Diabetes is a metabolic disease caused by high blood sugar levels. Over time, it can lead to serious health complications of the eyes, heart, blood vessels, nerves, and kidneys. According to the WHO, around 420 million people worldwide have diabetes; each year, this disease kills 1.5 million people. Sadly, its prevalence has been rising over the years.
Such grim statistics belie the fact that one type of diabetes is avoidable. Type 2 diabetes is usually a consequence of our lifestyle choices and is ironically the most common. As we grow older, we become less active and put on more weight.
This can lead to a large blood glucose load that sometimes overwhelms the body. Too much glucose in the bloodstream can lead to circulatory, immune, and nervous disorders.
Type 1 diabetes is genetic and often shows early in life, which is why it is also called juvenile diabetes. It occurs when the body makes very little insulin or none at all. This prevents cells from absorbing blood sugar, which they use as energy. As a result, your blood sugar accumulates.
Access to affordable and quality treatment is critical for people with diabetes. For now, diabetes is incurable, so healthcare interventions focus on minimizing complications and premature death.
But with revelations that certain cannabinoids may help manage diabetes, all hope is certainly not lost. Cue tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV).
Key Takeaways
- THCV is a unique non-psychoactive cannabinoid with potential benefits for people with diabetes and metabolic conditions.
- It exerts beneficial effects through the endocannabinoid system by deactivating the CB1 receptor.
- Though known for appetite suppression, THCV exhibits other qualities that make it a potential candidate for developing treatments for diabetes.
- These properties make THCV possibly beneficial in controlling blood sugar, insulin sensitivity, and weight loss.
What Is THCV, aka “Diet Weed”?
THCV is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid with unique bioactive properties. Its chemical formula closely resembles THC, but its alkyl side chain is two carbon atoms shorter. It is unclear if this is why it does not exhibit THC’s psychoactive effects, e.g., psychoactivity, appetite stimulation, anxiety, etc.
THCV is predominantly a neutral antagonist at the CB1 receptor (inverse agonist). This means it suppresses CB1 receptor activity. It, however, displays both agonistic and antagonistic tendencies at the CB2 receptor dose-dependently.
In high concentrations, THCV behaves like THC and even manifests psychoactivity. But in low concentrations, it behaves like CBD.
Unlike THC and CBD, THCV is a minor cannabinoid that occurs in exceedingly low concentrations in landrace Sativa strains. As such, THCV is generally short in supply, which makes it expensive.
Does THCV Help Diabetes?
Now to the more interesting part. THCV might be a novel cannabinoid, but its potential benefits in diabetes treatment are exciting. But to understand how this cannabinoid may help manage diabetes, let’s first overview the endocannabinoid system (ECS).
In recent years, the ECS has emerged as a promising therapeutic target in treating central nervous system (CNS) illnesses and disorders. That is because it plays critical modulatory roles in homeostatic processes and synaptic plasticity.
The two major ECS receptors are CB1 and CB2. The former is mainly expressed in the CNS, while the latter is primarily in the peripheral nervous system. However, CB1 receptors can also be found in peripheral structures and extra-neural sites like the eyes, testis, spleen, and endothelium cells. The CB1 receptor is the most abundant in the ECS.
The activation of the CB1 receptor leads to a rapid reduction in cyclic adenosine monophosphate (camp) levels. This hormone is an intracellular secondary messenger for various other hormones and neurotransmitters. It regulates numerous cellular functions, including gene transcription, cell growth, cell differentiation, and protein synthesis.
So, how does THCV activity on CB1 receptors help with diabetes?
Remember, diabetes is a problem that starts with the body’s inability to process blood glucose effectively. One of the areas it affects is the nervous system – the home of CB1 receptors! From this point, it is easy to develop connections between THCV activity on CB1 receptors and weight loss.
Let’s get to the science.
What Is the Connection Between THCV and Weight Loss?
Cannabinoids influence the body via the ECS. Their binding action to ECS receptors triggers physiological and biological reactions that may be positive or negative.
In the case of THCV, it exhibits a two-pronged approach to weight loss.
First, it antagonizes CB1 receptor activity, which, in simple terms, is akin to switching them off. One of the implications of this is appetite suppression. By blocking this receptor, THCV essentially suppresses food intake, as this rat study demonstrated. This also explains why you get “the munchies” when you smoke THC-rich cannabis. THC activates the CB1 receptors, thus increasing your appetite.
Second, THCV has been shown to increase energy expenditure. This is the energy your body uses to maintain essential functions, e.g., breathing, digestion, circulation, etcetera.
Recall that weight gain happens when you take in more calories than you burn. The excess calories are converted into fat and stored under the skin. With you spend more energy, your body converts the fat into glucose to supply energy. This aids in weight loss.
THCV’s effect on energy expenditure appears to apply to resting and diet-induced energy expenditure. In other words, it enables the body to use more energy at rest and in food digestion. Additional activity-induced energy expenditure through exercises can go a long way in helping you lose weight.
What The Research Says About THCV and Diabetes
Do you know why obese people are likely to develop Type 2 diabetes? Well, because of two “hunger” hormones called leptin and ghrelin.
Leptin is an appetite suppressor made by fat cells. So, fat people typically have more leptin than their leaner counterparts. On the other hand, ghrelin is an appetite promoter produced in the stomach to signal the brain when you are hungry.
However, a triad of interconnected factors is linked to leptin resistance – reduced satiety, overeating, and increased body mass. High body fat content breaks down communication between the brain and leptin receptors. As a result, your brain cannot tell when you are satiated, so you eat and eat more, putting on more and more weight.
This raises your blood sugar levels straining the body’s glucose control mechanisms. Over time, your blood sugar levels rise so high, making you diabetic.
How can THCV help with this?
THCV may help by reducing blood sugar levels and increasing insulin sensitivity. Type 2 diabetes is caused when the body does not produce enough insulin or becomes insulin resistant. This hinders the cells from taking up glucose from the blood resulting in high glucose levels.
THCV’s ability to reduce blood sugar levels and increase insulin sensitivity was observed in this 2016 study. Another rat study corroborated these findings, showing that THCV “improved glucose tolerance and increased insulin sensitivity” in dietary-induced obese mice.
For patients with Type 1 diabetes, the discovery that THCV may also improve pancreatic function is welcome news. The inability of the pancreas to produce enough insulin is the genesis of Type 1 diabetes.
Overall, THCV appears to improve glycemic control and represents a new therapeutic alternative for managing Type 2 diabetes.
How THCV Impacts Weight, Obesity, and Diabetes
So, we now know that obesity and diabetes are closely related. However, one of the impediments to effective management is its “silent” nature. Type 2 diabetes is notorious for staying hidden until health complications arise. This is why medical professionals call it a “silent killer.”
the good news is that cannabinoids like THCV may improve diabetes symptoms and make you feel better. Research has established that this cannabinoid may be a valuable treatment for diabetes because it:
Curbs Appetite
THCV is popularly known as the “diet weed,” and multiple studies support this assertion.1, 2. By suppressing appetite, THCV limits food intake, which means fewer calories. Indeed, the key to losing weight is expending more calories than you consume.
Boosts Metabolism
While food intake is typically within a normal person’s locus of control, metabolism is not. How fast or slow your body changes food into energy may determine how fast you gain weight.
A high metabolism means you use more energy to keep going (or even at rest). Within the context of weight loss, this is ideal.
Animal studies provide evidence that THCV can boost metabolism. This gives you more energy to work out and lose more weight.
Stabilizes Insulin Levels
When you produce insufficient insulin, your cells cannot absorb blood glucose effectively. So, much of it is left in your bloodstream, raising your glucose levels.
THCV has been shown to improve pancreatic cell function. This is important because insulin is manufactured in the pancreas. So, a well-functioning pancreas undoubtedly contributes to stable insulin levels.
Studies also show that THCV may restore insulin signaling. This is vital for managing cases of insulin insensitivity. This enables cells to absorb blood glucose more efficiently.
Reduces Glucose Intolerance
Too much glucose in the blood can lead to glucose intolerance. This is your body telling you it does not know what to do with the excess glucose.
Fortunately, THCV can reduce glucose intolerance enabling your body to process glucose more efficiently. Of course, glucose intolerance is caused by insulin insensitivity, and THCV can improve insulin production and sensitivity too.
Final Thoughts on THCV for Diabetes
As our understanding of cannabinoids grows, we continually learn of their immense therapeutic possibilities. Research on THCV may not be as extensive as THC or CBD, but the little that has been done places it at the forefront of our search for new treatments for metabolic conditions.
Even though more research is needed to elucidate the pharmacology of THCV, these early findings show it holds much promise. Thus far, the role cannabinoids can play in keeping us healthy, and disease-free cannot be gainsaid. And with progressive legislation like the 2018 farm bill, the future of cannabis research certainly looks bright.
Where to Buy THCV Gummies Online
THCV is a unique cannabinoid with remarkable benefits, especially for people with metabolic conditions. With a safety profile that does not elicit questions, there is no harm in trying out this cannabinoid.
So, where can you buy THCV gummies online?
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