A cannabis compound showed strong anti-nicotine effects in rodent addiction models
Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabivarin, a compound related to cannabis, significantly reduced nicotine self-administration, relapse behavior, and withdrawal symptoms across seven different rodent models of nicotine dependence.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Delta-8-THCV (which acts as a CB1 antagonist and CB2 agonist) significantly reduced nicotine self-administration in rats, blocked both cue-induced and nicotine-induced relapse to nicotine-seeking, attenuated nicotine-induced conditioned place preference, and reduced nicotine withdrawal symptoms including anxiety, somatic signs, and pain hypersensitivity in mice.
Key Numbers
Tested across 7 rodent models. Delta-8-THCV acts as CB1 antagonist and CB2 agonist. Significantly attenuated all measured nicotine dependence outcomes.
How They Did This
Seven rodent models: nicotine self-administration, cue-triggered seeking after abstinence, nicotine-triggered reinstatement, conditioned place preference, withdrawal-induced anxiety, somatic withdrawal signs, and withdrawal-induced hyperalgesia.
Why This Research Matters
Nicotine addiction is among the hardest to treat. A cannabis-related compound that addresses multiple aspects of nicotine dependence (self-administration, relapse, and withdrawal) could represent a novel therapeutic approach.
The Bigger Picture
The dual CB1 antagonist/CB2 agonist profile is theoretically ideal for addiction treatment, and THCV variants occur naturally in cannabis, potentially opening a path from natural compounds to therapeutic development.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Rodent studies only. Effects may not translate to humans. Doses used may not be achievable or safe in humans. No human pharmacokinetic data for delta-8-THCV.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would delta-8-THCV help with other substance addictions beyond nicotine?
- ?Can therapeutic doses be achieved safely in humans?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Effective across all 7 nicotine dependence models
- Evidence Grade:
- Comprehensive preclinical evaluation across multiple models, but entirely rodent data.
- Study Age:
- 2019 preclinical study.
- Original Title:
- Δ8 -Tetrahydrocannabivarin has potent anti-nicotine effects in several rodent models of nicotine dependence.
- Published In:
- British journal of pharmacology, 176(24), 4773-4784 (2019)
- Authors:
- Xi, Zheng-Xiong(9), Muldoon, Pretal, Wang, Xiao-Fei(2), Bi, Guo-Hua, Damaj, M Imad, Lichtman, Aron H, Pertwee, Roger G, Gardner, Eliot L
- Database ID:
- RTHC-02357
Evidence Hierarchy
Tests effects in animals (usually mice or rats), not humans.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Can cannabis compounds help quit nicotine?
In rodent models, delta-8-THCV (a compound related to cannabis) reduced nicotine self-administration, blocked relapse, and eased withdrawal symptoms across seven different tests. Human studies have not been conducted.
What is THCV?
THCV (tetrahydrocannabivarin) is a naturally occurring cannabis compound. Delta-8-THCV, the form tested here, acts as a CB1 receptor antagonist and CB2 receptor agonist, a dual action that appears beneficial against addiction.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-02357APA
Xi, Zheng-Xiong; Muldoon, Pretal; Wang, Xiao-Fei; Bi, Guo-Hua; Damaj, M Imad; Lichtman, Aron H; Pertwee, Roger G; Gardner, Eliot L. (2019). Δ8 -Tetrahydrocannabivarin has potent anti-nicotine effects in several rodent models of nicotine dependence.. British journal of pharmacology, 176(24), 4773-4784. https://doi.org/10.1111/bph.14844
MLA
Xi, Zheng-Xiong, et al. "Δ8 -Tetrahydrocannabivarin has potent anti-nicotine effects in several rodent models of nicotine dependence.." British journal of pharmacology, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1111/bph.14844
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Δ8 -Tetrahydrocannabivarin has potent anti-nicotine effects ..." RTHC-02357. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/xi-2019-8-tetrahydrocannabivarin-has-potent
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.