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Updated: Jan 16, 2026
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Administration of Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in Adolescent and Adult Mice
Published on: August 1, 2025
803
Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) Dose Dependently Blocks or Substitutes for Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in a Drug
Hakan Kayir1, Larissa Kouroukis1, Iman Aziz1
1Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada.
Biomolecules
|September 27, 2025
Summary
Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) shows a dual effect in THC discrimination models. THCV partially mimics or blocks THC
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) is a cannabinoid structurally similar to THC.
- THCV possesses a complex pharmacological profile, acting as a CB1 receptor antagonist/agonist and a partial CB2 agonist.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the discriminative effects of THCV in a rat model.
- To determine if THCV can substitute for, block, or modify the effects of THC.
Main Methods:
- Rats were trained to discriminate THC (3 mg/kg) from vehicle using a fixed ratio 20 schedule.
- Substitution tests were performed using various doses of THC, THCV, and their combinations.
Main Results:
- THCV produced an inverted U-shaped substitution curve, indicating dose-dependent effects.
- At 3 mg/kg, THCV partially substituted for THC (54.6%), increasing response rates.
- Higher doses of THCV (6 mg/kg) reversed THC-induced responding but did not significantly alter response rates.
Conclusions:
- THCV exhibits a dose-dependent ability to mimic or antagonize the discriminative effects of THC.
- These findings suggest THCV may act as a partial CB1 receptor agonist, modulating THC's actions.
