed that: “THCV significantly attenuated intravenous nicotine self-administration and both cue-induced and nicotine-induced relapse to nicotine-seeking behavior in rats. THCV also significantly attenuated nicotine-induced conditioned place preference and nicotine withdrawal in mice.”

THCV’s possible anti-addiction effects on other drugs & alcohol

The scientists concluded from the experiment that THCV may have potential for reducing nicotine dependence. They also suggested that THCV should be tested for anti-addiction efficacy in a broader range of animals, against other addictive drugs and in humans.

You can read the full study here: Tetrahydrocannabivarin has potent anti-nicotine effects in several rodent models of nicotine dependence

It would be especially useful if experiments could be conducted on THCV’s possible anti-addiction properties for alcohol and other drugs. After all, a pharmaceutical CB1 antagonist, Rimonabant, was found effective against abused drugs, including alcohol, opiates and psychostimulants, including nicotine. It worked by decreasing the dopamine rewarding effect of opiates and alcohol in animals. (See the study here.)

Rimonabant was also very effective for appetite control and weight loss, but it was pulled from the market for causing depression.

Subsequent studies on Rimonabant and THCV showed that although both work as CB1 antagonists and do many of the same things, that fortunately THCV does not cause depression. You can find links to the specific studies and a full explanation of the differences between Rimonabant and THCV in this blog on THCV for weight loss.

It would therefore appear useful to study THCV’s effect in depth on addictions to alcohol, opiates and other drugs.

How to take THCV

Rare Cannabinoid Company offers two different THCV oil tinctures and two different THCV gummies.

Our 500mg THCV oil tincture is naturally flavorless and only contains THCV and organic MCT coconut oil.

Our THCV CBD ready blend contains 250mg THCV and 250mg full spectrum Rare Hawaiian CBD in organic MCT coconut oil. It is lightly flavored with organic food grade wild orange and Italian lemon oils.

Extra strength THCV gummies each contain 12.5mg THCV and 10mg CBD. There are 30 natural, vegan, lemon-flavored gummies per jar.

THC THCV gummies each have 2.5mg Delta-9-THC in addition to the same ingredients found in our extra strength THCV gummies.

You can see third-party lab reports for every batch of every product here.