Health Benefits of CBDV

Although the cannabis sativa plant produces over 100 chemical compounds that are occur naturally in the plant – collectively known as “phytocannabinoids” – research is still in its infancy, and only a few have been extensively studied.

These include the major psychoactive cannabinoid delta-9-THC (THC) and the main non-psychoactive cannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD). CBD boasts an excellent safety profile and is well-tolerated by patients who are in need of alternative therapies that are not psycho-active at all. According to the British Journal of Pharmacology, CBD has a lesser-known cannabinoid cousin called cannabidivarin, or CBDV. The chemical structure of CBD and CBDV is very similar.

The non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid found in the cannabis sativa plant that shows therapeutic potential for the treatment of a wide range of conditions is cannabidivarin or CBDV.

Hard Science Behind CBDV

Again, much like CBD, this planet nutrient may come in capsule, oil or other forms. Cannabinoid synthesis begins when a precursor molecule reacts with geranyl pyrophosphate to form a ringed structure. Most classical cannabinoids are 21-carbon compounds. This means their chemical structure contains 21 carbon atoms however the variation in the length of the side chain that is attached to the aromatic ring (at the bottom right hand side of the structure) can produce different types of compounds.

For example, when the side-chain is a pentyl (5-carbon) chain for CBD type compounds, the compound produced will be CBD. CBDV not only has a similar chemical structure as CBD, but it also shares some of its characteristics – it does not get you stoned.

One study also found that CBDV possesses strong anticonvulsant properties in a broad range of seizure models. The researchers found that normal motor function was not significantly affected by CBDV.

Cannabinoids with the propyl (3-carbon) side-chain are named using the suffix varin. When the pentyl chain is replaced with a propyl side-chain, the CBD type compound formed is cannabidivarin or CBDV. Plants with relatively high levels of CBDV have also been reported in cannabis from northwest India, and in hashish from Nepal.

Help for Convulsions and Seizures

Although little is known about the effects of this cannabinoid in the body, research to date has shown that CBDV may be an effective anticonvulsant agent and may also help with nausea and bone healing. Further work is required to determine the anticonvulsant mechanism of CBDV, but the significant anticonvulsant effects and favorable motor side effect profile demonstrated in the study identify CBDV as a potential anti-epileptic drug or as a clinically useful treatment alongside other anti-epileptic drugs for treating chronic epilepsy.

Finally, CBDV may be involved in bone healing and may help with fractures as well. Its beneficial effects on bone formation and fracture healing were first uncovered in 2007 in a study published in the journal Calcified Tissue International. The researchers found CBDV may stimulate stem cells leading to bone formation and act via CB2 cannabinoid receptor-dependent mechanisms

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a remarkable compound found in the cannabis plant. Numerous clinical studies, some sponsored by the U.S government, have shown CBD to have extraordinary potential in treating a wide range of health problems including arthritis, Alzheimer’s, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease and diabetes. Stay tuned for any news on CBD, CBDV and other herbal remedies.

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