Guide to Delta-8

Its popularity boomed as a legal alternative to marijuana: walk into any smoke shop these days, and you might see them selling Delta 8 THC products. But what is Delta 8? And how does it differ from the THC that’s in marijuana

Delta 8 tetrahydrocannabinol, or Delta 8 THC, is one of over 100 cannabinoids produced naturally in the Cannabis sativa plant. Concentrated amounts of Delta 8 THCproduce psychoactive and intoxicating effects similar to those produced by consuming marijuana. 

This guide details everything you need to know about Delta 8 THC. Read below to learn what Delta 8 THC is, what you can expect if you consume it, and the risks associated with Delta 8 consumption. 

What is Delta 8 weed?

Delta 8 weed is a flower derived from the cannabis plant that is manufactured to contain concentrated amounts of Delta 8 THC. Delta 8 THC is a cannabinoid produced naturally in the plant, similar to CBD or THC. Because it exists in such small amounts in the plant, Delta 8 weed is manufactured from CBD derived from the hemp plant. This process is done by synthetically converting other cannabinoids in the plant to Delta 8 THC to produce a higher concentration. 

When consumed, Delta 8 weed producessimilar effects to consuming marijuana, including potential psychoactive effects, possible pain relief, or general feelings of euphoria. 

Does Delta 8 flower get you high?

Smoking Delta 8 flower produces psychoactive effects similar to smoking marijuana. Typically, however, the high associated with Delta 8 THC is less potent than the high associated with regular marijuana.

Nevertheless, the features of a Delta 8 high are almost identical, producing psychoactive and intoxicating effects. In short, Delta 8 flower can get you high: you might just need to consume more than you normally would if you were smoking marijuana in order to feel the effects of the same strength. 

What is Delta 8 CBD?

Delta 8 CBD is a bit of a contradiction. Delta 8 THC and CBD are both cannabinoids produced in the cannabis plant. When Delta 8 weed is manufactured, it is done so by chemically converting CBD flower from the hemp plant to contain a more concentrated amount of Delta 8.

So, Delta 8 flower and CBD flower exist separately, though Delta 8 is originally converted from CBD. As a result, Delta 8 THC may also carry some of the benefits of CBD, such as potential pain relief.

Is Delta 8 stronger than CBD?

Delta 8 flower produces stronger psychoactive effects than CBD. While CBD is most often used for potential relief from pain and anxiety, it doesnot produce psychoactive or intoxicating effects. 

Though Delta 8 THC can be used for pain relief, it is more often known for psychoactive effects that are close to those produced by marijuana consumption. So while CBD may be stronger for pain and anxiety relief, Delta 8 is more intoxicating. 

What is Delta 8 good for?

Delta 8 THC has many desirable side effects. Because it has less of a psychoactive impact thanDelta-9 THC (the psychoactive cannabinoid in marijuana), Delta 8 flower could be a better option for people who typically feel anxiety from strong psychoactive effects. 

Additionally, Delta 8 THC does have the potential to relieve pain. For those looking for pain relief without the strong psychoactive effects of marijuana, Delta 8 THC could be an option. 

However, though Delta 8 seems like a great alternative to weed, its consumption may produce a health risk for users. 

What does Delta 8 do to your body?

As discussed, Delta 8 THC has psychoactive and intoxicating effects that may be desirable to some cannabis users. However, as they detailed inan articlediscussing Delta 8 THC, the FDA has not evaluated or tested Delta 8 products for safe use. Therefore, the effects that this particular cannabinoid has on your body are largely unresearched.

Delta 8 side effects

Nevertheless, though Delta 8 products have not been evaluated by the FDA for safe use, there have been reports of adverse effects caused by Delta 8. 

The FDA has received reports of negative side effects caused by consuming Delta 8 THC between December 2020 and February 2022. Many of these reports detailed negative side effects such as: 

• Hallucinations
• Vomiting
• Tremors
• Anxiety
• Dizziness
• Confusion 
• Loss of consciousness

Though Delta 8 THCcan cause effects that are desirable to some, such as psychoactive and intoxicating feelings, consumption may result in any of these negative side effects. Especially because these products have not been studied by the FDA, the long-term effects of Delta 8 THC use remain unknown. 

Is Delta 8 safe?

Because the FDA has not tested Delta 8 THC products for safe use, the use of these products may pose a health risk. 

Out of the 104 reports the FDA received that detailed adverse effects after Delta 8 consumption, over half of these incidents required medical intervention such as emergency services or hospital admission. Again, the long-term effects of Delta 8 consumption are unknown, but the immediate effects could be unpredictable or dangerous. 

Additionally, the cannabinoid Delta 8 exists in only trace amounts in the cannabis or hemp plants. Therefore, additional chemicals are needed to synthetically convert the other cannabinoids in hemp into Delta 8 THC. 

Asreported by the FDA, this process may involve the use of household chemicals that are dangerous for consumption. Because the FDA has not tested Delta 8 products for safe use, the risks associated with consuming these chemicals alongside your Delta 8 are also unknown and unpredictable. 

Considering these factors, the question “Is Delta 8 safe?” has only one appropriate answer: maybe not. Consume at your own risk. 

To sum it up

Delta 8 THC is a cannabinoid in the cannabis plant that, when consumed, produces intoxicating, psychoactive effects similar to consuming marijuana. Though Delta 8 might seem like a great substitute for those who want chiller highs, products that contain concentrated levels of this cannabinoid have not been tested by the FDA for safe use. Therefore, the consumption of Delta 8 THC may pose health risks to users: consider the risks before consuming.