Step aside cannabidiol (CBD), a new cannabinoid called Delta-8 THC is the latest craze in the cannabis world. It is available as gummies, concentrates, and vape cartridges, even in areas where weed is not available for fun use.
It is marketed as a legal way to get stoned but in a gentle way. In other words, it is less intense than the regular THC. And for this reason, it is dubbed ‘the superior version of THC or “weed lite.”
Both new and experienced users of cannabis products still find the delta 8 THC products a bit confusing. Let’s dive deeper into delta 8: its composition, what makes it different, its potential health benefits, whether it will get you stoned, and how to take a dose.
What Is Delta 8 THC?
Delta 8 THC is one of the hundreds of cannabinoids produced by cannabis plants. It is the counterpart of delta 9- THC, the chief intoxicating compound in cannabis claimed to cause euphoria, happiness, pain relief, and more. Both delta 8 and delta 9 are types of THC. However, when cannabis users refer to THC, they usually imply the delta 9, which is highly potent.
These two cannabinoids, delta- 8 and delta- 9, are similar in their names and chemical composition. However, the difference is that delta 8 lacks any of the overwhelming high effects associated with delta 9 THC. It is available in small traces in CBD hemp flowers. The harvesting process is multifaceted and involves the following steps:
- Extraction
- Winterization
- Decarboxylation
Delta 8 THC products are prepared in the same way as other hemp goods. The extract is blended with a carrier oil to create capsules or tinctures or baked into an edible base to make gummies. It is then sold to consumers in a variety of vape products, edibles, and more.
Comparison of Delta 8 and Delta 9 THC
Like regular THC, delta 8 attaches itself to the body’s endocannabinoid system. As a result, you get stoned. Structurally, the two cannabinoids are the same in that they possess a double bond chemical structure. The double bond elicits the psychoactive effects that eventually get you high.
The difference between these two cannabinoids lies in the positioning of the double bond. Delta 8 and delta 9 double bonds are located on the eighth and ninth carbon atoms, respectively. Due to the position of its double bond, delta 8 ties to the endocannabinoid system in a somewhat different way. This is why delta 8 is less potent than the regular THC.
Producers measure and dose their delta 8 edibles at more than twice the potency of ordinary THC edibles. For example, delta 9 gummies are produced in 10-mg doses, and users can eat half a gummy or a full gummy, which translates to 5-mg and 10-mg doses, respectively.
Delta 8 gummies, on the other hand, are produced in 25-mg full doses. So a half dose will be 12.5 mg. Therefore, a 25-mg delta 8 gummy is the equivalent of a 10-mg delta 9 THC gummy. This means that delta 8 is about half as potent as a regular THC.
Comparison of Delta 8 and CBD
Delta 8 is more similar to delta 9 than CBD. Typically, CBD does not easily attach to the endocannabinoid system, which makes it non-intoxicating. It doesn’t get you high. Instead, it is said to offer myriad health benefits.
So if you want to relieve yourself from joint or muscle pain and don’t want to feel high, a CBD product might be your best bet. On the other hand, delta 8 gives you all the effects of regular THC but at a lower potency.
Does Delta 8 Get You Stoned?
Yes, it certainly gets you stoned. Users express the effects of delta 8 similar to those produced by regular THC, but without the overpowering buzz it elicits in high doses. In other words, it offers a lighter high than what cannabis users are used to from taking dabs, smoking joints, and eating edibles. A majority of users describe a sense of feeling sober and energized.
More and more consumers are looking for cannabis products that are less potent than regular THC. They want to feel high without any adverse effects. Delta 8 offers this, and that’s why it has grown rapidly in popularity.
That said, everybody is different, and delta 8 products come in various potency levels. Therefore, you should take caution. Begin with a low dose and tweak as necessary, depending on how your body responds.
How to Consume Delta 8
Delta 8 THC occurs in distillate form because it is extracted in small traces in hemp plants. Thus, delta 8 THC products take pride in a thick translucent uniformity similar to CBD distillates.
Weed enthusiasts usually consume delta 8 like other cannabis products:
- Sublingual use
- Dabbing
- Edibles
- Vaping
- Mixing with flower bud
Of course, the method of consumption affects how quickly you start experiencing the delta 8 effects. Sublingual use is the fastest way to get high. Vaping will take 10 minutes or even less. However, edibles may take almost an hour before showing effects. A good rule of thumb is to take a low dose first and wait to notice the impacts before increasing your dose.
Shopping for Delta 8
Given that delta 8 is fairly new in the cannabis world, it is not easy to find genuine delta 8 products. Visit the producer’s website to read information about the methods they use to extract and create their delta 8-derived products.
Quality-tested goods often come with a batch number or QR code on the box. This can allow you to check out test outcomes on the producer’s online site.
The Bottom Line
The main reason people are looking away from delta 9 or regular marijuana is its potent effects. They want an alternative that guarantees similar benefits: pain relief, improved sleep, anxiety relief without the risk of paranoia, and other serious consequences. Delta 8 is rising to the challenge as the best alternative.
