CBD companies could start losing their market share as Delta-8 THC products become more readily available.
Step aside, CBD and THC. While Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC are similar, this new cannabinoid has plenty of unique properties. As Delta-8 THC becomes more popular, more people are showing an interest in this cannabinoid’s abilities.
Are you looking to buy Delta-8 THC? There’s a lot you need to know about this cannabinoid before you do.
Discover everything you need to know about Delta-8 THC with this in-depth guide today!
What is Delta-8?
Scientists and researchers have dug into the cannabis flower’s capabilities for years. Its chemical compounds (cannabinoids) interact with receptors in our bodies. These interactions create a list of mental and physical effects.
The cannabis plant contains about 540 chemical substances and over 100 cannabinoids. Two of these cannabinoids include CBD and THC. THC is also known as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol.
It’s one of the better-known cannabinoids. THC is most commonly associated with its psychoactive effects. It’s the reason cannabis can get you high.
Before you buy Delta-8 THC, you should know it’s one of the four most common cannabinoids. It’s also quite similar to THC. The two are chemically different by only a few atomic bonds.
What is Delta-8, exactly? In some cases, it’s considered a degraded form of THC. It’s not directly produced by cannabis’ cannabinoid-synthesizing enzymes.
Instead, THC gets stored for a certain amount of time. As it degrades, it forms into Delta-8. That’s why they’re chemically similar.
The “8” in the name refers to the placement of a chemical bond. It’s one step over from Delta-9’s placement.
Both are capable of stimulating appetite and reducing nausea. They could help relieve pain symptoms, too. However, their psychotropic potencies are a little different.
Before you determine where to buy Delta-8, you should know it has a lower potency than Delta-9. Since Delta-8’s potency is lower, it could offer less intense side effects.
With Delta-8, you might not experience paranoia, anxiety, disorientation, or fogginess. However, everyone reacts to THC a little differently. Keep that in mind when you buy Delta-8 online.
How is Delta-8-THC Distillate Made?
Delta-8-THC distillate is created using fractional distillation of the cannabis flower and trim. Manufacturers use vacuums, temperature variations, and specialized equipment during the initial phase. Then, they can covert Delta-9-THC into Delta-8-THC to isolate the finished product.
Isolating Delta-8 allows manufacturers to purify specific cannabinoids. They’re able to remove any residual impurities and solvents. The end result is free of any undesirable compounds.
They’re able to produce a refined, potent, and clean product as a result.
Delta-8-THC also is made using a chemical reaction of solvents, cannabinoids, and catalysts. It’s important to choose a high-quality product with its certificate of approval (COA). Otherwise, you could purchase a product with heavy metals and pesticides.
Understanding what’s in the finished product can ensure product purity. You don’t want to end up with a diluted product.
Can It Make You High?
Yes; Delta-8-THC can make you feel high. The product is more intoxicating to some than others. How people react to Delta-8-THC can differ based on their age, gender, weight, and other factors.
If you plan to buy Delta-8 online, make sure to consult a doctor beforehand. Otherwise, avoid driving or operating machinery while using THC.
While it can make you high, remember: Delta-8 THC has only 70% of THC’s potency. You might not experience the results you’re expecting. Remain realistic before you buy Delta-8 for the first time.
Is It Legal?
Don’t Google “Delta-8 where to buy” just yet! Make sure it’s legal to buy, first.
According to most federal and state laws, yes; Delta-8 THC is legal to purchase. However, you’ll need to check the label first. Make sure the product doesn’t contain over 0.3% THC.
Only products that contain less than 0.3% are legal to buy.
Make sure to check your local and state laws before purchasing Delta-8-THC, too. Companies can’t ship their products to areas where local laws conflict with H.R. 2: The Agricultural Act of 2018.
This is also known as the 2018 Farm Bill.
Most companies won’t take responsibility if you purchase Delta-8-THC in an area where the Farm Bill prohibits its use. You’ll take full responsibility.
Is Delta-8 legal to use federally? Yes. Delta-8-THC is federally legal and legal in most states.
However, companies might not ship these products to:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Delaware
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Mississippi
- Montana
- Nebraska
In fact, Delta-8 is legal in more states than you might think. You can read this 3chi.com article for more information.
Delta-8 is getting more popular, too. If you want to buy Delta-8 flower, know the average prices have increased 18% year-over-year. Shop around to find a price that suits your budget.
Will It Show Up on a Drug Test?
If a drug test is looking for Delta-9-THC metabolites, Delta-8-THC metabolites could trigger the results. In other words, yes; Delta-8-THC might show up on a drug test.
If you have a drug test scheduled, consider setting your Delta-8 aside for the time being.
Understanding the ECS
How exactly does Delta-8 influence the body? How do its effects different from Delta-9’s?
Before we can answer these questions, you’ll need to learn more about your endocannabinoid system (ECS).
The ECS is a complex, cell-signaling system found within every mammal. Since cannabis was discovered first, the ECS was actually named with it in mind.
“Endogenous” means a substance that’s produced by the body, while “cannabinoid” refers to cannabis. In other words, the ECS refers to cannabis-like molecules found in humans.
Cannabis and Delta-8-THC wouldn’t have an effect if we didn’t have the endocannabinoid system. Delta-8-THC interacts with the ECS to provide therapeutic effects, like the sensation of getting high.
What Does It Do?
The ECS functions to keep our bodies in balance. The system includes endocannabinoids, receptors, and enzymes. Working together, these compounds ensure our bodies maintain homeostasis.
Homeostasis is also known as the Goldilocks effect. Our bodies recognize something’s wrong and use the ECS to fix the problem. Our ECS keeps everything “just right.”
For example, if you’re hurt, the ECS will use inflammation to help you heal from an illness or injury.
Even if external factors impact the body, homeostasis keeps our internal environment stable.
The ECS is responsible for various functions throughout our bodies, including:
- Immune system responses
- Skin and nerve function
- Cardiovascular system function
- Reproductive system function
- Bone remodeling and growth
- Muscle formation
- Metabolism
- Live function
- Inflammation
- Sleep
- Appetite and digestion
- Learning and memory
- Mood
- Chronic pain
- Motor control
One of the ECS’s main functions is regulating inflammation. Inflammation is the immune system’s response to illness, invaders, or injury. It helps remove germs and repairs damaged cells.
Without the ECS, inflammation might cause damage instead of fixing it. Excessive inflammation is associated with serious conditions, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Cancer, autoimmune disorders, and neurodegenerative disorders are associated with inflammation, too.
Your ECS can help regulate inflammation levels to manage your inflammatory response.
How Does It Work?
Remember, your ECS is made of three main components: endocannabinoids, receptors, and enzymes.
Endocannabinoids activate the body’s cannabinoid receptors. They operate similarly to phytocannabinoids like THC and CBD.
There are two main endocannabinoids: AEA and 2-AG. They’re located on cell membranes.
Your body synthesizes endocannabinoids on-demand. It only produces endocannabinoids when your body needs them.
Endocannabinoids bind with receptors that are located throughout the body. Then, the ECS will signal the receptors to complete a specific action.
There are two main receptors: CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptors are located on the surface of your cells, mainly in the brain. CB2 receptors are located outside of the nervous system.
Then you have enzymes. Enzymes break down cannabinoids and endocannabinoids once they’re used. There are two: FAAH and MAGL.
FAAH breaks down AEA and MAGL breaks down 2-AG. This ensures the endocannabinoids don’t go above and beyond.
Otherwise, the ECS can fail to function properly.
Cannabis and the ECS
Now that you know how the ECS works, let’s talk about cannabis’s effect on the body.
Phytocannabinoids like THC can interact with your ECS.
THC is a powerful phytocannabinoid because it’s able to bind to CB1 and CB2 receptors. It’s therefore able to have an effect on the mind and body.
For example, you might experience pain relief. Some people experience anxiety or paranoia symptoms. Others get hungry.
Delta-9-THC will attach to the CB1 receptors in your brain. Then, AEA will attach to the same receptor. Together, they can produce a soothing effect.
Once the receptor triggers a response, the FAAH enzyme will break the AEA down. It won’t immediately break down the THC, though. This delay allows THC to produce prolonged benefits.
CBD, on the other hand, can stop FAAH from breaking AEA down. AEA can then prolong its soothing effects. That’s why many people turn to CBD for therapeutic benefits.
Delta-8 and the ECS
What about Delta-8?
Delta-8-THC will bind to the body’s CB1 receptors, which are located primarily in the brain. Delta-8 has an affinity for the CB2 receptors around the nervous system, too. However, more research is needed to determine Delta-8’s full effect on CB2 receptors.
While Delta-8 does have psychoactive properties, its low potency leads some people to confuse it with CBD. Like CBD and Delta-9, Delta-8 could produce feelings of:
- Relaxation
- Euphoria
- Energy
- Focus
- Reduced pain
- Decreased nausea
It might offer neuroprotective and anti-anxiety benefits as well.
Why should you buy Delta-8? For starters, it does have unique properties. If you’re curious, it’s a great way to explore various types of cannabinoids.
Trying Delta-8 also allows you to experience some of the effects of Delta-9 without the full high. If Delta-9’s potency is too strong for you, consider Delta-8 instead.
There are different application methods available, including oils, edibles, vaping, and smoking.
Delta-8 vs. Delta-9
Remember, the main difference between Delta-8 and Delta-9 is their chemical bond placements. Both have double bonds within their molecular chains.
Dental-8 contains a bond on the 8th chain, while Delta-8 contains a bond on the 9th carbon chains. Hence the names.
This difference impacts how endocannabinoid receptors bind and interact with each molecule.
Delta-9 is less stable than Delta-8, too. Delta-9 is often oxidized, allowing it to become cannabinol, or CBN. The oxidation process can also produce Delta-8.
Delta-8, on the other hand, is stable. You can’t oxidize Delta-8 to create CBN, though.
Another difference is their strength. Delta-8 is about half as strong as its predecessor.
Both can bind to the CB1 receptor, but their affinity for the receptor is different. Usually, the CB1 receptor mediates the psychotropic effects of THC.
The differential affinity is likely why Delta-8 produces feelings of reduced anxiety. Its molecular structure could impact how it interacts with neural pathways, too.
The Entourage Effect
Before you determine where to buy Delta-8, consider the entourage effect. The entourage effect occurs when THC interacts with other:
- Cannabinoids
- Flavonoids
- Terpenoids
- Cannabis compounds
Instead of choosing an isolate, you can purchase products that contain a mix of these ingredients. The combined compounds could produce enhanced effects.
Potential Benefits
Before you buy Delta-8, consider the effects you want to experience.
For example, Delta-8 might help relieve pain. Pain is often associated with excessive inflammation. By acting on the body’s ECS, Delta-8 could help reduce inflammation.
As inflammation fades, Delta-8 might deliver pain relief.
Delta-8 has anxiety-reducing qualities as well. It could produce a calm, focused high.
If you’re feeling nauseous, Delta-8 might help. It could benefit cancer treatment patients who experience nausea as a side effect, too. Delta-8 might stimulate their appetite as well.
Potential side effects include changes in blood flow.
More research is needed to explore Delta-8’s full range of benefits and side effects.
Digging into Delta-8: Everything Worth Knowing Before You Buy Delta-8-THC
Ready to buy Delta-8 for yourself? Keep this guide in mind! With this in-depth review, you can make an informed decision before buying Delta-8 for the first time.
Searching for more informative guides, tips, and tricks? We have exactly what you’re looking for.
Explore our latest articles today to get started.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.