Cannabis & Cannabinoids · Cannabinoids · Minor cannabinoid; the propyl analogue of CBD; investigational, tested for seizures and autism

CBDV (Cannabidivarin)

2-[(1R,6R)-3-methyl-6-prop-1-en-2-ylcyclohex-2-en-1-yl]-5-propylbenzene-1,3-diol (C19H26O2; PubChem CID 11601669) · also called CBDV, cannabidivarin, cannabidivarol, GWP42006 (the developer's trial name); its acid form is CBDVA

CBDV is a compound found in small amounts in some cannabis plants. It looks like CBD but has a three-carbon side chain instead of five. It has been tested in clinical trials for seizures, Rett syndrome, autism, nerve pain and Prader-Willi syndrome. The one large placebo-controlled trial, in adults with focal seizures, found no difference from placebo, and the trials were mostly run by the company that developed it. No CBDV medicine is approved.

General information, not medical advice. Last substantive update October 25, 2026 · Not medically reviewed. A named clinician has not signed off on this page. How this page is made

About CBDV (Cannabidivarin)

CBDV (cannabidivarin) looks like CBD but has a three-carbon side chain instead of five. It was developed as a possible seizure medicine, and the only large placebo-controlled trial, in 162 adults with focal seizures, found no difference from placebo. Other human work is small: five girls with Rett syndrome, a nerve-pain trial that found no benefit, brain-scan studies in men and trials that ended early or have no results. Most of the rest is animal or lab work, and much of it comes from groups linked to the developer. CBDV is investigational; no CBDV medicine is approved.

What CBDV is, and how it differs from CBD

CBDV (cannabidivarin) is a compound found in small amounts in some cannabis plants. Its formula is C19H26O2. It has the same ring structure as CBD but a propyl (three-carbon) side chain where CBD has a pentyl (five-carbon) chain, which is why a 2021 review calls it the propyl analogue of CBD. It is not the same as THCV, which is a different 'varin' cannabinoid.

Unlike THC, CBDV is described in trial papers as non-psychoactive. Our sources did not test that directly, and shop products can contain THC and other cannabinoids as well. CBDV is also not CBD: prescription CBD solution (Epidiolex) is a different, approved medicine.

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What the human studies show, including the nulls

The best-known study is a phase 2 trial in 162 adults with focal seizures that were not well controlled. CBDV or placebo was added to their other medicines for 8 weeks. Seizures fell by 40.5% on CBDV and 37.7% on placebo, with no significant difference for any seizure type or secondary measure. More people on CBDV had side effects, and 14% stopped treatment because of them, against 3% on placebo. A 2026 review says CBDV's epilepsy development appears to have been halted.

In five girls with Rett syndrome and drug-resistant epilepsy, seizures fell in all five (median 79%), but there was no placebo group. Sleepiness and drooling were linked to CBDV. In 32 adults with HIV nerve pain, pain was 0.62 points higher on CBDV than on placebo (not significant) and the authors say it failed to reduce the pain. Two single-dose studies in adult men gave 600 mg: CBDV raised a brain chemical marker (Glx) in the basal ganglia and moved over-connected circuits toward the comparison pattern in men with autism, but no symptom was measured.

A phase 2 trial in children with autism (NCT03202303) is still recruiting and has no results. A company safety study in autism (NCT03849456) ended with one participant. A trial in Prader-Willi syndrome (NCT03848481) ended early with six people. None of these gives a result that can be used.

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Who ran the research

Much of the CBDV research is company-linked. The focal-seizure trial was sponsored by GW Research Ltd, and three authors are employed there and hold share options. GW was later described as part of Jazz Pharmaceuticals, which sponsors a registered phase 2 safety study. Several mouse studies of Rett and Fragile X syndrome and a rat schizophrenia-model study have authors at GW or Jazz, and one Fragile X paper was funded by GW Research.

Independent work exists too: the five-girl Rett study in Sydney, the HIV nerve-pain trial in Berlin and the brain-scan studies in London report no company interests in the abstracts. A company link does not make a result wrong, but it is a reason to want independent repeats.

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Is CBDV a medicine? What regulators and registries say

CBDV is investigational. The US FDA says it has not approved a marketing application for cannabis for any disease or condition, and the one cannabis-derived medicine it lists, Epidiolex, contains purified CBD, not CBDV. A text search of the FDA page found no mention of CBDV. We did not read non-US regulators.

Trial registries list CBDV as an investigational drug in phase 2 trials, some completed, some terminated and one recruiting. A registry listing does not mean a product is approved or works. Never swap a prescribed medicine, especially a seizure medicine, for a CBDV product.

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Animal and laboratory research is not human evidence

Many of the headline claims come from rodents, worms and cells. CBDV reduced seizures in rats and mice, eased Rett and Fragile X-like problems in mice, reduced gut inflammation in mice, protected nerve cells in a worm model of Parkinson's disease, and reduced nausea-like behaviour in rats at a high amount. Cell work showed CBDV acting on TRP channels, GPR55 and the MD2 protein.

Animal amounts do not carry over to people, models are narrow, and many results come from one group. The one large human trial of an animal-supported use (seizures) found no benefit. None of this shows that CBDV treats any condition. We rate these uses insufficient.

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Shop products, labels and the law

CBDV is less often sold on its own than found inside CBD and hemp oils. In 80 hemp oils bought in Kentucky, CBDV was the most often detected minor cannabinoid (100% of products) and the authors say minor cannabinoids are largely absent from labels. In 29 UK CBD oils only 38% were within 10% of the advertised CBD and 55% had measurable THC or CBN. No test of whether CBDV-labelled products match their labels was found.

US federal hemp rules are changing, with most parts due December 11, 2026; the summary we read does not name CBDV or say how CBDV products are treated. Rules differ by place; this is not legal advice.

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What the lab numbers show

Our lab data holds one measurement of CBDV in cannabis flower: 0.02 percent w/w for the line Pot of Gold nr. 11, from a published dataset (mean of two replicas per plant, N=2 plants). No other strain in our lab data has a CBDV measurement, so we cannot give a range or a ranking, and Pot of Gold nr. 11 has no profile page here. We did not test anything ourselves.

Our strain library, a third-party dataset whose entries are reported by their own sources and not checked by us, lists CBDV for 76 of its 1,248 strains. We hold no numbers for those. A strain name is only a label: the same name can have very different chemistry from one sample to another, and these are real results from specific samples. The numbers are measurements of what is in the flower and say nothing about effects. CBDV is a minor compound in cannabis flower.

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At a glance

Traditional uses history, not proof

Cannabis has a long history of use as a whole plant. No traditional use of isolated CBDV is described in the sources read; this page covers only the compound. A paper titled 'Hashish. XX. Cannabidivarin, a new hashish constituent' appeared in 1969 (we did not read it).

Studied for research

Focal seizures in adults (one phase 2 trial): against (no benefit over placebo)
Epilepsy in Rett syndrome (five girls, no placebo group): insufficient
Autism (brain-scan studies in men, a trial in children still running): insufficient
HIV nerve pain (one crossover trial): against (no benefit)
Prader-Willi syndrome (terminated trial, six people): insufficient
Seizures, Rett and Fragile X models, gut inflammation, schizophrenia-like models, nausea, brain protection (animal or lab research): insufficient

Main compounds

CBDV itself (the plant compound)
CBDVA, the acid form
CBD and THCV, the compounds it is most often confused with or sold alongside
Metabolites such as decarbonylated CBDV

Common forms

Purified CBDV oral medicine (GWP42006), used in trials, not sold
CBDV-rich cannabis extracts (used in some animal studies)
CBD or hemp oils that contain small amounts of CBDV, mostly not shown on the label
Shop products sold as CBDV or 'full-spectrum' (not approved medicines; contents unchecked in the sources read)

Research links: FDA: cannabis and CBD questions and answers (does not mention CBDV) · PubMed: phase 2 trial of CBDV in focal seizures (2021) · PubMed: CBDV in girls with Rett syndrome, early safety trial (2022) · PubMed: CBDV for HIV-associated nerve pain, randomized trial (2021) · PubMed: CBDV and brain chemistry in adults with and without autism (2019) · ClinicalTrials.gov: CBDV in children with autism (NCT03202303) · PubChem: cannabidivarin · Research Library · Genes & Biomarkers Library

What it is and its history

Name: Cannabidivarin (CBDV)
Chemical name: 2-[(1R,6R)-3-methyl-6-prop-1-en-2-ylcyclohex-2-en-1-yl]-5-propylbenzene-1,3-diol
Other names: Cannabidivarin; Cannabidivarol; cannabidivarine; (-)-cannabidivarin; CBDV; CBD-V; GWP42006; CAS 24274-48-4; PubChem CID 11601669
Common names: CBDV (English); Cannabidivarin (English); GWP42006 (the developer's name for the CBDV medicine used in trials) (English (research code, not a consumer name))
Formula: C19H26O2
Molecular weight: 286.4
CAS number: 24274-48-4
PubChem ID: 11601669
Chemical class: Phytocannabinoid, 'varin' type (a 19-carbon cannabinoid with a three-carbon propyl side chain, where CBD has a five-carbon pentyl chain)
How the plant makes it: A 2025 Nature paper on the cannabis pangenome says variants of acyl-lipid thioesterase genes were associated with fatty acid chain length variation and with production of the rare cannabinoids THCV and CBDV. The step-by-step chemical pathway to CBDV, including its acid form CBDVA, was not in the abstracts read, so we do not describe it here; the acid form CBDVA exists (PubChem CID 59444387, C20H26O4) and was measured in a UK product study.
Where it is found: A minor cannabinoid. A 2004 chemotaxonomic study found plants with relatively high THCV and/or CBDV were common only in the group the authors call C. indica. In a 2022 study of five commercial cultivars, CBDV was 6.3 to 114.9 micrograms per gram in leaves and vegetative shoots (not flower). In a Kentucky product study, CBDV was detected in all 80 unregulated hemp oil products. Our own lab dataset holds a single CBDV measurement: 0.02 percent w/w in the line Pot of Gold nr. 11 (N=2 plants; mean of two replicas per plant). Our strain library, a third-party dataset whose entries are reported by their sources, lists CBDV for 76 of its 1,248 strains.
Related or similar compounds: Name: CBD (cannabidiol); Note: Same ring structure, but a five-carbon side chain instead of three. CBD is the compound in the prescription medicine Epidiolex; CBDV is not an approved medicine.; Name: THCV (tetrahydrocannabivarin); Note: A different varin cannabinoid with the same three-carbon side chain but THC's ring structure. Often mentioned alongside CBDV (the same chain-length genes were linked to both in one study).; Name: CBDVA (cannabidivarinic acid); Note: The acid form that also appears in products; found along with CBDV in the UK product study.

Traditional use and history history, not clinical proof

Tradition or era	Documented use	Source
1969	A paper titled 'Hashish. XX. Cannabidivarin, a new hashish constituent' by Vollner, Bieniek and Korte appeared in Tetrahedron Letters (in German). PubMed has the title, authors and journal only, no abstract; we did not read the paper, so we cannot say what was found.	p5778489
2004	A chemotaxonomic study of 157 cannabis accessions found plants with relatively high THCV and/or CBDV were common only in the group the authors call C. indica.	p21653452
2012 to 2013	Researchers at the University of Reading reported anticonvulsant effects of purified CBDV and CBDV-rich cannabis extracts in mice and rats. These animal studies were the main basis for testing CBDV in people with epilepsy.	p22970845
2015 to 2017	The developer GW Research (later part of Jazz Pharmaceuticals) ran a phase 2 programme of CBDV (GWP42006) in adults with focal seizures: a first part (NCT02369471, 32 adults, completed 2015) and a placebo-controlled part (NCT02365610, 162 adults) whose results were published in 2021 and showed no difference from placebo.	p33998885
2018 to 2026	Animal studies of Rett syndrome, Fragile X syndrome and autism-like models led to small human studies: five girls with Rett syndrome (2022), two single-dose brain-scan studies in adult men with and without autism (2019, 2021), a children's autism trial (NCT03202303, recruiting) and a company autism safety study that ended with one participant (NCT03849456, 2020).	p35364618
2026	A review of seizure medicines that did not reach the market lists cannabidivarin among compounds whose epilepsy development was terminated, saying that 'presumably owing to disappointing efficacy results' epilepsy development appears to have been halted while CBDV is still being evaluated for autism.	p41764707

History shows how a substance was used or discovered. It does not show that a product works or is safe today.

What is inside, and how it may work

What it contains and how those compounds act in cells and animals. Laboratory and animal mechanisms are not proven effects in people.

Main compounds

Compound	Family	Where it is concentrated	Activity studied	Level of evidence
CBD (cannabidiol) PubChem 644019	Phytocannabinoid	Not read in the sources Not read	The five-carbon-chain relative of CBDV. In rodents the anticonvulsant effects of purified CBDV and CBD were additive. CBD is the compound in the approved medicine Epidiolex. ^{31 13 42}	Animal and database
CBDVA (cannabidivarinic acid) PubChem 59444387	Phytocannabinoid acid	Not read in the sources Not read	The acid form. It was measured with CBDV in a UK product study. How CBDVA turns into CBDV was not read for this page. ^{31 25}	Database and product analysis
THCV (tetrahydrocannabivarin) PubChem 93147	Phytocannabinoid	Not read in the sources Not read	A related varin cannabinoid. In one rat study neither CBDV nor THCV produced nausea-like behaviour the way CB1 blockers did, and CBDV-rich extracts owed their stronger CB1 binding to their THC and THCV content. ^{31 36 13}	Animal research
CBDV metabolites (decarbonylated CBDV; 7-hydroxy and 7-carboxy CBDV)	Breakdown products	n/a	In mice, 21 metabolites were found, and decarbonylated CBDV reached high levels in plasma and fatty tissues; the authors say whether it is the genuinely active form is worth investigating. A review says that in children with epilepsy blood levels of the 7-hydroxy and 7-carboxy metabolites were much higher than those of CBDV itself. ^{50 4}	Animal and secondary review

Mechanisms, receptors and pathways

Target or pathway	Gene or receptor	What was found	Level
TRP channels (TRPV1, TRPV2, TRPA1)	TRPV1 (VR1), TRPV2, TRPA1	In cells, CBDV and CBD activated and then rapidly desensitized TRPV1, TRPV2 and TRPA1. CBDV reduced epilepsy-like bursts in rat brain slices, but not uniquely through TRPV1. In young mice the anticonvulsant effect was weaker in TRPV1 knockouts. In colitis in mice the effect was sensitive to a TRPA1 blocker, and in mouse neural stem cells CBDV's effects ran through TRPV1. ^{18 16 32 26}	Lab and animal
Cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2	CB1 (CNR1), CB2 (CNR2)	CBDV binds CB1 weakly (Ki 14,711 nM, the weakest in one panel) and CB2 with Ki 574.2 nM. Its anticonvulsant effect in rodents did not depend on CB1. One cell and mouse study tested CBDV among eight phytocannabinoids and reported partial agonism for many of them; its abstract does not say which result belongs to CBDV. ^{37 13 46}	Lab and animal
T-type calcium channels	CaV3.1, CaV3.2, CaV3.3	All 11 phytocannabinoids tested modulated T-type calcium channels; CBD, CBDV and CBG affected only channel inactivation. ²⁸	Lab
TLR4 co-receptor MD2 (inflammation)	MD2 (LY96) with TLR4	CBDV bound MD2 in cells and computer models, blocked LPS-driven NF-kB and MAPK signalling, and in mice increased morphine pain relief and reduced tolerance. ⁴⁴	Lab and animal
GPR55 and GPR18	GPR55, GPR18	A Rett mouse study describes CBDV as having antagonistic properties on GPR55 and found raised GPR55 in the Rett mouse hippocampus. In human blood-brain-barrier cells GPR55 and GPR18 were partly involved in CBDV's effect. ^{43 41}	Lab and animal
Dopamine D2-like receptor (in worms)	DOP-3 in C. elegans (a D2-like receptor)	CBD and CBDV caused paralysis in 40% of worms and the effect needed the D2-like receptor DOP-3; the authors say they act as functional partial agonists on D2-like receptors in worms. ³⁹	Animal (worm)
Liver enzyme CYP2D6	CYP2D6	In a lab and computer study, binding to CYP2D6 variants differed by variant and by cannabinoid, among eight tested including CBDV. ¹⁵	Lab
Human brain chemistry and connectivity	Glutamate-GABA system; striatal circuits	In men, a single 600 mg dose raised Glx in the basal ganglia without changing GABA+, and in the autism group reduced striatal over-connectivity. These are brain markers, not symptoms. ^{34 35}	Human (small single dose studies)

Absorption, metabolism and elimination

Absorption: A 2026 review says pharmacokinetics were dose-proportional in healthy people after single doses of 25 to 800 mg and 800 mg/day for 5 days, and that because of its similarity to CBD the oral bioavailability of CBDV is likely to be low and highly variable (second-hand statements; we did not read the original). In the brain-scan studies the scans started 2 hours after the dose, described as the time of peak plasma levels. A mouse study assumes oral bioavailability is as poor as that of CBD.
Distribution: In rats and mice, CBDV readily penetrated the blood-brain barrier; in rats, oral dosing gave higher brain levels than injection for CBDV, and levels depended on the carrier liquid used. No human distribution data were read.
Metabolism: In mice, 21 metabolites were found, with new pathways compared with CBD including dehydrogenation, decarbonylation with hydroxylation, and glutathione conjugation. A review says that in children with epilepsy blood levels of 7-hydroxy and 7-carboxy metabolites were much higher than the parent CBDV. Which human liver enzymes break down CBDV was not stated in the abstracts read.
Elimination: Half-life and elimination numbers for people were not in the sources read. In mice the authors say the major excreted forms were conjugates of glutathione and glucuronic acid, based on very low plasma and extremely high gut-content levels one hour after dosing.
Bioavailability: Not measured in people in the sources read; reviews and a mouse study say it is likely low.

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Isolated compounds versus whole extracts

'CBDV' can mean purified CBDV (the trials used the developer's medicine, GWP42006), a CBDV-rich cannabis extract (used in some animal studies, which also holds THC, THCV and CBD), or a small amount of CBDV in a CBD or hemp oil. In rodents, purified CBDV and CBDV-rich extracts had comparable anticonvulsant effects, the extracts' THC and THCV content explained their higher CB1 binding, and purified CBDV and CBD together were additive. Results from one form cannot be assumed for another, and shop products were not tested in the trials.

Nutritional composition

CBDV is not a nutrient and has no nutritional claim. The FDA cannabis Q&A page does not mention CBDV; it says that adding CBD or THC to food sold across state lines is prohibited under US law as the FDA reads it (we did not check CBDV's status).

11benefits and uses looked at

50studies and sources checked

Not enough evidencebest evidence rating found

13lab markers tracked in trials

9 not enough evidence2 evidence against

What was looked at

The 11 benefits and uses checked for CBDV (Cannabidivarin), each with how strong the evidence is. Tap one to open it.

Epilepsy: focal seizures in adults (one phase 2 trial, no benefit over placebo)Evidence against
Epilepsy in girls with Rett syndrome (five children, no placebo group)Not enough evidence
Autism spectrum disorder (brain-scan studies in adult men; children's trial still running)Not enough evidence
Seizures (animal and laboratory research)Not enough evidence
HIV-associated neuropathic pain (one crossover trial, no benefit)Evidence against
Prader-Willi syndrome (a terminated six-person registry trial)Not enough evidence
Rett syndrome and Fragile X syndrome features (mouse models)Not enough evidence
Schizophrenia-like deficits (one rat model)Not enough evidence
Gut inflammation and ulcerative colitis (mice and tissue in a dish)Not enough evidence
Inflammation, morphine tolerance and nausea (cell and rat work)Not enough evidence
Brain-cell protection and Parkinson's models (cells and worms)Not enough evidence

Lab markers tracked in the studies

Focal seizure frequency (adults)Rescue medicine use and thinking testsMonthly seizure frequency in Rett syndromeGlutamate plus glutamine (Glx) in the basal gangliaGABA+ (the brain's main inhibitory messenger plus other molecules)Striatal functional connectivity (brain scan)Seizure severity in ratsEpilepsy-like activity in brain slicesPain intensity (0 to 10 diary scale)Extra pain medicine and quality of lifeGut inflammation markers (IL-1 beta, IL-6, MCP-1)Nausea-like gaping in ratsMorphine pain relief and tolerance (mice)

What is CBDV (Cannabidivarin) good for?

The uses people ask about and how strong the evidence is for each. None is an approved use. Two human trials found no benefit over placebo; most other rows are animal or lab research and say so.

Benefits, one by one

Each card is a research question, not a promise. Tap a goal to filter. Open a card to see the studies, doses and limits.

Epilepsy: focal seizures in adults (one phase 2 trial, no benefit over placebo)

Evidence against

One company-sponsored trial gave CBDV or placebo, on top of other seizure medicines, to 162 adults whose focal seizures were not well controlled. Seizures fell by about 40% on CBDV and about 38% on placebo, so there was no difference. A 2026 review says development of CBDV for epilepsy appears to have been halted.

4 studiesOral CBDV (GWP42006) titrated to 800 mg twice daily in the trial. Amo…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

One randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial (GWEP1330, NCT02365610) in 162 adults aged 18 to 65 with focal epilepsy who still had seizures after at least two earlier medicines and took one to three other seizure medicines. A smaller earlier part (NCT02369471, 32 adults) tested blood levels and safety with other seizure medicines; it has no posted results. The trial was sponsored by GW Research Ltd and three authors are employed there and hold share options: it is company-linked work.

Results

The main target, the fall in focal seizure frequency over 8 weeks, was 40.5% on CBDV and 37.7% on placebo (treatment ratio 0.95, 95% CI 0.78 to 1.17, p=0.648). There was no difference for any seizure type or for any secondary efficacy measure, including rescue medicine use and thinking tests. The authors say the high placebo response may reflect people's expectations of CBDV. A 2026 review of seizure medicines that failed in development says CBDV's epilepsy development 'appears to have been halted'.

Effect sizes as reported

Seizure reduction CBDV 40.5% vs placebo 37.7%; treatment ratio CBDV/placebo 0.95 (95% CI 0.78 to 1.17; p=0.648).

Why this rating

A single phase 2 trial found no difference from placebo. One trial in one type of epilepsy does not rule out an effect in other types, but there is no positive human trial. CBDV is investigational and is not an approved medicine for epilepsy.

Form and dose studied

Oral CBDV (GWP42006) titrated to 800 mg twice daily in the trial. Amounts used in the studies are listed in the study records, not as advice. No amounts are advised here.

Who was studied

Adults aged 18 to 65 with focal epilepsy and uncontrolled seizures, all taking other medicines.

Limits

One trial; focal seizures only; adults only; high placebo response; company-sponsored; no independent repeat.

Why researchers looked

In rats and mice CBDV reduced seizures in several models, so the developer tested it in people with epilepsy that other medicines had not controlled.

Traditional use

No traditional use of isolated CBDV is described in the sources read. Whole cannabis has a long history of use, but that is a different thing from this single compound.

Proposed mechanism Animal and lab

In the lab CBDV acts on TRP channels such as TRPV1 and its anticonvulsant effect in rodents did not depend on the CB1 receptor. None of this was shown to explain any effect in people.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

More people on CBDV than placebo had adverse events (73% vs 48%), mainly diarrhea and sleepiness, and some raised liver enzymes were seen. See the Safety tab. Never stop or change a seizure medicine without the prescriber.

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Epilepsy in girls with Rett syndrome (five children, no placebo group)

Not enough evidence

Five girls with Rett syndrome and drug-resistant epilepsy took CBDV for a time and all had fewer seizures. With five children, no placebo group and no blinding, this cannot show that CBDV caused the change.

4 studiesOral solution titrated to 10 mg/kg/day in the study. Amounts used in …

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

One open-label early-stage (phase I) safety trial in Sydney in five girls with a MECP2 variant and drug-resistant epilepsy, using CBDV oral solution (50 mg/mL) titrated to 10 mg/kg/day. The authors report no conflict of interest. A 2022 Epilepsia article.

Results

All five children reached the top amount and all had fewer seizures (median reduction 79%; three of the five more than 75%; overall 32 down to 7.2 seizures per month). Most adverse events were mild or moderate and none needed the drug stopped; hypersomnolence (heavy sleepiness) and drooling were linked to CBDV. EEG and non-seizure Rett symptoms did not change significantly. The authors call the dose 'safe and well tolerated' and say it 'suggests improved seizure control'.

Effect sizes as reported

Median monthly seizure reduction 79% in five children with no control group.

Why this rating

Five children and no comparison group; seizure counts in Rett syndrome vary over time. Another trial in adults with a different epilepsy found no benefit over placebo.

Form and dose studied

Oral solution titrated to 10 mg/kg/day in the study. Amounts used in the studies are listed in the study records, not as advice. No amounts are advised here.

Who was studied

Girls with Rett syndrome and drug-resistant epilepsy.

Limits

n=5; open label; no placebo; short report of an early-stage safety study.

Why researchers looked

CBDV helped movement and memory problems in mouse models of Rett syndrome, so a small safety study was done in girls whose epilepsy was hard to control.

Traditional use

No traditional use of isolated CBDV is described in the sources read.

Proposed mechanism Animal research

In Rett mouse models CBDV changed brain growth factors and receptor levels; the abstract of the human study offers no mechanism.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Heavy sleepiness and drooling were linked to CBDV in the girls. Families should discuss any cannabinoid with the child's neurologist; do not stop prescribed medicines.

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Autism spectrum disorder (brain-scan studies in adult men; children's trial still running)

Not enough evidence

Two small studies in adult men gave one 600 mg dose of CBDV and looked at brain chemistry and brain scans, not symptoms. A trial in children is still recruiting and a company safety study ended with one child. No result shows that CBDV helps autism.

8 studiesA single 600 mg oral dose in the two brain studies. Amounts used in t…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

Two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover studies at King's College London: 34 men (17 with autism) for brain chemistry and 28 men (13 with autism) for brain connectivity (the connectivity study was registered retrospectively as NCT03537950). Registry records show a phase 2 trial in children aged 5 to 18 (NCT03202303; sponsor Montefiore Medical Center; estimated 100 children; recruiting; estimated completion 2027-02; primary outcome the irritability scale) with no results posted, and a Jazz Pharmaceuticals phase 2 safety study in ages 4 to 18 (NCT03849456) that was terminated because of enrollment challenges in the COVID-19 pandemic after one participant. A 2026 systematic review of cannabinoid products in children with autism, Fragile X or Rett syndrome found 17 studies and said the evidence is insufficient for routine clinical use; its abstract does not separate CBDV results.

Results

In the chemistry study, CBDV raised Glx in the basal ganglia of both groups, with a person-to-person difference; it did not change Glx in the frontal region or GABA+ in either region. In the connectivity study, men with autism had a different pattern of striatal connectivity from the comparison group, and CBDV reduced their over-connectivity toward the comparison level. The authors call this a preliminary proof of concept and say behaviour studies are needed. There are no symptom results in people from CBDV in these abstracts.

Effect sizes as reported

No symptom effect sizes exist. Brain markers only: Glx rose in the basal ganglia after 600 mg CBDV; striatal over-connectivity in the autism group moved toward the comparison group.

Why this rating

Single-dose studies of brain markers in adult men, a terminated one-child study and a children's trial without results. Brain chemistry is not the same as improved behaviour.

Form and dose studied

A single 600 mg oral dose in the two brain studies. Amounts used in the studies are listed in the study records, not as advice. No amounts are advised here.

Who was studied

Adult men with and without autism (brain studies); children aged 5 to 18 (registered trial, no results).

Limits

Men only; one dose; no symptom measure; the children's trial is unfinished; company-sponsored safety study ended with one participant.

Why researchers looked

Autism may involve a shift in the balance between excitatory and inhibitory brain signals. CBDV changed that balance in animal work, so researchers tested whether it does so in people.

Traditional use

No traditional use of isolated CBDV is described in the sources read.

Proposed mechanism Human biomarker

A single dose raised glutamate-plus-glutamine (Glx) in the basal ganglia of men with and without autism, and in men with autism it brought over-connected striatal circuits closer to the connectivity seen in the comparison group. Whether this means any change in behaviour is not known.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

No safety conclusion for children can be drawn from the sources read. Ask the child's doctor before giving any cannabinoid product; label claims about autism are not backed by trial results.

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Seizures (animal and laboratory research)

Not enough evidence

In brain slices, rats and mice, CBDV reduced epilepsy-like activity and seizures in several models. This is the reason it was tested in people, but the one large human trial found no benefit.

7 studiesPurified CBDV and CBDV-rich extracts by mouth or injection in rodents…

Studies, doses and limits

Results

In rat brain slices CBDV reduced epilepsy-like activity. In mice and rats it had anticonvulsant effects in the maximal electroshock, audiogenic and PTZ models, and with valproate or phenobarbital it reduced pilocarpine seizures it did not reduce alone; it did not affect motor function in that paper. CBDV-rich cannabis extracts also worked, and purified CBDV plus CBD was additive. In young rats it worked in some models and generally avoided nerve-cell damage. A rat study found changes in epilepsy-related gene activity that tracked with milder seizures. A 2020 systematic review says CBDV displayed efficacy in models of Huntington's disease and epilepsy.

Effect sizes as reported

Doses in rodents ranged from 50 to 422 mg/kg (not human amounts); e.g. anticonvulsant effects from 100 mg/kg in the PTZ and electroshock models. Seizure severity in one rat study fell from a median of 5.00 to 3.25.

Why this rating

Animal and lab evidence only for these models; the human trial that followed did not show a benefit over placebo. Animal amounts do not carry over to people.

Form and dose studied

Purified CBDV and CBDV-rich extracts by mouth or injection in rodents. Amounts used in the studies are listed in the study records, not as advice. No amounts are advised here.

Who was studied

Rats, mice, rat brain slices.

Limits

Acute seizure models; some work from company-linked groups; no chronic-epilepsy model in these abstracts.

Why researchers looked

Researchers looked for cannabinoids that might calm over-active nerve cells without the effects of THC.

Traditional use

No traditional use of isolated CBDV is described in the sources read.

Proposed mechanism Animal and lab

CBDV did not act through the CB1 receptor. In cells it activates and then desensitizes TRPV1, TRPV2 and TRPA1, and in young rats the effect was weaker in mice lacking TRPV1; CBDV also affects T-type calcium channels' inactivation. How much any of this matters in people is not known.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Animal safety results cannot be applied to people. See the Safety tab.

^{12 13 2 16 18 28 40}

HIV-associated neuropathic pain (one crossover trial, no benefit)

Evidence against

In 32 adults with nerve pain from HIV, pain was slightly higher on CBDV than on placebo, and the authors say CBDV failed to reduce the pain.

2 studies400 mg/day by mouth in the trial. Amounts used in the studies are lis…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

One randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial in Berlin: 32 adults, two 4-week treatment phases with a 3-week washout, CBDV 400 mg/day against placebo.

Results

Mean pain intensity on CBDV was 0.62 points higher than on placebo on a 0 to 10 scale (P=0.16; 95% CI -0.27 to 1.51). CBDV did not change extra pain medicine, pain characteristics or quality of life. Adverse events were similar in both treatments and none was unexpected. The authors say they would not consider CBDV a clinically meaningful treatment option for neuropathic pain and do not expect more people to change that conclusion.

Effect sizes as reported

Pain score +0.62 points on CBDV vs placebo (P=0.16; 95% CI -0.27 to 1.51).

Why this rating

One small trial with a clearly null result, and a 2026 review calls efficacy in neuropathic pain inconclusive. A larger trial might refine the number, but the authors do not expect a different conclusion.

Form and dose studied

400 mg/day by mouth in the trial. Amounts used in the studies are listed in the study records, not as advice. No amounts are advised here.

Who was studied

Adults with HIV-associated neuropathic pain.

Limits

n=32; crossover design; one pain condition; no company link listed in the PubMed record.

Why researchers looked

Nerve pain from HIV is hard to treat, and cannabinoids have been discussed as an option.

Traditional use

No traditional use of isolated CBDV is described in the sources read.

Proposed mechanism Animal and lab

The authors suggest the result may be explained by a lack of cannabinoid receptor activation, as shown in their earlier lab experiments.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Adverse events were similar on CBDV and placebo in this trial.

^{10 3}

Prader-Willi syndrome (a terminated six-person registry trial)

Not enough evidence

A small placebo-controlled trial in Prader-Willi syndrome was stopped early because of limited funding, with six participants. Its registry results are too small to interpret, and we found no peer-reviewed paper.

1 studiesAmounts are on the registry record. Amounts used in the studies are l…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03848481: a phase 2 placebo-controlled trial (sponsor Montefiore Medical Center) in ages 5 to 30. It enrolled 6 people, was terminated because only limited funding was available, and posted results on 2026-05-07. The primary outcome was the Aberrant Behavior Checklist irritability subscale.

Results

The posted results involve six people split between CBDV and placebo. They cannot support a conclusion about effect or safety, and we do not report them as findings. PubMed searches did not turn up a peer-reviewed report.

Effect sizes as reported

No usable effect size.

Why this rating

Six participants, ended early, registry results only.

Form and dose studied

Amounts are on the registry record. Amounts used in the studies are listed in the study records, not as advice. No amounts are advised here.

Who was studied

Children and adults up to age 30 with Prader-Willi syndrome.

Limits

Terminated; tiny; not peer reviewed.

Why researchers looked

The registry record describes a feasibility and safety study of CBDV in Prader-Willi syndrome, with irritability as the main outcome. It gives no further reason.

Traditional use

No traditional use of isolated CBDV is described in the sources read.

Proposed mechanism Not studied

No mechanism is given in the registry record.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

None to report from six people.

³⁰

Rett syndrome and Fragile X syndrome features (mouse models)

Not enough evidence

In mouse models of Rett syndrome and Fragile X syndrome, CBDV improved memory, social behaviour or movement in some tests. Several of these studies come from groups linked to the company that developed CBDV.

4 studiesInjected or oral CBDV in mice. Amounts used in the studies are listed…

Studies, doses and limits

Results

Male Mecp2-null mice treated for weeks showed rescued recognition memory and delayed neurological defects, though the delay was only transient. Male MeCP2-308 mice treated for 14 days had restored general health, sociability and brain weight with a partial gain in motor coordination. In female Rett mice a low amount (3 mg/kg/day) eased motor coordination problems and appeared to preserve memory. In Fragile X mice, adolescent treatment prevented memory, social and sound-sensitivity changes later in life, while treatment in adulthood had marginal effects.

Effect sizes as reported

Mouse amounts ranged from 0.2 to 200 mg/kg/day (not human amounts).

Why this rating

Mouse models only, small and varied designs; three of the four papers show a link to the developer (GW Research or Jazz).

Form and dose studied

Injected or oral CBDV in mice. Amounts used in the studies are listed in the study records, not as advice. No amounts are advised here.

Who was studied

Mutant mice.

Limits

Models differ from human disease; company-linked authors or funding in several of the papers.

Why researchers looked

Both conditions are rare neurodevelopmental disorders with few treatments, and CBDV changed brain signalling in animals.

Traditional use

No traditional use of isolated CBDV is described in the sources read.

Proposed mechanism Animal research

In Rett mice CBDV normalised BDNF and IGF-1, a signalling pathway and CB1 and CB2 receptor levels, and a GPR55 increase was found in Rett mouse brain. In Fragile X mice it changed inflammation and growth-factor markers.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

No human safety information for this use.

^{47 43 27 33}

Schizophrenia-like deficits (one rat model)

Not enough evidence

In rats given a drug that mimics some features of schizophrenia, CBDV improved memory and social behaviour in tests, as did the comparison drug risperidone. No human study.

2 studiesInjected CBDV 2 to 20 mg/kg in rats. Amounts used in the studies are …

Studies, doses and limits

Results

In female rats, 10 and 20 mg/kg of CBDV improved object recognition and social interaction, and 20 mg/kg improved reversal learning, similar to risperidone.

Effect sizes as reported

Not given as numbers in the abstract.

Why this rating

A single rat model with single doses; one author is at a Jazz Pharmaceuticals research unit.

Form and dose studied

Injected CBDV 2 to 20 mg/kg in rats. Amounts used in the studies are listed in the study records, not as advice. No amounts are advised here.

Who was studied

Female rats.

Limits

One model; single doses; the authors declared no conflict even though one author is at Jazz.

Why researchers looked

Current medicines treat some symptoms but do little for memory and social problems.

Traditional use

No traditional use of isolated CBDV is described in the sources read.

Proposed mechanism Animal research

Not examined in the abstract.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

No human information.

^{11 7}

Gut inflammation and ulcerative colitis (mice and tissue in a dish)

Not enough evidence

In mice with induced colitis, CBDV reduced signs of gut inflammation, and in colon samples from children with ulcerative colitis it lowered inflammation signals in the dish. No patient was treated.

1 studiesBy mouth in mice. Amounts used in the studies are listed in the study…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

No treatment study in people. The only human material is biopsy tissue from children with active ulcerative colitis incubated with CBDV in a dish.

Results

In mice CBDV reduced neutrophil infiltration, gut permeability and the cytokines IL-1 beta, IL-6 and MCP-1. In biopsies from children with ulcerative colitis, cytokine expression was lower after CBDV. The authors say its 'favorable safety profile' means it may be considered for clinical trials.

Effect sizes as reported

No numbers given in the abstract.

Why this rating

A mouse model and tissue in a dish; no patient was treated.

Form and dose studied

By mouth in mice. Amounts used in the studies are listed in the study records, not as advice. No amounts are advised here.

Who was studied

Mice; biopsies from children (tissue in a dish).

Limits

Acute chemical colitis in mice; tissue samples, not treatment.

Why researchers looked

People with ulcerative colitis who use cannabis report some symptom relief, and CBDV acts on TRPA1, which is involved in gut inflammation.

Traditional use

No traditional use of isolated CBDV is described in the sources read.

Proposed mechanism Animal and lab

In the mouse work the effect was sensitive to a TRPA1 blocker; CBDV also changed gut bacteria patterns.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

A safety claim in an abstract is not a human safety study of this use.

³²

Inflammation, morphine tolerance and nausea (cell and rat work)

Not enough evidence

CBDV lowered inflammatory signalling in cells, boosted morphine's pain-blocking effect and reduced tolerance in mice, and reduced nausea-like behaviour in rats at a high amount. All lab or animal work.

3 studiesLab concentrations and injected or oral amounts in rodents. Amounts u…

Studies, doses and limits

Results

CBDV blocked LPS-driven inflammatory signalling in cells, potentiated morphine pain relief in a hot-plate test and reduced morphine tolerance in mice. In rats CBDV at 200 mg/kg suppressed lithium-chloride-induced nausea-like gaping and did not itself cause gaping. In muscle-disease (mdx) mice CBDV at 60 mg/kg prevented the loss of movement, reduced inflammation and restored autophagy, work supported by the developer GW.

Effect sizes as reported

Rodent amounts of 2.5 to 200 mg/kg were used (not human amounts).

Why this rating

Cell and rodent studies only, from different groups, with one set supported by the developer.

Form and dose studied

Lab concentrations and injected or oral amounts in rodents. Amounts used in the studies are listed in the study records, not as advice. No amounts are advised here.

Who was studied

Cells, mice, rats.

Limits

Narrow models; no human data.

Why researchers looked

Researchers looked for non-intoxicating compounds that calm inflammation or ease nausea.

Traditional use

No traditional use of isolated CBDV is described in the sources read.

Proposed mechanism Animal and lab

In cells CBDV bound a protein (MD2) that helps the TLR4 receptor trigger inflammation. In rats CBDV did not produce the nausea-like behaviour seen with CB1 inverse agonists.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

No human safety information.

^{44 36 19}

Brain-cell protection and Parkinson's models (cells and worms)

Not enough evidence

In brain cells in a dish and in worms, CBDV protected cells and reduced a Parkinson's-related protein clump. In one test it also increased a DNA damage marker. No human data.

4 studiesLab concentrations. Amounts used in the studies are listed in the stu…

Studies, doses and limits

Results

CBDV reduced alpha-synuclein clumping and protected dopamine-making neurons from toxin damage in a worm model. In human brain blood-vessel cells exposed to oxygen and glucose loss it lowered inflammation and injury markers, but in astrocytes it increased DNA damage markers. In mouse neural stem cells it promoted survival, growth and nerve-cell differentiation through TRPV1.

Effect sizes as reported

No usable numbers in the abstracts.

Why this rating

Cells and worms, with mixed results in one study.

Form and dose studied

Lab concentrations. Amounts used in the studies are listed in the study records, not as advice. No amounts are advised here.

Who was studied

Cells in a dish; roundworms.

Limits

Far from human disease.

Why researchers looked

In a worm study the phenolic groups of CBDV scavenged reactive oxygen species, and in cells it acts on TRPV1 and other targets involved in nerve cell survival.

Traditional use

No traditional use of isolated CBDV is described in the sources read.

Proposed mechanism Lab

In worms the effect needed a gene called DAF-16 and the phenolic hydroxyl groups of CBDV; in cells it acted partly through TRPV1, GPR55 and GPR18.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

A DNA damage marker rose in astrocytes in one study. See the Safety tab for genotoxicity work.

^{45 41 26 40}

Connections to the rest of health

How CBDV (Cannabidivarin) connects to the rest of our health knowledge graph. Every link says what kind of connection it is. A safety link (for example to the liver) is a warning, not a benefit. A study that merely mentions a topic never creates a benefit link.

Explore every connection: goals, body systems, organs, symptoms, genes

Kind of connection Connected to Search

A. Wellness goals

Connected to	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Brain Health	Evidence against	Epilepsy: focal seizures in adults (one phase 2 trial, no benefit over placebo): One company-sponsored trial gave CBDV or placebo, on top of other seizure medicines, to 162 adults whose focal seizures were not well controlled. Seizures fell by about 40% on CBDV and about 38% on placebo, so there was no difference. A 2026 review says development of CBDV for epilepsy appears to have been halted.	^{6 20 4 3}
Brain Health	Not enough evidence	Epilepsy in girls with Rett syndrome (five children, no placebo group): Five girls with Rett syndrome and drug-resistant epilepsy took CBDV for a time and all had fewer seizures. With five children, no placebo group and no blinding, this cannot show that CBDV caused the change. Autism spectrum disorder (brain-scan studies in adult men; children's trial still running): Two small studies in adult men gave one 600 mg dose of CBDV and looked at brain chemistry and brain scans, not symptoms. A trial in children is still recruiting and a company safety study ended with one child. No result shows that CBDV helps autism.	^{17 5 47 43 34 35 29 21 7 48 49}
Brain Health	Not enough evidence	Seizures (animal and laboratory research): In brain slices, rats and mice, CBDV reduced epilepsy-like activity and seizures in several models. This is the reason it was tested in people, but the one large human trial found no benefit. Rett syndrome and Fragile X syndrome features (mouse models): In mouse models of Rett syndrome and Fragile X syndrome, CBDV improved memory, social behaviour or movement in some tests. Several of these studies come from groups linked to the company that developed CBDV.	^{12 13 2 16 18 28 40 47 43 27 33 11 7 45 41 26}
Inflammation Balance	Evidence against	HIV-associated neuropathic pain (one crossover trial, no benefit): In 32 adults with nerve pain from HIV, pain was slightly higher on CBDV than on placebo, and the authors say CBDV failed to reduce the pain.	^{10 3}
Brain Health	Not enough evidence	Prader-Willi syndrome (a terminated six-person registry trial): A small placebo-controlled trial in Prader-Willi syndrome was stopped early because of limited funding, with six participants. Its registry results are too small to interpret, and we found no peer-reviewed paper.	³⁰
Inflammation Balance	Not enough evidence	Gut inflammation and ulcerative colitis (mice and tissue in a dish): In mice with induced colitis, CBDV reduced signs of gut inflammation, and in colon samples from children with ulcerative colitis it lowered inflammation signals in the dish. No patient was treated. Inflammation, morphine tolerance and nausea (cell and rat work): CBDV lowered inflammatory signalling in cells, boosted morphine's pain-blocking effect and reduced tolerance in mice, and reduced nausea-like behaviour in rats at a high amount. All lab or animal work.	^{32 44 36 19}
Gut Health	Not enough evidence	Gut inflammation and ulcerative colitis (mice and tissue in a dish): In mice with induced colitis, CBDV reduced signs of gut inflammation, and in colon samples from children with ulcerative colitis it lowered inflammation signals in the dish. No patient was treated.	³²
Cellular Protection	Not enough evidence	Brain-cell protection and Parkinson's models (cells and worms): In brain cells in a dish and in worms, CBDV protected cells and reduced a Parkinson's-related protein clump. In one test it also increased a DNA damage marker. No human data.	^{45 41 26 40}

B. Body systems

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Nervous System	Biological association	Evidence against	Studied for: Epilepsy: focal seizures in adults (one phase 2 trial, no benefit over placebo) Studied for: Epilepsy in girls with Rett syndrome (five children, no placebo group)	^{6 20 4 3 17 5 47 43 34 35 29 21 7 48 49 12 13 2 16 18 28 40 10 30 27 33 11 44 36 19 45 41 26}
Pain Inflammation	Biological association	Evidence against	Studied for: HIV-associated neuropathic pain (one crossover trial, no benefit) Studied for: Inflammation, morphine tolerance and nausea (cell and rat work)	^{10 3 44 36 19}
Digestive System	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Studied for: Gut inflammation and ulcerative colitis (mice and tissue in a dish)	³²

C. Body parts and organs

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Nervous system		Evidence against	Seizure reduction 40.5% on CBDV vs 37.7% on placebo; no significant difference. Animal seizure models were positive. Preparation or compound: CBDV oral medicine (GWP42006) in adults with focal seizures	^{6 12}
Nervous system (autism, brain imaging)		Not enough evidence	Raised Glx in the basal ganglia and moved striatal over-connectivity toward the comparison group; no symptom outcome. Preparation or compound: CBDV 600 mg single dose in adult men	^{34 35}
Digestive system (liver and gut)	Adverse effect or risk	Low certainty	Diarrhea in 25% vs 7%; liver enzymes above 3 times the upper normal limit in 3 of 81 on CBDV vs 1 on placebo. Preparation or compound: CBDV 400 to 800 mg twice daily with other seizure medicines	⁶

I. Biomarkers

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Focal seizure frequency (adults)	Biological association	Evidence against	Measured in trials: lowered on both CBDV and placebo; no difference between them. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	⁶
Rescue medicine use and thinking tests	Biological association	Evidence against	Measured in trials: no significant difference. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	⁶
Monthly seizure frequency in Rett syndrome	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Measured in trials: lowered (before-and-after, no placebo). A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	¹⁷
Glutamate plus glutamine (Glx) in the basal ganglia	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Measured in trials: raised after a single dose. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	³⁴
GABA+ (the brain's main inhibitory messenger plus other molecules)	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Measured in trials: no significant change. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	³⁴
Striatal functional connectivity (brain scan)	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Measured in trials: over-connectivity reduced toward comparison level in the autism group. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	³⁵
Seizure severity in rats	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Measured in trials: lowered (in rats). A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	^{2 12}
Epilepsy-like activity in brain slices	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Measured in trials: lowered (in slices). A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	^{12 18}
Pain intensity (0 to 10 diary scale)	Biological association	Evidence against	Measured in trials: no improvement; slightly higher on CBDV than on placebo (not significant). A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	¹⁰
Extra pain medicine and quality of life	Biological association	Evidence against	Measured in trials: no change. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	¹⁰
Gut inflammation markers (IL-1 beta, IL-6, MCP-1)	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Measured in trials: lowered (in mice and in biopsy tissue in a dish). A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	³²
Nausea-like gaping in rats	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Measured in trials: not caused; reduced at 200 mg/kg. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	^{36 6}
Morphine pain relief and tolerance (mice)	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Measured in trials: increased pain relief; reduced tolerance (in mice). A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	⁴⁴

J. Genes, receptors and enzymes

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
TRPV1 channel		Low certainty	CBDV activates then desensitizes TRPV1 in cells; the seizure-protective effect was weaker in mice lacking TRPV1; the effect in brain slices was not uniquely TRPV1-mediated. Preparation or compound: CBDV in cells and rodents	^{18 16}
TRPV1 (capsaicin receptor)	Preliminary mechanism	Lab and animal	CBDV activates then desensitizes TRPV1 in cells; seizure protection in young mice was weaker without it, and CBDV's effects on neural stem cells ran through it.	^{18 16 26}
TRPA1	Preliminary mechanism	Lab and animal	CBDV activates and desensitizes TRPA1 in cells; in mice its gut anti-inflammatory effect was sensitive to a TRPA1 blocker.	^{18 32}
GPR55	Preliminary mechanism	Lab and animal	Described as a CBDV target in a Rett mouse study; raised GPR55 was seen in Rett mouse brain. Partly involved in cell protection in a blood-brain-barrier study.	^{43 41}
CNR1 (CB1 receptor)	Preliminary mechanism	Lab and animal	CBDV binds CB1 weakly and its anticonvulsant effect in rodents did not depend on CB1.	^{37 13}

L. Active compounds

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
CBD		Low certainty	The anticonvulsant effects of purified CBDV and CBD were additive in rodents; CBD is the compound in the approved medicine Epidiolex. Preparation or compound: Purified CBDV and CBD together in rodents	^{13 42}
CBD (cannabidiol)	Biological association	Animal and database	The five-carbon-chain relative of CBDV. In rodents the anticonvulsant effects of purified CBDV and CBD were additive. CBD is the compound in the approved medicine Epidiolex. Preparation or compound: Not read in the sources	^{31 13 42}
CBDVA (cannabidivarinic acid)	Biological association	Database and product analysis	The acid form. It was measured with CBDV in a UK product study. How CBDVA turns into CBDV was not read for this page. Preparation or compound: Not read in the sources	^{31 25}
THCV (tetrahydrocannabivarin)	Biological association	Animal	A related varin cannabinoid. In one rat study neither CBDV nor THCV produced nausea-like behaviour the way CB1 blockers did, and CBDV-rich extracts owed their stronger CB1 binding to their THC and THCV content. Preparation or compound: Not read in the sources	^{31 36 13}
CBDV metabolites (decarbonylated CBDV; 7-hydroxy and 7-carboxy CBDV)	Biological association	Animal and secondary review	In mice, 21 metabolites were found, and decarbonylated CBDV reached high levels in plasma and fatty tissues; the authors say whether it is the genuinely active form is worth investigating. A review says that in children with epilepsy blood levels of the 7-hydroxy and 7-carboxy metabolites were much higher than those of CBDV itself.	^{50 4}

Each connection is stored with the ingredient, the connected record, the kind of connection, the evidence status, the supporting studies, the preparation or compound involved, and a review date (last reviewed October 25, 2026).

Evidence at a glance: what the research found for 11 outcomes

9Not enough evidence

2Evidence against

Each outcome below is one thing researchers measured. Certainty is how far the evidence can be trusted, not how well it works. The full studies are on the next tab.

Epilepsy: focal seizures in adults (one phase 2 trial, no benefit over placebo) 4 studies · 162 people in trials Evidence against Epilepsy in girls with Rett syndrome (five children, no placebo group) 4 studies Not enough evidence Autism spectrum disorder (brain-scan studies in adult men; children's trial still running) 8 studies Not enough evidence Seizures (animal and laboratory research) 7 studies Not enough evidence HIV-associated neuropathic pain (one crossover trial, no benefit) 2 studies Evidence against Prader-Willi syndrome (a terminated six-person registry trial) 1 study Not enough evidence Rett syndrome and Fragile X syndrome features (mouse models) 4 studies Not enough evidence Schizophrenia-like deficits (one rat model) 2 studies Not enough evidence Gut inflammation and ulcerative colitis (mice and tissue in a dish) 1 study Not enough evidence Inflammation, morphine tolerance and nausea (cell and rat work) 3 studies Not enough evidence Brain-cell protection and Parkinson's models (cells and worms) 4 studies Not enough evidence

The evidence

The research centre for CBDV (Cannabidivarin). Every record here was checked against PubMed or the publisher's page; we never list a study we have not verified.

Evidence by outcome

Bars show how many studies we found for each outcome, not how well it works. People are added up across trials only (reviews are not added, to avoid double counting).

How we rate evidence

High certainty

Several well-run trials or reviews agree; further research is unlikely to change the picture much.

Moderate certainty

Good trials point the same way, but some doubt remains.

Low certainty

Small, short or inconsistent trials. The finding could change with better research.

Very low certainty

Very little or very weak human data. Treat as a possibility only.

Mixed findings

Trials or reviews disagree with each other.

Not enough evidence

Not enough human research to say either way.

Evidence against

Good research found no benefit, or found harm.

We take the reviewers' own risk-of-bias and GRADE statements where they exist, and otherwise judge from study size, design, consistency, directness and whether a product matches what is sold. Many publications do not make evidence high. Method note: We searched PubMed (198 records for cannabidivarin or CBDV on 2026-10-25) and read the abstracts of the studies cited, read the FDA cannabis questions-and-answers page and a Congressional Research Service summary of the new US hemp definition, read registry records on ClinicalTrials.gov, and read the full text of the seizure trial and the CBDV section of one review. Compound identity was checked in PubChem. Lab numbers come from a table of published data and are not our own testing.

Study library: every study we checked 50

Design Research type Year from Search

Study	Design	People	Product, dose, length	Result
Alves 2024 Cannabidivarin and cannabigerol induce unfolded protein response and angiogenesis dysregulation in placental trophoblast HTR-8/SVneo cells. Arch Toxicol · PMID 38748041 · DOI	Lab lab	Human placental trophoblast cell line	Purified CBDV and CBG 1 to 10 micromolar Lab · vs Untreated cells	Both compounds reduced cell growth, caused stress responses (through TRPV1), changed angiogenesis-related genes and reduced tube formation; the authors say this may have a negative impact on placentation and pregnancy outcome. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Cell growth, stress responses, blood-vessel-forming behaviour Limitations: Cell line only; does not show harm in pregnancy. Funding and conflicts: No conflict reported in the PubMed record. Read: abstract
Amada 2013 Cannabidivarin (CBDV) suppresses pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced increases in epilepsy-related gene expression. PeerJ · PMID 24282673 · DOI	Animal research animal	Rats with PTZ-induced seizures	Purified CBDV 400 mg/kg by mouth (not a human amount) Acute · vs No CBDV	CBDV lowered seizure severity (median 5.00 to 3.25) and delayed the first sign of seizure; changes in the activity of genes such as Fos, Egr1, Arc, Ccl4 and Bdnf tracked with milder seizures. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Seizure severity and brain gene expression Limitations: One acute rat model; a single high amount. Funding and conflicts: No funder or conflict listed in the PubMed record. Read: abstract
Bagher 2026 Pharmacological Switching in Minor Phytocannabinoids: A Mechanistic Framework for Compound-Indication Matching and Precision Neurotherapeutic Development. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) · PMID 42653723 · DOI	Review review	Narrative review of minor phytocannabinoids	Minor phytocannabinoids including CBDV	States that human evidence for minor cannabinoids is limited and lists 'inconclusive cannabidivarin efficacy in epilepsy and neuropathic pain' and 'proof-of-mechanism neuroimaging in autism'. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Mechanisms and human evidence for minor cannabinoids Limitations: A narrative review; no new data. Funding and conflicts: The author declares no conflicts of interest. Read: abstract
Bialer 2026 Antiseizure Medications that Did Not Reach the Epilepsy Market: An Assessment of Factors Contributing to Their Failed Clinical Development Over the Last Three Decades. Drugs · PMID 41764707 · DOI	Review review	56 investigational compounds for common epilepsies presented at EILAT conferences since 1992	Cannabidivarin (among 30 compounds whose epilepsy development was terminated)	Lists cannabidivarin among compounds whose development for epilepsy was terminated. In its text it says CBDV's 40.5% seizure reduction in 162 adults did not differ from placebo (37.7%), that 'presumably owing to disappointing efficacy results' epilepsy development appears to have been halted, and that CBDV is still being evaluated for autism. It also says pharmacokinetics in healthy people were dose-proportional (single doses of 25 to 800 mg and 800 mg/day for 5 days) and, citing other work, that oral bioavailability is likely low and variable and that in children with epilepsy blood levels of the 7-hydroxy and 7-carboxy metabolites were much higher than those of CBDV itself. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Why antiseizure medicines in development failed Limitations: A review; the pharmacokinetic statements are second-hand and we did not read the cited originals. Funding and conflicts: No external funding; authors report consulting fees from several drug companies (none for CBDV listed). Read: abstract and the cannabidivarin section of the open-access full text (PMC13109158)
Boeri 2026 Efficacy and Safety of Cannabinoid-Based Products in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X Syndrome and Rett Syndrome: A Systematic Review. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol · PMID 42339654 · DOI	Systematic review review	17 studies (2 randomized trials, observational studies and case series) in people under 18 with autism, Fragile X or Rett syndrome	CBD, CBDV, THC or combinations	Products were generally linked to mild to moderate adverse events and few stopped. The authors say benefits for selected behaviours and for epilepsy in Rett syndrome are possible but that current evidence is insufficient to support routine clinical use. The abstract does not give CBDV-specific results. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Adverse events, seizure reduction, behaviour and thinking Limitations: The abstract does not separate CBDV from CBD and THC products; mostly observational designs. Funding and conflicts: No conflict of interest declared. Read: abstract
Brodie 2021 A Phase 2 Randomized Controlled Trial of the Efficacy and Safety of Cannabidivarin as Add-on Therapy in Participants with Inadequately Controlled Focal Seizures. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res · PMID 33998885 · DOI	Controlled trial	162 Adults aged 18 to 65 with focal epilepsy and seizures despite at least two earlier medicines, taking one to three other seizure medicines	CBDV oral medicine (GWP42006, made by GW Research) Titrated from 400 to 800 mg twice daily over 2 weeks, then 800 mg twice daily for 6 weeks (study amounts, not advice) 4-week baseline, then 8 weeks of treatment, then a 12-day taper · vs Placebo	Seizure frequency fell by 40.5% on CBDV and 37.7% on placebo; the difference was not significant. No difference for any seizure type or any secondary efficacy measure. 72.8% on CBDV and 48.1% on placebo had at least one adverse event (diarrhea, nausea and somnolence most common). Serious adverse events 3.7% versus 1.2%. Liver enzymes above 3 times the upper limit of normal in 3 on CBDV (2 stopped) and 1 on placebo; no potential Hy's Law cases. From the full text: 14% on CBDV and 3% on placebo stopped treatment because of an adverse event; 3 on CBDV stopped for a maculopapular rash (all recovered). Seizure reduction CBDV 40.5% vs placebo 37.7%; treatment ratio CBDV/placebo 0.95 (p=0.648) (0.78 to 1.17 (treatment ratio)) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Change in focal seizure frequency (main target); other seizure measures, rescue medicine, thinking tests, safety Limitations: A single phase 2 trial in one type of epilepsy. The authors note a high placebo response. Does not show whether CBDV helps other types of epilepsy or younger people. Funding and conflicts: Sponsored by GW Research Ltd (company-linked). Three authors are employed by GW Research Ltd and hold share options (per the disclosure); author affiliations include GW Research Ltd and Greenwich Biosciences, Inc. GW is later described as part of Jazz Pharmaceuticals in a 2023 paper's disclosure (p37566006). Registration: NCT02365610 Read: abstract and open-access full text (PMC8713263)
Cammà 2025 Therapeutic potential of minor cannabinoids in psychiatric disorders: A systematic review. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol · PMID 39541799 · DOI	Systematic review review	22 preclinical studies and one clinical study of minor cannabinoids in psychiatric conditions	Minor cannabinoids including CBDV	Found 22 preclinical studies and one clinical study, with mixed results and moderate to high risk of bias in several. It says CBDV showed promise for autism-like symptoms (in animals); other compounds were highlighted for other conditions. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Therapeutic potential of minor cannabinoids in psychiatric disorders Limitations: Mostly animal work with moderate to high risk of bias; only one clinical study across all minor cannabinoids. Funding and conflicts: No conflict of interest declared. Read: abstract
Congressional Research Service 2026 Changes to the Statutory Definition of Hemp and Implications for Agricultural Policy (CRS In Focus IF13136), updated September 28, 2026 CRS In Focus · Source	Authoritative guidance n/a	n/a	n/a	Says P.L. 119-37 changes the US hemp definition to total THC including THCA at no more than 0.3% dry weight; excludes hemp-derived cannabinoid products containing cannabinoids that are not capable of being naturally produced by the plant, or that were synthesized or manufactured outside the plant; and limits final products to 0.4 mg per container of total THC and other cannabinoids with similar effects. Parts are delayed to December 11, 2026 (some take effect November 12, 2026). As of September 28, 2026 the FDA lists of cannabinoids required by the law had not been published. The summary does not name CBDV. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: n/a Limitations: A three-page summary; it does not say how CBDV products are treated. Funding and conflicts: US Congress research service (nonpartisan). Read: full text read 2026-10-25
Deiana 2012 Plasma and brain pharmacokinetic profile of cannabidiol (CBD), cannabidivarine (CBDV), Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) and cannabigerol (CBG) in rats and mice following oral and intraperitoneal administration and CBD action on obsessive-compulsive behaviour. Psychopharmacology (Berl) · PMID 21796370 · DOI	Animal research animal	Rats and mice	CBD, CBDV, THCV and CBG CBDV 60 mg/kg in rats (not a human amount) Single doses · vs Different carrier liquids	All four phytocannabinoids readily crossed into the brain. In rats, oral dosing gave higher brain levels for CBD and CBDV, but injection was better for THCV and CBG. Levels depended on the carrier liquid. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Blood and brain levels after oral or injected doses Limitations: Rodent pharmacokinetics; human levels differ. Funding and conflicts: No conflict listed in the PubMed record. Read: abstract
Eibach 2021 Cannabidivarin for HIV-Associated Neuropathic Pain: A Randomized, Blinded, Controlled Clinical Trial. Clin Pharmacol Ther · PMID 32770831 · DOI	Rct crossover	32 32 adults with HIV-associated neuropathic pain	CBDV by mouth 400 mg/day (study amount, not advice) Two 4-week treatment phases with a 3-week washout · vs Placebo (random order)	Mean pain intensity on CBDV was 0.62 points higher than on placebo (not significant). CBDV did not change extra pain medicine, pain features or quality of life. Adverse events were similar in both treatments and none was unexpected. The authors say CBDV was safe but failed to reduce neuropathic pain and they would not consider it a meaningful treatment option for this pain. Pain score +0.62 points on CBDV vs placebo (P=0.16) (-0.27 to 1.51) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Pain intensity on a 0 to 10 diary scale (main); extra pain medicine, pain features, quality of life Limitations: Small crossover trial; the authors say a larger number might be desirable but would not expect the conclusion to change. Funding and conflicts: No funder or conflict listed in the PubMed record. Read: abstract
Grayson 2025 The phytocannabinoid cannabidivarin alleviates cognitive and social behaviour deficits in the sub-chronic phencyclidine rat model of relevance for schizophrenia. J Psychopharmacol · PMID 41159452 · DOI	Animal research animal	Female rats pretreated with phencyclidine (a schizophrenia-like model)	Purified CBDV 2, 10 and 20 mg/kg by injection (not human amounts) Single doses before testing · vs Saline; risperidone as a comparison	CBDV at 10 and 20 mg/kg improved object recognition and social interaction deficits and 20 mg/kg improved reversal learning, similar to the comparison drug risperidone. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Object recognition, social interaction, reversal learning Limitations: One rat model; single doses; female rats only. Funding and conflicts: Company-linked: one author is at Jazz Pharmaceuticals Research UK Ltd (affiliation listed); the authors declared no conflicts. Read: abstract
Hill 2012 Cannabidivarin is anticonvulsant in mouse and rat. Br J Pharmacol · PMID 22970845 · DOI	Animal and lab animal	Rat brain slices; mice and rats in four seizure models	Purified CBDV 1 to 100 micromolar on slices; 50 to 200 mg/kg in animals (not human amounts) Acute · vs Vehicle	CBDV reduced epilepsy-like activity in slices and had anticonvulsant effects in the mouse maximal electroshock (100 mg/kg or more), mouse audiogenic (50 mg/kg or more) and rat PTZ (100 mg/kg or more) models. At 200 mg/kg alone it did nothing against pilocarpine seizures, but did when given with valproate or phenobarbital. No effect on motor function. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Epilepsy-like electrical activity in slices; seizures in four models; motor side effects Limitations: Animal and slice work only; amounts are not human amounts. Funding and conflicts: No funder or conflict listed in the PubMed record. Read: abstract
Hill 2013 Cannabidivarin-rich cannabis extracts are anticonvulsant in mouse and rat via a CB1 receptor-independent mechanism. Br J Pharmacol · PMID 23902406 · DOI	Animal and lab animal	Mice and rats in three acute seizure models; cell binding tests	Two CBDV-rich cannabis extracts (botanical drug substances) and purified CBDV and CBD 50 to 422 mg/kg (not human amounts) Acute · vs Vehicle	CBDV-rich extracts were anticonvulsant in PTZ (100 mg/kg or more), audiogenic (87 mg/kg or more) and pilocarpine models. Purified CBDV and CBD added together were additive. Some motor effects on the static beam test for the extracts. The extracts' THC and THCV content explained their stronger CB1 binding than purified CBDV; the anticonvulsant effect was not mediated by CB1. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Seizures; motor effects; CB1 receptor binding Limitations: Rodent work; extracts contained other cannabinoids including THC and THCV. Funding and conflicts: No funder or conflict listed in the PubMed record. Read: abstract
Hillig 2004 A chemotaxonomic analysis of cannabinoid variation in Cannabis (Cannabaceae). Am J Bot · PMID 21653452 · DOI	Plant chemistry plant	157 157 Cannabis accessions (96 measured by gas chromatography)	n/a	Plants with relatively high THCV and/or CBDV were common only in the group the authors call C. indica. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Cannabinoid patterns across accessions Limitations: A 2004 study; plant naming has been debated. Funding and conflicts: No conflict listed in the PubMed record. Read: abstract
Huff 2021 Differential Interactions of Selected Phytocannabinoids with Human CYP2D6 Polymorphisms. Biochemistry · PMID 34491040 · DOI	Lab lab	Lab protein (CYP2D6 liver enzyme variants) and computer models	Eight phytocannabinoids including CBDV Lab concentrations Lab	The authors tested CBD, THC, CBDV, THCV, CBN, CBG, CBC and beta-caryophyllene and found that binding differs by enzyme variant and by cannabinoid. The abstract does not give CBDV-specific numbers. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Binding of cannabinoids to CYP2D6 variants Limitations: A lab and computer study; does not show an interaction in people. Funding and conflicts: No conflict listed in the PubMed record. Read: abstract
Huizenga 2019 Preclinical safety and efficacy of cannabidivarin for early life seizures. Neuropharmacology · PMID 30633929 · DOI	Animal research animal	Young rats (postnatal day 10 and 20) and TRPV1 knockout mice	Purified CBDV 50 to 200 mg/kg (not human amounts) Acute · vs Vehicle	In 10-day-old rats CBDV suppressed seizures only in the PTZ model; in 20-day-old rats it did so in the PTZ, DMCM and maximal electroshock models. The effect was weaker in mice lacking TRPV1. CBDV generally did not cause nerve-cell degeneration in the young rats. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Seizures in several models; nerve-cell damage Limitations: Young-rat models; does not show effects in children. Funding and conflicts: No conflict of interest reported in the PubMed record (academic centre in the USA). Read: abstract
Hurley 2022 Efficacy and safety of cannabidivarin treatment of epilepsy in girls with Rett syndrome: A phase 1 clinical trial. Epilepsia · PMID 35364618 · DOI	Open label trial	5 Five girls with Rett syndrome (a MECP2 gene variant) and drug-resistant epilepsy	CBDV oral solution (50 mg/mL) Titrated to 10 mg/kg/day (study amount, not advice)	All five children reached 10 mg/kg/day and all had fewer seizures (median reduction 79%; three had more than 75%; 32 down to 7.2 seizures per month overall). 91% of adverse events were mild or moderate and none needed the drug stopped. Hypersomnolence (heavy sleepiness) and drooling were linked to CBDV. No significant change in EEG or in non-seizure Rett symptoms. Median reduction in monthly seizure frequency 79% (n=5, uncontrolled) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Safety and tolerability (main); monthly seizure frequency, EEG, behaviour questionnaires Limitations: Five children, no placebo group, no blinding. Seizures in Rett syndrome vary over time and a before-and-after count cannot show that the drug caused the change. Funding and conflicts: No conflict of interest reported by the authors in the PubMed record (academic centres in Australia). Read: abstract
Iannotti 2014 Nonpsychotropic plant cannabinoids, cannabidivarin (CBDV) and cannabidiol (CBD), activate and desensitize transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) channels in vitro: potential for the treatment of neuronal hyperexcitability. ACS Chem Neurosci · PMID 25029033 · DOI	Lab lab	Human kidney cells carrying TRP channels; rat brain slices	Purified CBDV and CBD Lab · vs Capsaicin; vehicle	CBDV and CBD activated and then quickly desensitized TRPV1, TRPV2 and TRPA1. CBDV reduced epilepsy-like bursts in brain slices, but that effect was not uniquely mediated by TRPV1. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: TRPV1, TRPV2 and TRPA1 activation; epilepsy-like bursts Limitations: Lab work only. Funding and conflicts: No funder or conflict listed in the PubMed record. Read: abstract
Iannotti 2019 Effects of non-euphoric plant cannabinoids on muscle quality and performance of dystrophic mdx mice. Br J Pharmacol · PMID 30074247 · DOI	Animal and lab animal	Muscle cells and mdx mice (a Duchenne muscular dystrophy model)	Purified CBD, CBDV and THCV CBDV 60 mg/kg by injection (not a human amount) Different disease stages · vs Vehicle	CBDV helped muscle cells form myotubes through TRP channels; in mdx mice CBDV (60 mg/kg) prevented the loss of movement, reduced inflammation and restored autophagy. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Muscle cell differentiation, movement, inflammation, autophagy Limitations: Mouse and cell work. Funding and conflicts: Company-linked: two authors are supported by GW Pharmaceuticals for this research and one has a consultancy agreement with it. Read: abstract
Jazz Pharmaceuticals (sponsor) 2022 ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02369471: A Study of GWP42006 in People With Focal Seizures - Part A ClinicalTrials.gov record · Source	Trial registry record n/a	n/a	n/a	Phase 2 Part A, completed 2015; 32 adults aged 18 to 65; tested pharmacokinetics, safety and tolerability of CBDV (GWP42006) with other antiseizure medicines. No results are posted. The full text of the Part B paper (p33998885) says no potential interactions were found in this Part A study, citing 'data on file'. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: n/a Limitations: No results posted; the interaction statement is second-hand and unpublished. Funding and conflicts: Sponsor: Jazz Pharmaceuticals (company-linked). Registration: NCT02369471 Read: registry record read through the ClinicalTrials.gov API 2026-10-25
Jazz Pharmaceuticals (sponsor) 2022 ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03849456: Safety and Tolerability of Cannabidivarin (CBDV) in Children and Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder ClinicalTrials.gov record · Source	Trial registry record n/a	n/a	n/a	Phase 2, single-arm, GWP42006 (CBDV), ages 4 to 18; terminated; reason given: enrollment challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic; actual enrollment 1 participant; 2020-01-07 to 2020-05-26 (status verified 2022-08). No results posted. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: n/a Limitations: A registry entry; one participant cannot show anything about safety or effect. Funding and conflicts: Sponsor: Jazz Pharmaceuticals (company-linked). Registration: NCT03849456 Read: registry record read through the ClinicalTrials.gov API 2026-10-25
Johnson 2025 Minor Cannabinoid Profile of Unregulated Cannabidiol Products. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res · PMID 39478329 · DOI	Product analysis product	80 80 hemp-derived oil products bought in central Kentucky, plus Epidiolex as a regulated control	n/a	CBDV was the most frequently detected minor cannabinoid, found in 100% of the unregulated products (CBG 77%, CBC 72%, CBN 67%, CBL 67%, CBDA 51%). Amounts ranged from trace to several mg/mL (the CBDA range was 0.006 to 12.258 mg/mL), and the minor cannabinoids are largely absent from labels. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Levels of 15 minor cannabinoids by LC-MS/MS Limitations: One region and one time; the abstract does not give a CBDV concentration range. Funding and conflicts: No funder or conflict listed in the PubMed record (academic centre in the USA). Read: abstract
Kim 2022 Profiling Cannabinoid Contents and Expression Levels of Corresponding Biosynthetic Genes in Commercial Cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) Cultivars. Plants (Basel) · PMID 36432817 · DOI	Plant chemistry plant	Leaves and shoots of five commercial cultivars	n/a	In leaves and vegetative shoots, CBDV was 6.3 to 114.9 micrograms per gram. This is leaf and shoot tissue, not flower. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Levels of CBDV, CBD, CBC and THC Limitations: Leaves and shoots, not flower; five cultivars. Funding and conflicts: No conflict reported in the PubMed record. Read: abstract
Kolar 2024 Genotoxicity of selected cannabinoids in human lymphoblastoid TK6 cells. Arch Toxicol · PMID 39172143 · DOI	Lab lab	Human TK6 lymphoblast cells	CBG, CBD, CBC, CBDV, CBN Lab concentrations Lab · vs Untreated cells	CBDV caused micronuclei only after metabolic activation; mitotic disturbances occurred with all five, and CBG, CBD and CBDV caused G1 accumulation. The effects occurred at about 1000-fold higher concentrations than reported blood levels from human consumption, yet the authors say more research is needed. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Micronuclei, mitosis disturbances, cell cycle Limitations: Cell study. Funding and conflicts: The authors declare no conflicts of interest. Read: abstract
Liebling 2022 An Analysis of Over-the-Counter Cannabidiol Products in the United Kingdom. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res · PMID 33998849 · DOI	Product analysis product	29 29 widely available over-the-counter CBD oils in the UK	n/a	Mean advertised CBD was 4.5% and mean measured CBD 3.2%; only 11 of 29 (38%) were within 10% of the advertised CBD. 55% had measurable THC or CBN, and most products also had other phytocannabinoids including CBDV and CBDVA. Solvents and metals found were within acceptable levels. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Cannabinoid content, residual solvents, heavy metals Limitations: 29 products at one time. Funding and conflicts: Authors report advisory roles with cannabinoid companies; none of them funded this study. Read: abstract
Lourenço 2023 Unravelling a novel role for cannabidivarin in the modulation of subventricular zone postnatal neurogenesis. Eur J Pharmacol · PMID 37802277 · DOI	Lab lab	Neural stem cells grown from mouse brain (in a dish)	Purified CBDV Cell culture · vs Vehicle; TRPV1 blocker	Through TRPV1, CBDV promoted cell survival, growth and nerve-cell differentiation, and inhibited oligodendrocyte differentiation. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Cell survival, growth and differentiation Limitations: Cells in a dish. Funding and conflicts: No conflict of interest reported in the PubMed record. Read: abstract
Lourenço 2025 Cannabidivarin mitigates motor and cognitive impairments in a female mouse model of Rett syndrome. Life Sci · PMID 40633901 · DOI	Animal research animal	Female Mecp2 mutant mice (Rett model)	Purified CBDV 3 mg/kg/day (not a human amount) Chronic · vs Vehicle	CBDV did not prevent the drop in locomotor activity but eased motor coordination problems and appeared to preserve recognition memory; it changed neural stem cell growth differently by genotype. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Movement, motor coordination, recognition memory, neural stem cells Limitations: One mouse model. Funding and conflicts: No conflict of interest reported in the PubMed record (academic centres in Portugal). Read: abstract
Mirlohi 2022 Inhibition of human recombinant T-type calcium channels by phytocannabinoids in vitro. Br J Pharmacol · PMID 35342937 · DOI	Lab lab	Human cells carrying T-type calcium channels	11 phytocannabinoids including CBDV Lab concentrations Lab · vs Control	All 11 phytocannabinoids modulated T-type calcium channels. CBD, CBDV and CBG only affected channel inactivation. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Calcium-channel activity Limitations: Lab work only. Funding and conflicts: No conflict listed in the PubMed record. Read: abstract
Montefiore Medical Center (sponsor) 2025 ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03202303: Cannabidivarin (CBDV) vs. Placebo in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) ClinicalTrials.gov record · Source	Trial registry record n/a	n/a	n/a	Phase 2, placebo-controlled; estimated enrollment 100 children aged 5 to 18 years; started 2019-04-12; status Recruiting (status verified 2025-10); estimated completion 2027-02; primary outcome is the Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Irritability subscale. No results are posted. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: n/a Limitations: A registry entry describes plans, not findings. Funding and conflicts: Sponsor: Montefiore Medical Center. Registration: NCT03202303 Read: registry record read through the ClinicalTrials.gov API 2026-10-25
Montefiore Medical Center (sponsor) 2026 ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03848481: CBDV vs Placebo in Children and Adults up to Age 30 With Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) ClinicalTrials.gov record · Source	Trial registry record n/a	n/a	n/a	Phase 2, placebo-controlled, ages 5 to 30; terminated because only limited funding was available; actual enrollment 6; 2020-11-23 to 2024-10-31; results first posted 2026-05-07 (status verified 2026-04). The primary outcome was the Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Irritability subscale. With 6 participants split between CBDV and placebo, the posted numbers cannot support a conclusion, and we found no peer-reviewed paper reporting them. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: n/a Limitations: Registry results of a terminated six-person trial; not peer reviewed. Funding and conflicts: Sponsor: Montefiore Medical Center. Registration: NCT03848481 Read: registry record and posted results read through the ClinicalTrials.gov API 2026-10-25
National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) 2026 PubChem: Cannabidivarin (CID 11601669) PubChem · Source	Database record n/a	n/a	n/a	Name Cannabidivarin; formula C19H26O2; molecular weight 286.4; IUPAC name 2-[(1R,6R)-3-methyl-6-prop-1-en-2-ylcyclohex-2-en-1-yl]-5-propylbenzene-1,3-diol; InChIKey REOZWEGFPHTFEI-JKSUJKDBSA-N; CAS 24274-48-4 and the code GWP42006 appear among its 54 synonyms. Retrieved through the PubChem REST API on 2026-10-25. CID 644019 returned Cannabidiol (C21H30O2), CID 93147 Tetrahydrocannabivarin (C19H26O2), CID 16078 Tetrahydrocannabinol (C21H30O2) and CID 59444387 Cannabidivarinic Acid (C20H26O4). Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: n/a Limitations: A database record; it says nothing about safety or effects. Funding and conflicts: Public database. Read: REST API read 2026-10-25
Pagano 2019 The non-euphoric phytocannabinoid cannabidivarin counteracts intestinal inflammation in mice and cytokine expression in biopsies from UC pediatric patients. Pharmacol Res · PMID 31553934 · DOI	Animal and lab animal	Mice with chemically induced colitis; colon biopsies from children with active ulcerative colitis (in a dish)	Purified CBDV By mouth in mice (amount not stated in the abstract; not human amounts) 3 days in mice · vs No CBDV	In mice CBDV reduced neutrophil infiltration, gut permeability and the cytokines IL-1 beta, IL-6 and MCP-1, in a way blocked by a TRPA1 antagonist, and changed the gut bacteria pattern. In biopsies from children with ulcerative colitis incubated with CBDV, cytokine expression was lower. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Colon damage, inflammation markers, gut bacteria; cytokines in biopsies Limitations: Mouse model and tissue in a dish; no patients were treated. Funding and conflicts: No funder or conflict listed in the PubMed record. Read: abstract
Premoli 2023 Early Administration of the Phytocannabinoid Cannabidivarin Prevents the Neurobehavioral Abnormalities Associated with the Fmr1-KO Mouse Model of Fragile X Syndrome. Cells · PMID 37566006 · DOI	Animal research animal	Fmr1-knockout mice (a Fragile X syndrome model)	Purified CBDV 20 or 100 mg/kg by injection (not human amounts) 10 days in adults, or 5 weeks in adolescence · vs Vehicle	Given in adulthood the effects were marginal; given in adolescence, CBDV prevented the memory, social and sound-sensitivity changes of adult knockout mice and changed several inflammation markers in both mutant and normal mice. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Anxiety, movement, memory, social behaviour, sound sensitivity, brain markers Limitations: One mouse model. Funding and conflicts: Company-funded: funded by GW Research Limited, now part of Jazz Pharmaceuticals; one author is an employee with stock options. Read: abstract
Pretzsch 2019 Effects of cannabidivarin (CBDV) on brain excitation and inhibition systems in adults with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): a single dose trial during magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Transl Psychiatry · PMID 31748505 · DOI	Crossover trial	34 34 healthy men: 17 with autism spectrum disorder and 17 without	CBDV by mouth (single dose) 600 mg once (study amount, not advice) One session each, at least 13 days apart · vs Placebo (random order, double-blind)	CBDV raised Glx in the basal ganglia in both groups, but not equally in every person. In the autism group the shift was related to baseline Glx. CBDV had no significant effect on Glx in the frontal region (DMPFC) or on GABA+ in either region in either group. The study measured brain chemistry, not symptoms. Higher Glx in basal ganglia after CBDV in both groups; no change in GABA+ or in frontal Glx Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Brain levels of glutamate-plus-glutamine (Glx) and GABA+ measured by magnetic resonance spectroscopy about 2 hours after the dose Limitations: Single dose, 34 men only, a brain-chemistry marker rather than a clinical outcome; the authors say behaviour studies are still needed. Funding and conflicts: No conflict of interest reported in the PubMed record (academic centres in the UK). Read: abstract
Pretzsch 2021 Modulation of striatal functional connectivity differences in adults with and without autism spectrum disorder in a single-dose randomized trial of cannabidivarin. Mol Autism · PMID 34210360 · DOI	Crossover trial	28 28 men: 15 without autism and 13 with autism spectrum disorder	CBDV by mouth (single dose) 600 mg once (study amount, not advice) Two visits at least 13 days apart · vs Matched placebo (double-blind)	Compared with the other group, men with autism had lower connectivity between the ventral striatum and frontal and pericentral regions, and higher connectivity inside the striatum and between the putamen and temporal regions. In the autism group, CBDV reduced the over-connectivity to the level of the other group. The authors call this a preliminary proof of concept and say whether it changes symptoms is not known. CBDV reduced striatal over-connectivity in the autism group toward the comparison group Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Resting-state brain connectivity of the striatum on functional MRI Limitations: Pilot size, men only, single dose, no symptom outcome. Retrospectively registered. Brain scan changes are not the same as benefit. Funding and conflicts: No conflict of interest reported in the PubMed record (academic centres in the UK). Registration: NCT03537950 Read: abstract
Rock 2013 Evaluation of the potential of the phytocannabinoids, cannabidivarin (CBDV) and Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), to produce CB1 receptor inverse agonism symptoms of nausea in rats. Br J Pharmacol · PMID 23902479 · DOI	Animal research animal	Rats	Purified CBDV and THCV CBDV 2.5 to 200 mg/kg (not human amounts) Acute · vs Vehicle; rimonabant and THC for comparison	CBDV and THCV did not cause nausea-like behaviour the way rimonabant and AM251 did. CBDV at 200 mg/kg also reduced nausea-like gaping caused by lithium chloride, which the authors say suggests anti-nausea potential. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Conditioned gaping (a nausea-like behaviour) Limitations: Rat behaviour model. Funding and conflicts: No funder or conflict listed in the PubMed record. Read: abstract
Rosenthaler 2014 Differences in receptor binding affinity of several phytocannabinoids do not explain their effects on neural cell cultures. Neurotoxicol Teratol · PMID 25311884 · DOI	Lab lab	Human CB1 and CB2 receptors; mouse nerve-cell cultures	Several phytocannabinoids including CBDV Lab concentrations Lab · vs Control	CBDV bound CB1 weakly (Ki 14,711 nM, the weakest of those tested) and CB2 with Ki 574.2 nM. CBN, CBDV and CBG showed cytotoxic properties in mouse nerve-cell cultures, which the authors say was not linked to receptor binding. (A correction was published.) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Binding to CB1 and CB2; cell toxicity Limitations: Cell work; an erratum exists and the corrected numbers were not read. Funding and conflicts: No conflict listed in the PubMed record. Read: abstract
Russo 2019 Low doses of widely consumed cannabinoids (cannabidiol and cannabidivarin) cause DNA damage and chromosomal aberrations in human-derived cells. Arch Toxicol · PMID 30341733 · DOI	Lab lab	Human liver (HepG2) and mouth-lining (TR146) cell lines	Purified CBD and CBDV 0.2 micromolar and above Lab · vs Untreated cells	Both compounds caused DNA damage at 0.2 micromolar or more and formed micronuclei, which the authors link to oxidative damage; liver enzymes (S9) did not remove the effect. They say the data indicate possible carcinogenic properties. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: DNA damage (comet test), micronuclei Limitations: Cell lines only. The authors' conclusion of carcinogenic potential is not shown in people. Funding and conflicts: No conflict of interest reported in the PubMed record. Read: abstract
Shrader 2020 Involvement of dopamine receptor in the actions of non-psychoactive phytocannabinoids. Biochem Biophys Res Commun · PMID 33097185 · DOI	Animal research animal	Roundworms (C. elegans)	Purified CBD and CBDV Lab · vs Dopamine	CBD or CBDV caused paralysis in 40% of worms, and the effect needed the dopamine D2-like receptor DOP-3. The authors conclude CBD and CBDV act as functional partial agonists on D2-like receptors in worms. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Swimming paralysis in worms Limitations: A worm study. Funding and conflicts: No conflict listed in the PubMed record. Read: abstract
Stone 2020 A systematic review of minor phytocannabinoids with promising neuroprotective potential. Br J Pharmacol · PMID 32608035 · DOI	Systematic review review	31 articles (from 2,341 screened) on minor phytocannabinoids in brain-protection models	Minor phytocannabinoids including CBDV CBDV 0.2 to 400 mg/kg in animals (not human amounts)	Says cannabigerol and cannabidivarin displayed efficacy in models of Huntington's disease and epilepsy. All the work reviewed is animal or lab work. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Neuroprotective effects in models of neurological disease Limitations: Animal and cell models only; the review calls for more study. Funding and conflicts: Author O'Sullivan reports consulting for cannabinoid companies (CanPharmaConsulting, Artelo Biosciences, Centre for Medicinal Cannabis). Read: abstract
Stone 2021 Protective Effects of Cannabidivarin and Cannabigerol on Cells of the Blood-Brain Barrier Under Ischemic Conditions. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res · PMID 33998890 · DOI	Lab lab	Human brain blood-vessel cells, pericytes and astrocytes (in a dish)	Purified CBDV and CBG 10 nM to 10 micromolar Cell culture · vs Untreated cells	CBDV lowered IL-6, LDH, VEGF and MCP-1 in different cell types, but in astrocytes it increased markers of DNA damage. GPR55 and GPR18 were partly involved. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Markers of cell injury and inflammation after oxygen and glucose deprivation Limitations: Cells in a dish; mixed results (a protective sign and a damage sign). Funding and conflicts: Author O'Sullivan is director of CanPharmaConsulting; she reports no involvement of those companies in this research. Read: abstract
US Food and Drug Administration 2024 FDA Regulation of Cannabis and Cannabis-Derived Products, Including Cannabidiol (CBD): Questions and Answers FDA web page (content current as of 07/16/2024) · Source	Authoritative guidance n/a	n/a	n/a	Says FDA has not approved a marketing application for cannabis for the treatment of any disease or condition, and has approved one cannabis-derived and three cannabis-related prescription drug products (including Epidiolex, which contains purified CBD, for seizures with Lennox-Gastaut or Dravet syndrome and tuberous sclerosis complex). Apart from Epidiolex, Marinol and Syndros, no product containing cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds has been approved as safe and effective for any patient population, whether children or adults. It warns that untested drugs can have unpredictable and unintended consequences, and that cannabis products containing THC may cause adverse effects in pregnancy and are discouraged in breastfeeding (ACOG). A text search of the page found no mention of CBDV or cannabidivarin. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: n/a Limitations: A general page on cannabis and CBD; it does not discuss CBDV. Content last updated 07/16/2024, and later changes were not checked. Funding and conflicts: US government agency. Read: full page read 2026-10-25
Vigli 2018 Chronic treatment with the phytocannabinoid Cannabidivarin (CBDV) rescues behavioural alterations and brain atrophy in a mouse model of Rett syndrome. Neuropharmacology · PMID 30056123 · DOI	Animal research animal	Male MeCP2-308 mice (a Rett syndrome model)	Purified CBDV 2, 20 and 100 mg/kg by injection for 14 days (not human amounts) 14 days · vs Vehicle	CBDV restored general health status, sociability and brain weight, partly restored motor coordination, and the authors found raised GPR55 in the Rett mouse hippocampus. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: General health, sociability, brain weight, motor coordination, GPR55 levels Limitations: One mouse model. Funding and conflicts: Company-linked: one author is at GW Research Ltd (affiliation listed). Read: abstract
Wang 2022 Cannabidivarin alleviates neuroinflammation by targeting TLR4 co-receptor MD2 and improves morphine-mediated analgesia. Front Immunol · PMID 36032146 · DOI	Animal and lab animal	Cells in a dish, computer modelling, and mice	Purified CBDV Acute and chronic morphine models · vs Control	CBDV bound the MD2 protein, blocked LPS-driven inflammatory signalling in cells, increased morphine's pain-blocking effect in a hot-plate test and reduced morphine tolerance in mice. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: TLR4 signalling, inflammation markers, morphine pain relief and tolerance Limitations: Cell and mouse work; the authors only suggest translational potential. Funding and conflicts: The authors declare no commercial or financial conflicts. Read: abstract
Wang 2023 Cannabidivarin alleviates α-synuclein aggregation via DAF-16 in Caenorhabditis elegans. FASEB J · PMID 36583706 · DOI	Animal and lab animal	Roundworms (C. elegans) engineered to model Parkinson's disease	Purified CBDV Lab · vs Control	CBDV reduced alpha-synuclein clumping and protected dopamine-making neurons in the worm; it did not directly stop fibres forming in a test tube. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Alpha-synuclein clumping, oxidative stress, dopamine-nerve damage Limitations: Worm model; a long way from people. Funding and conflicts: No conflict of interest reported in the PubMed record. Read: abstract
Zagzoog 2020 In vitro and in vivo pharmacological activity of minor cannabinoids isolated from Cannabis sativa. Sci Rep · PMID 33230154 · DOI	Animal and lab lab	Hamster cells carrying human CB1 or CB2; mice	Eight phytocannabinoids including CBDV Lab · vs THC for comparison	The abstract says many of the eight compounds, which include CBDV, showed partial agonist activity at CB1 and/or CB2, with CB1-type effects in mice. It does not say which result belongs to CBDV. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Receptor binding and signalling; mouse behaviour Limitations: The abstract does not give CBDV-specific results. Funding and conflicts: Partly funded through a collaboration with Aurora Cannabis (company-linked); the authors say Aurora did not direct the experiments. Read: abstract
Zamberletti 2019 Cannabidivarin completely rescues cognitive deficits and delays neurological and motor defects in male Mecp2 mutant mice. J Psychopharmacol · PMID 31084246 · DOI	Animal research animal	Male Mecp2-null mice (a Rett syndrome model)	Purified CBDV 0.2 to 200 mg/kg/day (not human amounts) Weeks 4 to 9 of age · vs Vehicle	CBDV rescued recognition-memory deficits, normalised BDNF and IGF-1 levels and a brain signalling pathway, and delayed neurological defects, but the delay in neurological defects was only transient. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Memory, neurological signs, brain markers (BDNF, IGF-1, receptors) Limitations: One mouse model; males only. Funding and conflicts: Company-linked: one author is at GW Research Ltd (affiliation listed). Read: abstract
Zamberletti 2019 Cannabidivarin Treatment Ameliorates Autism-Like Behaviors and Restores Hippocampal Endocannabinoid System and Glia Alterations Induced by Prenatal Valproic Acid Exposure in Rats. Front Cell Neurosci · PMID 31447649 · DOI	Animal research animal	Male rats exposed before birth to valproic acid (an autism-like model)	Purified CBDV 0.2 to 100 mg/kg by injection (not human amounts) Postnatal days 34-58 (treatment) or 19-32 (prevention) · vs Vehicle	At 20 mg/kg CBDV recovered social impairments, memory deficits, repetitive behaviours and hyperactivity in the treatment schedule, and reduced several deficits in the prevention schedule (not repetitive behaviour). It also reversed changes in endocannabinoid and inflammation markers in the hippocampus. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Social behaviour, memory, repetitive behaviour, brain markers Limitations: One rat model of autism-like behaviour; results in rodents do not show effects on autism in people. Funding and conflicts: Company-linked: one author is at GW Research Ltd (affiliation listed). No funder statement in the PubMed record. Read: abstract
Zamberletti 2021 Therapeutic potential of cannabidivarin for epilepsy and autism spectrum disorder. Pharmacol Ther · PMID 33895189 · DOI	Review review	Animal and human data on CBDV in epilepsy and autism spectrum disorder	CBDV	The abstract describes CBDV as the propyl analogue of CBD that has gained attention as a possible treatment for disabling neurological conditions, and says the review summarises the animal and human data for epilepsy and autism. The abstract gives no numbers. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Overview of animal and human research on CBDV Limitations: The abstract gives no results; the full text was not read. Funding and conflicts: No conflict of interest declared. Read: abstract
Zhang 2024 Identification of Cannabidivarin Metabolites in Different Mouse Organs Using Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled to a Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res · PMID 36342908 · DOI	Animal research animal	Mice	Purified CBDV by stomach tube Single dose	Twenty-one metabolites were found. Very low levels were seen in plasma and extremely high levels in gut contents an hour after dosing, and the authors assume oral bioavailability of CBDV is as poor as CBD's. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: CBDV breakdown products in organs Limitations: Mouse study. Funding and conflicts: No conflict listed in the PubMed record. Read: abstract

What we do not know yet

What the evidence supports: nothing at high certainty. The one large placebo-controlled trial found no benefit, and the other human work is very small and several studies are company-linked.
No independent repeat of the seizure trial, no placebo-controlled trial in Rett syndrome and no results yet from the children's autism trial.
No symptom outcome has been reported for CBDV in autism; the human results are single-dose brain markers in adult men.
No study has tested whether CBDV-labelled products match their labels, or how much CBDV ordinary CBD oils carry.
No data on long-term safety, liver effects beyond about 8 weeks, interactions beyond one unpublished first-part study, driving, pregnancy, breastfeeding or older adults.

How new research is added

New studies are found by a saved PubMed search and are placed in a review queue. A person reads each one before it changes any evidence rating or safety wording.

Lab markers

What changed in blood or saliva tests during trials. A changed number is not the same as feeling or being healthier, and we give no "normal ranges".

Other 13

●

Focal seizure frequency (adults)

Lowered on both CBDV and placebo; no difference between them in trials

How many focal seizures a person has in 28 days, counted from a diary.

Evidence against

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

The standard main target in trials of seizure medicines.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

The main target was missed.

Safety implication

Not applicable.

Study	Result	People	Product
⁶	Median baseline frequency was 17 to 18 seizures per 28 days. Frequency fell by 40.5% on CBDV and 37.7% on placebo (treatment ratio 0.95, 95% CI 0.78 to 1.17, p=0.648). No difference for any seizure subtype.	162 adults with focal seizures	CBDV titrated to 800 mg twice daily for 6 weeks (8-week treatment period) versus placebo

⁶

●

Rescue medicine use and thinking tests

No significant difference in trials

Extra seizure medicine taken when a seizure occurred, and tests of attention and memory.

Evidence against

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Secondary measures of whether people had fewer or milder seizures and kept thinking skills.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

No secondary benefit appeared.

Safety implication

No thinking-test harm was reported in the abstract.

Study	Result	People	Product
⁶	There were no significant treatment differences between CBDV and placebo for any secondary efficacy measure, including rescue medication and cognitive assessments.	162 adults with focal seizures	CBDV versus placebo for 8 weeks

⁶

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Monthly seizure frequency in Rett syndrome

Lowered (before-and-after, no placebo) in trials

Mean number of seizures per month counted before and after starting CBDV.

Not enough evidence

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

A key concern for families, and the main efficacy measure in this small study.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Encouraging but cannot show cause with five children and no control group.

Safety implication

Heavy sleepiness (hypersomnolence) and drooling were linked to CBDV.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹⁷	All five children had fewer seizures; median reduction 79%; three children more than 75%; overall 32 down to 7.2 seizures per month. EEG did not change significantly.	5 girls with Rett syndrome and drug-resistant epilepsy	CBDV oral solution titrated to 10 mg/kg/day, compared with each child's baseline

¹⁷

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Glutamate plus glutamine (Glx) in the basal ganglia

Raised after a single dose in trials

A brain chemical marker of excitatory signalling, measured by magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Not enough evidence

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Autism may involve a shifted balance between excitatory and inhibitory signals.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

A brain marker responded; no symptom was measured.

Safety implication

None stated.

Study	Result	People	Product
³⁴	CBDV significantly increased Glx in the basal ganglia of both groups, not uniformly across individuals. In the autism group the shift correlated negatively with baseline Glx. No significant change in frontal-region Glx or in GABA+ in either region.	34 men (17 with autism, 17 without)	600 mg CBDV once versus placebo, scans about 2 hours later

³⁴

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GABA+ (the brain's main inhibitory messenger plus other molecules)

No significant change in trials

A marker of inhibitory signalling measured by magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Not enough evidence

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

To test whether CBDV changes inhibitory signalling.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

A null finding for the inhibitory marker.

Safety implication

None stated.

Study	Result	People	Product
³⁴	CBDV had no significant impact on GABA+ in either brain region in either group.	34 men (17 with autism, 17 without)	600 mg CBDV once versus placebo

³⁴

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Striatal functional connectivity (brain scan)

Over-connectivity reduced toward comparison level in the autism group in trials

How strongly the striatum's activity moves in step with other brain regions at rest, measured by functional MRI.

Not enough evidence

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Atypical striatal connectivity may contribute to autism symptoms.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

A pilot proof of concept for brain activity; the authors say symptoms still need testing.

Safety implication

None stated.

Study	Result	People	Product
³⁵	Men with autism had lower connectivity between the ventral striatum and frontal and pericentral regions and higher connectivity inside the striatum and between the putamen and temporal regions. CBDV reduced their hyperconnectivity to the comparison level.	28 men (13 with autism, 15 without)	600 mg CBDV once versus placebo

³⁵

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Seizure severity in rats

Lowered (in rats) in trials

A score from 0 to 5 of how severe a seizure is after a seizure-causing drug (PTZ).

Not enough evidence

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

A standard test of possible seizure medicines.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Animal result only.

Safety implication

None stated for people.

Study	Result	People	Product
²	CBDV (400 mg/kg by mouth) lowered PTZ seizure severity from a median of 5.00 to 3.25 and delayed the first sign of seizure.	Rats	CBDV by mouth before PTZ
¹²	Anticonvulsant effects in the mouse maximal electroshock model (100 mg/kg or more), audiogenic model (50 mg/kg or more) and rat PTZ model (100 mg/kg or more).	Mice and rats	CBDV 50 to 200 mg/kg

^{2 12}

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Epilepsy-like activity in brain slices

Lowered (in slices) in trials

Bursts of abnormal electrical activity recorded from rat brain slices exposed to seizure-causing conditions.

Not enough evidence

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

A lab screen for anticonvulsant effects.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

A lab result only.

Safety implication

None stated.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹²	CBDV (1 to 100 micromolar) significantly attenuated epilepsy-like activity induced by 4-aminopyridine and by magnesium-free conditions.	Rat hippocampal slices	CBDV in the dish
¹⁸	CBDV reduced epilepsy-like burst amplitude and duration in magnesium-free slices; the effect was not uniquely mediated by TRPV1.	Rat hippocampal slices	CBDV in the dish

^{12 18}

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Pain intensity (0 to 10 diary scale)

No improvement; slightly higher on CBDV than on placebo (not significant) in trials

A number from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain) that the person records daily.

Evidence against

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

The main target in the HIV neuropathic pain trial.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

The main target was not met.

Safety implication

Adverse events were similar on both treatments.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹⁰	Mean pain intensity on CBDV was 0.62 points higher than on placebo (P=0.16; 95% CI -0.27 to 1.51).	32 adults with HIV-associated neuropathic pain	CBDV 400 mg/day for 4 weeks versus placebo, crossover

¹⁰

●

Extra pain medicine and quality of life

No change in trials

How much additional pain medicine people used and their quality-of-life scores.

Evidence against

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Secondary measures of whether pain relief mattered to daily life.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

No secondary benefit appeared.

Safety implication

None stated.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹⁰	CBDV did not influence the amount of additional pain medication, pain characteristics or quality of life.	32 adults with HIV-associated neuropathic pain	CBDV 400 mg/day versus placebo

¹⁰

●

Gut inflammation markers (IL-1 beta, IL-6, MCP-1)

Lowered (in mice and in biopsy tissue in a dish) in trials

Chemical signals made by immune cells during inflammation.

Not enough evidence

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Markers of how inflamed the colon is in a colitis model.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Animal and tissue result only.

Safety implication

None stated.

Study	Result	People	Product
³²	Orally given CBDV attenuated DNBS-induced neutrophil infiltration, permeability and the cytokines IL-1 beta, IL-6 and MCP-1 in mice, in a TRPA1-antagonist sensitive way; cytokine expression was lessened in biopsies from children with active ulcerative colitis.	Mice; colon biopsies from children with ulcerative colitis	CBDV by mouth in mice; CBDV added to biopsy tissue in a dish

³²

●

Nausea-like gaping in rats

Not caused; reduced at 200 mg/kg in trials

A behaviour in rats (conditioned gaping) used as a stand-in for nausea.

Not enough evidence

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

To test whether CBDV causes nausea like some CB1 blockers, or relieves it.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

A rat behaviour test only.

Safety implication

No nausea-like signal in rats; in the human focal-seizure trial nausea was reported equally on CBDV and placebo (10% each).

Study	Result	People	Product
³⁶	CBDV (10 or 200 mg/kg) did not produce conditioned gaping, and at 200 mg/kg it suppressed lithium-chloride-induced gaping, which the authors say suggests anti-nausea potential.	Rats	CBDV 2.5 to 200 mg/kg

^{36 6}

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Morphine pain relief and tolerance (mice)

Increased pain relief; reduced tolerance (in mice) in trials

How well morphine blocks pain in a hot-plate and formalin test, and how quickly that effect fades with repeated use.

Not enough evidence

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

A test of whether a compound could help opioid pain relief last.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Mouse and cell work only.

Safety implication

No human interaction data for CBDV with opioids.

Study	Result	People	Product
⁴⁴	CBDV potentiated morphine-induced antinociception in the hot-plate test and attenuated morphine tolerance in the formalin test by inhibiting glial activation and pro-inflammatory factors in the nucleus accumbens.	Mice and cells	CBDV with morphine

⁴⁴

Safety

What studies and official sources say about side effects, medicines and who should check first. Each point shows what kind of evidence it comes from.

Main points to know 8

CBDV is investigational. No CBDV medicine is approved, and the FDA page does not mention it. The FDA says it has not approved a marketing application for cannabis for any disease or condition. The one cannabis-derived medicine it lists is Epidiolex, which contains purified CBD, not CBDV. A text search of the FDA page found no mention of CBDV. Trial registries show CBDV has been tested in clinical trials (focal seizures, Rett syndrome, autism, Prader-Willi syndrome), none of which led to an approved use. A 2026 review says its development for epilepsy appears to have been halted. Authoritative guidance ^{42 4 29}
In the one large trial, more people on CBDV had side effects than on placebo. In 162 adults with focal seizures taking CBDV on top of other medicines, 73% on CBDV and 48% on placebo had at least one adverse event. The most common were diarrhea (25% vs 7%), nausea (10% vs 10%) and sleepiness (15% vs 3%). 14% on CBDV and 3% on placebo stopped treatment because of an adverse event. The trial was sponsored by the developer. Controlled trial ⁶
Liver enzymes rose in a few people in the trial. Blood liver enzymes rose above 3 times the upper normal limit in 3 people on CBDV (2 stopped) and 1 on placebo. None met the criteria for serious drug-induced liver injury (Hy's Law). All of those people were also taking other medicines linked to raised liver enzymes. This is a signal to take seriously, not proof of safety. Controlled trial ⁶
Heavy sleepiness and rash were reported. Sleepiness was more common on CBDV than placebo in adults, and heavy sleepiness (hypersomnolence) and drooling were linked to CBDV in five girls with Rett syndrome. Three adults stopped CBDV because of a skin rash (all recovered). Controlled trial ^{6 17}
Never swap a prescribed seizure medicine for a CBDV product. The only placebo-controlled seizure trial found no benefit over placebo, and the trial gave CBDV on top of, not instead of, other seizure medicines. Never stop or change a seizure medicine without the prescriber. Controlled trial ⁶
Products sold as CBD often contain CBDV that is not on the label. In 80 over-the-counter hemp oils bought in Kentucky, CBDV was the most often detected minor cannabinoid (100% of products), and the authors say the minor cannabinoids are largely absent from labels. In 29 UK CBD oils only 38% were within 10% of the advertised CBD and 55% had measurable THC or CBN. A 'CBD' product is therefore not purely CBD. Product analysis ^{22 25}
Pregnancy, breastfeeding and children: no human safety data for CBDV. No study of CBDV in pregnancy or breastfeeding was found. In a lab study CBDV disturbed human placental trophoblast cells, which the authors say may have a negative impact on placentation; this is cell work, not evidence of harm in pregnancy. The FDA says untested drugs can have unpredictable consequences in children and that cannabis products containing THC have potential adverse effects in pregnancy and are discouraged in breastfeeding. Authoritative guidance ^{42 1}
Cell studies raised DNA-damage questions; human relevance is unknown. One study found CBDV and CBD caused DNA damage and micronuclei in human liver and mouth-lining cell lines at 0.2 micromolar and above. Another found CBDV caused micronuclei only after metabolic activation, at about 1000-fold higher concentrations than reported blood levels from human consumption. Both are cell-line studies; neither shows harm in people, and neither is reassurance. Lab ^{38 24}

Side effects 7

Effect	How often	Severity and recovery	Evidence
Diarrhea Adults with focal epilepsy on CBDV titrated to 800 mg twice daily on top of other medicines.	25% on CBDV vs 7% on placebo; 5% on CBDV stopped treatment because of it	mild to severe (one severe case) All who stopped for diarrhea recovered	Controlled trial ⁶
Sleepiness (somnolence) Matters for driving and for combining with alcohol or sedatives; neither was studied.	15% on CBDV vs 3% on placebo in adults; hypersomnolence and drooling linked to CBDV in 5 girls with Rett syndrome	mostly mild to moderate Not stated in the abstracts	Controlled trial ^{6 17}
Nausea, upper abdominal pain, headache, dizziness Only upper abdominal pain differed noticeably; no tests of significance were given for these items.	Nausea 10% vs 10%; upper abdominal pain 6% vs 1%; headache 9% vs 7%; dizziness 6% vs 4% (CBDV vs placebo)	mostly mild to moderate Not stated	Controlled trial ⁶
Skin rash (maculopapular) A rash is a reason to stop and call a doctor.	3 adults (4%) on CBDV stopped treatment because of it	led to stopping All recovered	Controlled trial ⁶
Any adverse event, serious events and stopping treatment Little or no effect on vital signs, physical examination or ECG.	Any: 73% vs 48%. Serious: 3.7% vs 1.2%. Stopped because of an adverse event: 14% vs 3% (CBDV vs placebo)	mild 26%, moderate 40%, severe 7% on CBDV (full text) Not stated	Controlled trial ⁶
Adverse events in a nerve pain trial 32 adults, 400 mg/day for 4 weeks.	Similar on CBDV and placebo; none unexpected (no numbers in the abstract)	Not stated Not stated	Controlled trial ¹⁰
Adverse events in girls with Rett syndrome Five children; no placebo group.	91% of adverse events mild or moderate; none needed withdrawal; 31% possibly related to CBDV	mostly mild Not stated	Open label trial ¹⁷

Liver

In the focal-seizure trial, blood liver enzymes (ALT or AST) rose above 3 times the upper normal limit in 3 of 81 people on CBDV (2 stopped treatment) and 1 of 81 on placebo; none met the criteria for a potential Hy's Law case, which is a marker of serious liver injury. The full text says all people with raised enzymes were taking at least one other medicine linked to raised liver enzymes, such as carbamazepine, lacosamide, lamotrigine, clarithromycin or valproic acid. The nerve pain and Rett syndrome abstracts do not report liver tests. A lab study found CBDV caused DNA damage in a human liver cell line (HepG2); that is cell work. ^{6 38}

How often. About 4% of people on CBDV (3 of 81) had liver enzymes above 3 times the upper normal limit in one trial in adults who also took other seizure medicines.

Monitoring. No regulator guidance on liver tests for CBDV was found, because no CBDV medicine is approved. Anyone with liver disease, or taking medicines that affect the liver, should ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any CBDV product. The related compound CBD has its own liver information on our CBD page.

This is a safety connection. It is not evidence that CBDV (Cannabidivarin) supports liver health.

Medicines and supplements 4

With	Why it matters	Importance	Evidence	What to do
Other seizure medicines (for example carbamazepine, lamotrigine, valproate, levetiracetam, lacosamide) prescription	In the phase 2 trial, people took one to three other seizure medicines (most often levetiracetam, lamotrigine, valproic acid, lacosamide and carbamazepine). A smaller first part of the programme, with 32 adults on other seizure medicines (NCT02369471), is described in the trial paper as finding no potential interactions, citing data on file; those data are not published and we did not read them.	Unknown. The trial paper reports raised liver enzymes only in people taking other medicines that can do this, so the mix of medicines mattered.	Controlled trial Very low certainty ^{6 20}	Do not add CBDV to a seizure treatment without the prescriber. Never stop a seizure medicine because of a cannabinoid.
CBD and products containing CBD (clobazam, valproate, warfarin and other medicines with known CBD interactions) supplement	No CBDV-specific interaction study with these medicines was found. Most CBDV in shops is a small part of a CBD or hemp product, and CBD has known interactions with several medicines; see the CBD page. We did not read regulator labels for this page.	Unknown for CBDV; a 'CBD' product that holds CBDV may still carry CBD's interactions.	Not studied Not enough evidence ²²	Ask a doctor or pharmacist about the whole product, not just one compound on the label.
Medicines broken down by CYP enzymes (liver enzymes) prescription	A lab and computer study of eight phytocannabinoids including CBDV found that binding to the liver enzyme CYP2D6 differs by enzyme variant and by cannabinoid. The abstract gives no CBDV-specific numbers.	Not shown in people. No human interaction study of CBDV with CYP-metabolised medicines was found.	Lab Not enough evidence ¹⁵	Treat this as a reason to ask a pharmacist, not as a known interaction.
Alcohol, sedatives and opioids other	Sleepiness was more common on CBDV than on placebo. In mice, CBDV increased morphine's pain-blocking effect and reduced tolerance. No human study has tested CBDV with alcohol, sedatives or opioids.	Unknown; added sleepiness is plausible.	Rct and animal Not enough evidence ^{6 44}	Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how a product affects you, and ask a doctor or pharmacist about combinations.

Who should check first 9

Situation	Advice	Evidence
Pregnancy	No human safety data for CBDV. In a lab study on human placental cells CBDV disturbed growth and blood-vessel-forming behaviour; the authors say it may have a negative impact on placentation. The FDA says THC-containing cannabis products have potential adverse effects in pregnancy. Talk with a health care provider.	Authoritative guidance and lab ^{42 1}
Breastfeeding	No CBDV data. The FDA says (citing ACOG) there are insufficient data on cannabis use and breastfed infants and that use is discouraged while breastfeeding.	Authoritative guidance ⁴²
Children and teens	CBDV has been given to children only in small studies (five girls with Rett syndrome; a children's autism trial is still recruiting; a company study ended with one participant). No safe amount for children is known. The FDA says no cannabis-derived product other than Epidiolex, Marinol and Syndros has been approved as safe and effective for any patient group, and it warns that untested drugs can have unpredictable and unintended consequences. Keep products out of reach of children.	Authoritative guidance ^{42 17 29 21}
People with epilepsy or taking seizure medicines	CBDV did not beat placebo in the one trial. Do not use a CBDV product in place of a prescribed seizure medicine, and do not stop a seizure medicine because of a cannabinoid.	Controlled trial ⁶
Liver disease or medicines that affect the liver	Liver enzymes rose above 3 times the upper normal limit in 3 of 81 people on CBDV. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any CBDV product.	Controlled trial ⁶
Older adults	Trials enrolled adults aged 18 to 65; no data for people over 65 were found.	Not studied ⁶
Driving and machinery	Sleepiness was more common on CBDV (15% vs 3%). No driving study was found. Avoid driving until you know how any product affects you.	Controlled trial ⁶
Drug testing	In the UK analysis, 55% of CBD oils had measurable THC or CBN, and the Kentucky analysis found CBDV in every product. A product marketed for one compound can carry others; no CBDV drug-test study was found.	Product analysis ^{25 22}
Skin rash after starting a product	Three adults in the trial stopped CBDV because of a skin rash. Stop a product and call a doctor if a rash appears.	Controlled trial ⁶

Overdose, product quality and regulators

Summary. No toxic amount is established for people. In the largest trial the main problems were diarrhea, sleepiness, rash and a few raised liver enzymes at amounts up to 800 mg twice daily for 6 weeks. Cell studies raise DNA-damage and cell-toxicity questions whose human meaning is not known.

Animal. In rats, CBDV at 200 mg/kg alone had no effect on motor function in one study; in young rats it generally avoided nerve-cell degeneration. In mouse nerve-cell cultures CBDV, CBN and CBG showed cytotoxic properties unrelated to receptor binding (a correction to that paper exists). CBDV caused DNA damage in human cell lines at 0.2 micromolar and above in one study and micronuclei only after metabolic activation in another.

Human doses studied. 800 mg twice daily for 6 weeks after titration (mean modal dose 1480 mg/day) in adults with focal seizures; 400 mg/day for 4 weeks in HIV nerve pain; 10 mg/kg/day in five girls with Rett syndrome; a single 600 mg dose in two brain-scan studies in adult men. These are study amounts, not advice.

High dose or long term signals. No long-term human data. The longest exposure found was about 8 weeks of treatment. Diarrhea, sleepiness and raised liver enzymes appeared at the trial amounts.

Overdose response. Not studied.

Genotoxicity. Two cell-line studies, with different results: DNA damage at 0.2 micromolar and above in HepG2 and TR146 cells (CBDV and CBD), and micronuclei only after metabolic activation in TK6 cells, at about 1000-fold higher concentrations than reported blood levels from human consumption. Neither shows an effect in people.

Products that name CBDV or CBD are mostly supplements without the checks that apply to medicines. Studies of shop products found that labels often did not match contents, and that minor cannabinoids including CBDV were present but not on the label.

Minor cannabinoids in 80 over-the-counter hemp oils (Kentucky). CBDV was found in 100% of the unregulated products, more often than any other minor cannabinoid (CBG 77%, CBC 72%, CBN 67%). Amounts ranged from trace to several mg/mL for some compounds, and the authors say these minor cannabinoids are largely absent from labels. Delta-8 THC was not detected. ²²

29 CBD oils in the UK. The mean measured CBD was 3.2% against 4.5% advertised, and only 11 of 29 products were within 10% of the advertised CBD. 55% had measurable THC or CBN, and most also had other phytocannabinoids including CBDV and CBDVA. Residual solvents and heavy metals found were within acceptable levels. ²⁵

Body	Action	Date
US Food and Drug Administration (United States)	Its cannabis and CBD questions-and-answers page says the FDA has not approved a marketing application for cannabis for the treatment of any disease or condition, and has approved one cannabis-derived prescription drug (Epidiolex, which contains purified CBD) and three cannabis-related drugs. It does not mention CBDV. Apart from Epidiolex, Marinol and Syndros, no product containing cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds has been approved as safe and effective for any patient group. source	2026-10-25
Congressional Research Service (US Congress) (United States)	Says a new law (P.L. 119-37) changes the hemp definition to total THC including THCA at no more than 0.3% dry weight, excludes hemp-derived cannabinoid products that contain cannabinoids not capable of being naturally produced by the plant or that were synthesized or manufactured outside the plant, and limits final products to 0.4 mg per container of total THC and other cannabinoids with similar effects. Most parts take effect December 11, 2026 (some November 12, 2026). The FDA lists of cannabinoids had not been published as of September 28, 2026. The summary does not name CBDV, so how CBDV products are treated is not stated. source	2026-10-25
ClinicalTrials.gov (US National Library of Medicine), a trial registry, not a regulator (United States)	Lists CBDV (also called GWP42006) as an investigational drug in phase 2 trials: focal seizures (NCT02365610 and NCT02369471, sponsor Jazz Pharmaceuticals, completed), autism in children (NCT03202303, sponsor Montefiore Medical Center, recruiting, estimated completion 2027-02), autism safety (NCT03849456, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, terminated with 1 participant) and Prader-Willi syndrome (NCT03848481, Montefiore, terminated with 6 participants). A registry listing does not mean a product is approved or works. source	2026-10-25

When to get medical help

A child has swallowed any CBDV, CBD, hemp or cannabis product, or an adult took far more than intended: call a poison center (in the US, 1-800-222-1222) or local emergency services.
A seizure that lasts longer than 5 minutes, repeated seizures without recovery, or a new type of seizure: call emergency services.
Yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, severe stomach pain or unusual tiredness: possible liver problem; stop the product and get medical help.
A new skin rash, especially with fever, blistering or swelling of the face: stop the product and get medical help.
Extreme sleepiness, trouble waking, slow breathing or confusion: get emergency help.

Stop using the product and contact a clinician or emergency service. In the US, Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222.

General information only, not medical advice. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before use, especially with medicines, in pregnancy or with a health condition. See the Natural Remedy Safety guide.

Frequently asked questions

What is CBDV?

CBDV (cannabidivarin) is a compound found in small amounts in some cannabis plants. It looks like CBD but has a shorter side chain. It is investigational: no CBDV medicine is approved, and human research is a few small studies and trials.

^{31 49 42}

Is CBDV the same as CBD?

No. CBDV has a three-carbon side chain where CBD has five, which is why a review calls it the propyl analogue of CBD. In rodents the two worked additively against seizures. CBD is the compound in the approved prescription medicine Epidiolex; CBDV is not an approved medicine.

^{49 13 42}

Does CBDV help seizures or epilepsy?

In animals it did. In people, the one large placebo-controlled trial (162 adults with focal seizures) found seizures fell 40.5% on CBDV and 37.7% on placebo, a difference that was not significant. Five girls with Rett syndrome had fewer seizures in a small study with no placebo group. A 2026 review says epilepsy development of CBDV appears to have been halted.

^{6 17 4 12}

Does CBDV help with autism?

That has not been shown. Two single-dose brain-scan studies in adult men changed brain markers, but no symptom was measured. A trial in children (NCT03202303) is still recruiting and has no results, and a company safety study ended with one child. A 2026 review of cannabinoid products in children with autism, Fragile X or Rett syndrome says the evidence is insufficient to support routine clinical use.

^{34 35 29 21 5}

Is CBDV an approved medicine?

No. The FDA says it has not approved a marketing application for cannabis for any disease or condition, and its page does not mention CBDV. Epidiolex, an approved prescription medicine, contains purified CBD, not CBDV. CBDV appears in trial registries as an investigational drug. We did not read non-US regulators.

^{42 29}

Does CBDV get you high?

The trial papers describe CBDV as non-psychoactive, and the reported side effects were diarrhea, nausea and sleepiness, not euphoria. But no study we read tested intoxication directly, and shop products can carry THC: 55% of 29 UK CBD oils had measurable THC or CBN.

^{6 25 34}

What are the side effects of CBDV?

In adults taking it for focal seizures, diarrhea (25% vs 7% on placebo), sleepiness (15% vs 3%) and nausea were the most common, three people stopped because of a rash, and 14% on CBDV stopped treatment for any adverse event (3% on placebo). In five girls with Rett syndrome, heavy sleepiness and drooling were linked to CBDV. Long-term effects are not known.

^{6 17}

Can CBDV harm the liver?

In the seizure trial, liver enzymes rose above 3 times the upper normal limit in 3 of 81 people on CBDV (2 stopped) and 1 on placebo, all while taking other medicines linked to liver enzyme rises. None met the criteria for serious liver injury. A cell study found DNA damage in a human liver cell line. Long-term liver effects are not studied, so anyone with liver disease should ask a doctor first.

^{6 38}

Is CBDV in CBD oil?

Often, yes. In 80 hemp oils bought in Kentucky, CBDV was found in every one, and the authors say minor cannabinoids are largely missing from labels. A UK analysis found CBDV and its acid form in many CBD oils. Only a batch-specific lab report shows what a bottle holds.

^{22 25}

Does CBDV help with nerve pain, gut problems or other conditions?

For HIV nerve pain, one randomized trial found no benefit: pain was 0.62 points higher on CBDV than on placebo (not significant). A trial in Prader-Willi syndrome ended with six people. Claims for gut inflammation, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, nausea or muscle disease rest on mouse, rat, worm or cell work, which does not show an effect in people.

^{10 30 32 11 45}

Is CBDV safe in pregnancy, while breastfeeding or for children?

That is not known. No CBDV study in pregnancy or breastfeeding was found, and a cell study found CBDV disturbed placental cells. CBDV has been given to children only in small studies. The FDA says untested drugs can have unpredictable consequences and discourages cannabis use while breastfeeding. Ask a doctor.

^{1 42 17}

Who paid for the CBDV research?

Much of it is company-linked. The focal-seizure trial was sponsored by GW Research Ltd (later part of Jazz Pharmaceuticals), with three authors employed there. Several mouse studies and one company safety study are also linked to GW or Jazz. Independent work includes the five-girl Rett study, the HIV nerve-pain trial and the London brain-scan studies.

^{6 33 21 17 10 34}

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Editorial transparency

Written by: AlternativeMed editorial team. Research compiled with AI assistance, then checked against PubMed records.
Medical review: None. This page has not been reviewed by a physician or pharmacist.
First published: 2026-10-25
Last substantive update: 2026-10-25
How we research: We searched PubMed (198 records for cannabidivarin or CBDV on 2026-10-25) and read the abstracts of the studies cited, read the FDA cannabis questions-and-answers page and a Congressional Research Service summary of the new US hemp definition, read registry records on ClinicalTrials.gov, and read the full text of the seizure trial and the CBDV section of one review. Compound identity was checked in PubChem. Lab numbers come from a table of published data and are not our own testing.
How we rate evidence: See "How we rate evidence" in the Evidence tab.
Independence: No product is promoted on this page. No affiliate links are shown, and none will be added for CBDV. This page is information, not a recommendation to use any product.

Sources 50

Each source was opened and checked. Where we read only the abstract, it says so. The small numbers in the text point here.

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Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.