Cannabidivarin is a non-psychoactive compound that can be found in the cannabis plant. The structure resembles that of CBD, however, CBDV tends to be found in much lower concentrations. Unlike other cannabinoids, CBDV has reached a whole new level of fame because of its pharmaceutical applications. It’s one of the few cannabis derivatives that has been approved for medical use in the US and Europe. A very common example would be EPIDIOLEX®. This medication is used to treat seizures that are associated with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, and Dravet Syndrome. It’s especially effective in patients who are one year or older and shows immense potential for the future.
Benefits of CBDV
A lot of research has been done on CBDV, but with that said, it’s still in its early stages. The main hurdle that researchers are trying to overcome is isolating the compound efficiently while navigating the strict rules and regulatory hurdles associated with cannabis research. With that said, studies are being conducted under new initiatives and they have found promising potential for CBDV.
A Treatment for Epilepsy
CBDV impacts the neurochemical pathways in capsaicin receptors. These play a huge role in the onset and general progression of epilepsy. This mechanism has made CBDV a focus of a lot of different clinical trials and the success of EPIDIOLEX® in particular has helped to move things forward. Scientists and researchers are now starting to see how much potential this compound could offer, and are therefore doing more research to try and see how far-reaching the benefits are.
Neurological Conditions
Beyond epilepsy, researchers are also trying to take the time to explore how CBDV can affect other neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders. Clinical trials are currently being carried out, to see if it can be a viable treatment option. One of them is for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, or DMD. This is a severe condition that impacts both muscle strength and function. You also have ASD or Autism Spectrum Disorder. Early studies have found that CBDV could alleviate some of the symptoms that accompany autism, such as irritability.
You also have Rett Syndrome. This is a genetic disorder that greatly impacts brain development. The potential for broader applications is huge too. CBDV has a lot of anti-inflammatory properties and it’s being studied quite a lot for its ability to alleviate HIV-associated disorders, multiple sclerosis, and even irritable bowel syndrome. Researchers have found that CBDV in particular has a very unique reaction with the body’s endocannabinoid system. It may be that this helps to open the door to future treatments, including for a variety of anti-inflammatory disorders. The compound can modulate key pathways in the brain, which helps to highlight its therapeutic promise.
How does CBDV Work?
CBDV’s mechanisms of action are distinctive but at the same time, they do relate to other cannabinoids. They interact with the transient receptor in the body, including the TRP channels. This includes TRPV1, which is often associated with the feeling of pain and inflammation. By making it possible to modulate channels like this, it becomes possible to reduce the hyperexcitability of certain neurons. As a hallmark for epilepsy, it’s not hard to see how useful this could be. Additionally, CBDV’s interaction with the ECS system helps to contribute to how therapeutic the effects can be. The ECS is a complex yet cell-signaling system that helps to regulate a range of functions. This includes your mood, your appetite, and your pain. It also influences your immune response.
Even though CBDV doesn’t bind to CB1 and CB2 receptors, the primary receptors in the ECS are influenced directly, which helps to boost overall functionality.
History
The journey of CBDV, from the first time that it was discovered to its clinical application, spans numerous decades. CBDV was first discovered in the 1960s, alongside several other cannabinoids. CBDV originally received very little attention as more well-known compounds, including THC and CBD, were focused on more. However, advancements and research have helped to put a spotlight on non-psychoactive cannabinoids, and they have also helped to put it in the spotlight more. 2014 in particular was a huge year, as significant progress was made. Regulatory measures were introduced to try and allow clinical trials for CBDV, with these initiatives aiming to explore the potential in treating epilepsy and several other neurological disorders. Over time, pharmaceutical companies began to invest in CBDV-based treatment which resulted in the development of EPIDIOLEX®.
Research Challenges
CBDV’s journey from plant to pharmacies around the world has not been without its challenges. Its rarity in a lot of strains has made it very difficult to isolate, which has led to difficulties with study. Regulatory efforts and barriers are also slowing down research efforts. Right now, CBDV is available in the form of EPIDIOLEX®, which you need to have a prescription for. It’s also intended for use with specific seizure disorders. Unlike cannabinoids such as THC, and CBD, it is not available for sale as any kind of health supplement. Those who are interested in exploring the medical benefits have to contact their healthcare provider, to see if EPIDIOLEX® could be an option.
Legal Landscape
The law regarding CBDV varies quite a lot, and it also depends on your region. In the US, its use is regulated and confined to pharmaceutical applications. In Europe, you will notice that similar restrictions apply, but research initiatives are gaining a lot of momentum right now. These frameworks are designed to ensure the safety of the public, but at the same time, they often limit access and stop research from being carried out, when it’s needed. Some say that it even slows down the general pace of innovation, but right now, there’s not much that can be done about that.
What does the Future Hold for CBDV?
As scientific interest grows, CBDV is poised to play a huge role in the world of medical research. Several aims are designed to explore the therapeutic potential, and they are expanding all the time. The full list of conditions that it could be used to treat is only going to get longer, and it might not be that long before we start to see potential for new treatments too. Ongoing research is expected to uncover many additional applications for CBDV, including a special focus on its anti-inflammatory properties. This could make it a prime candidate for treating chronic pain conditions. If you look at the neuroprotective effects, then it may be that it helps to benefit those who have Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease.
Health and Wellness Products
Even though CBDV is restricted to pharmaceutical use right now, it seems that future developments could help to pave the way for inclusion. It could also be used more in wellness products too. Research is continually shedding new light on how safe it is, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see CBDV-infused supplements and creams available on the market. These could be made available to the public, which would be very exciting news, to say the least.
The Role of Technology
Advancements in things like biotechnology and cannabis cultivation could also play a huge role in how available CBDV is as a whole. Genetic engineering as well as selective breeding could make it easier and much more possible to produce cannabis strains that have a naturally higher level of CBDV, making it easier to isolate compounds as a whole. This could lead to some very interesting developments, as CBDV would be more accessible and this could make it easier for people to perform research.