What is CBDV?
Cannabidivarin (CBDV)
Kuh-nab-di-var- ən | Noun
CBDV is chemically similar to CBD but elicits unique effects. Most usersfind that it provides calm, focused energy, coupled with muscle relaxation and is great for daytime use. CBDV is the target of multiple pharmaceutical research commercialization efforts to discover natural remedies for combatting seizures.
A cannabinoid naturally occurring in the cannabis plant with a similar molecular structure to cannabidiol (CBD). Cannabidivarin (CBDV) is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid, meaning it doesn’t make you “high” or cause hallucinations. This cannabinoid interacts with the endocannabinoid system to regulate brain function. It also shows strong promise in the treatment of epilepsy.
CBDV Corrects Atypical Brain Activity
Research into the efficacy of cannabis as a treatment for autism is still very much in its infancy. Still, some recent studies have highlighted the potential of several cannabinoids to mitigate a range of symptoms. According to new research, the non-psychoactive cannabinoid cannabidivarin (CBDV) alters functional connectivity in a key brain region associated with autism. A single dose of the compound is sufficient to amend atypical brain activity.
More About CBDV
It’s a cannabinoid that occurs in small amounts in the cannabis plant and is more common in landrace strains. Landrace strains are pure cannabis plants grown in their natural habitat without getting crossbred with other strains of the same species. They develop unique characteristics because they are isolated from other marijuana strains. Typically, this cannabinoid occurs more in plants with higher levels of CBD than THC. Such strains are most common in India, Pakistan, and Mexico.
Traditional cannabis breeders don’t produce enough of this cannabinoid for medicinal purposes, so scientists are using various methods to extract it from dried or living plants. Research shows that this cannabinoid can transform into THCV when exposed to acidic conditions. Like other cannabinoids, CBDV is available as a tincture, gel capsules, and can be dabbed and vaped as part of cannabinoid-rich concentrates.
Therapeutic Benefits of CBDV
This cannabinoid interacts with the endocannabinoid system to create a range of effects that are similar to the therapeutic properties produced by CBD. That said, this cannabinoid has its unique benefits and may help with autism, seizures, Crohn’s, multiple sclerosis, and symptoms related to HIV/AIDS.
Autism
There is a clear unmet need for new therapeutics to treat irritability in children with ASD that do not have the metabolic and weight adverse event profiles of the currently approved treatments. Research shows that Cannabidivarin (CBDV) is a nonpsychoactive phytocannabinoid and a safe variant of Cannabidiol (CBD). It has no appreciable tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) [less than 0.01%], has been shown to have no impact on weight or metabolism, and improves both social and cognitive functioning in animal models of idiopathic and syndromal autism (Fragile X, Rett Syndrome, Angelman Syndrome). The CDC currently estimates 1 in 59 children have ASD. ASD is characterized by deficits in social communication, irritability, repetitive behaviors, impulsivity, temper tantrums, and high caregiver burden. Currently, the only FDA-approved medications for symptoms of ASD are aripiprazole and risperidone, both of which are indicated for irritability in pediatric ASD. These medications are effective but are associated with considerable side effects with long term treatment in this chronic developmental disorder, including weight gain, metabolic syndrome and the risk of type 2 diabetes, prolactin elevation and growth of breast tissue, extrapyramidal symptoms and the risk of tardive dyskinesia. The anticonvulsant divalproex sodium (valproate/VPA) also significantly reduces irritability and repetitive behaviors in individuals with ASD. Although VPA is efficacious for pediatric epilepsy and some symptoms of ASD, it also has significant side effects, including weight gain, sedation and nausea. CBDV, like VPA, is effective in the treatment of pediatric epilepsy, and ASD mouse models demonstrate potential mechanisms for treatment with CBDV, including potential therapeutic effects on repetitive behaviors, irritability, sociability, and quality of life, and the capacity to reduce inflammation per recent pharmaceutical studies and this collaborative review.
More Research
One 2019 study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology investigated the effects of several cannabinoids on animals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Researchers discovered that both CBD and CBDV reduced inflammation, improved muscle quality, and slowed muscle degeneration.
Another animal study found that this cannabinoid helped improve cognition, motor, and neurological functions, all linked to specific types of genetic disorders.
One collaborative review suggested that CBDV could be a promising treatment for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Two studies, one published in Neuropharmacology (2018) and the other in the Journal of Psychopharmacology (2019) investigated this cannabinoid’s impact on an animal model of Rett Syndrome. Both studies noticed an improvement in general health, sociability, and brain weight.
One 2013 study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology found that CBDV “may have therapeutic potential in reducing nausea.” Like THC, this cannabinoid suppressed nausea by influencing the CB1 receptor in the brain.
Final Thoughts
CBDV has shown its great promise as an effective treatment for ASD due to the fact that it is gaining research popularity. This increase in the desire by researchers to investigate the cannabinoid has resulted in finding that the cannabinoid offers a variety of benefits in just one all-natural substance. The current known benefits for CBDV for ASD include no effect on weight, anti-epileptic and anti-seizure, decrease motor impairments, decrease cognitive decline, the decline in behavioral impairments, improved quality of sleep, elevating mood, and ultimately improving the quality of life.