Kratom vs. THCV: How Do They Measure Up Against One Another?

Nowadays, we’re seeing loads of new products hitting the market, all promising to offer a variety of benefits that can improve the mind and body. These plant-derived products are getting a lot of attention right now, and at the same time, we know that a lot of our customers can be confused as to which ones accomplish which effects, and which ones might be safer to take than others. So, we are going to compare two particular types: kratom and THCV.

Contender #1: Kratom

Kratom is the term for the dried and ground up leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree, an evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia, and is related to coffee. The leaves of the tree offer a heavy dose of alkaloids that boast properties which can alter how we feel, both in our minds and bodies. Taking kratom means that these alkaloids interact with our brain’s opioid receptors, which regulate physiological processes including our mood, pain sensitivity, and more.

Kratom comes in a variety of naturally occurring strains, according to the specific cultivar of the tree (which varies between different regions). It also comes in three “veins”, referring to the color of the leaf’s vein at the time of harvest. As the leaves grow and mature, the color of the vein transforms, and this indicates the maturity level and prominence of individual alkaloids in the leaf. This means that color of the vein can tell us how potent the product is, and which effects are the most prominent depending on which alkaloids are most prevalent at any given time during the maturation process.

Can I Get High off of Kratom?

Kratom is potentially psychoactive, which comes from the fact that it attaches to the brain’s opioid receptors which can cause intoxication, similarly to opiates. How high you can get from kratom, and what kinds of psychoactive effects that you experience (euphoria, sedation, etc.), will depend on the dosage, as well as the vein and the strain of the product.

Is Kratom Legal?

Kratom is legal under federal law, as it’s never been illegal in the United States. However, a few states have made it illegal, and they are:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arkansas
• Hawaii
• Indiana
• Rhode Island
• Tennessee
• Vermont
• Wisconsin

Also, it’s crucial to recognize that kratom is illegal in certain municipalities across the United States, even in states where kratom is deemed legal. Therefore, we encourage you to check your state laws and local laws periodically to make sure kratom is still legal where you live, as this can change at any time.

Does Kratom Have Benefits?

Kratom hasn’t been on the US market for long, which means that medical researchers are still in the early stages of analyzing its distinctive benefits. But, we do have access to a few published scientific papers, allowing us to understand that it has the potential to:

• Enhance energy, focus, and alertness
• Act as an anxiolytic
• Enhance mood
• Offers analgesic properties
• Improve sleep
• Decrease appetite

Does Kratom Have Side Effects?

Basically, kratom use can cause certain side effects, especially when not taken according to the label’s directions, if your dosage is too high, or if your body just doesn’t tolerate it because of the nature of your unique body. Side effects that can occur are:

• Nausea
• Drowsiness
• Impaired coordination
• Increased heartrate
• Dry mouth/thirst
• Irritability/confusion
• Potential overdose

What Kinds of Kratom Products are There?

You can buy kratom in a number of product formats, as it’s pretty easy to infuse the water-soluble kratom powder into any solution. Now, we’re going to explore the types of products you’re most likely to come across:

• Kratom Powder: The dried and ground up leaves, which is the pure form of kratom. It can be added to liquids or any other kind of solution you prefer.
• Kratom Liquid Extracts: These are highly concentrated liquid kratom products that are taken like a shot to offer a fast-acting and very potent experience.
• Bottled Kratom Drinks: Bottled kratom beverages include soft drinks, sparkling water, and any other type of drink infused with kratom powder.
• Kratom Teas: Kratom tea is just kratom powder placed inside of a teabag, for an easy way to extract the alkaloids into hot water.
• Kratom Edibles: Kratom gummies and other kratom-infused edibles promote long-lasting effects that come on more gradually.
• Kratom Capsules: Taking kratom in capsule form can be convenient if you’re already used to taking supplements as part of a routine.
• Kratom Vapes: These are still quite new to the marketplace, but just like any vapes, they’re available in bottle E-Liquids to be used in compatible vape pens, as well as pre-filled cartridges that attach to any 511-threaded pen-style system and AIO (All-In-One) Disposable Vapes. Vaping kratom allows you to feel the effects within minutes, but the effects don’t last as long.
• Kratom Topicals: Kratom topicals are applied to the skin, so that the alkaloids absorb transdermally.

Contender #2: THCV

THCV (tetrahydrocannabivarin) was discovered back in the 1970s, so we actually know quite a bit about it by now thanks to plenty of research into its properties. THCV is a minor cannabinoid in the hemp plant, and though an isomer of THC, it behaves quite differently from the other THC cannabinoids that we’re used to.

Like we’ve witnessed with every cannabinoid in the cannabis plant, THCV binds to cannabinoid receptors (CB receptors) in the body, which mainly exist within the nervous system, and other bodily systems as well. Cannabinoid receptors use these compounds to regulate a number of bodily processes through the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This is a system in every mammal that is tasked with maintaining homeostasis. This is why cannabinoids are associated with so many distinctive properties at the same time.

Can I Get High off of THCV?

THCV is ultimately intoxicating, but its high is said to be very mild – milder than delta 8’s, even. And, it seems that the high is short-lived, and only achieved if you take a high dose. Tetrahydrocannabivarin’s psychoactive properties are described as uplifting, focus-enhancing, and motivating.

Is THCV Legal?

The Farm Bill passed in 2018 in the United States, which finally made the hemp plant legal under federal law. This law states that all hemp derivatives can be sold legally as long as they contain no more than 0.3% delta 9 THC by dry weight. All cannabinoids except delta 9 THC are therefore legal without restrictions, and that includes THCV.

Still, states are permitted to prohibit certain cannabis-derived products, and some have banned all psychoactive hemp derivatives. These states are:

• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Delaware
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Iowa
• Maryland
• Mississippi
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New York
• North Dakota
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• Utah
• Vermont
• Washington

Does THCV Have Benefits?

In fact, THCV has been studied quite a bit over the last several decades for its potential benefits, which are quite unique from other cannabinoids that have been observed by medical researchers. THCV is said to:

• Improve focus and concentration
• Improve mood
• Offer analgesic properties
• Offer anti-inflammatory properties
• Reduce appetite
• Regulate blood sugar and insulin levels
• Support fat loss
• Support digestive and immune function
• Offer neuroprotective properties

Does THCV Have Side Effects?

Cannabis has never been shown to cause major adverse events or life-threatening effects. It’s nontoxic, and that includes its individual cannabinoids. However, if you have a low THC tolerance or you take too high of a dose, you can end up with certain side effects. And, there are certain side effects that come with psychoactive cannabinoids, if you get too high. The good news is that side effects reported are known to be mild, and are:

• Dry eyes
• Dry mouth
• Reduction in blood pressure
• Fatigue/drowsiness
• Increased appetite
• Paranoia/anxiety
• General impairment
• Forgetfulness/fogginess

What Kinds of THCV Product Types are There?

THCV can be found in a variety of product types that each bring something special to the table:

• Vapes (Disposables and Cartridges): Vaping THCV offers a fast-acting and potent way to get in a nice serving of your favorite cannabinoid, along with a nice selection of strains, all while being convenient, travel-friendly, and discreet.
• Edibles: Edibles like gummies produce long-lasting effects with a gradual onset.
• Concentrates (aka “Dabs”): Concentrates are concentrated cannabis products that are dabbed – that is, flash-vaporized at a high temperature using a special “dabbing” device – for an ultra-powerful and fast-acting experience.
• Flower: THCV flower refers to raw hemp flower buds infused with THCV distillate – an isolated extract of the cannabinoid. Flower comes in lots of strain choices, and it’s sold in the forms of loose buds as well as pre-rolls.
• Tinctures: Tinctures are bottled oils that are intended to be taken sublingually (below the tongue) to absorb quickly and offer long-lasting effects. They’re easy to take, and they come in a variety of milligram strengths.
• Beverages: THCV-infused beverages offer a faster absorption than edible products, and possibly more potency due to the fact that beverages are water-soluble.
• Capsules: Capsules infused with the cannabinoid are great for those who already take supplements in capsule form, and simply want to add cannabinoids to their regimen.

Kratom or THCV: Two Different Effects That You Can Try!

Essentially, both kratom and THCV can achieve plenty of desirable effects, from a euphoric high to physical relief. And, these effects are achieved through different mechanisms in the body, which is why we always suggest giving both a try to compare them for yourself here at The Calm Leaf.