It’s no secret that Delta 8 has received some attention in the past few years. The term is increasingly popular on Google in states with legal recreational marijuana, where searches for it increased by over 850% between 2020 and 2021. Based on a recent study, 16% of marijuana users also used delta-8.
Those who believe it is the next big thing in marijuana claim it offers pain relief and relaxation without regular weed anxiety or fuzzy-headed feeling. However, it’s no secret that delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a controversial compound that some claim is legal because of certain loopholes at the federal level. You might get confused if you’re unfamiliar with this cannabis product. Can delta-8 THC be legally used? In what respects does it vary from other forms of THC?
In the following sections, this post will examine delta-8 in more detail, including what it is, its potential benefits and risks, whether it will get you high, whether it’s legal, and how you can find a safe one. Here are all the facts about Delta 8 THC.
What is Delta-8 THC?
Delta-8 belongs to the over 100 natural compounds found in cannabis Sativa. The most common source of concentrated delta-8 is hemp-derived CBD. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it has comparable psychoactive and intoxicating properties such as delta-9 THC, the compound that causes a feeling of euphoria when consumed or smoked.
One of the best ways of administering it is through delta-8 gummies, which may provide relaxation, delight, and pain relief; THC may give many of the same effects as delta-9 THC. Therefore, it would help to get THC delta 8 gummies if you don’t want to experience the high and lower potency benefit.
What Makes Delta 8THC So Popular?
A major obstacle to cannabis research has been the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970. At the moment, there hasn’t been much research on delta-8 THC. Even though many people believe it to have tremendous potential, limited research makes any health claims highly speculative. There haven’t been many studies on it, so people haven’t seen much of its potential, but they see little signs of it.
In 1995, a study on children undergoing chemotherapy revealed most of what we know about it. Eight children with different hematologic (blood-related) cancer types received delta-8 oil in this study. The findings of this study showed that delta-8 THC completely prevented vomiting associated with chemotherapy, and there were no adverse reactions.
Besides being an antiemetic (relieves nausea and vomiting), delta-8 may also have more medicinal benefits, including more effective pain relief, but researchers haven’t conducted clinical trials to confirm these claims. As a result, delta-8 may be a better option for prescription drugs since it is more shelf-stable than delta-9.
What is the Relationship Between Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC?
As with delta-9 (regular THC), delta-8 binds to endocannabinoids in the body to induce euphoria. It is chemically similar to delta-8 in that it has a double bond in its structure. People believe this double bond produces intoxicating effects that make you feel high.
There is a difference in the location of the double bond between the two THCs. In both cannabinoids, there are carbon atoms with double bonds, but delta-8 has one on the eighth carbon and delta-9 on the ninth.
Due to the location of its double bond, delta-8 binds to the endocannabinoid system differently. The reason delta-8 is less potent than regular THC is due to this factor. But, it is still necessary to conduct more research on delta-8 and its interactions with the body.
What Are The Potential Drawbacks and Side Effects of Delta-8 THC?
To manufacture delta-8 THC synthetically, one must convert CBD with chemicals like organic solvents and powerful acids that may harm your health. No long-term studies have investigated these products, and no regulatory framework has been established.
According to Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, delta-8 THC has the following side effects:
- Concentration difficulties
- Short-term memory problems
- An altered sense of time
- Paranoia and anxiety
From 2020 to 2022, the FDA received 104 reports of adverse events associated with delta-8 THC consumption. As part of these experiences, a person may experience hallucinations, vomiting, and loss of consciousness.
What is the Legal Status of Delta-8?
Delta-8 is also popular because it is legal in most states, unlike heavily regulated THC. It is because it’s derived from hemp-derived CBD, which is permitted to farm in the country. However, Delta-8 is subject to legal gray areas. Hemp is allowed because of the 2018 farm bill (the Agriculture and Nutrition Improvement Act), which exempted hemp and its byproducts from controlled substance lists.
There is a reason for this: hemp contains a low THC level — less than 0.3%. There is no mention of Delta-8 anywhere in the bill. Those who sell Delta-8 products have used this loophole to market them, usually with no legal age restrictions. Consequently, it is now hemp’s fastest-growing product.
As Delta-8 products are not thoroughly inspected or tested for safety, chemists and scientists worry about their safety. There is a possibility that Delta-8 products may contain impurities, such as high levels of THC. In response, nearly a dozen states have begun restricting or banning Delta-8 use, including New York and Colorado.
How Can You Find a Good and Safe Delta-8 Product?
Due to delta-8’s relative newness, it may be challenging to find products containing delta-8 that manufacturers and vendors say are. For more information about how delta-8 products are sourced and created, it would be best to visit a producer’s website when shopping for them.
In quality, tested products, you can usually look up test results on the producer’s website with a QR code or batch number. Don’t purchase products that haven’t been tested or have questionable test results because you won’t know if they contain delta-8 or not, and they may contain harmful ingredients.
Final Take
Delta-8 THC is a compound obtained from hemp plants. The high it produces is less potent than that of delta-9 THC, which is the active ingredient in marijuana. There are several forms of Delta-8 available legally online and at dispensaries. Although research on delta-8 is limited, evidence suggests that it may reduce stress, relieve pain, improve relaxation, and increase appetite. It would help to consider purchasing delta-8 from a reliable and trusted source to ensure the quality and safety of the product.
