So I thought I would post a little about my findings experimenting with THCV isolate. I'm not nearly as good at describing my feelings as some of you growers, so cut me some slack, I'm a typical you know, white male in the US and feelings are to be buried down deep, so...
First, what I am trying to achieve is to bring back the results from a long gone plant from a while ago that helped me tremendously. Not only did that Durban Poison lift me up and make me feel like I was well caffeinated, but it also zapped my knee and back pain. Truck accident many moons ago and some acute damage was a pain point I had dealt with for years. Going up and down stairs was laborious. This was when I was really new at growing and I totally hit the lottery with that plant. The result was a busy little beaver with no pain that paved the way for the creation of my basement lab and the thousands of trips up and down the stairs carrying heavy shit to build it. Amazeballs.
Fast forward a few years
Attempting to duplicate this, I set out on a search for that same pheno, and for THCV rich strains. Takes forever, from the time you order seeds until you get a result might be 6 months. And ultimately I struck out. Tried a few different strains, tried pushing those strains with longer flowers, different lights and environmentals, etc. That stuff has been documented along the way.
Right now I am growing a few things that should be promising, but no guarantees, and there are some other data points I have picked up along the way that I want to share.
As you have seen earlier in this thread, I bought some THCV isolate. I have tested it and confirm it is real. So what to do? First thing is to put a little chunk on a bud and light up. Then a little bigger. Then bigger still. Then small amounts more often. Change out the bud for a different strain and repeat.
It is not the same.
First, the pain part of the equation is pretty much untouched by THCV. So the pain management was something in the plant. Dammit.
Second, I feel like the effects are, I dunno, stronger? If I use a good size chunk, I get jittery, heart rate goes up, mind races. I imagine this is what cocaine feels like. If my wife comes and taps on my shoulder when I am focused on the screen, I literally jump. This is abnormal for me. Not a fan.
I also feel like the duration is way too short. At least compared to this standard in my mind of what it should be.
I have attempted to make a cocktail of weed and cannabinoids, even adding some
terpenes, but I have yet to duplicate. But if you look at the math problem of trying all these things, the numbers are not in my favor.
OK hard stop. Regroup. Is my perceived goal even real. YES! I lost 50 pounds and look at the completed lab - that happened. No skewing the data can erase those results. Possibly some placebo or romanticizing my lost first love Durban, but I don't think so. Remembering that feeling is still very clear to me.
So what was it? Has to be entourage and the proper ratios of cannabinoids and I assume
terpenes as well. Right?
I'm going to keep on this while my plants are growing and my fingers stay crossed, but I need to try something different.
@Skeptik has had good success with edibles. If going for weight loss, this makes a ton of sense. This post is already too long, but if someone wants to dive into the science of why, I have some thoughts and data. But I also believe (bad word when testing, I know, but I can't help it) that the pain side of this will need to be separated out from the hunger side and just eat THCV and monitor hunger. If it helps with pain, great, but I'm good with just managing weight with this if I can figure out how. Truth is, the more weight I lose, the less knees and back hurt anyhow.
So, this 3 day weekend I am trying something new. Edibles with THCV are on the menu. I have no idea what the dose should be, how often, or if it will work at all, but that's what I am trying next. I'm open to ideas from any of you edible experts out there.
So in summary - THCV in large qty is not a pain reliever, but it does effect appetite. It also has the side effect of making me jumpy and wired, almost impulsive, but I remain clear headed even with THC in the mix. Not a fan. I'm continuing to work the problem but as of right now, I cannot claim any sort of victory. I have a ton more thoughts on all this if anyone is interested, but that is the result to date.