By Dr. Andrea Holmes, PhD and Dr. Amanda McKinney, MD
While Delta 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) share three letters they are structurally and functionally very different. While both THC and THCV bind the CB1 receptors in the brain, they have opposing mechanistic actions leading to different effects. THC results in a euphoria or a “high” while THCV offers other, non-psychotropic benefits.(1) Yet, when coupled, this combo can help individuals feel more energized with better endurance and can help to reduce pain, improve mood, and focus. When natural green tea-derived caffeine, the world’s most popular energy supplement, and the botanical extract, pinene, are added to the recipe, the result is an even more powerful pick-me-up!
Because of their opposing actions at the CB1 receptor, THCV reduces the feeling of being “high” that using THC alone induces. This allows for THCV’s benefits of improved focus, memory, and enhanced mood to shine through. It’s also worth noting that studies have shown that THCV can offer neuroprotection, appetite suppression, and glycemic control, making it a potential priority candidate in the development of drugs for obesity and weight loss as well as diabetes.(2)
Alone, both cannabis and caffeine increase metabolic activity in the body by increasing the activity of enzymes involved in energy and glucose metabolism. However, when used in combination, the increase is synergistic, meaning that the whole effect is greater than the sum of the effects of each individual component, leading to increased mental arousal and alertness as well as improved cognitive performance.(3)
The terpene, pinene, is a well-known, highly aromatic molecule found in many plants, such as pine trees, junipers, rosemary, and cannabis. Pinene is a tour-de-force with a wide range of pharmacologic activity including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects and has been shown to improve memory function and alertness.(4) Because of pinene’s relative celebrity status, it has been utilized in the functional food and beverage market as flavoring and fragrance for a variety of energizing and focus-enhancing products.
If you are looking for a natural “pick-me-up” without harmful side effects, then look no further than Kanha’s energy gummy. With 10 mg of green tea-derived caffeine, 10 mg of THC, 10mg of THCV and 2% Pinene, it’s the perfect recipe for pumping up the jam!
- Walsh, K. B. & Holmes, A. E. Pharmacology of Minor Cannabinoids at the Cannabinoid CB1 Receptor: Isomer- and Ligand-Dependent Antagonism by Tetrahydrocannabivarin. Receptors 1, 3–12 (2022).
- Abioye, A. et al. Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV): a commentary on potential therapeutic benefit for the management of obesity and diabetes. J. Cannabis Res. 2, 6 (2020).
- Owolabi, J. O., Olatunji, S. Y. & Olanrewaju, A. J. Caffeine and Cannabis Effects on Vital Neurotransmitters and Enzymes in the Brain Tissue of Juvenile Experimental Rats. Ann. Neurosci. 24, 65–73 (2017).
- 4. Hashemi P, Ahmadi S. Alpha-pinene moderates memory impairment induced by kainic acid via improving the BDNF/TrkB/CREB signaling pathway in rat hippocampus. Front Mol Neurosci. 2023 Jun 30;16:1202232. doi: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1202232. PMID: 37456525; PMCID: PMC10347414.
