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THCV vs Delta-8

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Delta-8 Focus Sativa
Delta-8 Focus Sativa
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When it comes to hemp and cannabis, there are well over 100 different cannabinoids present in these botanicals that we know of so far. Most of us are familiar with the basic ones, such as THC, CBD, and CBG.

However, there are many others worthy of consideration, several of which are just being discovered or researched in greater depth. Two of the cannabinoids that are becoming increasingly popular are THCV and Delta-8 THC. As you can probably tell, these are both related to THC, although there are some differences between them.

Thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, any cannabinoid derived from a hemp plant that contains less than 0.3% THC (Delta 9), should be totally legal. Both THCV and Delta-8 THC have certain effects on the human mind and body, and they both have some benefits too, although they aren’t really the same.

Today, we want to do an in-depth THCV vs delta-8 THC comparison, so you know exactly what you’re in for when consuming either of these substances.

Key Takeaways

  • THCV is a naturally occurring cannabinoid extracted from hemp and cannabis
  • THCV is thought to have effects similar to those of an energy drink or coffee
  • THCV appears to be safe though conclusive evidence from toxicology studies is limited.
  • Unless taken in very large quantities, THCV appears to be mostly non-psychoactive
  • Delta-8 THC is closely related to Delta-9 THC, although less potent
  • Delta-8 THC is psychoactive, although supposedly not quite as much as Delta-9.

What is THCV

First, we have Tetrahydrocannabivarin, or THCV for short, a very unique type of cannabinoid found in cannabis and hemp plants. You might think that THC and THCV are similar or even identical, however, they are actually quite different, as they come from or are derived from different parent molecules.

In addition, these two cannabinoids tend to be present in cannabis plants at very different levels. One of the biggest differences is that THC has a parent molecule of cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), which can be synthesized by a reaction between olivetolic acid and geranyl pyrophosphate.

However, for THCV, the parent molecule is cannabigerovarinic acid (CBGVA), which has to be synthesized from a reaction between divarinolic acid and geranyl pyrophosphate.

Is THCV a Natural Cannabinoid?

Yes, THCV is a naturally occurring cannabinoid that is found in many different cannabis and hemp plants. THCV products are all made directly from hemp plants, with manufacturers using processes similar to those used for primary THC extraction, a process known as chromatography.

Chromatography separates different cannabinoids and compounds in terms of their molecular weight. Indeed, THCV can be naturally found in various strains.

What are the Benefits of THCV?

What needs to be emphasized here is that any research surrounding THCV and its effects is extremely limited. However, some studies show that THCV may be an appetite suppressant, unlike many other cannabinoids which appear to be appetite stimulants.

The experts aren’t 100% sure why this is the case, but it is assumed that THCV blocks the CB1 Receptor, which is responsible for stimulating appetite.

THCV may also be an anti-inflammatory and an analgesic that can help reduce pain and inflammation in the human body. In general, THCV is also thought to be a slight stimulant, which when consumed can help increase focus and energy levels, with people saying that the effects are similar to that of drinking a cup of coffee.

Key Benefits of THCV

Although THCV won't get you high, there are some potential benefits for your health that you may be able to reap from it, so let's take a quick look.
  • Although further studies are required here, there is some evidence that indicates that THCV may be able to help regulate your blood sugar levels. It may have the ability to help restore insulin signaling and reduce glucose intolerance. It may also be able to help improve insulin sensitivity. THC may have potential benefits in terms of your blood sugar.
  • THCV may also act as a collagen stimulant. Although there is also more research required on this front, there are indications that THCV may be able to help increase collagen production. This in turn may be able to help strengthen your bones and improve the health of your skin.
  • Another big potential benefit of THCV is that it may also be able to help suppress your appetite and help prevent food cravings from occurring. Exactly why this happens is not 100% known, but there are indications that the THCV acts as an appetite suppressant.
  • There is also some evidence that THCV may also act as an anti-inflammatory and an analgesic agent, which means that it could help to reduce inflammation and pain in your body.

Is THCV Safe?

Although there is still more research that needs to be conducted on this front, THCV does appear to be safe to try without any major reported side effects. THCV may even be able to decrease some of the negative side effects of THC, such as feelings of paranoia, although this is also yet to be confirmed. Why not give some THCV from our farm a try?

What is Delta-8 THC

Now that we know what THCV is, let’s take a look at Delta-8 THC. In this part of the Delta-8 vs THCV comparison, we want to figure out exactly what Delta-8 THC is. As you can probably guess, Delta-8 is a cannabinoid that occurs naturally in hemp and cannabis plants, although usually not in very high quantities.

THC exists in several different forms, with regular THC, AKA Delta-9 THC, being the most abundant one, as well as the cannabinoid that most of us associate with getting high. This is known as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, whereas Delta-8 is technically delta-8- tetrahydrocannabinol.

Delta-8 is also psychoactive in its naturally occurring form, although it appears to be a good deal less potent than its more familiar cousin, Delta-9 THC. Regular THC has a double bond on the 9th carbon, whereas Delta-8 THC has a double bond on the 8th carbon, so although it still interacts with the endocannabinoid system, this difference in chemical structure is thought to account for the difference in potency.

Is Delta-8 THC a Natural Cannabinoid?

Yes, Delta-8 THC is a natural cannabinoid, one that occurs mostly in hemp plants. However, this cannabinoid occurs in such low quantities that extracting it straight from the source usually proves to be too costly and inefficient. You just can’t extract enough of it at once to make it worthwhile.

However, the Delta-8 THC that we know is synthesized from other more frequently occurring cannabinoids, usually CBD. What is interesting to note is that because Delta-8 THC is synthesized from CBD, which comes from a hemp plant that contains less than 0.3% THC, it is technically considered legal in the USA at this time.

What are the Benefits of Delta-8 THC?

For the most part, the benefits of Delta-8 THC are similar to those of Delta-9 THC, although generally not as potent. Just like regular THC, Delta-8 is often thought to be a mood regulator, as it helps to bring on feelings of calm and relaxation, therefore potentially helping to combat anxious or depressive thoughts.

Delta-8 may also have some anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties, which is why many people use it as a pain-relief alternative to regular medicines. At the same time, it is also thought that Delta-8 THC can both help you sleep better at night and fight symptoms of sleeplessness, while also helping to stimulate the appetite.

Key Benefits of Delta-8

Delta-8 THC is thought to have a variety of potential benefits for the human mind and body. For anybody who likes to relax a little bit, one potential benefit is that Delta-8 THC is of course psychoactive or intoxicating, which means that it will alter your state of mind and make you feel high. Let's take a quick look at the potential medical benefits that it may have for you.
  • One potential benefit is that Delta-8 THC may act as a mood regulator. It may be able to help increase the levels of serotonin and dopamine in the brain, which therefore help to reduce anxious thoughts while producing a sense of happiness, calmness, and relaxation.
  • It is also thought that a Delta-8 THC may have the potential to help you sleep better at night. This is the case both because it might be able to help regulate your mood and make you feel less anxious and because it may act as a mild sedative.
  • Delta-8 THC may also act as a mild analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent, which means that it may potentially be able to help relieve or reduce inflammation in your body, as well as pain.

Is Delta-8 THC Safe?

Yes, Delta-8 THC is generally considered to be safe, particularly in moderate quantities. Besides some light side effects, such as slight paranoia, dizziness, red eyes, a dry mouth, and hunger, there is no other reported serious adverse side effects of Delta-8.

Delta-8 THC is certainly not something you can easily overdose on. On that note, Delta-8 is thought to have fewer of these negative side effects than Delta-9, especially as far as paranoia is concerned.

The Difference Between THCV and Delta-8 THC

There are a few major differences between THCV and Delta-8 THC that you should be aware of. As far as THCV vs Delta-8, the following are the biggest differences to know.
  • THCV is usually extracted directly from the plants, albeit in small quantities. Delta-8 on the other hand is present in such small quantities that it usually needs to be synthesized from other cannabinoids in the hemp plant, usually from CBD.
  • THCV has a slightly different chemical structure than Delta-8 THC, which is why its effects and benefits are also slightly different.
  • Delta-8 THC appears to have far stronger psychoactive properties than THCV and produces more of the traditional high that we all know.
  • Whereas Delta-8 THC may be an appetite stimulant and sleep aid, THCV may be the exact opposite, an energy booster, and appetite suppressant.

Is THCV Stronger than Delta-8?

As far as strength in terms of producing a psychoactive high is concerned, no, THCV is not stronger than Delta-8, and, unless very large quantities of THCV are taken, it’s doubtful that it is psychoactive with normal use. If you need something that is going to produce a psychoactive high, it’s Delta-8 that you want.

What are the Effects of THCV?

THCV may act as an appetite suppressant so you would naturally eat less. It may also provide you with a little bit of energy and focus, without the side effects of caffeine, such as jitteriness, headaches, and dizziness. That said, more research is still required on this front.

What are the Effects of Delta-8?

Delta-8 THC is thought to have similar effects to Delta-9, mainly in terms of producing a psychoactive high, albeit not as potent as Delta-9. The high isn’t as intense or as paranoia-inducing as with Delta-9 THC.

Delta-8 may also make you feel happy and euphoric, and produce a cerebral high and a body high. Potentially it may also be able to help relieve pain, inflammation, a lack of appetite, and a lack of sleep. Likewise, it may also help to relieve anxious or depressing thoughts.

Best Ways to Take Delta-8 THC

There are a few different possible ways to consume Delta-8 THC. First and foremost, you can get Delta-8 THC flower, or in other words, actual buds that you can grind, roll, and smoke. If you like the classic feel of smoking, and you want the effect to hit you fast, but not last too long, then this is a great method.

This Delta-8 Strawberry Banana Kush is a great strain to try. Of course, vaporizing is also very popular now. Vaporizing is often considered to be a bit healthier than smoking, plus you can get cannabinoids such as Delta-8 THC in much higher concentrations. This means that vaping Delta-8 THC will likely hit you much faster and harder than smoking it, and it may last a bit longer as well.

Our own Botany Farms Delta-8 THC Vape Cartridge might be right for you! However, both vaporizing and smoking aren't fantastic for the lungs, so you may want to consider using some kind of edibles or tincture.

Edibles feature a very high absorption rate, so you aren't going to waste any Delta-8 THC, plus the effects can last for many hours, therefore providing you with the biggest bang for your buck. Due to the way in which THC is processed by the body, consuming it in the form of an edible will get you much higher than inhaling it.

If this sounds like something for you, check out our Botany Farms Delta-8 THC Tropical Gummies Mix. Using a tincture is another option, which is usually applied sublingually or under the tongue. This will generally not take quite as long to take effect as an edible, although the effects also don't last as long.

Best Ways to Take THCV

Generally speaking, the best ways to take THCV are exactly the same as with Delta-8 THC. There are a few strains that contain decent levels of THCV, plus it is also possible to infuse other strains with THCV.

At the same time, there are also vape cartridges that contain this cannabinoid. You can also find edibles and tinctures that contain THCV as well. The best ways to take any cannabinoid depend on what you are looking for.

If you want a very fast-hitting but short-lived high, inhaling is your best choice, but if you want a very long-lasting high, and the biggest bang for your buck, some form of edible is usually best.

Where to Buy Delta-8 THC Online

If you are looking for fantastic Delta-8 THC products, then look no further than right here at Botany Farms. We have a great selection of Delta-8 THC products for you to look at, with Delta-8 Zombie Kush being the leader of the pack.

It’s a really nice Indica, loaded with Delta-8 THC and CBD. If you would rather go for edibles than flower, these Delta-8 Tropical Mix Gummies could be right for you. If you’re looking for something fast and easy that you can just pop under your tongue, put in a drink, or even cook with, then our own Botany Farms Live Resin Delta-8 THC Tincture with 500 mg of Delta-8 and 1,000 mg of CBD could be the ideal choice for you.

THCV vs Delta-8: Frequently Asked Questions

Is THCV the Same as Delta-8?

No, THCV is not the same as Delta-8 THC. Although they are both minor cannabinoids, they have different molecular structures, they interact with your endocannabinoid receptors in different ways, they have different medical benefits, and have different effects on your mind and body.

Is THCV Stronger Than Delta-8?

No, THCV is not stronger than Delta-8 THC. If we compare both of these to Delta-9 THC, which is what most people are used to, THCV is only about 25% as strong as Delta-9 THC, if not less. Delta-8 THC on the other hand is about 50% as strong as Delta-9 THC. Therefore, if you do the math, Delta-8 THC should be at least twice as strong as THCV.

THCV vs Delta-8 Potency

THCV is not nearly as potent as Delta-8 THC. THCV is not known for producing psychoactive effects, at least not in any major way. You would have to consume very high quantities of THCV for you to feel high. If what you are looking for is a psychoactive high, Delta-8 THC is the better choice of the two.

THCV vs Delta-8 Effects

In terms of the effects, Delta-8 THC does produce a bit of a psychoactive high. In general, the effects are very similar to Delta-9 THC, just not nearly as strong or long-lasting.

With Delta-8 THC, you may feel both a body high and a cerebral head high. You could feel a bit euphoric, happy, calm, and generally impaired. You may also feel a sense of elation. Delta-8 THC may also be able to help regulate your mood a little bit, so you may feel a little less anxious and stressed out.

At the same time, you may also feel a bit heavy in your body, tingly, have a body buzz, and feel a bit sedated. It's just like Delta-9 THC, but not nearly as strong. In terms of THCV, you really shouldn't feel high at all because it's not very psychoactive. Most people would compare the effects of THCV to a moderate cup of coffee.

It can make you feel a little energetic, talkative, focused, and creative, without actually impairing your cognitive abilities. At the same time, a big benefit of THCV is that it can help make you feel a little more energetic, but without the negative side effects or the crash often associated with caffeine.

THCV vs Delta-8 Benefits

Delta-8 THC features a few specific benefits, including the potential to relieve pain and inflammation, the potential to help regulate your mood, and the potential to help you sleep better at night.

On the other hand, THCV may be able to help regulate blood sugar levels, it may be able to help spur collagen production, it may act as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent, and it may also help suppress your appetite.

THCV vs Delta-8 (According to Reddit)

According to Reddit, people like Delta-8 THC mostly for its psychoactive properties, without the paranoia and anxiety that high levels of Delta-9 THC often produce. On the other hand, people generally enjoy THCV, not because it gets them high, but because it can feel a bit energetic and stimulating.

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