THCV, also known as “diet weed,” is a cannabinoid getting much attention for its appetite-suppressing effects. But it’s not just good for weight loss; research has also found that it may help to treat diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease too.
Unlike THC, which is often known to induce the notorious munchies, THCV curbs your appetite by blocking the CB1 receptor. It may even improve your insulin sensitivity and diminish the action of some neurotransmitters.
Table of Contents
It Curbs Appetite
THCV, a cannabinoid found in small amounts in cannabis plants, is being touted as “diet weed.”
While it’s not psychoactive, THCV suppresses your appetite and may help you lose weight. The cannabinoid is believed to decrease cravings for sweets, carbs, and sugary snacks by inhibiting the brain’s activation of the CB1 receptor.
THCV can also reduce hunger pangs by interacting with the dorsal visual stream and cognitive control networks. These receptors are associated with food reward and aversion.
In addition to being a potential appetite suppressant, THCV is also known for its ability to help regulate blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. It has also been shown to decrease epilepsy-related seizures and delay neurodegeneration in patients with Parkinson’s disease.
It Boosts Your Metabolism
THCV is one of the many cannabinoids that are undergoing research and development. It works differently than its famous cousin, THC, which produces feelings of euphoria, hunger, and relaxation.
Fortunately, THCV is only about 25% as psychoactive as THC, making it an excellent choice for people interested in the weight loss benefits of cannabis but who don’t want to get high. It also helps reduce the adverse effects that THC can have on your body, including increased heart rate and memory problems.
It also can help improve your metabolism, vital to losing weight. It can be a huge benefit for those who are overweight or suffering from diabetes.
THCV has been shown to boost your metabolism by reducing appetite, increasing satiety, and regulating energy. These positive effects on the body help you feel fuller, keeping your weight down. It also helps to stabilize your insulin levels.
It Stimulates Bone Growth
THCV stimulates bone growth by activating your endocannabinoid system (ECS), which controls several critical bodily functions. It includes the regulation of your appetite, your blood sugar levels, and your skeletal function.
According to a recent study, THCV may also reduce muscle spasms common in conditions like Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s.
THCV works with the CB1 and CB2 receptors found throughout the body. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help improve chronic inflammation symptoms like inflammatory pain.
It Helps to Tame Type 2 Diabetes
THCV lowers blood sugar by suppressing appetite, increasing satiety, and up-regulating energy metabolism. As a result, it can help to decrease your food intake and weight gain, which in turn helps to reduce your risk for type 2 diabetes.
Interestingly, it also appears to improve connectivity in brain regions often impaired in those with obesity. These include the cognitive control network and the dorsal visual stream network.
In addition, THCV has been shown to reverse insulin resistance, which can help improve glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes. The drug has also been found to increase adiponectin levels, essential for regulating blood glucose levels and fatty acid breakdown in the pancreas.
In one randomized, placebo-controlled study, THCV reduced fasting plasma glucose and improved pancreatic function in people with non-insulin-treated type 2 diabetes. It also significantly increased b-cell function and adiponectin concentrations. It also decreased liver triglyceride levels and increased energy expenditure.