Delta 8 THC has become increasingly popular over the last few years mainly because it's considered to be a legal form of THC. Now it's not as potent as D9 THC, so don't expect a hard-hitting buzz. With that said, D8 THC does have many advantages, which is what we'll cover in this article.
A Brief Look At Phytocannabinoids: What is Delta 8 THC?
Recently we've seen the rise of delta-8 THC making its way across social media. It seems like more and more cannabis enthusiasts are intrigued by this 'new form of THC. For those new to the world of cannabis science, the THC we know is called delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol. It is a phytocannabinoid produced by the marijuana cultivar Sativa, and it's responsible for the psychoactive effects we associate with cannabis use. Delta-8 THC, on the other hand, is a by-product of delta-9 THC. In other words, when a plant metabolizes delta-9 THC (think of it as a plant version of digestion), you get small, minuscule amounts of delta-8 THC. This means that delta 8 THC is indeed a psychoactive compound, but it's a lot less potent when compared to delta 9.
But Is Delta 8 THC Legal in the USA?
If you've been following the news, you would have heard of the 2018 Farm Bill. This Bill actively legalized all forms of hemp-based products in the United States. According to the Farm Bill, anything belonging to the hemp, including the cannabinoids extracted, is legal under the federal Controlled Substances Act.
So, how does this make delta-8 THC legal? Well, first, we must mention that this form of THC is legal in some states. And, the restrictions of its use, production, and distribution continue to be on the debate. That being said, the delta-8 THC sold to consumers is not directly from the hemp plant. This is because the delta-8 cannabinoid is found in small amounts making the process of extraction difficult. The delta-8 THC currently sold to consumers is synthetic as it is produced through a chemical reaction the scientific community refers to as isomerization. To put it simply, hemp-derived CBD (cannabidiol) undergoes a chemical reaction by using a catalyst, leading to the formation of delta-8 THC. This is what many consider the loophole to the 2018 Farm Bill.
What is the Difference between Delta 9 THC and Delta 8 THC
The chemistry of delta-9 THC is a complicated subject matter, so for this article, we'll focus on the main differences between delta-9 and delta-8 THC. Apart from their molecular structure, there's really not much of a difference between the two forms of THC. The main difference between the two is that delta-8 is a lot less of a psychoactive compound than delta-9, so it's not going to give you a hard-hitting buzz due to its low potency.
Delta 8 THC and CBD: Are They Really Different?
CBD (also known as cannabidiol) is another highly studied cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. Unlike its THC counterparts, CBD is not a psychoactive compound, and when used, it will not make a person high. As we mentioned above, cannabidiol can convert to delta-8 THC through chemical isomerization. However, D8 cannot convert back to CBD or THC. As well, I must mention that CBD does produce different effects in people. Currently, there are clinical trials that study the efficacy of CBD for the treatment and management of chronic pain, cancer, and more.
Are you interested in learning more about buying CBD? Check out our CBD buyers guide for more information.
So, Does Delta 8 Get You High?
Yes, delta-9 THC can indeed make a person high. In fact, that's why they're so popular. As D8 THC shares a similar chemical structure to that of delta-9 THC, it can elicit similar psychoactive effects. Now, the psychoactive effects of this cannabinoid will not be as pronounced as the delta-9 THC. But, it can indeed produce some reliable effects. According to our research, delta-8 THC tends to result in a more cerebral high characterized by bouts of euphoria, joy, and anxiety relief.
Other Potential Therapeutic Effects
Everything stated in this article is based on current research available to the public. Bear in mind that delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol is not as well researched as our more popular cannabinoids like delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol. Therefore, the effects and high a user may experience will subjective to that user. With that said, I did do a little bit of digging through some scientific journals to see what's the current status of delta-8 amongst the scientific community. I found that in 1995, a clinical trial discovered that D8 THC could be used to alleviate emesis (nausea) in cancer patients undergoing treatment. Another more recent study published in 2020 observed that D8 THC had the potential to analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects in patients with a history of corneal pain and inflammation.
Plain Jane: You're One-Stop Shop for the Best D8 THC Products in 2021
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- Delta-8 THC carts for those who prefer vaping.
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