Cannabidivarin: The Other CBD, CBDV

You’ve heard of CBD. But have you heard of CBDV? Probably not. Although this cannabinoid is similar to CBD, it’s a distinct molecule found in cannabis. It’s less well-known and less commonly found but shows promising therapeutic benefits. 

V, for Very Good

Cannabidivarin, or CBDV for short, is a cannabinoid most commonly found in indica landrace strains, as well as strains naturally low in THC. You can usually find CBDV in strains that are high in CBD, but you won’t usually find any strains that are extraordinarily high in the cannabinoid. 

Like CBD, CBDV is non-intoxicating so you won’t get The Most High. However, you will still feel Very good thanks to its many potential therapeutic benefits. 

In the Lab

Why seek it out if it won’t get you high? Again, CBDV shows similarities to CBD in that it is good for medicinal cannabis use without the anxiety-inducing effects of THC. Even though the cannabinoid was discovered over 50 years ago, there isn’t much research available. That is slowly changing and CBDV has shown effective results against epilepsy, particularly decreasing the severity and length of seizures. Because CBD is non-intoxicating, it can potentially be used in child epilepsy and other diseases or disorders that are often associated with epilepsy. For example, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological disorder that often goes hand-in-hand with epilepsy. Researchers are hoping that CBDV may be a potential treatment for some of the behavioral issues and some of the communication problems that occur with ASD. Likewise, it has shown promise in treating some of the neurological behavioral issues associated with Rett Syndrome. 

In addition to its anticonvulsant properties, CBDV can also be used to fight inflammation and has proven to be a powerful anti-nausea treatment. 

More to Come

Hopefully, these positive results will lead to more research and CBDV will soon become more common as a medicinal alternative. If so, many growers may start breeding strains to be high in CBDV. Only time (and more research) will tell.