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The cannabis industry is evolving quickly. Each year, we are learning more about this cannabis plant as studies pile on. At the same time, the whole world is changing its stance towards cannabis, and many countries are legalizing and liberalizing it.
In the past ten years, consumers have introduced themselves to many new products made out of this plant. Today, people can find marijuana in many forms, including buds, edibles, oil, tinctures, etc. Most people have also heard about different cannabinoids that come from the same plant.
The two most known types are CBD and THC, but there are even more discoveries out there. These compounds don’t have only a single type. Delta 8 is one of the recently discovered types of THC. It’s quickly growing popular around the US so let’s talk about what it is.
Delta 8 explained
If you are new to the cannabis industry, all the science and terms can get a bit confusing. Due to lack of knowledge, most cannabinoids have been generalized in the past. For example, as we mentioned earlier, THC is short for tetrahydrocannabinol, but not all THC is the same.
Delta 8 is one of the types of THC, and it gets its name from the type of chemical bond it has. It has similar effects to the Delta 9 type, but it’s also different in many ways. Delta 8 comes from both hemp and cannabis plants, but there is a small amount in each plan.
This is why it’s extremely rare, but it can be derived with specific processing, extraction, and breeding approaches. In addition, many manufacturers are starting to produce Delta 8 products with pure formula meaning that users can get untainted Delta 8 THC.
The chemical bond of delta 8 THC
Delta 8 has a double carbon bond in its molecular chain located in its 8th position. It’s where it gets its name from. On the other hand, Delta 9 has this same bond in the 9th position. Even though this might not seem a huge difference, it’s the main reason these two types have different properties.
Delta 8 Effects
Now we know that there are different THC cannabinoids out there, but why should anyone care? Even though Delta 8 and Delta 9 THC are pretty similar, they are also crucially different in many aspects. For example, CBD is praised because it doesn’t have psychoactive effects, but Delta 8 also induces “high.”
It works similarly to the “9,” but the high is weaker. One way of describing its effects is that it gives a “light high” compared to its stronger brother. Delta 8 enhances appetite and gives a euphoric feeling, but the effects are milder.
Depending on the cannabinoids and terpene profile, it can either relax users or give them more energy. Due to its less intense effects, the chances of adverse effects caused by cannabis are also lower. Delta 8 also uplifts users, gives them focus, and relaxes them.
Delta 8 THC and its potential benefits
Since it was discovered only recently, there aren’t that many studies on Delta 8 yet. But one research shows that it can help with nausea, relieve pain, reduce anxiety, and give a wide range of neuroprotective benefits.
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Less intense high
People use cannabis for recreational and medical needs. Delta 8 can potentially help both of these groups. Many recreational users don’t like to have a less intense experience and look for strains that have smoother effects.
They want to relax mildly or get a stimulating effect that won’t overwhelm them. But, on the other hand, many people who use cannabis for medical reasons don’t enjoy the high. In this case, Delta 8 would be a far better alternative for this group of people.
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Helps with nausea
Delta 8 can be effective for treating vomiting and nausea. THC is known to successfully prevent vomiting for a long time, and Delta 8 shares the same capabilities. It can both prevent vomiting and relieve nausea.
But compared to its relative, Delta 8 has milder psychoactive effects making it a preferred choice. This is potentially an excellent medicine for people going through chemotherapy and might feel nausea as a side-effect.
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Helps with pain
A lot of people have started using Delta 8 for treating pain. There is concrete evidence that shows how effective Delta 8 is for helping people suffering from chronic pain. Most people have chronic pain caused by inflammation.
THC is effective for both neuropathic and central pain. This is because it can reduce the actual causes of the pain and not just numb the person who is using it. At the same time, it regulates glutamate, dopamine, and serotonin to reduce cell communication that sends pain signals.
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Neuroprotective benefits
THC has often been praised for its beneficial effects on protecting the brain. In the case of Delta 8, it regulates calcium and potassium channels located within the nervous system. But it also inhibits adenylyl cyclase to protect the brain and keep it healthy.
Delta 8 THC affects acetylcholine and choline, making it a potential medicine for treating various mental health conditions. Research also shows that it promotes neuron growth making its neuroprotective effects even better.
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Appetite increase
Compared to Delta 9 THC, Delta 8 has more potent therapeutic effects. There are indications that its medical properties are twice as effective. In addition, lots of users claim that Delta 8 gives them a stronger appetite. This THC type also regulates the absorption of nutrients.
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Helps with anxiety
There is a lot of evidence showing that THC can help treat anxiety. However, some people who have anxiety don’t respond well when using Delta 9. The potential issue here could be that the intense high can lead to anxiety and paranoia with some users.
This is not an issue with Delta 8 because it has smooth psychoactive effects. In other words, it could potentially be the better option for treating this condition. Delta 8 will help the user relax but without the risks of overwhelming them and giving opposite results.
Why is Delta 8 THC growing in popularity?
With its unique effects, this THC type has grown in popularity quickly. As a result, people use it in many different situations for different purposes. For example, for those new to cannabis and who would like to try it out for the first time, Delta 8 could be the best option.
Lots of beginners who try out Delta 9 the first time have a very intense experience. This is particularly true for people who are trying out edibles for the first time. New users often have paranoia, and they get overwhelmed by these strong effects.
Delta 8, on the other hand, is mild and could let people learn what cannabis is all about and how it works. Furthermore, users often want to get a milder high when they are in a crowd of people and would like to have more clarity, focus, and less social anxiety.
Delta 8 THC dosage
When it comes to cannabis, there are no strict guidelines that can recommend the exact amount you need. This is because everyone reacts differently to a variety of products. THC also gives different effects with different consumption methods and the amount the user takes.
You will have to take the time and experiment until you’ve found the “right” dosage for yourself. However, the best option is to start slow and gradually increase. But what is a small dose for people who don’t have experience with Delta 8?
When vaping, you should start with a single quick pull. If you’re trying out edibles, cut them into half or thirds. With tinctures, two drops should be enough. Consider keeping a log with how much you took and what you felt once the effects started kicking in.
Is Delta 8 THC legal?
Even though Delta 8 and Delta 9 have a similar chemical structure, their names are perceived entirely differently. In the US, products that don’t have Delta 9 and are derived from hemp fit into the CBD category. Simply put, it means that Delta 8 is not regulated and that can be used freely.
It’s not legal, but it’s not illegal either, making it widely available at many stores that sell CBD and other cannabis products. There are some stories about Delta 8 being tested by the FDA soon, but no preparations have been made yet.
Some people are also voicing their opinions that Delta 8 should be put into a different category than Delta 9. After all, this type has a much lower kick than its relative. What’s important is to look for hemp-derived Delta 8 if cannabis isn’t legal in your state.
Most reliable Delta 8 brands
Like with other cannabis products, not all Delta 8 you find out there will be good. It’s important to find high-quality Delta 8 to get all of the benefits you are looking for. Since Delta 8 isn’t widely available, and it is difficult to derive large amounts, many brands offer poorly concentrated Delta 8 products.
It’s also relatively new to the market; there aren’t many suppliers out there. In other words, you need to find the best brands out there to get products that will show you the potential of Delta 8. So to make things easier for you, we’ve decided to share some of our top brands.
8DELTA8
This is probably the most known Delta 8 brand globally. The company is dominating the market and selling its products worldwide. 8DELTA8 has many different products made out of Delta 8, and their customers can even buy them in bulk.
All of their products are labeled and offer all the details you need about them. What makes this brand stand out is that all of the information about the production method is public. The official website offers information about the ingredients used for making their products.
Most importantly, all of their products come from organically grown hemp. Lots of people praise them for excellent customer support and say that the website is very responsive. In addition, all of the 8DELTA8 products are lab-tested.
Plain Jane
This is a very reliable vendor with a serious background. Plain Jane offers many different products, but they’ve recently started to bring in more hemp products into their offer. You can find hemp cigarettes, Delta 8 flowers, edibles, and so much more.
All of the hemp products on the site come from Oregon, known for its hemp farms. Plain Jane has affordable prices and an excellent track record with hemp products. This store is especially good for people who like to try different THC types, CBD, and isolates.
Industrial Hemp Farms
This brand sells and produces all of its Delta 8 products. In addition, all of the products in their store are made directly by the brand with their approach. Simply put, Industrial Hemp Farms have control of the whole production process.
If you’re looking for variety, this is the place to try out. The brand is a well-respected name in the industry with a developed supply chain, production capacities, and competitive prices. In addition, all of the products in their store are lab-tested by a third party.
Conclusion
So is Delta 8 worth trying? The answer is yes! The whole hype around it isn’t just a marketing trend that will quickly disappear. Delta 8 comes in many different forms, so make sure to find what works for you best.
Many people have tried it out and have only praises for this new THC. As time passes, we are only expecting to see more research that proves its excellent benefits.
