Delta-8-Tetrahydrocannabinol, better known as Delta-8 THC, is one of the hottest new novelty products on the market. Thanks to the passage of the 2018 Farm bill it has become even more popular and more mainstream. 

Under the 2018 Farm Bill, all hemp-derived cannabinoids, including Delta-8 THC, are federally legal and not considered a controlled substance, thereby making the sales or purchasing of any product containing Delta-8 THC legal. 

If you are new to cannabinoids, you might have questions like, what exactly is Delta-8 THC? What are its health benefits? Does it have side effects? Etc.  To learn more about Delta 8 THC you will want to keep on reading, we answered all the key questions you may have.

What is Delta-8 THC?

There are many misconceptions with regards to Delta-8 THC. Delta-8 THC is a psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis and hemp plants.

The hemp plant, which is now legal to grow in the US, has become a primary source of this cannabinoid. It is made from extracts of hemp plants which pass through chemical processes. Compared to CBD, which is also an extract from hemp plants, Delta-8 THC involves more processing and is quite expensive. 

Delta-8 is a minor psychoactive substance that gives the user a feeling of happiness, relief, sleepiness, and euphoria. The effect of this THC is mild compared to other THC substances. It can be consumed through tinctures, edibles, smoking, or vaping. Delta-8  begins to kick in depending mainly on how it is consumed. The effect kicks in faster when it is smoked compared to when it is consumed as edibles. It takes 1 to 6 minutes for impact to be felt when smoked or vaped and can hit the peak between 1 to 2 hours. Delta-8 edibles may take up to 30 minutes to 1 hour before the effects are felt. Keep in mind all bodies vary and it’s best to always give products the full amount of time needed to feel their effects before adding to the dose. 

How does Delta-8 THC work?

Delta-8 THC, when taken, attaches itself to the CB1 receptor, which is similar to delta-9 THC, but its bond to the receptor is different. This is because of the slight change in the shape of the molecule structure of delta-8. The CB1 is responsible for the psychoactive effect of THC. The slight change in the molecule structure of Delta-8 is accountable for producing a clearer high and less anxiety than Delta-9.

Differences between Delta-9 THC and delta-8 THC

Is Delta-8 THC similar to Delta-9 THC?  The answer is No!

People mistake Delta-8 THC for Delta-9 THC. Below are reasons why these two

cannabinoids are entirely different.

Effects of Consumption

Research has shown that delta-9 THC has a higher intoxicating effect when consumed. It is considered very potent, and its impact can be twice as much when compared to Delta-8. Delta-9 also has more side effects when consumed as it can cause anxiety, paranoid delusion, and impaired sight. In comparison, the Delta-8 product is much milder and has a more precise effect. Most users describe the experience as being more effortless and calmer. 

Extraction

Delta-9 THC is a cannabinoid found in cannabis, and its extraction is easier and cheaper. It is mainly obtained from Marijuana. On the other hand, extraction of Delta-8 is more complicated and involves more processes.

Legality 

Delta-9 THC is mainly obtained from Marijuana which is not legal at the Federal level in the US, although it is legal and can be grown in some states in the US. However, Delta-8 THC, mainly from hemp plants, is permitted anywhere in the United States.

Relationship between Delta-8 THC and CBD

CBD, which stands for cannabidiol, is a non-psychoactive substance that is the most popular cannabis compound. It is similar to Delta-8 as they can both be extracted from hemp. They also have identical calming effects, but delta-8 has a more intense feeling than CBD.

A significant difference between these two substances is that CBD is not a psychoactive substance compared to Delta-8. It does not contain THC, which causes the ‘high’ feeling produced by Delta-8.

This means that when CBD is consumed, it does not give the user that euphoria effect.

Is Delta-8 THC Harmful?

Delta-8 is not harmful to users, although it comes with some minor side effects, including dry mouth and eyes, but they only last for a short period of time. This should not scare you at all; these side effects are expected and won’t cause any major discomfort.

Delta-9, on the other hand, may have more intense side effects compared to Delta-8. Side effects of taking Delta-9 may include extreme dehydration, anxiety, dizziness, paranoia, and more. That said, there are no known long-term effects of taking any of these cannabinoids. 

Bottom Line

Delta-8 THC is a great product for those who are looking for an accessible product with slight psychoactive properties to help manage day-to-day stresses without the side effects of paranoia. If it is your first time taking Delta-8 THC, start slowly and with time you can increase the dosage. It is also essential to buy trusted Delta-8 THC products that have been tested and are proven effective.