QUICK LINKS
- What is Delta-8 THC Distillate?
- Can Delta 8 THC Get You High?
- How is Delta 8 THC Made?
- What Does Delta 8 THC Look Like
- Different Types of Delta 8 THC
- Different Delta 8 THC Products
- How to Use Delta 8 THC
- How Delta 8 THC Feels
- What Are the Effects of Delta 8 THC
- How to Dose Delta 8 THC
- Delta 8 THC Safety
- Delta 8 THC Legality
- Delta 8 THC Cost
- Wrapping Up Your Guide to Delta 8 THC
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Delta-8 THC is a minor cannabinoid found in small amounts in cannabis.
- Delta-8 THC is a psychoactive compound that produces a mild high.
- Delta-8 THC distillate is a concentrated form of the compound that can be vaped or used in edibles.
- The legality of delta-8 THC is still uncertain and varies by state, so it’s important to research local laws before purchasing or using it.
Did you know that there is more than one type of THC? Delta 8 THC is a unique type of THC that has some pretty interesting properties.
If you want the quick answer, delta 8 THC is an isomer of regular Delta 9-THC. Delta 8 THC is naturally occurring in very small quantities in cannabis, but it can be synthesized in a laboratory. You can think about Delta 8 THC as being about half-strength regular weed.
This guide to Delta 8 THC is going to cover everything you need to know about this particular cannabinoid.
What is Delta-8 THC Distillate?
Delta 8 THC is what chemists call an isomer. This is a different variation of a specific type of chemical. In this case, Delta 8 THC is an isomer of Delta 9-THC.
Delta 9-THC is the chemical that you think of when we typically think of weed or cannabis products. Delta 9-THC is the primary psychoactive compound in weed.
Even though Delta 8 THC shares a lot of its physical structure with Delta 9-THC, these two compounds have very different effects. That small change and their chemical structure means that Delta 8 THC is about half as strong as delta-9.
This leads to our first big question. Can Delta 8 THC get you high?
Can Delta 8 THC Get You High?
Yes, Delta 8 THC can get you high. However, there are a few things that we need to know about the differences between Delta 8 THC and regular THC.
Because Delta 8 THC is much weaker than regular THC, it takes a lot more Delta 8 to get the same kind of high as you would get with regular cannabis. This means that Delta 8 THC is known for its much more mild effects.
Even so you could get the same high as with regular THC, it would require a lot of Delta 8 THC and cost a lot of money to get the same kind of high.
This also means that Delta 8 is known for having much more mild side effects. The common side effects that come with cannabis including anxiety, nausea, and an increased appetite are much milder with Delta 8 than with Delta-9 THC.
You can find out more about how long Delta 8 stays in your system here.
How is Delta 8 THC Made?
We mentioned earlier that Delta 8 THC is naturally occurring. However, it’s naturally occurring in such small levels that it makes it almost impossible to harvest naturally. Unlike CBD or Delta 9-THC, you can’t simply extract Delta 8 THC from hemp and cannabis plants in large enough quantities.
This means that chemists need to synthesize Delta 8 THC from either CBD, THC, or other cannabinoids. This is how most of Delta 8 THC in Delta 8 of vapes and edibles is made.
This is a chemical process known as isomerization. This chemical reaction converts other cannabinoids into Delta 8 THC. There are byproducts of this chemical reaction that include other common cannabinoids.
Because Delta 8 THC is synthesized from other cannabinoids, you need to make sure that you’re buying your Delta 8 vapes from a reliable retailer. You want to ensure that there are no leftover chemical byproducts from the synthesizing process in your vapes or edibles.
What Does Delta 8 THC Look Like
You’re probably going to see Delta 8 THC in edibles, vapes, or topical creams. This means that you will rarely see the extract itself.
In its natural state, Delta 8 THC is either clear or has a transparent, colored tint. Delta 8 THC can be pink, amber, or golden.
Delta 8 THC tends to take on an amber or golden color when it includes other cannabinoids and terpenes. However, if your Delta 8 THC looks dark brown or is no longer transparent, this could be a sign that potentially hazardous chemicals from the isomerization process were left over.
Different Types of Delta 8 THC
There are several different types of Delta 8 THC available in the market. This is a very popular cannabinoid, and you’re going to be able to find it everywhere from in everything and from vape cartridges to topical creams.
Let’s take a look at a few of the most common types of Delta 8.
Full Spectrum Delta-8
If you’ve hung around the world of cannabinoids long enough, you have definitely heard the term full-spectrum before. Much like CBD, Delta 8 THC can come in full-spectrum or as an isolate.
Full spectrum Delta 8 THC contains not only Delta 8, but also other cannabinoids as well. These are typically in trace amounts, but they are present inside of the final product. These include CBD, CBG, and good old-fashioned THC.
Full spectrum products have the advantage of evoking the Entourage Effect. This is the theorized interaction between the various cannabinoids and terpenes inside of cannabis products.
There is some evidence to suggest that the Entourage Effect yields a better overall result than individual cannabinoids can alone.
With that said, some individuals prefer pure Delta 8 isolate because that has a much more consistent effect. This is especially useful if you’re looking to get a specific medicinal benefit from your Delta 8 THC.
Terped Delta 8
Now we have to talk about a much more interesting type of Delta 8. “Terped” Delta 88 contains not only the Delta 8 THC but also terpenes from the cannabis plant as well.
Terpenes are the chemical compounds that give a cannabis plant its unique scent and taste. Whether we’re talking about citrus, berry, or a classic dank diesel aroma, that’s all terpenes at work.
Terpenes can also have a beneficial effect. That Entourage Effect we talked about just a minute ago includes terpenes as well as cannabinoids.
Terped Delta 8 contains terpenes added back into the Delta 8 after it has been synthesized.
Different Delta 8 THC Products
Delta 8 THC can be found in many different kinds of products. Because it’s a synthesized extract, Delta 8 THC can be added to everything from vapes to oils and topical creams.
You can pick the right Delta 8 THC product for you. If vaping isn’t your thing, you can use Delta THC oil as a sublingual drop under your tongue to get a very similar effect from this cannabinoid.
Here’s a short list of just a few of the Delta 8 THC products you can find.
- Gummies and Edibles
- Vapes
- Oils
- Topical Creams
How to Use Delta 8 THC
You’ve got plenty of options when it comes to how you use Delta 8 THC. Let’s take a look at a few of the most common choices.
If your Delta 8 THC comes in a pure form, you’re going to need a dab rig in order to inhale this particular cannabinoid. All you’ll have to do is place a small amount of your Delta 8 THC, known as a dab, on your rig in order to flash vaporize it.
Speaking of vaping, Delta 8 THC most commonly appears in vape cartridges. All you’ll need to do is find a high-quality Delta 8 THC cartridge and a 510 thread vape battery to enjoy that type of Delta 8 THC product.
Edibles and Delta 8 THC oils are taken orally. Instead of consuming the Delta 8 THC like with an edible, Delta 8 THC oil is held underneath the tongue to be absorbed into the bloodstream.
Topicals are becoming another popular choice for cannabinoid extracts and isomers. These are meant to be rubbed on areas of the body in order to get a beneficial effect. This probably won’t get you high, but it will potentially have an anti-inflammatory or pain-relieving effect.
How Delta 8 THC Feels
People often wonder how Delta 8 THC feels when it comes to the high.
Delta 8 THC is incredibly similar to regular Delta 9-THC. This means they also have a very similar effect.
You can expect a euphoric high when you use Delta 8 THC. However, it’s all so much weaker than regular Delta 9-THC which means the effects are much more mild and laid-back.
This also means that Delta 8 THC is an excellent choice for anyone who is new to the world of cannabis and looking to start things off easy.
What Are the Effects of Delta 8 THC
The high of Delta 8 THC and Delta 9-THC are very similar, so it stands to reason that their effects are also very similar.
Delta 8 THC is often used for managing chronic pain. Since it has less of a psychoactive effect, it’s a great choice for people who are looking for medicinal benefits, but with a much more mild high.
Delta 8 is also recognized as being one of the best choices for individuals looking for the mental benefits of smoking cannabis. The light euphoria helps balance out mood and the mild high is a great choice for people who are worried about anxiety.
How to Dose Delta 8 THC
Here’s a quick guide for dosing Delta 8 THC.
The first thing you want to know about dosing any cannabinoid is that you want to start low and slow. This means starting off with a lower dose and slowly working your way up towards a higher dose that has the effect you’re looking for.
In the medical scene, this is called titration. Titration means continually adjusting your dosing until you’ve reached the desired effect.
Since Delta 8 THC is much weaker than Delta 9-THC, a starting dose of between 5mg and 10mg is a very safe place for most people to begin.
If you’re worried about how you will respond to this particular cannabinoid, it’s always a good idea to start with a lower dose to begin with.
If you’re an experienced cannabis user, you might need to start with a higher dose of Delta 8 THC. Your body will be more accustomed to these stronger effects of Delta 9-THC which means you might need a little extra Delta 8 to get the experience you’re looking for.
Delta 8 THC Safety
Delta 8 THC is a naturally occurring cannabinoid. This means it’s likely very safe to use. If you ever smoked regular cannabis, you’ve likely been exposed to some small levels of Delta 8 THC.
With that said, we want to be upfront about where the current medical research is at. Delta 8 THC is just beginning to be studied which means we don’t know much scientific information about how it is used and its potential side effects.
We can also turn to the community to check in on how safe Delta 8 THC can be. There are people regularly using Delta 8 THC for recreation as well as potential medical benefits.
One thing that you need to keep in mind is that you always want to buy your Delta 8 THC from a reliable source. You want to make sure that your Delta 8 THC is free of any possible chemical contaminants from the manufacturing process. Those are going to be some of your biggest risks when using this product.
Delta 8 THC Legality
Delta 8 THC is a naturally occurring extract of the cannabis plant. This means that the 2018 Farm Bill made Delta 8 THC legal on a federal level. However, things get much more complicated at the state and local levels. There are even a few states that have banned Delta 8 THC.
This means you should always check with your state and local laws before trying to buy Delta 8 THC vape cartridges online.
Can You Fly with Delta 8 THC?
There’s a major legal gray area when it comes to flying with Delta 8 THC. In short, we recommend not flying with Delta 8 THC until the legislation becomes much more clear about what is allowed and what is not.
It’s very hard to tell Delta 8 THC apart from regular THC without laboratory testing equipment. This means the TSA agents of the airport likely can’t tell the difference between Delta 8 THC and regular THC.
You run the risk of having your Delta 8 THC confiscated or worse which means it’s better to play it safe.
Delta 8 THC Cost
The cost of Delta 8 THC is pretty comparable to other cannabis extracts. You’ll be paying about the same for Delta THC as you would pay for CBD or CBG extracts.
With that said, you might want to spend a little bit more on your Delta 8 THC. This extract is much harder to make than CBD which means that the cost is naturally going to be a little bit higher.
Spending extra also ensures that you buy from a reliable retailer that is selling you a product free of any potential chemical contaminants.
Wrapping Up Your Guide to Delta 8 THC
Let’s do a quick refresh on the basics of Delta 8 THC.
Delta 8 THC is a naturally occurring cannabinoid. It’s about half the strength of regular Delta 9-THC. This means it’s a great choice for people who are worried about the potential side effects of regular THC but still want a euphoric high or the medicinal benefits associated with cannabis.
Start off with a mild dose and work your way up to the desired effect and you’re going to have a great time when it comes to enjoying Delta 8 THC.