Since CBD (cannabidiol) stepped onto the scene, people from all walks of life have made the cannabinoid part of their daily wellness plans. From CBD capsules to CBD oil, you would be hard-pressed to find people who haven’t tried CBD in some shape or form today. However, as more time passes since the 2018 Farm Bill went into effect, more new cannabinoids have been brought to light. CBDV is one of the latest.
So, what is CBDV, is it anything like CBD, and should you try it? Here is a quick rundown of facts on this rarer cannabinoid.
What is CBDV exactly?
CBDV is cannabidivarin, which is a cannabinoid that occurs naturally in plants from the Cannabis Sativa family. CBDV is also sometimes referred to as cannabidivarol. CBDV has a similar molecular structure to CBD and comes from the same plant. Therefore, CBDV is considered a homolog (shared ancestry and characteristics) to CBD. CBDV is also non-intoxicating and has been minimally examined due to its anticonvulsant properties.
Where does CBDV come from?
CBDV was first identified by a chemist in 1969. Unlike other cannabinoids, like Delta 8, that are affiliated with cannabis plants in general, CBDV is primarily present in C. Indica Landrace cultivars, which are mostly found in parts of Africa and Asia. However, the cannabinoid may also be more prevalent in strains that have higher concentrations of CBD like hemp.
What are the benefits of CBDV?
So far, there has not been a great deal of research done to examine the benefits of CBDV. For the most part, the cannabinoid has only been looked at for its anticonvulsant activity. CBDV is thought to affect the neurochemical pathways that play a role in seizure occurrence and progression. At one point, GW Pharmaceuticals was looking at the cannabinoid to create a new drug for epilepsy, but those initial efforts were abandoned in 2018 because a placebo-controlled study “did not reach its primary endpoints.”
CBDV has also undergone a few animal and human studies to look at its potential for things like nausea and pain. While the cannabinoid showed some efficacy for nausea, it was not found to be effective for neuropathic pain.
CBDV vs CBD – What’s the difference?
Even though CBD and CBDV are similar by nature and structure, the two cannabinoids are substantially different. The primary similarity the two are known to share is that neither is intoxicating, which does make both a viable option for therapeutic reasons. Both may also be a suitable option for targeting seizures and possibly even nausea. Beyond this, however, there are quite a few differences.
CBD Benefits vs CBDV Benefits
The benefits of CBD have been well-examined over the last several years. To date, cannabidiol has been found to have a number of therapeutic properties that could potentially target:
- Pain and inflammation
- Oxidative stress
- Muscle tension and muscle recovery
- Psychological issues
- Sleep issues
The known CBD effects are the big reason why people turn to products like CBD gummies and CBD oil for wellness. CBDV, by contrast, has not been extensively studied enough to make definitive statements about its therapeutic value. There could eventually be more of a reason to use CBDV, but it is simply too early to tell.
Other Major Differences
So, the major difference between CBD and CBDV is that the effects of CBD are well-documented, while we don’t know a great deal about CBDV. Other major differences include:
- CBDV is not as prevalent in cannabis family plants as CBD
- CBDV may interact with the endocannabinoid system differently, possibly more directly influencing cannabinoid receptors, than CBD
- CBDV has not yet been FDA-approved as a medicine to target epilepsy; CBD has (Epidiolex)
It is also worth noting that there is not a great deal known about the side effects of CBDV. Even though it is easy to presume that this cannabinoid would not cause adverse effects much like other cannabinoids, little research has been done to truly establish this as fact. CBD’s side effects have been discussed and examined at-length.
A Final Word on CBDV from Nirvana
Even though CBDV may hold some promise down the road for therapeutic purposes, there is just a lot we don’t know yet about this cannabinoid. In the meantime, Nirvana has all the CBD products you need. Our collection of lab-tested, broad-spectrum CBD products make it easy to take advantage of the known benefits of CBD. Take a look at the full Nirvana CBD collection, including CBD gummies, CBD capsules, and more.
