THCV (tetrahydrocannabivarin) is a natural cannabinoid from the cannabis plant that is closely related to THC but acts differently in the body. Its side chain is two carbon atoms shorter, and in small human studies 10 mg of THCV felt no different from a placebo. It has been studied for blood sugar control and for how the brain responds to food, but human research is still limited to a few small trials.
Key facts
- Full name
- Δ9-tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV, sometimes written THCv)
- Chemistry
- A "varin" cannabinoid: a 3-carbon side chain instead of the 5-carbon chain of THC
- Intoxicating?
- 10 mg by mouth was indistinguishable from placebo in small trials; higher doses are barely studied
- Receptors (lab studies)
- Blocks the CB1 receptor at most relevant doses, whereas THC activates it
- Human research
- A handful of small trials, as of October 2026
- In Formula Swiss oils
- THCV is not detected (n.d.) or 0.00% in all 70 of our certificates of analysis from December 2021 to April 2026
What is THCV?
THCV is one of the many cannabinoids found in cannabis. Chemically it is a close relative of THC, the cannabinoid that causes a high. The difference lies in one part of the molecule, the alkyl side chain: THC has five carbon atoms there, THCV has three. That makes THCV a smaller molecule, and it changes how it behaves at cannabinoid receptors (Haghdoost et al., 2025).
Cannabinoids with this shorter chain are called "varins". Other examples are CBDV (cannabidivarin), the varin form of CBD, and CBGV (cannabigerivarin), the varin form of CBG.
Is THCV natural or synthetic?
Δ9-THCV, the form discussed in this guide, is natural. The plant makes it in its acid form, THCVA, from a different starting molecule than THC: THCVA originates from divarinic acid, while THCA comes from olivetolic acid. When the plant material is heated or ages, THCVA loses a carboxyl group and becomes THCV, just as THCA becomes THC (Haghdoost et al., 2025). Our guide to THCA explains this step.
There is no known way, in the plant or in a laboratory, to turn THC into THCV. Another form sold in some markets, Δ8-THCV, is described as semi-synthetic: it is made by chemically converting CBDV (Haghdoost et al., 2025). THCV-dominant cannabis varieties are rare.
THCV vs THC: what is the difference?
The two molecules look similar on paper, but they do different things at the CB1 receptor, the receptor in the brain behind THC's high. THC switches it on. In laboratory studies, THCV blocks it at most relevant doses and only activated it at higher doses in animals (Thomas et al., 2005; Pertwee, 2008). The endocannabinoid system guide explains what these receptors do.
| Feature | THCV | THC | CBD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side chain | 3 carbons (varin) | 5 carbons | 5 carbons |
| Acid form in the plant | THCVA | THCA | CBDA |
| CB1 receptor (lab studies) | Blocks it at most relevant doses | Partial agonist (activates it) | Negative allosteric modulator (changes how it responds) |
| Intoxicating | Not at 10 mg in small trials | Yes | No |
| Amount in typical hemp | Usually very small; THCV-dominant varieties are rare | Low in hemp; high in drug-type cannabis | Usually the main cannabinoid |
| Human research | A few small trials | Extensive | Many clinical trials |
Sources for the table: Haghdoost et al., 2025; Pertwee, 2008; Laprairie et al., 2015. For THC itself, see What is THC?
Does THCV get you high?
Not at the doses tested so far. In a study of 20 healthy volunteers, a single 10 mg oral dose of THCV caused no difference in subjective experience compared with placebo (Rzepa et al., 2015). In a five-day trial, 10 male volunteers who had used cannabis before took 10 mg of THCV daily; it was "subjectively indistinguishable from placebo" (Englund et al., 2016). By comparison, 10 mg of THC by mouth reliably causes intoxication (Haghdoost et al., 2025).
Two caveats apply. The studies were small and used one dose. And a review notes mild "marijuana"-type ratings at 100 and 200 mg of the semi-synthetic Δ8-THCV (Haghdoost et al., 2025). Products sold as THCV may also contain THC. For an overview of which cannabinoids are intoxicating, see which cannabinoids produce a psychoactive effect.
What is THCV being studied for?
THCV has been studied in a small number of human trials. None of them shows that it treats any condition.
- Blood sugar in type 2 diabetes: in a 13-week pilot trial with 62 people, 5 mg of THCV twice a day lowered fasting blood glucose compared with placebo. The main outcome, HDL cholesterol, did not change (Jadoon et al., 2016).
- Brain responses to food: in 20 healthy volunteers, one 10 mg dose changed brain-scan responses to pictures and tastes of chocolate and mouldy strawberries. How much people liked or wanted the food did not change (Tudge et al., 2015).
- Interaction with THC: in 10 men, five days of THCV weakened some effects of a small intravenous THC dose, such as the rise in heart rate, but strengthened others (Englund et al., 2016).
THCV is often marketed for weight loss. A 2025 review notes that the "diet weed" nickname comes from animal studies, "despite few human studies of these effects" (Haghdoost et al., 2025). The trials above were small and short. They do not show that THCV helps people lose weight.
Is THCV legal?
It depends on the country. The 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances lists THC and named THC isomers, all with the 5-carbon side chain; THCV is not named there (UNODC). National laws can be wider.
Do Formula Swiss oils contain THCV?
No measurable amount. We test every batch, and our certificates of analysis list THCV (written "THCv") next to THC, CBD, CBG and the other cannabinoids we measure. In all 70 certificates in our current set, from the classic oils tested between December 2021 and February 2023 to the 30 ml oils tested on 8 April 2026, THCV is reported as 0.00% or not detected (n.d.). We don't sell THCV products. Read how to read a certificate of analysis or see the reports on our test results page.
From our production
We test every batch in Switzerland, and we have never had a failed test since 2013. THCV is on the panel for each of those tests, so every certificate we publish shows whether it is there. In our oils it isn't: every report shows THCV as 0.00% or n.d.
— Robin Roy Krigslund-Hansen, co-founder and CEO
Frequently asked questions
Does THCV actually work?
It is too early to say. THCV acts on cannabinoid receptors in laboratory studies, and small human trials have looked at blood sugar and brain responses to food. These trials were small and short, so they do not show that THCV has a reliable effect in people.
Is THCV the same as THC?
No. THCV has a 3-carbon side chain instead of THC's 5 carbons, and it blocks the CB1 receptor at most relevant doses, while THC activates it. At 10 mg, THCV felt like a placebo in small trials; 10 mg of THC causes intoxication.
Which is stronger, THCA or THCV?
Neither is intoxicating in the form tested. THCA is the raw acid form of THC and turns into THC when heated. THCV at 10 mg felt no different from placebo in small trials. Higher doses of THCV have barely been studied.
Is THCV a synthetic or natural cannabinoid?
Δ9-THCV is natural: the plant makes it as THCVA, which becomes THCV when heated or aged. Δ8-THCV is semi-synthetic and is made by chemically converting CBDV.
Does THCV help you lose weight?
That has not been shown in people. The idea comes mainly from animal studies. Human research consists of a few small trials, and none has established THCV as a way to lose weight.
Is there THCV in CBD oil?
Usually very little or none, and it depends on the plant. In all 70 of our certificates of analysis from December 2021 to April 2026, THCV is reported as 0.00% or not detected.
Related guides
This article summarises published research. It is not medical or legal advice. Formula Swiss does not sell THCV products. Our CBD oils are sold as cosmetics for use on the skin and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Last reviewed:
Sources
- Haghdoost M, Peters EN, Roberts M, Bonn-Miller MO. Tetrahydrocannabivarin is not tetrahydrocannabinol. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2025;10(1):1–5. doi:10.1089/can.2024.0051
- Thomas A, Stevenson LA, Wease KN, et al. Evidence that the plant cannabinoid Δ9-tetrahydrocannabivarin is a cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptor antagonist. Br J Pharmacol 2005;146(7):917–926. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706414
- Pertwee RG. The diverse CB1 and CB2 receptor pharmacology of three plant cannabinoids: Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabivarin. Br J Pharmacol 2008;153(2):199–215. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707442
- Laprairie RB, Bagher AM, Kelly MEM, Denovan-Wright EM. Cannabidiol is a negative allosteric modulator of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor. Br J Pharmacol 2015;172(20):4790–4805. doi:10.1111/bph.13250
- Tudge L, Williams C, Cowen PJ, McCabe C. Neural effects of cannabinoid CB1 neutral antagonist tetrahydrocannabivarin on food reward and aversion in healthy volunteers. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2015;18(6):pyu094. doi:10.1093/ijnp/pyu094
- Rzepa E, Tudge L, McCabe C. The CB1 neutral antagonist tetrahydrocannabivarin reduces default mode network and increases executive control network resting state functional connectivity in healthy volunteers. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2015;19(2):pyv092. doi:10.1093/ijnp/pyv092
- Englund A, Atakan Z, Kralj A, et al. The effect of five day dosing with THCV on THC-induced cognitive, psychological and physiological effects in healthy male human volunteers. J Psychopharmacol 2016;30(2):140–151. doi:10.1177/0269881115615104
- Jadoon KA, Ratcliffe SH, Barrett DA, et al. Efficacy and safety of cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabivarin on glycemic and lipid parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 2016;39(10):1777–1786. doi:10.2337/dc16-0650
- United Nations. Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971, Schedules I and II. UNODC
- Formula Swiss. Certificates of analysis (gas chromatography, report series 2021–2026). Test results page
