What Is Delta-8? Complete Guide for Beginners

The rising popularity of cannabis products for their various claimed health benefits never seems to stop. You have probably heard of CBD and THC compounds; however, have you heard of Delta 8 THC? This article discusses THC, how it works, its benefits, and its legality.

Many people know about CBD and THC. Although there is a lot of information about cannabis products, many still haven't heard much about Delta-8 THC. Congress passed the Farm Bill in 2018, and thus several cannabis products have flooded the market. This has resulted in other compounds, such as Delta-8 THC, rising in the market, and although it is claimed to have many medicinal properties, more research needs to be done. Let's dive deeper into how this product works and what it entails.

What is Delta-8?

The cannabis plant is one of the most talked about plants available today. It has been discovered to help those suffering from many diseases and conditions greatly. Evidence suggests ancient humans have used the cannabis plant in China for as long as 5000 years.

Delta 8 is a compound of THC, the chemical in cannabis plants responsible for giving you the 'high' effect. However, unlike THC for Delta-9, it doesn't have psychoactive effects. Therefore, it has been a favorite among many people that choose to use it rather than marijuana itself because of the adverse effects that THC might have.

What is the Difference between Delta 8 and Delta 9?

As mentioned, Delta 9 THC is thought to be the main compound in the cannabis plant responsible for the intoxicating effects. It affects mood and sleep, causes euphoric effects, and causes relaxation. However, excessive use of Delta 9 has been linked to excess episodes of paranoia and anxiety that can be devastating. Delta 8, on the other hand, is less psychoactive than Delta 9; therefore, Delta 8 products have a slightly tolerable effect on people using it compared to Delta 9.

Delta 8 is very similar to CBD, and although it's a THC compound, it still offers many of the medical properties offered by CBD. The main difference between CBD and Delta 8 is that it still contains higher THC levels. Furthermore, delta 8 is sometimes even considered to give off a slightly high feeling, although it might be slightly less intoxicating than delta-9 THC.

Benefits of Delta-8

The popularity of Delta 8 is still lower when compared to that of CBD and THC. However, much research has suggested that Delta 8 might have medical properties that alleviate various medical conditions, such as insomnia and restlessness. According to Kruger et al. (2022), it also relieves stress and anxiety. Jo et al. (2021) suggested that Delta 8 is thought to interact with your body receptors similarly to THC. According to Bozman et al. (2022), Delta 8 also relieves pain; you might use this to help those with mental health conditions.

How Can You Take Delta 8?

Like any other cannabis compound, Delta 8 THC is available in several forms, such as Delta gummies, vapes, and Delta 8 tinctures. Gummies or edibles are food particles containing Delta 8 and can be normally ingested; because they are made from food particles, they normally taste the food particle they are made from. Vapes containing THC e-liquids are vaporized and inhaled into the lungs, dispensing the therapeutic effects of Delta-8 faster.

Because the FDA has not approved any Delta 8 THC products, finding the right dosage for you might be challenging. If you have purchased a product online, you can start with a smaller dosage and gradually increase your dose until you find your ideal dosage. Since these consumption methods for Delta 8 products vary, the time taken to experience the effects of Delta 8 THC might be different. According to Barrus et al. (2016), edibles might take longer to dispense their effects because they must be gut processed. On the flip side, vapes may take a shorter time due to the many blood vessels in the lungs.

Is Delta-8 THC Legal?

The Farm Bill passed in 2018 gave more freedom to products such as CBD and has seen the cannabis industry rise, and more people can now access medicinal CBD products. Delta 8 products are mostly legal in the USA, although this might vary as some states still hold tight measures to regulate the use of CBD. However, Delta 8 might still contain some psychoactive compounds, and thus you must take necessary precautions, especially if you don't want any THC in your bloodstream. The 'high' effect with Delta 8 is considered a functional high as it offers medicinal benefits with a little kick but without the adverse effects of THC.

Side Effects of Delta-8 THC

Even though Delta-8 THC is more popular among avid cannabis users, it does cause some side effects. For example, it causes hallucinations, nausea, drowsiness, and increased anxiety. Furthermore, it may increase your heart rate, cause memory loss and impair body coordination. Therefore, you must be careful and aware while using delta-8 THC.

What to Consider when Shopping for Delta-8 THC products

When shopping for Delta 8 products, there are a few factors you might need to take note of. With the recent surge in demand for Delta 8 products, more companies are opting to produce Delta 8 products to make more profit. Therefore, always opt for reputable companies and products undergoing intensive independent third-party lab testing. Furthermore, read the customer reviews and the product label to ensure you are not allergic to any ingredients used in manufacturing Delta-8 THC.

Conclusion

The cannabis plant has been proving itself as a wonder plant for the past few decades, with scientists discovering greater things about it as time progresses. Although CBD and THC compounds are widely known for their various effects on the body, another compound, Delta-8 THC, has recently been in the spotlight. Recent research suggests that Delta 8 can relieve pain and benefits those with some medical conditions such as acne and eczema. You can find many Delta 8 products in the market today and try out the benefits yourself; however, you must be careful to avoid rookie products that may cause unwarranted side effects. When purchasing Delta-8 THC products, read the customer reviews and the product label to ensure you aren't allergic to any ingredients used in manufacturing the product. Learn more about will delta 8 thc get you high?

References

Barrus, D. G., Capogrossi, K. L., Cates, S. C., Gourdet, C. K., Peiper, N. C., Novak, S. P., ... & Wiley, J. L. (2016). Tasty THC: promises and challenges of cannabis edibles. Methods report (RTI Press), 2016.

Kruger, J. S., & Kruger, D. J. (2022). Delta-8-THC: Delta-9-THC's nicer younger sibling. Journal of cannabis research, 4(1), 1-8.

Jo, N. Y., Chu, C. C., & Ramsey, B. C. (2021). Brugada electrocardiogram pattern induced by recreational delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC): a case report. Cureus, 13(10).

Bozman, M. E., Manoharan, S. V. R. R., & Vasavada, T. (2022). Marijuana variant of concern: Delta 8-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta-8-THC, Δ8-THC). Psychiatry Research Case Reports, 1(2), 100028.