CBDV (Cannabidivarin)

Cannabidivarin or CBDV exists as a homolog of CBD (Cannabidiol), a major cannabinoid, found in cannabis. It is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid compound and is being actively developed by GW Pharmaceuticals. It is found to have some medical uses because of its anti-convulsive action. CBDV has the molecular formula C19H26O2.

CBD and CBDV:
CBDV is found to contain lower levels of cannabis when compared to cannabinoids like CBD and THC. Its chemical structure is similar to that of CBD or Cannabidiol with side-chain shortened by two methylene (CH2 units) bridges.

Molecular Formula of CBD – C21H30O2
Molecular Formula of CBDV – C19H26O2

CBDV is found in higher concentrations in cannabis (indica) found in northwest India. It is generally found in cannabis plants with higher concentrations of CBD than THC.

Potential Benefits:
Research is under process to assess the anti-convulsive abilities of the cannabinoid CBDV. Not enough research has been done yet to establish the accurate uses and effects of the compound.
The anti-convulsive abilities of CBDV were recorded in the research on “Cannabidivarin (CBDV) suppresses pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced increases in epilepsy-related gene expression” done at the School of Chemistry, Food and Nutritional Sciences and Pharmacy, The University of Reading, Reading, Berkshire, UK ; School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, The University of Reading, Reading, Berkshire, UK ; Qs' Research Institute, Otsuka Pharmaceutical, Co. Ltd., Kagasuno, Kawauchi-cho, Tokushima, Japan.

Similarly, a 2014 study by Endocannabinoid Research Group, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry (ICB), National Council of Research (CNR), 80078 Pozzuoli (NA) Italy, establishes that both CBD and the homolog CBDV can work as a possible treatment for neuronal hyper-excitability.

GW Pharmaceuticals, a British biopharmaceutical company, has already filed a patent for an epilepsy medicine based on CBDV. Although their research is still underway, the patent confirms the presence of enough evidence that the company can use in development.

With ongoing research by a major biopharmaceutical company, we can hope that in future we will see epilepsy and similar neurological disorders being cured with the use of cannabis, or more specifically CBDV based medicines.