What is Delta-8, and What are its Benefits?
Learn about the latest cannabis trend, Delta-8, what the benefits are and where you can buy it.
Photo provided by Unsplash Artist Shelby Ireland @canna.beee
Delta-8 101: Everything You Need to Know
If you’ve walked into a smoke shop in the last year or two, you’ve probably noticed that Delta-8 products are taking over, becoming just as popular and, if not more so, than CBD. But what exactly is Delta-8, and why do people love it so much? If you’re curious about Delta-8, keep reading to learn about its benefits, side effects, legality, and more.
What is Delta-8?
Delta-8 refers to Delta-8-Tetrahydrocannabinol, or Delta-8-THC, which is a cannabis compound. It is one of the hundreds of minor cannabinoids present in marijuana but is found only in low quantities. Essentially, it is a happy medium between CBD and Delta-9-THC.
What types of Delta-8 products are out there, and where can you find them?
Like Delta-9 and CBD products, Delta-8 can be consumed in many different ways, depending on your preference. CBD retailers and smoke shops such as the World of Smoke N Vape offer various options, from edibles like chocolates, gummies, and infused beverages to flower, concentrates, oils, tinctures, topicals, and vape pens.
Delta-8 products will also come in different levels or doses, so it’s important to know how much you consume and at what potency. If you’re new to using Delta-8, starting with a lower milligram option is best, and you can ramp up from there. Remember, you can always take more but can’t take less!
What are the benefits of Delta-8?
Delta-8 offers many medicinal benefits when consumed responsibly, many of which are similar, if not comparable, to those from Delta-9 THC. Here are the most common.
Mild Psychoactive Experience
As discussed in this article, all THC and CBD are technically psychoactive. Typically, CBD won’t produce the euphoric high you expect when consuming THC, which is why many cannabis users don’t bother with CBD. Many consumers want to feel that head change. However, some people have adverse effects from the potent Delta-9 THC available today. It’s simply too intense for some users. Delta-8 offers a middle ground for those who enjoy cannabis but prefer milder psychoactive effects.
Improved Cognitive Performance
THC works as a neuroprotector that interacts directly with CB1 receptors in the central nervous system and affects your brain’s performance, thus improving cognitive abilities, alertness and focus. Delta-8 is currently being studied as an effective treatment for neurodegenerative diseases because of its ability to form new neurons.
Digestive Support and Improved Appetite
Delta-8 can be just as effective as Delta-9 in curbing nausea and vomiting, so it’s ideal for cancer patients or folks with other terminal diseases looking to ease upset stomachs while not experiencing the heavier high, anxiety, and paranoia. It’s also known to improve appetite by suppressing that nausea, so you’ll still probably get the munchies!
Anti-Inflammatory and Pain Relief
Delta-8 is excellent for pain management, especially for those who experience it chronically. Topicals like balms, salves, and lotions can relieve everyday aches and pains and aid in pain from injuries or physically degenerative diseases. THC generally has anti-inflammatory properties that can help regulate pain transmission and how your body reacts to it. Again, those looking to relieve pain without the high will benefit the most from Delta-8.
Relaxation, Stress Relief, and Better Sleep
If you have trouble sleeping at night, Delta-8 may be an excellent choice. Its relaxing, stress-relieving properties provide a sedating but mellow high that will have you sleeping like a baby before too long. However, if you’re looking to relax but not totally pass out, it will be manageable for performing daily tasks and responsibilities.
Photo provided by Unsplash Artist Jared Rice @jareddrice
The Side Effects of Delta-8
Overall, the side effects of Delta-8 are mild in low dosages and are much less intense than Delta-9 THC. People can experience any combination of the following:
- Mild "high" or euphoria
- Dry mouth
- Red eyes
- Grogginess or fatigue
- Reduced blood pressure
- Slower reaction time
- Anxiety
Again, many side effects are rare and typically mild but vary from person to person. It’s always best to start with smaller amounts and work up to higher dosages once you know your comfort zone with Delta-8 products.
What's the Difference Between Delta-8, CBD, and Delta-9?
There needs to be more clarity about Delta-8 regarding what it is and how it’s similar to CBD, Delta-9, and other Delta derivatives.
Delta-8 vs. CBD
Cannabidiol or CBD and Delta-8 THC have many similarities, one being that they are just two of the hundreds of cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. The main difference between Delta-8 and CBD is that Delta-8 can get you a little buzzed, while CBD does not produce a euphoric high consistent with THC cannabinoids. Both Delta-8 and CBD are psychoactive, however. This means, by textbook definition, each can affect your emotions, perception, and mood. And, yes. Delta-8 can cause you to fail a drug test, but CBD will not.
Where Delta-8 is also a great appetite booster, even more so than Delta-9 THC, CBD acts as an appetite suppressant, which is excellent for people looking to regulate weight and diet. Cognitively, Delta-8 will affect you more than CBD, but both cannabinoids are known for their mood-enhancing benefits and relaxing effects.
One interesting phenomenon with the cannabis plant is that extracted Delta-8 and CBD cannabinoids are more effective when consumed together. The “Entourage Effect” or “Whole-Plant Synergy” occurs when the full spectrum of cannabinoids work together to maximize the desired effects.
Delta-8 vs. Delta-9
Molecularly, Delta-8 THC and regular Delta-9 THC are incredibly similar but have slightly different chemical structures. Both are found in the cannabis plant, but Delta-9 is the prominent or primary cannabinoid and is also the most abundant. Delta-8 is naturally found in the plant in such trace amounts that it is usually extracted in CBD-derived concentrates from hemp plants, which allows it to be purchased legally in many states.
What about Delta-10?
As if it wasn’t already confusing enough, Delta-10 is another THC cannabinoid found in marijuana. Like Delta-8, it’s only found in small amounts and is not as powerful as Delta-9. It produces similar effects to Delta-8 but is much harder to refine, so it’s not nearly as common and is typically more expensive.
In addition, Delta-10 is known for its energizing effects, whereas Delta-8 will often feel more like a sedative. Delta-10 is for the Sativa lovers who want to dose and dive into a cleaning frenzy or perhaps stir up a bit of creativity. On the other side of the spectrum, Delta-8 will give you those “in-da-couch” (or Indica) vibes while you veg out and watch a movie.
Is Delta-8 Legal in all Fifty States?
The answer is, of course, no. It’s not. But, if you’re in one of the twenty-two states where cannabis is legal for adult use recreationally or medicinally, you can go to a dispensary and buy Delta-9-THC products. Unfortunately, more than half of the states still do not allow legal cannabis in this capacity, but because of the 2018 Farm Bill, as long as there is less than 0.3% THC present in a given plant, many states do allow the sale of Delta-8.
Because of this, Delta-8 has become a controversial subject over the last few years, and its legality has been a source of confusion and debate. While most states have not officially banned it, many have regulated the contentious cannabinoid or have entirely prohibited it. Here’s the breakdown, state by state.
States Where You Can Purchase Delta-8 Legally
You can legally purchase Delta-8 products in the following states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and Washington D.C.
States Where Delta-8 is Regulated
Several states have regulated the sales of Delta-8 products, including California, Connecticut, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, and Utah.
States Where Delta-8 is Entirely Banned
Some states have taken full-blown measures to ban the cannabinoid completely, even in states where Delta-9 products are recreationally legal, including Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Vermont.
Purchase Delta-8 Products at any World of Smoke & Vape Location
If you want to know more about Delta-8 and purchase the best quality smoke shop products in Florida, Oklahoma, or Texas, stop by a World of Smoke N Vape location near you for all the top Delta-8 brands, such as Island Girl, Cake, Puff Pastries and Not Your Bakery. You’ll find a wide variety, including customer favorites like edibles, vape cartridges, and more.
