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Over the last few years, hemp genetics have continued to evolve in response to the latest cannabinoid research, as well as growing consumer interest and demand. One of the hottest cannabinoids on the block right now is CBDV and, thanks to the new genetics created by Oregon CBD seeds, it won’t be long before two high CBDV strains of hemp flower hit the market.
In this article, we’re going to answer all of your CBDV-related questions, including:
● What is CBDV?
● What’s the difference between CBD and CBDV?
● How does CBDV work?
● How do you consume CBDV?
● Best CBDV flower strains
● CBDV combined with Delta 8 THC
● CBDV effects?
● CBDV benefits?
● CBDV Side effects?
● Where can I buy CBDV flower?
What is CBDV?
CBDV is just one of well over 100 cannabinoids that can be found in both cannabis and hemp plants. Research shows that CBDV is more prevalent in Indica landrace strains originating from Africa and Asia, as well as strains that have a higher CBD content. Like CBD, CBDV is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that is rapidly gaining in popularity due to its unique potential therapeutic effects.
What is the V in CBDV?
CBD is the acronym for cannabidiol and CBDV is short for cannabidivarin. So, the “V” in CBDV hasn’t been added to CBD and despite its similarities at a molecular level, it’s actually another compound entirely.
What’s the Difference Between CBD and CBDV?
CBDV is a homolog of CBD, as they both began life as CBGA (the acidic precursor to CBG), but they have slightly different molecular structures. If you look closely at CBDV vs CBD, you’ll see that CBDV has a propyl side chain as opposed to CBD’s pentyl chain.
The difference may look small to the untrained eye, but this molecular difference identifies CBDV as a propyl cannabinoid and causes it to have slightly different effects from CBD. More on that a little later.
How Does CBDV Work?
CBDV was discovered over 50 years ago, but decades of cannabis prohibition made access to this cannabinoid difficult and therefore research into its modes of action and potential therapeutic properties is more limited than it should be.
What we do know is that, like our bodies’ own naturally occurring cannabinoids, cannabinoids from hemp and cannabis are able to exert influence on us by interacting with our body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS).
The ECS is a chemical signaling system, consisting of thousands of cannabinoid receptors, responsible for regulating a whole host of essential physiological and cognitive functions. It plays a vital role in helping our bodies achieve and maintain a healthy state of homeostasis or balance.
Many prominent scientists now believe that deficiencies within the ECS could be at the root of all human disease, which is why there is so much interest and excitement in the potential outcomes of supplementing our diets with plant cannabinoids
How Do You Consume CBDV?
Historically speaking, CBDV was a minor cannabinoid, meaning that it could only be found in small amounts within hemp plants. CBDV extracts have been made available in the past, but the CBDV they contain has been synthesized from other cannabinoids in order to produce the amounts they need.
Recent advancements in hemp genetics, however, have resulted in two high-CBDV flower strains hitting the market this year, containing much higher levels of CBDV than we’ve ever seen before. They are called Forbidden V (sometimes known as Forbidden Fruit) and Pine Walker.
Both of these strains were developed by the Crawford Brothers at Oregon CBD Seeds and contain high levels of both CBDV and CBD.
Plant-based, natural remedies are becoming increasingly popular and if you want to take CBDV in its most natural form, then we recommend getting your CBDV directly from these two strains of hemp flower.
CBDV flower strains
Forbidden V
Forbidden V has very fruity aromatics, with lingering notes of mango, guava, and coconut. The buds are tall and skinny and it is a fresh-tasting strain that offers a peaceful calm, ideal for daytime activities and social events.
Pine Walker
Pine Walker is a much gassier strain that, true to its name, reeks of pine needles with hints of lemon and citrus. Again, the buds are slightly smaller than we’re used to, but when smoked, Pine Walker invokes a nice heavy-body type of relaxation, that would be great for chilled evenings at home when you can put your feet up to truly basque in all its glory.
Both of these CBDV rich strains are also available as Delta 8 THC flower. Get them as loose flower or practical pre-rolls from Unicorn Brand.
Where Can I Buy CBDV Flower?
Because they’re so new, you won’t find Forbidden V and Pine Walker at just any hemp flower store, but if you’re interested in trying the best CBDV flower out there then we recommend you head over to Green Unicorn Farms or Unicorn Brand (we’re not unicorn-obsessed, we promise!).
Green Unicorn Farms
Green Unicorn Farms will have both of the Forbidden V and Pine Walker high-CBDV strains available on their hemp flower menu by the end of 2021. They specialize in hunting down the most aromatic and effective CBD products available and their CBDV flower is no exception. Green Unicorn Farm’s Forbidden V and Pine Walker flower harvest is coming straight from USDA certified organic greenhouses in southern Oregon and will join other classic and exotic CBG and CBD flower strains already in their line-up.
They have strict standards when it comes to quality and transparency, so you can be sure that all of their flower is clean, safe, and effective. Plus, you can access third-party lab reports that detail the exact cannabinoid content and potency of each hemp flower strain that they sell, on their website or by scanning the QR code on the product packaging.
Their prices are also incredibly reasonable and they offer free shipping on all orders over $49.
Unicorn Brand
If you want to get a bit of a buzz on when you smoke, then we recommend you try out Unicorn Brand’s offering, which includes high-CBDV flower that has been enriched with delta 8 THC. Delta 8 THC is a CBD-derived cannabinoid that offers its users the happy, euphoric “high” associated with high-THC cannabis, but at around half the strength of delta 9 THC, isn’t as overwhelming as regular cannabis.
Delta 8 has been rapidly growing in popularity over the past few years with people that can’t access legal delta-9 THC in their state, as well as with those that find themselves too sensitive to delta 9 THC.
Unicorn Brand will have delta 8 infused CDBV flower available in 2021, as well as pre-rolls for those times when you just can’t be bothered to roll your own.
We also find Unicorn Brand’s prices to be very fair and you get the added bonus of free shipping on all orders (no minimum purchase).
What are CBDV Effects?
As mentioned previously, CBDV is a non-intoxicating compound, meaning it won’t cause the euphoric intoxication that is associated with THC. People who are prone to anxiety can enjoy the benefits of CBDV in the same way they enjoy CBD, without worrying about any panic-inducing high.
Many people find that the effects of CBDV are very similar to those brought on by CBD, but more experienced CBD flower smokers may notice some subtle differences.
When you smoke high-CBDV hemp flower you are likely to feel more relaxed than usual. However, this relaxed body feel arrives with a calm, focused energy that allows you to remain motivated and maintain full control over your cognitive and motor functions.
As with all hemp flower strains, the effects you feel from a high-CBDV strain will also depend on the other compounds found within it, as all of the other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids contribute to building each strain’s unique profile and effects.
What are CBDV Benefits?
Although research is limited, following the legalization of hemp in 2018, there has been a flurry of studies into the benefits and effects of cannabinoids, including CBDV, some of which we have presented here.
A few of the main areas of study for CBDV include its potential as an anticonvulsant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antiemetic.
Big Interest From Big Pharma
Much of the research into CBDV right now is funded by pharmaceutical giants (GW Pharmaceuticals), as well as the US government. So, we’re definitely not the only ones who see a bright future ahead for these new CBDV cannabinoid strains!
GW Pharmaceuticals owns the first-ever FDA-approved CBD drug called Epidiolex and is currently developing a new CDBV-based drug, which for the moment is only known as GPW42006.
Previous clinical research has shown that CBDV can influence the neurochemical pathway of capsaicin receptors, involved in both the onset and progression of certain types of epilepsy. GW hopes to use this new CBDV drug to help prevent or reduce the frequency of seizures in epilepsy and other seizure disorders.
Due to other compelling preclinical research, GW Pharma is also involved in funding two further human clinical trials that are currently recruiting to test CBDV on children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and children and young adults with Prader-Willi Syndrome.
Also Showing Promise in Other Areas
● In animal models, CBDV has displayed powerful anti-nausea properties. Studies on
rodents have shown that CBDV likely acts as an agonist at CB1 (cannabinoid 1)
receptors, blocking nausea response.
● In a 2014 study on rats, researchers also found that CBDV (along with CBD) was able to
effectively activate and desensitize TRPV1 receptors, responsible for regulating body
temperature as well as pain sensation.
● A 2018 study showed that CBDV treatment improved the overall general health of a
mouse model for Rett Syndrome, by improving the deficit in sociability, improving motor
function, and normalizing brain weight.
● A further 2019 study on mice showed that CBDV may reduce chronic inflammation and,
at the same time, restore and even rebuild muscle function. The team of researchers
believes that CBDV, as well as CBD and THCV, may have the potential to prevent
muscle degeneration in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
What are CBDV Side Effects?
CBDV is generally considered to be safe and well-tolerated, even at high doses. Infrequent, mild side effects were recorded in GW Pharma’s human clinical trials, but they concluded that CBDV has no significant side effects, no serious or severe adverse effects, and no withdrawals.
As with other cannabinoids, some minor adverse side effects may be experienced by some users, such as dry mouth, dizziness, and drowsiness.
Is CBDV Legal?
The Hemp Farming Act of 2018 differentiated the hemp plant from the cannabis plant as cannabis that contains no more than 0.3% delta 9 THC and made hemp and all of its derivatives federally legal.
This means that as long as your CBDV source is derived from hemp, then it is federally legal across the entire United States.
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