These are considered to be the ABCs of cannabis – what you may call ‘canna-scripture’!
Although everyone is familiar with delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as THC, delta-8 has been on everyone’s lips for the past couple of years. Not even CBD had a fame streak like Delta-8!
Naturally, the question on everyone’s mind is – what is delta-8? That’s why today we’re going over the main aspects of this intriguing cannabis compound.
So, for everyone still debating, let’s get into the topic.
What is Delta-8?
Delta-8 is a cannabis compound known for its significant similarities to delta-9. For this reason, talking about delta-8 is hard without at least mentioning delta-9 when going over its properties.
Both cannabinoids can get you high and are considered THC forms, although the effects are slightly different. Furthermore, because of the similarities of the two compounds, many people tend to confuse what is delta-8.
The delta-8 compound is usually derived from either cannabis or hemp. However, it is worth mentioning that most delta-8 products are hemp-derived mainly because of law regulations.
The delta-8 compound has recently been in the limelight because its effects are considerably less intense than the THC everyone’s already familiar with. Users know what to expect and go with delta-8 when they’re in the mood for a mild high experience. When consuming a product that contains this compound, delta-8 binds to your endocannabinoid system and gets you high.
As of 2021, this psychoactive cannabinoid has seen substantial growth among hemp-derived products.
Is Delta-8 Legal?
The legality of delta-8 is a grey area. The compound is unregulated in the US because of 2018’s farm bill that legalized hemp. So, any products containing hemp-derived delta-8 should be considered legal.
For this reason, vendors sell and produce tinctures and different edibles containing the cannabinoid. Nowadays, you’re probably safe in most places – make sure to learn about your local cannabis laws if you’ve got any doubts!
How is Delta-8 Made?
Like we mentioned above, it’s legal to grow hemp flowers all around the US; therefore, delta-8 is commonly derived from hemp flowers instead of cannabis.
In short, after the CBD is extracted from the flower, it is first refined into an isolate and then synthesized into delta-8. For this reason, the compound demands more processing than the delta-9 cannabinoid. Once the whole process finishes, delta-8 is ready to be used in various products like tinctures or gummies for people to enjoy.
Today, there is a vast palette of products containing delta-8 you can purchase and enjoy.
Effects of Delta-8
Besides being aware of what is delta-8, its origins, and how it’s made – understanding its effects is of utmost importance.
As mentioned above, delta-8 has similar effects to regular THC. So, feeling happiness, excitement, euphoria, or even relief from any physical pain is all part of the delta-8 high-ride. However, the complete sensation is less strong than the effects of the delta-9 compound. Hence, beginners are now finding out what is delta-8 and are sticking to the mild journey. Additionally, many who enjoy the effects of any cannabinoids but don’t necessarily enjoy the effects of THC also go with delta-8 variants.
On the other hand, some of the negative side-effects that might appear from consuming delta-8 are:
- Short-term memory loss;
- Anxiety or paranoia;
- Dry mouth;
- Red eyes.
Moreover, it’s worth mentioning that delta-8 hasn’t been researched properly, and there might be other side effects on the human body and mind that are yet to come to the surface.
Delta-8 Dosage
Another common question among cannabis enthusiasts is what is delta 8’s appropriate dosage of intake.
Because the compound has less significant effects even over moderate users, the dosage is usually doubled. If regular delta-9 THC gummies come in 10mg, delta-8 gummies come in 25mg. So based on this, the recommended dosage of delta-8 products is at least half as much as delta-9 products.
Even though there are no registered cases of any severe adverse effects of using the compound, it’s advisable not to go over the recommended dosage.
In Conclusion
There’s a good reason delta-8 is becoming widely popular on the cannabis scene. From its light effects to legal regulations – the cannabinoid is a force to be reckoned with. It’s crucial to know what is delta-8 and why everyone’s head over heels from its smooth high before using it.
Knowing where it comes from, how it’s extracted, and how you can use it will immensely benefit you and your health. Finally, we advise you always to consume products containing delta-8 that have been tested and approved by relevant bodies.