Delta 8 Benefits

Delta 8 is a cannabinoid that’s been getting a lot of attention, primarily because it’s become legal (for now, at least) thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill. This obscure form of THC will get you high, but maybe not quite as high as its Delta 9 counterpart (one of the most abundant cannabinoids in cannabis).

As people become more interested in dabbling with specific cannabinoids, more Delta 8 products are emerging.

But what is Delta 8? Is it legal? Where is it sourced, and what are its benefits? Let’s dive deeper and take a closer look at this cannabinoid.

What is Delta 8?

We can’t talk about Delta 8 THC without first talking about Delta 9. Delta 9 THC is the main component in cannabis that gets you high. It can be used for medicinal purposes, too, like treating nausea or poor appetite. Delta 9 and CBD are the two most abundant cannabinoids in cannabis.

Delta 9 THC has its benefits, but it also has some drawbacks. For starters, it can make you paranoid. It’s also what gives some people headaches, anxiety or dizziness.

Delta 8 THC is very similar to Delta 9, but there’s one key difference: it’s half as potent. It still gets you high, but it dials back the anxiety and some of the other unpleasant side effects of THC. It may also offer even more potent medicinal effects, like better pain relief, but these claims still need to be studied.

Delta 8 can have many effects:

• Sleepiness
• Relaxation
• Euphoria
• Enhanced colors
• Time distortion
• Increased body awareness
• Dry mouth

It can also be used to help with a variety of conditions, including:

• Anxiety
• Nausea
• Pain
• Poor appetite
• Menstrual cramps
• Low sex drive

Many people describe the high from Delta 8 as calming and uplifting. Some people find that it helps improve their focus. Everyone responds to Delta 8 differently. Your experience will largely depend on how much you take, the strain and how you take it.

What Makes Delta 8 Different from Delta 9?

We know that Delta 8 has half the potency of Delta 9, but why? On a molecular level, these two cannabinoids are very similar.

The primary difference is the location of their chemical bond. Delta 9’s bond is at the ninth carbon, while Delta 8’s is at the eighth.

The Medical Benefits of Delta 8 THC

Although it’s not as well-known as other cannabinoids, Delta 8 is quickly growing in popularity because it offers so many potential benefits.

Although Delta 8 will still get you high, it won’t have the same potency as Delta 9. Some of the most notable benefits of Delta 8 may include:

• Appetite stimulation
• Pain relief
• Anti-inflammatory effects
• Nausea relief for patients on chemotherapy
• Better focus
• Help with anxiety

Some studies, primarily in rodents, have looked at the benefits of Delta 8.

• One study from 2004 found that mice given Delta 8 consumed more food and had improved cognitive function without the side effects that are commonly linked with cannabis.
• Another 2018 study found that Delta 8, when given topically to mice, helped ease pain and inflammation.

In another study from 1995, children aged 3-13 with hematologic cancers were given Delta 8. The study found that the cannabinoid helped reduce nausea caused by cancer treatments. No side effects were observed in that study.

Is Delta 8 THC Legal?

The legality of Delta 8 is hazy at best. Delta 9 is certainly illegal, but until recently, no law explicitly mentioned Delta 8.

Here’s where things get confusing, and it’s important to note that this issue is still being debated in courts and amongst lawmakers. But whether or not Delta 8 is illegal comes down to its source.

• Cannabis-derived Delta 8 is illegal
• Hemp-derived Delta 8 is not illegal thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill – or so everyone thought

Again, this is all still being debated, and the confusion has reached a point where the USDA is once again opening public comments to address changes and their impacts on the hemp industry.

For now, hemp-derived Delta 8 is still technically legal.

Where to Buy Delta 8?

Looking to give Delta 8 a try? You can buy Delta 8 hemp derived products online. And you have plenty of options when it comes to consumption. Whether you prefer vaping, flowers or edibles, there’s a product out there for you.

Delta 8 Flower

Delta 8 flowers are not marijuana, but rather, hemp flowers that have been infused with Delta 8 THC. You can find bags of flowers sold by the gram, but you can also find prerolls that make it easy and convenient to consume Delta 8.

With prerolls, hemp flowers may be rolled and dipped in Delta 8 distillate.

A variety of strains are available, so you can find a product that satisfies your taste buds and personal preferences.

Delta 8 Gummies

Gummies and other edibles make it easy to enjoy the benefits of Delta 8. If you’re new to the world of cannabinoids, they’re a great way to get your feet wet. They taste great, and they’re perfectly portioned to make sure you’re not overdoing it.

Gummies come in a wide range of flavors and concentrations, with 20mg and 30mg being the most common.

Because you’re eating – not smoking or vaping – the hemp, the effects take a little longer to kick in. Most people start feeling the effects after 30-40 minutes.

If you’re looking for an easy way to get started with Delta 8, gummies are a great option.

Delta 8 Vape Cartridges

Vape cartridges offer another way to consume Delta 8. If you’re a fan of vaping, cartridges offer a simple way to give this cannabinoid a try.

Cartridges are available in different flavors, like strawberry shortcake and limoncello.

Delta 8 Tinctures

Tinctures make it easy to consume Delta 8, and they also allow for very precise dosing.

Tinctures can be taken in a few ways:

• Sublingually: Squirt the liquid under your tongue, and hold it for up to 180 seconds before swishing and swallowing. This method allows for quick and easy absorption of Delta 8.
• Added to foods or drinks: Some people prefer to add their tinctures to their food or drink for easy consumption.
• Orally: Taken any other way you’d drink a liquid.

It’s important to note that when taken orally or added to foods, tinctures take just as long to kick in as edibles. Like other Delta 8 products, tinctures come in a variety of concentrations and flavors. You can also find unflavored options if you don’t mind the raw taste.

For now, Delta 8 THC is legal as long as it’s hemp-derived, and companies are capitalizing on the opportunity to help consumers enjoy the benefits of this cannabinoid. Whether you prefer tinctures, edibles, flowers or cartridges, there are so many ways to consume Delta 8.