CBV (cannabivarin) is a minor cannabinoid found in trace amounts in cannabis; it is the varin form of CBN, with a three-carbon side chain instead of five. It relates to THCV the way CBN relates to THC: it is the oxidised, fully aromatic version of the molecule. CBV was first described in hashish in 1971. Almost no research on its effects exists.
Key facts
- Other names
- CBV, cannabivarol, CBNV (hence "cannabinovarin")
- Formula
- C19H22O2 (6,6,9-trimethyl-3-propylbenzo[c]chromen-1-ol)
- Group
- Varin cannabinoids: propyl (three-carbon) side chain
- First described
- 1971, as a new constituent of hashish, together with THCV
- Research stage
- As of October 2026, a handful of laboratory studies; no studies in people
What is the CBV cannabinoid?
CBV belongs to the varin cannabinoids, which carry a propyl (three-carbon) side chain where THC, CBD and CBN have a pentyl (five-carbon) chain. Other varins are THCV, CBDV and CBCV.
CBV was reported in 1971 in the journal Nature as one of "two new constituents of hashish", alongside THCV (Merkus, 1971). In chemical databases it is also listed as cannabivarol and CBNV (PubChem). That last name explains the search term "cannabinovarin": CBNV is the varin version of cannabinol.
How is CBV related to THCV and CBN?
CBN forms when THC loses hydrogen atoms and its upper ring becomes aromatic, mainly through oxidation as plant material ages. CBV has the same relationship to THCV. Compare the formulas: THCV is C19H26O2, CBV is C19H22O2, so CBV carries four fewer hydrogen atoms (PubChem).
| Cannabinoid | Side chain | Formula | Related to |
|---|---|---|---|
| CBV (cannabivarin) | Propyl (3 C) | C19H22O2 | Oxidised form of THCV |
| THCV | Propyl (3 C) | C19H26O2 | Varin form of THC |
| CBN | Pentyl (5 C) | C21H26O2 | Oxidised form of THC |
Because THCV itself is usually a minor cannabinoid, CBV occurs only in trace amounts, and mostly in older plant material from THCV-containing varieties.
What does research say about CBV?
Very little. CBV is hard to study because it occurs in such small amounts. One recent laboratory study tested CBV and THCV in the nematode worm C. elegans and found that both reduced the worms' response to heat, through receptors similar to vanilloid and cannabinoid receptors (Rahmani et al., 2026). A worm model is a long way from people, and there are no clinical studies of CBV.
No study has tested whether CBV is intoxicating in people. At the trace levels found in plants, it is unlikely to play a noticeable role.
Can CBV be found in cannabis products?
In trace amounts, in extracts from varieties with notable THCV and in aged material. It is rarely listed on certificates of analysis because most laboratories don't test for it. CBV is not an ingredient in any Formula Swiss product.
For the wider family of trace compounds, read our guide to minor cannabinoids. For how cannabinoids change with age and heat, see how heat affects cannabinoids.
Frequently asked questions
What is cannabivarin (CBV)?
Cannabivarin is a trace cannabinoid with a three-carbon side chain. It is the varin form of CBN and the oxidised form of THCV.
Is cannabinovarin the same as cannabivarin?
Yes, in practice. Chemical databases list CBV under the synonym CBNV, the varin form of cannabinol, which is where the name cannabinovarin comes from.
Is CBV psychoactive?
No study has tested this in people. CBV occurs in cannabis only in trace amounts.
How is CBV different from THCV?
Both have a three-carbon side chain. CBV has four fewer hydrogen atoms and a fully aromatic ring, the same difference as between CBN and THC.
Does Formula Swiss sell CBV?
No. CBV is not an ingredient in any Formula Swiss product.
Related guides
Formula Swiss CBD oils are sold as cosmetics for use on the skin. They are not food supplements or medicines and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. This article is general information about cannabinoid chemistry.
Last reviewed:
Sources
- Merkus FW. Cannabivarin and tetrahydrocannabivarin, two new constituents of hashish. Nature 1971. doi:10.1038/232579a0
- PubChem. Cannabivarin (CID 622545); Tetrahydrocannabivarin (CID 93147); Cannabinol (CID 2543).
- Rahmani N, Castaño J, Beaudry F. Cannabivarin and tetrahydrocannabivarin modulate nociception via vanilloid channels and cannabinoid-like receptors in Caenorhabditis elegans. Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2026. doi:10.1139/cjpp-2025-0243
