1. What is delta 8?
Delta 8, also known simply as D-8 or delta 8 THC, is a chemical compound found in the cannabis sativa plant called a cannabinoid. Other cannabinoids of note include CBD and delta 9 THC. Though delta 8 is a cannabinoid like THC, it is much less potent than THC and is only found in small amounts in the cannabis plant.
Other cannabis products like marijuana and CBD products are currently more popular than delta 8, but delta 8 products are rising in popularity lately. There’s a good reason for that, too. Delta 8 offers a variety of benefits to those who use delta 8 products.
2. What are the benefits of delta 8?
Similar to delta 9 THC, delta 8 has a psychoactive effect that can leave the user feeling relaxed, euphoric, and even relieved of pain. These effects are milder with delta 8 than with delta 9 THC, though. The lower potency of delta 8 offers similar effects at a lower level.
3. What are the side effects of delta 8?
There are several different potential side effects of using delta 8. People who have used delta 8 report experiencing side effects including:
- Lack of coordination
- Increased heart rate
- Dry mouth
- Memory loss
- Anxiety
- Red eyes
- Delayed reactions
It’s unlikely for someone to have an adverse reaction to delta 8, but these and other side effects are possible.
4. Is delta 8 legal?
The legality of delta 8, as with other compounds found in the cannabis plant, is complicated.
Under the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp and hemp-derivated that contain less than 0.3 percent delta 9 THC are legal at the federal level. The problem is that delta 8 does not occur naturally in hemp plants in large quantities. As a result, some manufacturers of delta 8 products make delta 8 by converting CBD into delta 8 synthetically. Delta 8 products made this way exist in a much murkier legal realm.
There are also state laws to consider. Delta 8 products are prohibited in the following states, regardless of federal law: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Mississippi, Montana, Rhode Islands, and Utah.
If you want to buy delta 8 products, you should make sure you’re not in one of those states and that the product you’re buying adheres to federal law.
5. How is delta 8 produced?
Although delta 8 does occur naturally in the cannabis sativa plant, it’s present in such low levels that delta 8 extraction is not common. Instead, manufacturers of delta 8 products often make delta 8 through a synthetic process starting with cannabidiol (CBD) extracted from hemp. This process generally yields a high concentration of delta 8, plus low concentrations of by-products and other cannabinoids.
6. How do I use delta 8?
There are many different ways to use delta 8, depending on the type of delta 8 product you have. Some products like delta 8 gummies, delta 8 edibles, and delta 8 oil are generally used by consuming them orally. The products then go through the digestive tract and produce effects within an hour or two.
Other delta 8 products like vape cartridges and delta 8 flower are meant to be inhaled. Inhaling delta 8 will produce effects much quicker than other methods of use. You can expect to feel the effects of delta 8 as quickly as 15 minutes when inhaling it.
It’s also possible to find topical delta 8 products, though they’re less common. With delta 8 topicals, all you need to do to feel the effects of the THC is apply the topical product to the area where you want to experience targeted relief.
7. What are the risks associated with delta 8?
There’s still not enough research to determine conclusively what effect delta 8 can have on a person’s overall long-term health. Even so, there are some risks associated with using delta 8 that you should be aware of. It’s always possible, although unlikely, to have an adverse reaction to using delta 8. It’s possible to experience side effects like low blood pressure, slow or fast heart rate, drowsiness, confusion, numbness, and anxiety.
If you try a delta 8 product and notice any of these side effects, you should contact your doctor or seek emergency services in extreme cases.
8. What are the long-term effects of delta 8?
More scientific research is required to determine the long-term effects of delta 8. Currently, it’s unclear what the long-term side effects of using delta 8 are and how high the risk is of experiencing those long-term effects.
9. Is delta 8 addictive?
Though many people think that delta 8 is not at all addictive, that’s not entirely true. Delta 8 can actually be mildly addictive since it’s a substance that alters body and mind function. Remember that delta 8 is a psychoactive substance.
People can start to rely on delta 8 to provide an escape from reality or problems like stress, anxiety, and depression. Someone who consistently turns to delta 8 to deal with these issues once or multiple times per day may be getting addicted to it.
The good news is that it’s highly unusual to experience withdrawal symptoms after stopping the use of delta 8 THC. Mild withdrawal symptoms only affect those who were dealing with severe cases of addiction.
10. Where can I find delta 8?
Delta 8 products are available from a variety of online and brick-and-mortar retailers. You can usually receive delta 8 products in the mail as long as you don’t live in one of the states that don’t allow delta 8:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Mississippi
- Montana
- Rhode Island
- Utah
- Washington
11. How does delta 8 work?
Delta 8 affects the body by binding to the endocannabinoid system and producing a “high” feeling.
The endocannabinoid system is a widespread system that sends signals between cells all throughout the brain and the rest of the body. It’s responsible for helping to regulate several essential processes in the body like stress responses, mood, memory, pain, and immunity.
Since delta 8 interacts with the endocannabinoid system in the body, it can have an effect on any or all of these processes.
12. How is delta 8 different from other cannabinoids?
Delta 8 has plenty in common with other cannabinoids.
In particular, delta 8 and delta 9 have a lot of overlap since they are both forms of THC. The only difference between the structure of the two compounds is the location of a double bond between carbon atoms. In delta 8, the double bond is on the eighth carbon atom in the chain while delta 9’s double bond is on the ninth carbon atom.
That may sound like an inconsequential difference, but it’s the reason why delta 9 THC is so much more potent than delta 8 THC. Delta 9 THC is also considerably more abundant in the cannabis plant compared to delta 8.
Delta 10 THC is another cannabinoid that has a lot in common with delta 8. The main difference between delta 8 THC and delta 10 THC is their respective potency levels. Delta 8 is less potent than delta 9, but it’s more potent than delta 10.
The user experience is also different when using delta 8 compared to delta 10. Delta 8 is said to produce a soothing, relaxing effect, while delta 10’s effect is more uplifting.
13. How is delta 8 metabolized?
The liver is the primary organ responsible for metabolizing delta 8. It will break the delta 8 into smaller metabolites using enzymes. Those metabolites will then get removed from the body by the kidneys.
14. How long does delta 8 stay in your system?
A common question when trying a new compound is “how long will it stay in your system?” With delta 8, the answer depends on a variety of factors. On the whole, delta 8 will stay in your body for less time than delta 9 THC.
Still, how long it takes to leave your body will depend on how much delta 8 you used and how often you use delta 8. A typical range for the amount of time delta 8 stays in your system is five days to two weeks.
The more delta 8 you ingested, the longer it will take for all the delta 8 to leave your system. Also, if you frequently use delta 8, it will take longer to leave your system than if you only use delta 8 once in a while.
The last factor to consider in how long delta 8 will stay in your system is your metabolism and body type. Some people just naturally metabolize delta 8 and other compounds quicker than others. In general, expect to need 14 days for the delta 8 to leave your system entirely just in case.
15. How does delta 8 affect the body?
Delta 8 affects the body by interacting with the endocannabinoid system in the brain and the rest of the body. When the delta 8 molecules bind to the cannabinoid receptors in the endocannabinoid system, that interaction produces the pleasant effects associated with delta 8 use. You can expect these effects to wear off within three to eight hours of using the delta 8 products.
16. Who is the target audience for delta 8?
The target audience for delta 8 is people who are interested in cannabis products and want to branch out. Previously, there wasn’t that much variety in the cannabis product market. Now, you can find a wide variety of cannabis products, including delta 8 products. They’re great for anyone who wants to feel relaxed, clearheaded, and euphoric.
17. Who stands to benefit the most from delta 8?
Delta 8 is most beneficial for people who are looking to experience a mild psychoactive effect that’s similar to a toned-down delta 9 THC experience.
18. Who is the most likely to be harmed by delta 8?
Children and teens are the most likely to be harmed by delta 8 if they get their hands on it. In places where delta 8 is legal, the minimum age is still 21 years old to protect the health and safety of children. Though the side-effects of delta 8 on adults are relatively rare and mild, they could be severe to a child. The larger the dose, the greater the danger the delta 8 poses to the child.
Anyone who uses delta 8 products and has children in the house should be sure to carefully secure their delta 8 products. They should be completely out of reach and inaccessible to the children. If a child is exposed to delta 8, you should immediately take them to the doctor or the emergency room, especially if you don’t know how much they ingested.
19. Who is the most likely to use delta 8?
Customers who enjoy the effects of delta 9 THC but are looking for a milder experience are probably the most likely to use and enjoy delta 8. As the “nicer younger sibling” of delta 9, delta 8 is the perfect choice for people who want to experience a milder effect of relaxation, pain relief, and euphoria.
20. Where is delta 8 found?
Delta 8 is naturally found in the cannabis sativa plant in low quantities. It can also be produced in a synthetic process using cannabidiol (CBD).
21. Where does delta 8 come from?
Delta 8 is a chemical compound called a cannabinoid that comes from the cannabis plant. The delta 8 found in delta 8 products is usually made by synthetically converting CBD into delta 8.
22. Where can I buy delta 8?
You can buy delta 8 online or in person from the many delta 8 retailers in business nationwide. Just make sure to be aware of state, local, and federal laws governing delta 8 products where you live.
23. Where can I find delta 8 near me?
It’s often easy to find delta 8 products in a local brick-and-mortar retail store near you. Check your local vape stores and gas stations or head online to search for online stores that ship to your location.
