Cannabinoids CBV and THCV Show Potential as Non-Psychoactive Pain Relievers

Researchers at Université de Montréal used the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, which carries homologs of human cannabinoid and vanilloid receptors, to test the effects of CBV and THCV. The study employed thermotaxis assays, exposing the organisms to varying doses of the compounds. Both cannabinoids produced measurable, dose-dependent antinociceptive effects, indicating their potential to reduce pain sensitivity. To explore how these cannabinoids work, the team ran additional tests using mutant strains lacking vanilloid receptor homologs (OCR-2 and OSM-9) and cannabinoid receptor homologs (NPR-19 and NPR-32). Results showed that both receptor systems are likely involved in mediating the pain-relieving properties of CBV and THCV.

Proteomic analysis further identified key biological pathways associated with drug response, strengthening the evidence that these compounds act through cannabinoid and vanilloid signaling.

The authors concluded that CBV and THCV “elicit dose-dependent antinociceptive effects,” and that their activity supports further exploration of these cannabinoids as non-psychoactive analgesics.

“These findings highlight the potential of CBV and THCV as non-psychoactive analgesic agents and support further research into their mechanisms of action and translational relevance for mammalian pain management”, concludes the study.

More information on this study can be found here.