What is Delta 8 THC?

Although medical cannabis and CBD has already been widely transformational in the health and lifestyle markets, there’s still an immense amount of knowledge to discover about the cannabis plant. One of the more recent findings relate to the newly available products with delta-8-THC.  Delta-8 THC is another cannabinoid in the cannabis plant that has similar medical potential as delta-9-THC and can serve as a great alternative.  It does get you "high", has some additional health benefits, while having fewer side effects than delta-9 THC.  Besides that, it's also federally legal.   There is a lot to learn about this emerging cannabinoid.

For our Customers - Welcome! Please use the Coupon Code: DELTA20 for 20% off your entire order of all products!

Delta 8 THC Basics: Infographic

What is Delta 8 THC?

Delta-8-THC may be relatively unknown compared to delta-9 THC or CBD, but it is one of the four most common cannabinoids.  It is chemically very similar to those other cannabinoids, which is why it's easy to create from CBD or delta-9.  Let's review the basics of those other cannabinoids, CBD and delta-9 THC.

Delta-9 THC is what people are describing when they think of THC, which is most commonly associated with marijuana.  Delta-9 THC is responsible for positive health effects on your body, some negative side-effects (anxiety, paranoia, etc.), all while providing a psycho-active high. CBD is the cannabinoid that occurs in high concentration in hemp. It is used for it's many body-regulating and calming health effects.  CBD is commonly used for anxiety, sleep, chronic pain, depression, general health, sciatica, tendonitis, joint and muscle pain, neuropathy, cancer systems and more.

It may potentially provide the power of the positive health effects of both CBD and delta-9 THC, without many of the negative side-effects of delta-9 THC.  Delta-8 THC will however, unlike CBD, produce a mental high.  You will very often see it abbreviated as D8THC, D8-THC, D8 THC, ▲8THC, or ▲8.

How Is Delta 8 Made?

Delta-8 THC occurs naturally in hemp, but in relatively small concentrations.  For practical and economic reasons, delta-8 THC is made in a lab by converting CBD or delta-9 THC into delta-8 THC through a chemical reaction.  This chemical reaction is not dissimilar to the natural conversion that occurs when cannabinoids are created from CBGA as the cannabis plant grows.  Cannabinoids naturally change in the cannabis plant all the time based on heat, light, time and genetic factors.  The science involved in the growing of hemp and marijuana is a part of how growers ensure they end up with the right end results.

Delta-8 THC occurs naturally and cannabinoids change into other cannabinoids naturally. Delta-8 THC produced in the lab can be considered a "derivative" or "conversion".  This is an important differentiation from being a "synthetic substance" which is more easily classified as illegal.

Is Delta 8 THC Legal?

Yes, delta-8 THC is federally legal.  Delta-8-THC was made legal in the 2018 Farm Bill (H.R. 2:  The Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018), when it was announced that hemp and all of its derivatives and cannabinoids are 100% federally legal, with the exception of delta-9 THC.  Previous to the 2018 Farm Bill, the 1970 Controlled Substances Act had made delta-8 THC illegal, but the new language specifically removed delta-8 from the Controlled Substances List.  The Farm Bill clarifies that delta-8 THC from hemp is not on the Controlled Substance list and it is considered federally legal.  There are some individual state laws that specifically address delta-8 THC you may need to be aware of depending on where you live.  We ship nationwide.

Will I Pass a Drug Test?

No. Any THC product will trigger a positive THC drug test result.  Do not take it if you are going to be taking a drug test.  This is due to the chemical similarities between the two cannabinoids and the drug tests are not sophisticated enough to detect the difference.  In this case, CBD products will be the right choice for you to achieve the health benefits you may be looking for in your dosage.

Read more here on how to pass a drug test while using THC products.

Potential Health Benefits

While there is still a great deal of research to be conducted, we’d like to share some interesting findings of the therapeutic potential of this compound. Some potential effects include being a mood booster, motivational, increasing sex drive and increasing appetite. Other potential benefits include:

• Appetite Stimulant/Nausea Relief - If you’re looking to increase your appetite, delta-8-THC may be able to help. In a 2004 study, it was concluded that very low doses caused increased food consumption. On the flip side, in another study, it was successful in helping eight children with various cancers to eliminate nausea and prevent vomiting. 
• Anxiety - While there is still much more to discover, many testimonials report that D8 provides a calm, focused high without anxiety that can come from delta-9-THC. Additionally, it shows to display the same anxiety-reducing qualities similar to delta-9-THC.
• Anti-Inflammatory - Studies have been conducted to show the reduction of inflammation. Similar to CBD and delta-9-THC, there are many that use these products for pain relief and as an anti-inflammatory.

Read more on the top benefits of Delta 8 here.

Delta 8 vs. CBD

You may be wondering about the difference between delta-8-THC products and CBD products. The key difference is that CBD contains no psychoactive properties. If you ingest CBD, you will not get any high. However, D8 will cause a high, it just will be a bit different compared to the main form of THC (delta-9-THC). Many people describe it as less intoxicating, but still a very strong "high" of mental euphoria, mental clarity and total body relaxation.  It's not weaker than it's cousin Delta-9, but it's different. If you’re someone who is not comfortable with any high, then CBD is the choice for you. If you suffer from a medical condition or are looking for a little buzz, then this may be a great solution.

The Delta 8 High

Every human body has an Endocannabinoid System (ECS) that regulates the body and naturally produces cannabinoids. At times the ECS system is out of whack due to natural life occurrences such as diet change or stress. Taking additional cannabinoids can help to keep the system regulated. The ECS has two types of receptors, CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptors are found primarily in the nervous system, connective tissues, and other organs. CB2 receptors are in the immune system, bones, blood vessels, reproductive organs, etc.

Delta-8-THC fits into the mix because it binds to the CB1 receptor, just like delta-9-THC. This receptor is responsible for mediating the psychoactive effects of THC. According to WeedMaps, “the differential binding may be responsible for the reported clearer high with reduced anxiety, and greater ability to concentrate often associated with delta-8-THC.”

Overall, the user can generally expect a high that is mood-boosting with a clear-headed euphoria without over-intoxication.  The strain you choose is important (Indica, Sativa, or Hybrid) as with other cannabis flower. It can have an impact on how energizing or sleep-inducing it is.  Indica is more calming, Sativa is more energizing and Hybrid is balanced.

Delta 8 THC vs. Delta 9 THC

Additionally, it is appealing to those who don't want to deal with other side effects of delta-9-THC including addiction, laziness, sleep issues and paranoia. Addiction is a key negative side effect of delta-9-THC that is important to mention. With delta-8-THC, users have a far less chance for addiction because a consumer will quickly build a tolerance to the "mental high." This allows for a more responsible recreational use overall, and a more pleasurable experience for those who typically use delta-9-THC but are only looking to treat health symptoms.  People report less anxiety and paranoia with Delta 8 than Delta 9.

What's the Right Dosage For Me?

The proper dosage takes trial and error from person to person, but the average typical oral dose is 10-40mg. When it comes to assessing the proper dosage, it's all about understanding your health concerns and main benefits of taking the compound. It's always a good rule of thumb to start with a smaller dose and add more as needed.

Delta-9 THC (marijuana) users likely find they need to start with a higher dose (40mg) to feel effects.  Individuals report widely varying effects in comparison to delta-9 THC, which can be based on their individual tolerance, history of usage or current medical conditions (if any).

How Long Do the Effects Last?

Just as with determining your correct dosage, it can be difficult to crystalize how long the effects can last on someone. While for some effects can last for up to twelve hours, it really is unique to the individual. With that said, it really is extremely important to understand your own health concerns and needs to make the best choice for yourself.

Different products will certainly dictate how quickly you can feel the effects and how long they last.  Vaping will cause the effects to occur almost immediately and they may last several hours.  Eating gummies or other edibles may take slightly longer to feel the effects. It can take 30-40 minutes before beginning to enter the bloodstream. Then, effects can last up to twelve hours.

Various Products

We’ve learned more about delta-8-THC and how it differs from CBD and delta-9-THC, as well as the many different proposed benefits of its use. Now, where can you find it? Savage is one of the first brands to step up to the plate in this category space with the launch for their line of D8 hemp products, Delta Extrax.

Delta Extrax has a series of 3 vape cartridges that can be used with any 510-threaded cartridge device. We carry the Yocan UNI Pro as an entry-level vaping device for those looking to use this new D8 cartridges. Delta Extrax has also developed 2 great-tasting pods, the Sunset Sherbet and Blue Train Wreck. These can only be used with the exclusive Pod Device made by Delta Extrax. It's really sleek, easy-to-use and made for exactly their pods.  Either choice is fantastic. The cartridges come in Indica, Sativa or a Hybrid version.  The pods are available in an Indica or a Hybrid.

You can learn more about products by all of our brands, including Kush Burst, Koi, Delta Extrax, Cannabis Life and Treetop Hemp Co.

Koi Gummies

We carry some great-tasting D8-THC gummies from Koi.  They are available in many flavors including watermelon, lime, mango, blue razz and strawberry.  They pack a nice punch with 25mg per gummy and 20 gummies per container.  High-quality and compact, they are the perfect thing to carry around for use as needed.  It's also a great alternative if you prefer not to vape.  Remember that initial delta-8 THC dosage is 10-40mg, so try one gummy first or maybe two and see how it affects you.

For our Customers - Welcome!  Please use the Coupon Code:  DELTA20 for 20% off your entire order of all products!

Here at The Green Dragon CBD, we carry a wide variety of products, including Delta 8 Gummies, Delta 8 Tinctures, Delta 8 Vape Cartridges, Pens, Pods and more!  If you’re looking to diversify your product use and try something new, or you just have any questions, we encourage you to chat with our experienced team. You can even read more about some of our favorite Delta 8 Gummies here.

If you’re someone who uses CBD to completely avoid any psychoactive effects, then CBD will continue to be a great solution. However, if you stray from delta-9-THC use because you get too high or experience paranoia, or you're unable to get it due to legal restrictions, then trying D8 may be worth a shot.