How Does THCV Give You A Mood Boost?
Every human has an Endocannabinoid System. This system “is widely distributed throughout the body including the brain, modulating many functions. It is involved in mood and related disorders, and its activity may be modified by exogenous cannabinoids” (1).
THCV gets in the way of THC or other molecules from binding to CB1 receptors, which turn on things like depression, brain fog, and anxiety, leaving nothing but good vibes.
But that’s not the only way it boosts your mood. Most of cannabis’s ability to give us the fabulous effects it does comes down to this major component: terpenes.
Terpenes have been used as mood-enhancers since the beginning of time. Or somewhere around then, anyway.
But what ARE terpenes?
Terpenes are aromatic compounds of plants that provide smell and flavor. They can be found in most plants, including cannabis, and studies have found that they can have many different therapeutic effects on humans and animals.
Most commonly, terpenes are used in mood-enhancing things like candles, lotion, and essential oils. They can even be used in naturopathic medicine to treat common ailments.
There are many different terpenes in cannabis, and each of them provide their particular strain with its specific benefits and smells. In the cannabis world, there is something called the Entourage Effect, which theorizes that cannabinoids and terpenes work together to create the unique highs for each specific strain. With each new terpene-cannabinoid combination, you get a new and unique effect.
The main terpenes responsible for mood-boosting (and the prevalent ones in our strains) are:
Limonene: a citrus-smelling and mood-boosting terpene
Pinene: a piney-smelling, clear-headed and focus-boosting terpene
And Terpinolene: a sort of scent blend of the last two (both citrusy and piney) that promotes energy and focus.
Are you in the need of a mood boost every once in a while? Give THCV a try!
Sources:1) Ferber, Sari Goldstein et al. The “Entourage Effect”: Terpenes Coupled with Cannabinoids for the Treatment of Mood Disorders and Anxiety Disorders. Curr Neuropharmacol. Feb 18, 2020. Webpage. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7324885/2) Pellegrino, Anthony. Best Terpenes For Energy. Nuggmd. Oct. 10, 2024. Webpage.https://www.nuggmd.com/blog/best-terpenes-for-energy