The cannabis plant is a fantastic gift of nature to humanity. It produces cannabinoids that provide stunning effects and benefits to the mind and body. These compounds help relieve stress, pain, inflammation, and the like.
Many of us may be acquainted with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the most potent substance in marijuana. It is the compound most responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis plants. We also know a great deal about cannabidiol (CBD), the most medically researched cannabinoid in the hemp plant, famous for its medicinal benefits.
However, these are not the only cannabinoids in cannabis. There are more than 100 similar substances, and some are getting into the mainstream cannabis industry. These cannabinoids include Delta 8 THC, CBG, CBC, CBN, and THCV.
Some of these compounds are found in full-spectrum CBD products. However, some have to be processed from other cannabinoids to obtain significant quantities.
What is Delta 8?
THC, or Delta 9 THC, is not the only psychoactive compound in cannabis. There are also other forms of THC, such as Delta 8 and Delta 10. However, they are not as abundant in the plant and have not been commercially available in the past.
With the legalization of cannabis in many states and other parts of the world, the scientific community is now getting their hands on more research about these cannabinoids. The scientific research is no longer focused on THC, CBD, and other potentially helpful cannabinoids.
Technically speaking, delta 8 THC is an analog of THC. It means that it has a similar chemical structure but remarkably different characteristics. It is also an anxiolytic, antiemetic, neuroprotectant, and appetite stimulant.
How Delta 8 Affects the Body
According to the National Cancer Institute, Delta 8 interacts with the endocannabinoid system and binds with the cannabinoid receptors ( particularly the CB1 receptors) located in the central nervous system. The receptors in the endocannabinoid system help the body achieve chemical homeostasis, a fancy lingo for the body attaining complete balance.
As it binds to the receptors, it produces psychotropic effects that are substantially lower than regular THC. The potency is lower because of a slight difference in the chemical arrangement of the atoms. The location of the carbon double bonds is significant. While the bond is at the eight carbon chain for Delta 8, the bond is at the ninth for Delta 9.
Although Delta 8 has a lower psychotropic potency, it still provides an effective high and benefits the mind and body. It has become popular because it has similar properties as THC. It delivers a mild euphoria and relaxes the body.
Why is Delta 8 a Better Alternative?
In the first place, THC is more potent than Delta 8 in terms of psychotropic potency. Nevertheless, not all people want to experience a powerful high. Some users want to achieve a mild euphoria enough to put them into a state of happiness while experiencing the other benefits of cannabis.
Delta 8 connects with both CB1 and CB2 receptors in the endocannabinoid system. This compound property allows it to provide a euphoric high and other beneficial properties. For instance, a study shows that the compound can help lessen nausea and vomiting tendencies in chemotherapy patients. With the consumption of Delta 8, the vomiting and other side effects became negligible.
With the efficacy of Delta 8 in providing medical benefits, it is more likely to become a valuable cannabis compound. It is not only for recreational use but also for medical use. The medical field continually looks for potent substances from plants that can help treat various ailments. Delta 8 may prove to be a beneficial substance for medical purposes.
Today, there is not enough scientific data to prove the medicinal properties of Delta 8. Nonetheless, we have promising results from preliminary research and an abundance of anecdotal evidence. We have to wait for further scientific research into the potential benefits of cannabinoids to make conclusive statements.
The Federal Food and Drug Administration does not regulate Delta 8 Products. The information in this article is not intended to provide medical advice. For safety concerns, always consult your doctor before taking any cannabis product.
What is Delta 8?
CBD is a popular component of many products in the hemp industry. It provides numerous health benefits backed by scientific studies and firsthand user experiences. Moreover, it is abundant in industrial hemp, the Cannabis Sativa variety that contains less than 0.3% THC.
Delta 8 THC is not as abundant in cannabis as CBD. It occurs only in 1% or less concentration in live plants. Breeders are experimenting with plant genetics to produce strains that may produce higher Delta 8, but they have not created the appropriate variety yet.
Fortunately, CBD can transform into other psychoactive cannabinoids through isomerization, the process of rearranging the atoms of a substance to form another substance. All cannabinoids start with the same cannabinoid acid called CBGA. As this parent molecule gets exposed to oxidation, light, and other elements, it transforms into CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids.
Since all cannabinoids share an almost similar chemical structure, they can be processed to produce other types of cannabinoids. In this case, CBD can turn into Delta 8 THC when it undergoes isomerization. Hence, Delta 8 THC remains legal under federal law because it qualifies as a hemp product. All hemp products are legal on the federal level if they contain less than 0.3% THC.
Delta 8 Effects
As mentioned earlier, Delta 8 THC has a lower potency than Delta 9. Therefore, expect a milder high from consuming the cannabinoid. If you have never tried the product before, the easiest way to describe its effects is the word “mellow.”
The euphoric high is mild and incredibly relaxing. Of course, this all depends on how much of it you take. Some people are sensitive to THC and quickly get high with a low dose. If your tolerance level is low, you will get high with a small Delta 8.
Low doses of Delta 8 can provide an energetic high. However, high doses can deliver a more sedating effect that can put you in a calmer state and relieve stress and pain. Here are some of the effects to expect from Delta 8 consumption:
- Improved focus
- Enhanced energy levels with low doses
- A mellow high
- A boost in appetite
- Intense relaxation with high doses
Delta 8 Vs. Delta 9
Delta 9 has a higher potency and will eventually cause adverse effects when taken in larger doses. Some users report a feeling of anxiety and paranoia with their intake of Delta 9. These effects occur in higher doses but can also emerge in lower doses if lower tolerance.
Delta 8 has a lower potency and is less likely to lead to anxiety and paranoia. However, each person is different. Suppose you have a lower tolerance level and happen to take more than your tolerable dose. In that case, you may still encounter feelings of anxiety or paranoia, but not as intense as Delta 9.
The best practice is to stick to a lower dose and gradually increase it if it does not produce the desired result. If you take too much of it during your first time, it will lead to intoxication and will cause you to lose control of your situation.
Delta 9 is more likely to cause an energetic high, but that depends on its source. Some strains of cannabis cause relaxing effects, while some strains increase energy levels. Stale cannabis may also cause a sleepy or heavy high because the THC may have degraded into CBN.
Delta 8 usually gets you sleepy and fully relaxed when you take higher doses. The high stimulates relaxation and a floaty feeling, so be careful when driving or doing productive work. The cannabinoid can interfere with your muscle control and productivity level.
If you do not want to experience anxiety, be sure to stick to lower doses, regardless of whether you are taking Delta 8 or Delta 9. Of course, if Delta 9 is illegal in your state or territory, your best alternative is to take Delta 8.
Delta 8 Benefits
Antiemetic
Delta 8 THC has similar antiemetic properties to Delta 9. It effectively reduces nausea and vomiting, primarily when used by cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, as revealed in a scientific study. The role of THC in preventing nausea and vomiting is not new. The scientific literature has been available for years. The only issue with Delta 9 is its solid psychoactive tendencies.
Delta 8 solves this problem because it has the same antiemetic properties but a lower psychoactive potency. Therefore, patients are more inclined to use Delta 8 as an antiemetic, especially when treating nausea and vomiting in chemotherapy treatments.
Appetite Stimulant
Delta 9 may be a more potent psychoactive compound, but Delta 8 is a better therapeutic substance. Results of preliminary studies show that Delta 8 is twice as potent as a medicinal cannabis compound compared to Delta 9.
Delta 9 is notorious for causing the munchies, the unexplainable urge to eat food. However, science and anecdotal evidence show that Delta 8 is much stronger in stimulating appetite and leading the body to absorb nutrients. With only a tiny dose of Delta 8 THC, you are more likely to experience appetite stimulation. This is good news for cancer patients who usually have a low appetite due to chemotherapy and other treatments.
Anxiolytic
The anxiolytic effects of Delta 9 and Delta 8 are almost similar. Both can reduce anxiety as long as you take them in modest amounts. How can a psychoactive substance cause relaxation? It all depends on the dose. As long as you take them in smaller quantities, you will get psychoactive effects but no anxiety. In fact, at lower concentrations, both can lessen anxiety and induce relaxation.
Users of Delta 8 THC report that it leads to a high that is more mellow and more likely to enhance focus. It also causes them to experience euphoria, happiness, relief, and upliftment but at a lesser strength than Delta 9. When taken in a good dose, Delta 8 can help people cope with insomnia.
When Delta 8 binds with the CB1 receptors, other neurotransmitters and hormones also get into action to fight anxiety. When Delta 8 binds with CB1 receptors, it helps modulate the effects of fear and anxiety. It also enhances the production of other endocannabinoids that lead to lower anxiety levels.
Delta 9 THC is also effective in lowering anxiety as long as you take it in low doses. However, if you take it in higher doses, it shifts to becoming anxiogenic, which triggers even more anxiety in the user. Fortunately, Delta 8 has half the potency of Delta 9, which means that it is less likely to trigger anxiety or paranoia, thus making it a better therapeutic agent.
If you have experience with Delta 9 and find that you get too anxious with its use, you may want to shift to using Delta 8 instead. It will help you get high, more relaxed, more focused, and less anxious.
Chronic Pain Relief
CBD is one of the most studied cannabinoids that can relieve chronic pain. Pain results from inflammation and is common in conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. Surprisingly, research has shown that the topical application of Delta 8 THC can also relieve pain.
Even Delta 9 is effective in relieving neuropathic and central pain. It has anti-inflammatory properties that stop pain right from its source. It helps regulate the release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, glutamate, and serotonin in the brain. When these hormones are released, they help diminish pain signals and reduce the body’s perception of it.
While CBD effectively stops the pain at its source, Delta 8 and 9 can provide the same benefits. The best thing to do is to combine the use of these cannabinoids to encourage the entourage effect. The potent effects of each cannabinoid will strengthen the overall pain-relieving benefits you experience.
Enhanced Brain Health
Scientists have seen that Delta 8 and other cannabinoids have a tremendous impact on the brain. Delta 8 THC has neuroprotective properties that may be helpful in the treatment of certain degenerative brain conditions. It helps regulate potassium and calcium channels in the central nervous system. It increases the levels of acetylcholine and choline. It also improves the growth and generation of neurons.
How to Use Delta 8
If you want to use Delta 8 THC to experience its effects and benefits, always start with a low dose. Go for 5 to 10 mg of any form of Delta 8 product. See how your body reacts to it. If you take it sublingually or consume it through vapour, it may take around 5 to 15 minutes for the effects to manifest. If you ingest it as an edible, it may take around one hour to three hours for the effects to kick in.
You can take Delta 8 THC in high doses if you think you can tolerate the effects. Unlike CBD, you are going to get high with Delta 8. Hence, Delta 8 THC users are encouraged to take it only during their leisure to avoid accidents. Never use it while driving or doing productive activities. Also, talk to your doctor if you are experiencing certain health conditions.
If you seek to experience an intense high, you may wish to take Delta 9 THC instead. It will provide a more extreme psychoactive experience that may cause a heart race. However, if you want to enter into a calm state or experience a mellow high, better take Delta 8 THC.
Final Words
Delta 8 THC is a CBD isomer that is federally legal to consume as long as you follow age restrictions. It comes in various product forms, such as edibles, vapes, tinctures, concentrates, isolates, and the like. If you are looking for cannabis products that can provide a mellow high without breaking the law, choose Delta 8 products.
Delta 8 has a lot of health benefits as well. Preliminary research and anecdotal evidence show that it reduces nausea and vomiting, relieves pain, reduces stress and anxiety, and protects the brain. Even experienced users love to use Delta 8 THC because it is not only for recreational purposes but also for medical purposes.
Thankfully, all by-products of hemp are federally legal. CBD oil and CBD-derived Delta 8 are fully legal because they contain less than 0.3% THC. It means that even if Delta 9 THC is illegal in your state or territory, you can still get high and not break the law.
Why You Should Not Buy from the Illicit Market
Do not buy from any illegal source because you never know if the product contains unwanted compounds that may adversely affect the body. Never buy from convenience stores and gas stations, as well. Always buy from a trusted and reliable shop.
There have been calls made to poison control centers over concerns about Delta 8 toxicity. You can avoid this by purchasing products from trusted and reliable dispensaries. Check if the product they sell has a certificate of analysis from a third-party lab.
Where to Buy Delta 8 THC
If you are interested in getting high while experiencing the medical benefits of cannabis, we suggest you try our Delta 8 THC products available in our store. We are a legally licensed dispensary. We provide top-quality products for your convenience and satisfaction. We also offer cannabinoid isolates if you are interested in buying pure cannabinoids.
