Last updated: October 2026
CBDV (cannabidivarin) is a minor cannabinoid with a structure very similar to CBD. It doesn’t make you high. It has been studied mainly for epilepsy and autism, but results are mixed: in a 2021 placebo-controlled epilepsy trial, CBDV worked no better than placebo. There’s no evidence for CBDV as a wellness supplement, and few products contain meaningful amounts.
Below: what CBDV is, what the trials found, CBDV vs CBD, UK legal status, and whether it’s worth looking for.
What is CBDV?
Cannabidivarin is one of more than 100 cannabinoids in hemp. It’s a close chemical cousin of CBD, with a slightly shorter side chain, and it’s found in small amounts, mostly in certain hemp strains. Like CBD it isn’t intoxicating. For other lesser-known cannabinoids, see minor cannabinoids explained, THCV and CBC.
What the research shows
| Study | What it found |
|---|---|
| Focal epilepsy, 2021 (placebo-controlled phase 2 trial in adults) | Seizures fell by a similar amount on CBDV and placebo; CBDV wasn’t better |
| Rett syndrome epilepsy, 2022 (5 girls, no placebo) | Seizures fell at 10mg per kg a day, but the study was tiny and uncontrolled |
| Autism brain-scan studies, 2019 and 2021 (single doses) | CBDV changed some brain chemistry and connectivity measures; no effect on symptoms was tested |
| Review of cannabinoids in autism, Fragile X and Rett, 2026 | Evidence is still limited and of low quality |
All of this research uses pharmaceutical CBDV at high doses, in medical settings. None of it applies to supplements, and CBDV isn’t a treatment for any condition.
CBDV vs CBD
| CBDV | CBD | |
|---|---|---|
| Amount in hemp | Small | The main cannabinoid in most hemp |
| Intoxicating? | No | No |
| Human research | A handful of small trials | Many trials, plus a licensed medicine (Epidyolex) |
| Safety data | Very limited | Much more, which informed the FSA’s 10mg advice |
| Availability in the UK | Rare as a named ingredient | Widely available in FSA-listed products |
Is CBDV legal in the UK?
CBDV isn’t listed as a controlled drug. But like CBD, cannabinoid extracts sold as food are novel foods, so a CBDV food product would need to go through the FSA’s novel food process. Any product containing CBDV must also keep THC within the UK’s strict trace limits. See is CBD legal in the UK? and CBD vs CBN, which explains why CBN, unlike CBDV, is a controlled drug.
Is CBDV worth looking for?
Not really, for now. There’s no evidence that small amounts of CBDV in a broad spectrum product add anything, and the “entourage effect” hasn’t been proven in people. Focus on a well-made, lab-tested CBD product with the CBD content clearly stated. See the entourage effect and full vs broad spectrum.
The FSA’s 10mg a day figure is precautionary advice rather than a legal limit, set while longer-term safety research continues. At Evopure we think it is a very cautious figure, and many adults use more. If you go above it, increase slowly, and check with your GP or pharmacist first if you take any medication. We don’t recommend our products during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
FAQs
What is CBDV?
Cannabidivarin, a minor, non-intoxicating cannabinoid from hemp with a structure very similar to CBD.
Does CBDV get you high?
No. Like CBD, it isn’t intoxicating.
What is CBDV used for?
It has been studied for epilepsy and autism, with mixed results. In a placebo-controlled epilepsy trial it worked no better than placebo.
Is CBDV legal in the UK?
It isn’t a controlled drug, but food products containing it would need to go through the FSA’s novel food process, like CBD.
Is CBDV better than CBD?
There’s no evidence it is. CBD has far more research and safety data.
Sources
- Brodie MJ et al. A phase 2 randomized controlled trial of cannabidivarin as add-on therapy in focal seizures. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res, 2021.
- Hurley EN et al. Efficacy and safety of cannabidivarin treatment of epilepsy in girls with Rett syndrome. Epilepsia, 2022.
- Pretzsch CM et al. Effects of cannabidivarin on brain excitation and inhibition systems in adults with and without autism. Transl Psychiatry, 2019.
- Boeri S et al. Cannabinoid-based products in autism, Fragile X and Rett syndrome: a systematic review. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol, 2026.
