Lately, Delta 8 THC discussions have become a common topic in the cannabis industry, yet it is still challenging to find in stores and online stores. It is in great demand for understandable reasons such as health benefits, legal status, and slightly high feeling but Delta 8 THC is also significant for patients who have found CBD (cannabidiol) therapy unsuccessful.
In California and other western US states, Delta-8 products are becoming more and more available. Especially in the form of extracts that are used for vaporizers. They are also available in sublingual drops (tinctures), gelly gummies, and soft drinks.
Many cannabis plants contain a minimal amount of Delta 8, so getting a usable amount of this compound takes a lot of processing and filtration. It is often described as an optimized, more sustainable version of traditional THC that exerts a moderate calming physical effect without much mental stimulation. In short, Delta 8 THC offers a more discreet result, thanks to which consumers can continue to concentrate and work without losing sight of the essentials and still feel the peace of mind that most expected from THC. Delta 8 THC ensures a clear high without any anxiety attacks or confusion, where you can feel in tune with yourself and much less changed than with Delta 9 THC yet observe an expanded or sharpened sensory perception, making it a great companion for outdoor activities.
What Is Delta 8?
Delta 8 THC mainly occurs in the dry cannabis flower in low amounts - mostly less than 1%, so it can be challenging to use in traditional smoking or vaporizing products. As expected, it is similar to Delta 9 THC of the cannabis plant, but there are differences in these compounds' chemical structures. Delta 8 has the double bond on the 8th carbon in the chain, while Delta 9 has the double bond on the molecular chain's 9th carbon.
The potency and stability of Delta 8 THC make it a precious chemical compound. Like Delta 9 THC, Delta-8 also has some psychoactive properties but less than Delta 9 THC. These compounds also have some similar medicinal benefits. Although Delta 8 THC was not discussed widely as other hemp plant components, it has been studied for decades. Studies show that Delta 8 can help reduce symptoms of nausea in chemotherapy patients and to shrink tumors.
There are no varieties of cannabis strains containing individually Delta 8 THC, as the cannabinoid is naturally produced in the plant only in very small proportions. The synthesis of Delta 8 THC begins with what is known as CBGA (cannabigerolic acid) - the acidic form of the cannabinoid CBG. It is the original molecule from which various cannabinoids are formed, and it is sometimes also referred to as the "mother cell of cannabis." In the mature cannabis plant, THCA develops from these mother cell molecules. When the harvested plants heat or are exposed to light, THCA is decarboxylated (it loses a molecule of carbon dioxide) and is converted to Delta 9 THC or, as it is known as THC. A special extraction, isolation, conversion, and refining process is necessary to obtain significant quantities of this particular cannabinoid. And then, an aging process through oxidation begins, which ultimately concludes in Delta 8 THC.
Since this lesser-known cannabinoid is formed through oxidation, it is also stable in the air. That makes it a connection with interesting pharmaceutical purposes. A significant disadvantage is that Delta 8 THC only occurs naturally in minimal portions below 1%, while Delta 9 THC can even reach a proportion of 30%, depending on the cannabis type. Therefore Delta 8 THC is unusually interesting in a refined form as a concentrate. The compound has shown exceptional promise in several studies, but it is not generally recognized or widely used yet.
Delta 8 THC is most commonly found in vape cartridges, Delta 8 THC capsules, or in ingestible forms (Delta 8 gummies, tinctures).
What Are The Effects Of Delta 8 THC?
One of Delta 8 THC's most common uses is as an antiemetic - to relieve nausea and stimulate the appetite. This cannabinoid is particularly useful for cancer treatment patients who often struggle with nausea. And as studies have shown, it also suitable for children. The new treatment results showed that vomiting attacks completely disappeared, and there were no significant side effects. In addition to this, the Israeli researchers discovered that they could give the children high doses of Delta 8 THC. It can maximize the antiemetic effect without the disadvantages of Delta 9 THC's psychoactivity.
Interestingly, the studies also showed that while the adults still felt a minor psychoactive effect using Delta 8, the children seemed to "immune" to it. Delta 8 THC can be helpful for people who have HIV or are going through chemotherapy. Delta 8 has revolutionary potential for these patients.
To avoid marijuana's side effects such as headaches and paranoia or dizziness and anxiety, many cannabis companies are turning THC into Delta 8 THC. Many people note that Delta 8 is smoother and can give a less anxious psychoactive experience.
Many positive claims are made about Delta 8 THC products, though scientists have yet to study the effects and possible side effects.
Studies have shown that Delta 8 THC can be defined as an analog of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that can inhibit nausea and vomiting, relieve anxiety, stimulate appetite, and relieve pain. It also has neuroprotective properties, which means that it combats the aging of nerve cells. Delta 8 THC binds to the CB1 and CB2 receptors of the body, located in the central nervous system. However, Delta 8 has a much less psychotropic effect than the well-known THC, which has the fresh cannabis plant.
Is Delta 8 THC Legal?
The laws can vary widely, but when the cannabis plant and all of its parts and components are no longer banned, Delta 8 THC is, of course, also legal. The answer is yes, but only in several US states. While Delta 8 THC is banned in some areas or has a legal exclusion in other areas, it is undoubtedly much less regulated than Delta 9 THC. In any US state, where THC is legal and approved for medical use, Delta 8 THC products are also permitted but with the correct prescription.
Delta 8 THC is legal in every US state where cannabis is legal. This rule applies as long as a medical system does not exclude THC and its analogs or requires minimum levels in cannabis-based products.
In every US state where THC and its analogs are illegal, but the sales of industrial hemp products are legally and independently regulated, Delta 8 THC enters a gray area with a possible legal circle, meaning it is technically not yet forbidden.