As cannabis progresses through the legal system here in the United States, Americans are learning more about what the cannabis plant has to offer. CBD products have gotten a lot of hype and at this point are very well known. Lately there are other cannabinoids that are starting to share the spotlight, one of those cannabinoids is Delta 8 THC, which is also from the cannabis plant.
Delta 8 THC is a cannabinoid that shares a similar chemical structure to Delta 9 THC, the primary form of THC most think of or associate with marijuana. However, Delta 8 THC is considered to be less potent and doesn't seem to have the adverse effects that Delta 9 THC can have.
A few potential health benefits that users may experience from using Delta 8 THC are appetite stimulation, intense relaxation, it may reduce anxiety, and it may relieve pain. Let's first look at what Delta 8 THC is, and you may experience when using Delta 8 THC.
What is Delta 8 THC
The question of "What is Delta 8?" comes up quite often and you may have wondered this yourself. Delta 8 is a form of THC, found in both hemp plants and cannabis plants which is responsible for its psychoactive effects. Typically, when people talk about THC, they are referring to Delta 9, one of the most popular forms of THC and the main psychoactive compound found in marijuana.
One of the biggest differences between Delta 8 THC and Delta 9 THC is that Delta 8 has a lower psychotropic potency. When compared to full-spectrum CBD or other CBD products, Delta 8 is a middle ground, falling between CBD oil and Delta 9 THC. Many report experiencing all the benefits of CBD without all of the potential side effects that can come with regular THC.
What do you feel with Delta 8?
Delta 8 THC is similar to Delta 9 THC in that they both share similar chemical structures and will both get you high. The psychoactive effects reported with hemp products like Delta 8 THC are much less than Delta 9 THC. Users report an intense high from Delta 9 THC, whereas Delta 8 THC users report a more relaxed, manageable high.
Because of this difference in potency, some refer to Delta 8 as "diet weed". You can typically expect a relaxed high, and feelings of euphoria. Euphoria is an overwhelming feeling of joy, happiness, well-being, and safe/carefree feeling.
Delta 8 THC effects people differently
Effects will vary from user to user, some users have reported that Delta 8 THC gives them a floaty feeling, feelings of weightlessness, improved energy levels, and help with brain fog. This will also depend on the dosage one takes of Delta 8 THC. Lower dosages tend to enhance mood and boost energy levels while high doses tend to relieve pain.
While using Delta 8 THC you should be able to relax and have a calmer high but remember everyone is different and the way Delta 8 THC effects everyone will vary. More research needs to be done to better understand the short and long-term effects and feelings of Delta 8 THC.
Since there is little research about Delta 8 THC and the effects that it has most of the benefits and effects that have been reported are from user experiences.
What is the High of Delta 8 like?
If you are wanting to use delta 8 for its potential health benefits but are concerned about the high you will experience, you can ease your worries. The high associated with Delta 8 is a less intense than the high you get from using Delta 9 THC. A high from delta 8 is a more manageable, more mellow, and a much calmer high. It also stimulates relaxation but not the urge to be lazy all day.
Everyone will feel a little bit different depending on usage history, dosage, and body composition. If you are new to cannabis, we suggest first starting out with a lower dose of delta 8 to assess your tolerance. This will make sure you get all the benefits and avoid all of the potential side effects.
Once you get a better understanding of how you feel when using delta 8 you can then adjust your dosage as needed. Now let's look at some of the benefits you can have when using Delta 8 THC.
Benefits of Using Delta 8
The benefits of using delta 8 are still being researched, but from what we have seen and from the little research that has been done: a better psychoactive experience, pain relief, appetite stimulation, anxiety relief, and increase relaxation are a few key potential benefits.
These benefits will vary person to person and will also vary on the dose of Delta 8 THC that is used. It is best to start out with a very small dosage when first trying Delta 8 in order to assess your tolerance before moving on to higher doses.
Pain Relief
Delta 8 is a cannabinoid, and like other cannabinoids, its objective is to bind to cannabinoid receptors via the ECS (endocannabinoid system) in the body. Delta 8 specifically binds to CB1 receptors in the central nervous system, the cannabinoid receptors in the nervous system are greatly responsible for regulating the sensitivity of pain receptors. This is why both Delta 8 THC products and full spectrum CBD have been known to be great for pain relief.
There have been a few studies on how Delta 8 may have anti-inflammatory properties, reducing chronic pain, and other symptoms associated with inflammation. Chronic pain mainly comes from inflammation and some people are gravitating towards Delta 8 THC to relieve chronic pain.
Reduce Anxiety
For anyone who has wondered "Can Delta 8 help with anxiety?" You may be interested to learn that Delta 8 has been shown to encourage the body to regulate pain and anxiety through its ability to bind to the CB1 receptors. Delta 8 THC may have anxiolytic effects, relieving stress and putting you in a calmer state of mind. Unlike Delta 9 THC, with Delta 8 THC the risk of getting anxious and stressed is greatly reduced.
Like we mentioned earlier, Delta 8 binds to the CB1 receptor which sends signals to your brain, stimulating the production of dopamine. Dopamine is the hormone responsible for feeling rewarded and pleasure. This hormone is known for reducing stress, anxiety, and can aid in elevating your mood.
If you experience anxiety and are looking for a way to navigate through it, you may want to give Delta 8 a try. Remember to always discuss with your health care provider if you are currently being treated for anxiety or any other illness, before trying any delta 8 products.
Stimulate Appetite
Delta 8 and many other THC products may stimulate appetite and make you feel hungry, the experience will vary user to user, depending on multiple factors. These factors include body composition, type of Delta 8 THC, and dosage. This can be beneficial for those who do not have an appetite due to anxiety, stress, or an illness. There are so many reasons people want to increase their appetite and delta 8 may be a great solution for them.
Again, Delta 8 targets the CB1 receptors in our ECS (endocannabinoid system), which are responsible for singling processes that regulate not only pain and anxiety but also appetite and sleep.
There is not a lot of scientific evidence on this but based off of user experience we can assume that if you are struggling with a low appetite delta 8 may be a great cannabinoid to try. Delta 8 is especially helpful at this when compared to CBD oil or other high quality CBD products.
Increased Relaxation and Sleep
Delta 8 THC gives a more mellow high compared to Delta 9 THC, because of this, users are able to be more relaxed and fall asleep better. We mentioned how Delta 8 attaches to CB1 receptors, sending signals to your brain, stimulating the production of dopamine. This is another reason why some report an increase in sexual stimulation and overall improved sexual experience.
Well, not only is dopamine responsible for reducing anxiety but it also increases melatonin production in your brain. Since Delta 8 attaches to those CB1 receptors, it sends signals to your brain in order to promote sleepiness faster and produce a deeper form of sleep.
Better Psychoactive Experience
Another huge benefit that people are enjoying with Delta 8 is its psychoactive effects. Since Delta 8 THC has a lower psychoactive potency than Delta 9 THC users are able to enjoy the potential health benefits with fewer adverse effects that Delta 9 THC has.
This is one of the main differences that makes Delta 8 THC stand out from CBD products, this is because CBD oil is non-psychoactive. Even though full spectrum CBD products have some THC content, they will still not give you the psychoactive experience that you will get with THC products like Delta 8 or Delta 9. In fact, on its own, CBD is non-psychoactive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Delta 8 good for Anxiety?
Many have reported Delta 8's positive effects on anxiety. Delta 8 has been shown to encourage the body to regulate pain and anxiety through the ability to bind to the CB1 receptors.
Does Delta 8 have any benefits?
There are many users reporting a multitude of positive benefits. Delta 8 may calm nausea, boost appetite, reduce pain and anxiety.
Does Delta 8 make you tired the next day?
It is possible. If you take too much Delta 8 THC, yes, you may feel groggy the next day.
Will Delta 8 get you high?
Yes, Delta 8 THC will get you high. You can expect the high you experience from Delta 8 to be milder than the high you experience when using Delta 9 THC.
What is Delta 8 supposed to do for you?
Like Delta 9 THC, Delta 8 THC and other cannabinoids can produce feelings such as euphoria, relaxation and better sleep, but way milder than Delta 9 THC.
Is Delta 8 legal?
Delta 8 is a hemp extract that is considered legal at the federal level because of it being derived from hemp. This makes it a great alternative to Delta 9, which is federally illegal. Be sure to check with your local and state laws however because Delta 8 is not currently legal in all states.
Will Delta 8 make you fail a drug test?
Yes, those who are subject to drug tests should avoid using Delta 8 THC products since standard drug tests will identify THC in your system, regardless of if it is federally legal and derived from hemp plants.
Conclusion
Our knowledge of what Delta 8 THC does is just starting, with more research we will hopefully see even more potential benefits that Delta 8 THC can provide. If you suffer from chronic pain, Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, multiple sclerosis, high stress levels, anxiety, low appetite, or low sleep quality you may want to give Delta 8 a try.
Remember, if you do decide that Delta 8 is right for you, be sure to purchase THC products from a reputable source, like Everyday Delta. Even though you may be able to find some hemp products sold at your local gas stations or convenience stores you want to be sure the products you are buying are free of heavy metals and potentially harmful chemicals. All quality hemp derived Delta 8 THC products will be fully supported by full panel, third party testing.
At Everyday Delta our goal is to avoid any of these potential safety concerns, which is why we publish third party lab tests for every product that we carry and only carry products from brands that have a top tier brand reputation.
Finally, for those who may be subject to a drug test, you may want to avoid using Delta 8 altogether since it will cause you to test positive for THC. So, for those of you that are looking for the benefits of using Delta 9 THC but don't want the intense head high or other side effects, then it may be worth checking out Delta 8.
