Rare Cannabinoid Company’s THCV and Delta-8-THC oil tinctures are seen here in Manoa, Hawaii. Learn about the differences between these popular cannabinoids and how to take them.
Delta-8-THC and THCV are the hottest two cannabinoids right now. They sound similar and, like CBD and “regular” THC, both are naturally found in hemp, cannabis and other plants. However, they have very different effects and benefits. One offers a floaty but functional, euphoric high, while the other acts like a stimulant, boosting energy and focus while suppressing appetite. Both cannabinoids are sold online and in stores, which makes them easy to try. However, it’s important to know their unique benefits beforehand.
In this article, we’ll demystify the differences between THCV and Delta-8-THC and answer all your questions about their legality, psychoactivity, and uses for weight loss, diabetes, addiction, mental health and more. There’s also a vast difference in the quality of products from different brands. We’ll explain how to protect yourself by making sure the cannabinoids you buy are produced in a cGMP facility and that you know how to spot fake lab test results.
If you’d like to skip ahead and learn more about specific products, Rare Cannabinoid Company is a trusted brand for both THCV and Delta-8-THC. They were the first to offer a pure THCV oil as well as a 1:1 THCV CBD blend and sell an assortment of cannabinoids for customers to mix and match according to their needs. In addition to THCV and Delta-8-THC, they sell CBN, CBG, CBC, CBDA, CBDV, Rare Hawaiian CBD, extra strength 3000mg CBD, 1:1 blends and terpene-only tinctures.
Customers can create their own wellness blends by mixing and matching THCV, Delta-8-THC, CBN, CBG, CBC, CBD, and CBDA from Rare Cannabinoid Company.
Everything to you need to know about THCV and Delta-8-THC:
What are THCV and Delta-8-THC?
THCV (Tetrahydrocannabivarin) and Delta-8-THC (Delta-8-Tetrahydrocannabinol) occur naturally in hemp, cannabis and other plants in very small quantities and are therefore called “rare” or “minor” cannabinoids. Like CBD and “regular” Delta-9-THC (hereafter referred to as THC), they work with the human endocannabinoid system (ECS). Our ECS influences many aspects of our health and wellness, including hormone levels, appetite, energy, stress, anxiety, pain, inflammation, mood, and sleep.
How do THCV and Delta-8-THC work?
THCV turns off the CB1 receptor, suppressing appetite, aiding weight loss, boosting energy levels and increasing focus.
Delta-8-THC does the opposite. It activates the CB1 receptor, which triggers a euphoric, psychoactive response and a release of hunger hormones. However, despite increasing appetite, Delta-8-THC can cause weight loss, apparently by boosting metabolism. (Scroll down to see how mice ate 22% more but lost 20% of their body weight in 50 days with Delta-8-THC.)
Do THCV and Delta-8-THC really work for weight loss?
THCV is well-known for suppressing appetite, aiding weight loss and potentially helping type 2 diabetes. Multiple scientific studies have shown that THCV acts like pharmaceutical anti-obesity drug Rimonabant by turning off the CB1 receptor, which causes a reduction in appetite and food intake, resulting in weight loss (without causing the negative side effects associated with Rimonabant).
THCV should be taken alone for appetite reduction as the THC in cannabis flowers will negate some of THCV’s appetite suppressing properties. This study found that taking THCV and CBD together could combat the hunger induced by THC. (Rare Cannabinoid Company sells both pure THCV and a 1:1 THCV:CBD blend.)
Please see our recent L.A. Weekly article for links to medical research on THCV for obesity, weight loss and diabetes: THCV: The Best THCV for Energy and Weight Loss.
Unlike THCV, Delta-8-THC causes people to have the munchies, with some saying it makes them even hungrier than regular THC. While this sounds like it would lead to weight gain, it appears that Delta-8-THC could help people lose weight by boosting their metabolism. This scientific study found that mice who were given Delta-8-THC for 50 days ate 22% more than usual but lost 20% of their starting weight. The mice were also more active and saw significant cognitive improvement.
What are the other benefits of THCV and Delta-8-THC?
THCV may be beneficial for diabetes, anxiety and panic attacks, drug addiction, attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), inflammation, schizophrenia (anti-psychotic effects), seizures and Parkinson’s disease. See this guide to THCV for links to scientific studies.
Delta-8-THC has very similar effects to THC and is believed to alleviate pain, inflammation and nausea and is being studied for use against many diseases. See this guide to Delta-8-THC for more information and links to research studies.
Will I get high from THCV and Delta-8-THC?
No, for THCV. THCV is only psychoactive at very high levels.
Yes, for Delta-8-THC. Delta-8-THC is roughly half to two-thirds as intoxicating as THC.
What do THCV and Delta-8-THC feel like?
THCV is uplifting, energizing and may help people feel more alert and focussed. Taking THCV on its own can be compared to the energetic boost one gets from caffeine or an energy drink, without the negative side effects of jitters, dizziness, headache or upset stomach.
Although THCV will not get you high — unless taken at very high doses — any THCV product that also contains THC, such as cannabis sativa flowers, will get you high.
Delta-8-THC offers a mellow, happy, clear-headed, functional high. Delta-8-THC is not as intense as THC, which makes it preferable for people who feel anxious or paranoid when taking THC. It is also ideal for first-time users and those seeking relief from pain, inflammation or nausea without feeling too high.
If I already take THC, why would I try THCV or Delta-8-THC?
THCV offers very different benefits as it acts like a stimulant, boosting energy levels, focus and alertness, as well as helping you eat less.
For Delta-8-THC, many people who regularly take THC report enjoying Delta-8-THC more in social situations, during the daytime or at times when they still want to feel functional. It’s great for mellowing out or taking the edge off without experiencing total couch lock or feeling incapable of holding a conversation.
Some people enjoy combining THCV with Delta-8-THC or THC, saying it recreates the feeling of a stimulating cannabis sativa strain such as Durban Poison, Doug’s Varin or Pineapple Purps.
Delta-8-THC is derived from hemp, which makes it federally legal. However, its days appear numbers as more and more states are banning it.
Are THCV and Delta-8-THC legal?
THCV is not considered intoxicating and is legal almost everywhere.
Thanks to a loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp-derived Delta-8-THC is legal at the Federal level and can be sold online and in stores. However, even though it is not made from cannabis, more and more states are banning Delta-8-THC because it is intoxicating. It appears likely that it will be banned across the United States in the near future. So, we recommend trying Delta-8-THC before it’s too late!
Where can I buy THCV and Delta-8-THC?
THCV: Until recently, THCV was extremely difficult to find due to its scarcity in cannabis and hemp. In fact, at least one strain hunter died trying to find African landrace cannabis sativa plants high in THCV in the Congo in 2017. Thanks to advances in technology, Rare Cannabinoid Company launched the world’s first pure THCV oil product in 2020.
They offer a 500mg THCV in certified organic MCT coconut oil and a 1:1 blend of THCV with full spectrum CBD extracted from premium Hawaiian hemp. Rare Cannabinoid Company will soon be selling THCV gummies too, so be on the lookout for more exciting THCV edibles and products from the premium brand. Buy THCV here.
Delta-8-THC: There are many Delta-8-THC products for sale, but we recommend Rare Cannabinoid Company’s 500mg Delta-8-THC in certified organic MCT coconut oil because it is made in a cGMP facility and has clear, accurate third-party lab test results for each batch online. Buy Delta-8-THC here.
Are THCV and Delta-8-THC dangerous?
THCV and Delta-8-THC products made in a cGMP facility and third-party lab tested are extremely safe. However, very few products are made to this standard.
Delta-8-THC can be especially dangerous as cheap CBD is often synthesized into Delta-8-THC in substandard facilities and may contain harmful solvents or additives. Highlighting the dangers of unregulated additives, vaping unlicensed THC products containing Vitamin E oil led to 68 deaths and 2,700 hospitalizations in 2019.
The best way to check the safety of a product is to be sure it’s made in a cGMP facility and read the third-party lab test results. Check the full weight of the product and the amount of each rare cannabinoid listed to work out the dosage and check that the lab test result is accurate and for the stated product. This is important as some brands cheat by uploading lab results for single ingredients rather than the finished product. If that is done, you have no way of knowing how much of that ingredient, if any, was put in the product.
Rare Cannabinoid Company is the only brand we’ve found that produces THCV and Delta-8-THC in a cGMP facility and has up-to-date third-party lab reports online for each batch of finished products.
What are Delta-10-THC and THC-O?
Delta-10-THC and THC-O are hemp-derived cannabinoids that are synthesized from CBD. As Delta-8-THC becomes illegal in more and more states, manufacturers are turning to new inventions that can get people high legally. While they are federally legal, for now, they can be very dangerous. Delta-10-THC and THC-O are not easy to manufacture and must be refined extensively with chemicals. Any solvents or contaminants that remain in the finished product can damage one’s health. We have not found reputable brands that make Delta-10-THC or THC-O in a cGMP facility with verifiable independent lab reports. More and more states are also banning Delta-10-THC and THC-O.
What are CBC, CBDA, CBDV, CBG, CBN and terpenes?
These are safe cannabinoids and oils found in hemp, cannabis and other plants that offer other unique health and wellness benefits. For example, CBN promotes rest, relaxation and sleep. Please see our recent L.A. Weekly article: CBN for Sleep: Your Guide To The Most Sedative Cannabinoid. See these links on CBG for pain and inflammation, CBC for depression, CBDA for nausea, and CBDV studies on autism and muscular dystrophy. Buy CBN, CBG, CBC, CBDA and CBDV here.
How should I take THCV, Delta-8-THC and other cannabinoids?
Each of these naturally occurring compounds has different health and wellness benefits. Any of them can be combined or added to CBD or THC to enhance specific effects. For example, one may want to take THCV and CBD in the morning for energy, focus, stress resilience, and appetite suppression. Then, in the evening, one could take CBN and Delta-8-THC to relax and fall into a dreamy sleep. Rare Cannabinoid Company’s apothecary approach has made it easier than ever to test out which cannabinoids work best for you depending on time of day or how you’re feeling. Learn more and shop for THCV, Delta-8-THC, rare cannabinoids and terpenes here.
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