Delta-8 THC is the latest obsession of the hemp industry. This cannabinoid gives you just the right degree of high you desire and has an embalming effect on you. But it saves you from hallucinations, paranoia, anxiety, and other side effects that tag along with Delta-9 THC, the notorious compound that makes marijuana what it is.
However, because of the similar names and properties, there is still an air of doubt around Delta-8. In this article, we will clear some doubts.
What Is Delta-8 THC? What’s All The Hype?
The hemp plant is home to several cannabinoids. Delta-8 THC is one of them.
The National Cancer Institute defines Delta-8 THC as “an analog of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) with antiemetic, anxiolytic, appetite-stimulating, analgesic, and neuroprotective properties.”
However, it is present in trace quantities and requires a lot of money and effort to be extracted and put to use. It delivers the euphoric high that is synonymous with its cousin compound, Delta-9 THC, though with a much-reduced potency.
The legality of Delta-8 depends on the amount of Delta-9 THC present in it. This amount has to be less than 0.3% of the total extract.
Delta-8 holds a universe of benefits in itself, including pain relief and sedative properties. It can be sourced from the isomers of cannabidiol (CBD) and Delta-9 THC, though there are doubts about the ethics of this practice. When subjected to prolonged periods of storage, Delta-9 transforms, or rather, degrades into Delta-8 THC.
The Difference Between Delta-8 THC & CBD
Delta-8 THC and CBD are two of the better-known cannabinoids of the hemp plant. CBD is devoid of psychoactive properties and is chosen by those who don’t desire the “high”. This makes CBD eligible for treating various health concerns.
The equation between CBD and the endocannabinoid system (ECS) of the human body is unlike most psychotropic compounds. It is this difference in the way CBD reacts with the ECS that makes consumers experience different benefits from CBD and Delta-8.
CBD is undoubtedly the best-known name among the non-psychotropic compounds of the hemp plant. Like its co-presence with Delta-9 THC, Delta-8 THC can also co-exist with CBD, thereby benefiting consumers with reduced stress and exhaustion, coupled with a mild high.
Those looking for an easy solution to their insomnia or stress-related complaints can opt for Delta-8 THC. On the other hand, CBD is known for its long-lasting benefits. It doesn’t make you feel suddenly happy or energized. Delta-8 THC, on the other hand, extracts an immediate response from your brain.
Delta-8 THC lets you enjoy certain benefits similar to CBD, such as alleviating pain, nausea, stress, and inflammation. However, the benefit is clubbed with a psychoactive effect that is absent in CBD.
Despite the similarities between the two cannabinoids on the surface, there are a handful of differences, too. Some of those are:
Delta-8 THC
- Is psychoactive
- Can make you fail a drug test
- The hemp plant houses trace amounts of it
- Is used for both medicinal and recreational purposes
- Binds to CB1 receptors embedded in the ECS
CBD
- Non-psychoactive
- Doesn’t usually get caught in a drug test
- The hemp plant holds it in comparatively higher concentrations
- Forms binding relations with both CB1 and CB2 receptors, though indirectly
Delta-8 THC Studies
A study by A. Abrahamov and R. Mechoulam conducted in 1995 provided evidence for the additional benefits of Delta-8 THC. Delta-8 was administered to children in the age group of 3–13 years suffering from hematologic cancer. It was discovered that Delta-8 served as a shield against vomiting when administered two hours before antineoplastic treatment. The side effects that followed were fewer and less intense compared to those from Delta-9 THC.
In 2004, Yosefa Avraham and others conducted a comparative study on Sabra mice administered with Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC. The results showed that Delta-9 reduced appetite, thereby increasing activity. However, Delta-8 THC increased appetite, simultaneously maintaining the activity and performance in the mice. In low doses, Delta-8 THC can be a worthy answer to weight-related disorders in the body.
Is Delta-8 THC & CBD Legal?
The 2018 Farm Bill brought about an entirely new dimension to the fate of Delta-8 THC. It went on to legalize all derivatives, isomers, and cannabinoids residing inside the hemp plant as long as they contain less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC. Delta-8 THC fits into this norm and is legally accepted in most states. However, some US states are yet to legalize it.
Best Ways to Consume Delta-8 THC VS CBD
Of the several types of Delta-8 THC products, vape pens extract the fastest response and hit the targets relatively faster than the other ways. It lets the user feel the impacts quicker than tinctures and edibles.
However, every compound comes with its share of pros and cons. It is essential to dig a little deeper into the brand reputation and reliability before blindly subscribing to anything.
The filters you need to apply before buying a product are ingredients, the extraction process, the source of hemp, and third-party lab reports. Delta-8 THC can sting the throat and are best started in minute doses. This will allow your body to acclimatize to this new compound.
However, irrespective of its benefits, Delta-8 THC will not let you pass a drug test. Once inside the body, it breaks down into the same metabolites that get caught under the drug radar. So, avoid it if you are expecting a drug test anytime soon.
Sound knowledge of your body and health, the brand, and the compound Delta-8 THC is mandatory for finding the right kind of product. Lastly, consult your doctor before you decide to go ahead with any commercially available Delta-8 product.
Where Do I Buy Delta-8 THC?
Scientists are yet to unveil all the properties of Delta-8 THC. With the conversion of CBD to Delta-8, the problem of its low occurrence in nature seems to have been solved. This has led to the emergence of various brands in the market that sell Delta-8 THC. Of the various ways in which you can administer Delta-8 THC into the body, vape cartridges top the list. These carts come in three kinds of hemp strains, namely, Indica, Sativa, and Hybrids.