Cannabidivarin (CBDV) is one of the many cannabinoids found in cannabis and hemp plants with medicinal and therapeutic effects.
CBDV is similar to cannabidiol (CBD), not just in structure (it’s a CBD homolog), but also in effects. Like CBD, CBDV does not induce mind-altering euphoria when consumed, unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Cannabis cultivars that tend to be high in CBD are typically more likely to contain CBDV. Some breeders have created cultivars high in CBDV, such as Seedsman’s CBDV:CBD 1:1 Auto Feminised cultivar or Dutch Passion’s CBD-Victory.
CBDV is not a cannabinoid that’s just recently been discovered; CBDV has been known for decades. That said, only recently has CBDV been more extensively researched, with clinical trials currently taking place to identify the cannabinoid’s medicinal properties.
Like many other cannabinoids, CBDV has its own medicinal properties that can serve to supplement or replace traditional therapeutics. Of particular interest is its effects on calming seizures. Some pharmaceutical companies are already working on anti-seizure drugs using CBDV as an active ingredient.
Specifically, GW Pharmaceuticals is currently developing a medicine using CBDV as an active ingredient to treat or prevent seizures from epilepsy. The company was also behind Epidiolex, the first cannabis-based anti-seizure drug (consisting of CBD) approved by the FDA.
CBDV may offer potential anti-seizure effects by impacting specific brain receptors involved in the development of various forms of epilepsy. Preliminary studies conducted on CBDV illustrated such findings, where CBDV acted through receptors other than the endocannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1). [1] These sites of action appear to include transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, dopamine receptors, and G-protein coupled receptors. [2]
In addition to CBDV’s potential to help reduce epileptic seizures, the cannabinoid has also been linked to the alleviation of other ailments, including the following:
- Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). A recent study found a possible association between CBDV and the alleviation of symptoms associated with DMD. [3] The cannabinoid may be able to reduce inflammation and improve muscle functions that are negatively affected by this disease.
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD). CBDV is currently being looked at as a potential treatment for ASD through its effects on brain excitation and inhibition systems in patients with the disorder. [4] Specifically, it appears to modulate the GABA-glutamate system in the basal ganglia.
- Nausea. CBDV may be able to help reduce the effects of nausea thanks to its ability to potentially block the nausea response possibly through TRP channels. [5]
Image source: NickyPe from Pixabay
References:
1- Hill TDM, et al. Cannabidivarin-rich cannabis extracts are anticonvulsant in mouse and rat via a CB1 receptor-independent mechanism. Br J Pharmacol. 2013. [Impact Factor: 8.739; Times Cited: 151 (Semantic Scholar)]
2- Zamberletti E, Rubino T, Parolaro D. Therapeutic potential of cannabidivarin for epilepsy and autism spectrum disorder. Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 2021;226(107878). doi:10.1016/j.pharmthera.2021.107878. [Impact Factor: 12.310; Times Cited: n/a]
3- Iannotti FA, et al. Effects of non-euphoric plant cannabinoids on muscle quality and performance of dystrophic mdx mice. Br J Pharmacol. 2019. [Impact Factor: 8.739; Times Cited: 25 (Semantic Scholar)]
4- Pretzsch CM, et al. Effects of cannabidivarin (CBDV) on brain excitation and inhibition systems in adults with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): a single dose trial during magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Transl Psychiatry. 2019;9:313. [Impact Factor: 5.182; Times Cited: 10 (Semantic Scholar)]
5- Rock EM, et al. Evaluation of the potential of the phytocannabinoids, cannabidivarin (CBDV) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), to produce CB1 receptor inverse agonism symptoms of nausea in rats. Br J Pharmacol. 2013. [Impact Factor: 8.739; Times Cited: 18 (Semantic Scholar)]
