Cannabidivarin (CBDV) is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that will not cause the euphoric feeling of being “high.” It is found more prevalently in indica strains, specifically landrace indica strains, and strains that are lower in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Like CBD, CBDV significantly reduces the frequency and severity of seizures. It also reduces or even eliminates nausea associated with several conditions, and helps to reduce inflammation throughout the body. CBDV is also beneficial in the treatment of pain and mood disorders.
Research has shown that CBDV is effective in the treatment of a variety of symptoms and conditions.
Examples of conditions for which CBDV is particularly effective in providing symptom relief are listed below:
- Seizures
- Crohn’s
- HIV/AIDS
- Multiple Sclerosis
The Potential Medical Benefits of CBDV
Much of the research around CBDV has centered around its effect on seizures. GW Pharmaceuticals, which developed the first FDA-approved CBD drug called Epidiolex, is actively developing a CBDV-based drug known as GPW42006 to reduce or prevent epileptic and other forms of seizures.
Their research has shown that CBDV affects the neurochemical pathway of the capsaicin receptors involved in both the onset as well as the progression of several types of epilepsy. GW reports that CBDV has shown anti-epileptic results “across a range of in vitro and in vivo models of epilepsy.”
CBDV is also showing promise in several other areas of medicine:
- According to a 2018 rodent study, CBDV has shown promise in helping the neurobehavioral issues associated with Rett syndrome.
- In an animal study published in 2019 in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, CBDV was found to rescue memory defects in mice that have the same genetic defect as people with Rett syndrome. CBDV also helped with neurological defects, but the effects were transient.
- In a similar 2019 studypublished in the British Journal of Pharmacology, CBDV was found to possibly benefit patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).
- Childhood intractable epilepsy and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often go hand in hand. CBDV is being investigated as a potential treatment of some of the more significant ASD issues.
- CBDV may also be a powerful anti-nausea agent.
Although CBDV was discovered 50 years ago, research is just commencing in an appreciable way.