What Is Delta 8 THC?
When you compare marijuana to other drugs such as tobacco or alcohol, it is a lot milder and has fewer side effects. On top of that, Delta 9 THC, the name of the compound in cannabis plants responsible for getting you high, can also stimulate appetite, offer pain reduction, and treat extreme nausea. This trait has proven beneficial to many cannabis consumers.
However, Delta 9 THC still has its downsides. Too much consumption of Delta 9 THC can sometimes cause anxiety and paranoia or trigger headaches and dizziness. These adverse side effects are one reason why more and more people are opting for Delta 8 THC, a more obscure likeness of Delta 9 THC.
In this article, we shall take a closer look at Delta 8 THC, sharing with you all you need to know, from what it is and its effects to whether it’s legal and where you can get it.
What Is Delta 8 THC?
There are over 100 cannabinoids in a cannabis plant. While there is plenty of information about the primary cannabinoids, CBD and Delta 9 THC, few people know about the minor or secondary cannabinoids, such as Delta 8 THC.
The Delta 8 THC molecule is a secondary cannabinoid occurring in a cannabis plant in minimal amounts. Some view it as a degraded form of THC because the plant’s cannabinoid-synthesizing enzymes do not directly produce it. That’s why manufacturers, growers, and extractors have to use molecular isolation and selective breeding to access Delta 8 THC in more significant quantities.
The compound shares a few similarities with Delta 9 THC. For instance, it can still give you pain relief, reduce nausea, and stimulate the appetite. The main difference between the two is that the effects of Delta 8 THC tend to have less potency than those of Delta 9 THC.
What Is Delta 8?
Though the term might seem new to you, there is a good chance that you have already consumed Delta 8 THC, especially if you have ever used broad-spectrum or certain CBD products.
Manufacturers extract Delta 8 THC from hemp or, more specifically, cannabis Sativa L. Many people are, however, not aware of this because of how new Delta 8 THC extraction is. Also, the continuously changing hemp regulation does tend to cause quite a bit of confusion.
Delta 8 vs. Delta 9 THC
Both Delta 9 THC and Delta 8 THC contain double bonds. The difference is that, in Delta 8 THC, the double chemical bond is found on the eighth carbon, while in Delta 9 THC, it is on the ninth carbon in the carbon chain.
Another difference between the two is in the way they function. Delta 9 THC only combines with the CB1 receptors in your endocannabinoid system. Similar to CBD, Delta 8 THC binds to both CB1 and CB2 receptors. This difference is one reason why some users view Delta 8 THC as the middle ground between Delta 9 THC and CBD.
Delta 8 vs. CBD
Seeing that both Delta 8 THC and CBD combine to the same receptors in your central nervous system, you might end up thinking that the two are the same. While you might be right on some level, there are a few differences. The main difference between Delta 8 THC and CBD is the fact that Delta 8 THC has psychoactive effects.
While CBD does have a ton of behind-the-scenes advantages that many might not be aware of, one complaint many CBD users have is the lack of psychoactive effects.
On the other hand, with Delta 8 THC, you get to enjoy all the benefits that CBD offers, with psychoactive effects that are still far less potent than those you would experience with Delta 9 THC.
This variance makes Delta 8 THC perfect if you crave something more intense than CBD but less potent than Delta 9 THC.
Where Is Delta 8 Available?
Delta 8 THC is naturally occurring in marijuana and hemp and can also be found in broad- and full-spectrum CBD.
Since it is found in trace amounts, manufacturers have to start by extracting the CBD isolate from hemp, then get Delta 8 distillate through the isomerization of CBD. Though the process can be expensive and time-consuming, it is the best way to ensure that the Delta 8 tetrahydrocannabinol you are consuming is of the highest possible quality.
Delta 8 THC is available in various online stores, CBD and smoke shops, marijuana dispensaries, and retail stores.
How Long Does Delta 8 Stay in Your System?
The effects of Delta 8 THC usually take longer to kick in and often last half as long as the effects of Delta 9 THC. Unlike Delta 9 THC, however, you will not experience any adverse side effects after taking Delta 8 THC. Some of the negative effects you don’t have to worry about include:
• Dry mouth
• Paranoia
• Cloudy thinking
• Anxiety
Instead, Delta 8 THC will produce a mild and clear psychoactive effect, coupled with an uplifting feeling. Also, once the effects die down, you will not feel exhausted or drained.
According to reports from the National Cancer Institute, while Delta 8 tetrahydrocannabinol exhibits similar anxiolytic, analgesic, appetite-stimulating, neuroprotective, and antiemetic properties, its effects do not have much potency. In fact, Delta 8 THC is excellent at soothing pain and preventing anxiety, nausea, and vomiting.
Delta 8 THC will remain in your system up to 48 days after ingesting.
How Does Delta 8 Work and How Long Do Its Effects Last?
The main reason why Delta 8 THC can have such an effect on your body is because of its ability to bind to the CB1 and CB2 receptors in your central nervous system.
However, how long Delta 8 THC remains in your system differs depending on how you use it and the frequency of use.
For instance, if you use vape products such as pods or Delta 8 THC cartridges, the effects generally begin in about six minutes, lasting up to five hours. In most cases, the effects’ peak will hit you anywhere between 30 minutes and two and a half hours. However, this period can vary depending on your metabolism and the type of Delta 8 THC product you are taking.
This period won’t be the same if you are taking Delta 8 gummies, tinctures, or edibles. The onset of the effects is often longer for such options, sometimes taking anywhere between 30 minutes and one hour and a half for you to feel anything. This difference is because your body takes much longer to metabolize the Delta 8 THC when you ingest it.
Once you start to feel the effects, you will feel them at a higher intensity because the Delta 8 THC in your system will be more concentrated. In most cases, the effects generally last up to five hours.
Will Delta 8 Show Up in a Drug Test?
The short answer is yes. Delta 8 THC is a psychoactive cannabinoid and, though its effects are not as potent as Delta 9 THC, it will still show up on a drug test. This is because most drug tests check for the presence of any THC, including the hemp-extract, Delta 8 THC.
The more complex answer is, it all depends on when the test is administered and the type of test being conducted.
THC remains in your blood and saliva for up to two days. On the other hand, THC will stay in your urine for up to 48 days. Therefore, if you undergo a blood or saliva test within two days after taking Delta 8 THC or undergo a urine test before the 48 days are over, you will likely fail the test.
Another thing to consider when determining how long the THC will stay in your system is how often you use Delta 8 THC. For instance, THC can remain in your urine for eight days if you use Delta 8 only once. It can, however, last 18 days if you use it for four days while using Delta 8 for six days and above will see it stay in your system for up to 48 days.
In some cases, you could end up with test results that have a false positive. This result is because such tests do not usually look for the chemical itself but the metabolites lefts behind by the consumption of said chemical. Considering Delta 8 THC binds with CB1 receptors and gets metabolized in the same way, your test results could display that you have Delta 9 THC in your system.
Is Delta 8 Legal?
The legality of Delta 8 is somewhat complicated. For the most part, the good news is that Delta 8 THC has been considered legal in most states since the 2018 Hemp Farm Bill was passed into law.
The bill removed the hemp plant and all its derivatives from the category of illegal marijuana. Since then, distillates such as Delta 8 have taken center stage, gradually going from being an unknown compound to being consumed by the general market.
There is a stipulation, however. While the 2018 Farm Bill permits the manufacturing and sale of hemp-derived products, those products must contain less than 0.3% of Delta 9 THC.
The Controlled Substance Act also makes further amendments, removing any tetrahydrocannabinol derived from hemp from the list of Schedule I narcotics. This amendment is meant to protect manufacturing as long as companies comply with the legally allowed level of Delta 9 THC.
We should point out that this law does not apply to every state in the country. Some states have different local regulatory laws banning the manufacture and consumption of all hemp plant products, including Delta 8 THC.
If you live in any of the following states, then, unfortunately, you are not legally allowed to consume Delta 8 THC:
• Alaska
• Arkansas
• Delaware
• Idaho
• Iowa
• Mississippi
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• Utah
Where To Buy Delta 8 THC
Buying Delta 8 THC is as easy as stepping into any CBD shop and marijuana dispensary in the United States or logging onto any online store. While there are various places you can buy Delta 8 THC from, it is essential to check the suitability and quality of the products you are purchasing.
To ensure that you get quality products, always purchase your Delta 8 THC from established, reputable sources, sellers, and producers. This decision will also go a long way in ensuring that the Delta 8 THC you are buying is safe for consumption.
If you are looking for a trusted source that can provide you with safe Delta 8 THC products, look no further than Delta 8 Pro.
We are an online retailer that has been serving cannabinoids for more than ten years. We offer the most extensive array of Delta 8 products, delivering the highest level of service to our customers.
Every Delta 8 product we sell goes through third-party lab testing to ensure compliance and safety. Additionally, we do not use any harsh chemicals or solvents and include a Certificate of Analysis on every product page.
You can browse through the excellent options we have. If you would like to get more information on the Delta 8 products we carry, feel free to give us a call on 844-200-3303 or email us at hello@Delta8pro.com.