[imagesource: Unsplash / Elsa Olofsson]

Even though we know that the cannabis plant produces over 100 cannabinoids, there are chances you are acquainted with only two of them: THC and CBD. And you have surely been hearing a lot about these cannabinoids, since legal weed sales in 2022 are expected to increase by 32% over 2021’s total of 25$ billion, and the cannabis industry supported 428,059 full-time jobs by January 2022.

Nevertheless, it wouldn’t hurt to gain some knowledge of the newest cannabinoid that has been getting a great deal of public attention: delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol, or the middle ground between hemp, CBD and delta-9 THC.

Beginning in 2020, this cannabis compound has experienced rapid growth in popularity in the United States. Such hemp-derived cannabinoid products are becoming increasingly available in product lines in the cannabis industry, and you can find them from convenience store shelves to boutique weed dispensaries. You can get the delta-8 experience in various ways: from vaping and smoking to eating delicious pre-cooked edibles, or even adding distilled delta-8 oil to your food.  

If you are new to cannabis products and find the whole thing confusing, this article will help clear your mind on delta-8 THC’s benefits and effects.

What is Delta-8?

Delta-8 is a naturally occurring psychoactive cannabinoid found in small quantities in the Cannabis sativa plant. It is also called “delta-9’s “nicer younger cousin” because it only contains up to 0.3% THC, preventing sensitive users’ from the anxiety they experience when they consume marijuana.

This compound balances the effects of THC and CBD, as delta-8 produces mild psychoactive effects compared with the non-intoxicating and non-psychoactive CBD. It also causes lower levels of euphoria compared with delta-9 THC.

Ripping off those cannabinoids’ benefits justifies delta-8’s increasing popularity and why many cannabis consumers choose this one over hemp, CBD, or delta-9 THC infused products.  

What can you expect from a Delta-8 experience?

What to expect when you take delta-8 THC for the first time is probably your most burning question, since you have probably started hearing more and more about these products. And while this is a milder version of delta-9 THC, you need to assess how powerful you want your experience to be.

You can opt for delta-8 THC when you want a little “high” that CBD can’t give, but you don’t want to get that outwardly lightheaded like you get on delta-9 THC. Delta-8 cannabinoid lands on the brain’s CB1 receptors and causes a “lightheadedness” sensation as THC does, but it may have different “psychoactive potencies”.

Best ways to take delta-8 THC

Recreational cannabis users wouldn’t fancy CBD better than delta-8 because it does not get them high enough. The same goes for a CBD user looking to relieve anxiety and depression or ease pain and inflammation: they would instead go for delta-8 gummies rather than a THC edible or pot.

Therefore, by trying delta-8 you can tell if you like a both intense and relaxed experience that THC and CBD combined can give you. You can go to your local store to see if they have delta-8 products in stock, or you can order online if you want more variety. Most of the cannabis buds contain a maximum of 1% of delta-8 compounds. Therefore, the production of delta-8 products requires a complex and well-developed process. This is the reason why you have heard about this amazing ingredient this late and you don’t find delta-8 products in all the stores and cannabis dispensaries.

Some of the most common and recommended ways to take delta-8 are:

• Flowers. They come in different flavours and hybrids and can be smoked in joints, pipes, bongs, or blunts like any other buds.
• Gummies. They spark your imagination and provide an awake and manageable experience, and they are tasty, discreet and can come in many delicious flavours.
• Pre-rolls. They contain pre-ground hemp and feel more intense than a CBD joint.
• Vape carts. They offer an accessible way to enjoy a legal and slightly psychoactive experience and come in a wide variety of flavours.
• Tinctures. They possess anxiolytic properties and, like vapes, 1-5 milligrams or 1-3 puffs should be a good starting dose.

Health benefits

Like delta-9, delta-8 can have many benefits: it induces feelings of relaxation and euphoria and can be a potential milder pain reliever. It has potential therapeutic, antiemetic, analgesic and anxiolytic effects. 

Let’s look at some other aspects this cannabinoid could potentially improve besides making your day-to-day chores feel less of a burden and making your friends and family gatherings more joyful.

Appetite booster

Scientists believe that delta-8’s appetite stimulation is twice as intense as that induced by delta-9. And since it can make you hungry, it might help you if you are struggling with eating disorders and have a low appetite resulting from bad moods.

There is a difference between hunger and appetite. Delta-8’s euphoric effects relax your mind and body, easing the burden of your daily stress, anxiety or depression that suppresses your food cravings.

Neuroprotection

Scientists are exploring how delta-8 acts on the brain, concluding that it might regulate calcium and potassium channels and suppress the release of adenylyl cyclase in the central nervous system, leading to better brain health.

It may increase the levels of acetylcholine and choline that prove helpful in treating neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s.

Pain relief, relaxation and a better sleep

Many people choose delta-8 over other cannabinoids to relieve pain. According to the National Cancer Institute, delta-8 THC exerts anxiolytic effects. Simply put, it might help you relax, unwind, and ease stress and muscle tensions, all without triggering anxiety, as delta-9 can do to some sensitive users. Delta-8 induces a more mellow high than delta-9 and can have effects such as euphoria, sedation and stress relief while uplifting your mood. These effects can be helpful for people with insomnia.

Why and where is delta-8 legal?

Regulated hemp production and hemp products with less than 0.3% delta-9 THC have been legalised in the 2018 Farm Bill. Therefore, hemp and delta-8 flowers and products are federally legal. But things get tricky at the state level. 

Some states that banned recreational use of marijuana consequently banned delta-8 consumption, too, whereas states that allow the recreational use of cannabis are OK with delta-8 consumption as well. 

Conclusion

Considering you have cleared your mind on what type of cannabinoid suits your preferences and needs best, check your local state laws. 

Before becoming a delta-8 consumer, know that the cannabis landscape frequently shifts in the United States, you should be always up to date with the latest amendments.