Thanks to the popularity of CBD (cannabidiol), scientists have been looking for other cannabinoids within the cannabis plant to see what they can find. Delta-8 THC is one such cannabinoid and is often referred to as “marijuana lite.”
Thanks to a legal loophole created in the 2018 Farm Bill that made CBD legal, Delta-8 THC is now also legal in many jurisdictions. Many people are interested in Delta-8 THC because it is said to be less intense than Delta-9 THC and comes with many health benefits.
However, is Delta 8 safe? That’s a good question to ask and we have the answers that you are looking for. So keep on reading and we will walk you through everything that you will want to know about Delta-8 THC.
What Exactly Is Delta-8 THC?
Before we get into what Delta-8 THC is, let’s first briefly go over Delta-9 THC. Delta-9 THC, commonly referred to as just THC, is the main cannabinoid in marijuana and is what is responsible for the notorious “marijuana high.” THC has intoxicating effects that CBD does not provide.
Delta-8 THC is a minor cannabinoid. It is like a cross between Delta-9 THC and CBD. However, it only occurs naturally in very small amounts in the cannabis plant. Because there is such a small amount naturally, scientists also make Delta-8 THC in labs.
Scientists take the hemp that contains CBD and then add acetic acid. This turns CBD into Delta-8 THC. Some Delta-9 THC might also be created in the process. So scientists then need to chemically remove the Delta-9 THC.
In the United States, a cannabis product can’t contain more than 0.3 percent Delta-9 THC.
Delta-9 THC and Delta-8 THC are very similar as there is just one chemical bond in a different location. Delta-8 THC has a lower affinity to the CB1 cannabinoid receptor in the brain. This means that it is less potent when it gets you high.
Delta-8 THC is estimated to be 75 percent as intoxicating as Delta-9 THC.
After Delta-8 THC is produced, there are many different ways to consume it, just like with marijuana and CBD. You can smoke Delta-8 THC extract, in tablets that dissolve under the tongue, in edibles like brownies and gummies, and in vape pens.
You can even find coffee shops that sell pastries and beverages that are infused with Delta-8 THC.
What Are Delta-8’s Effects?
A lot of research still needs to be done on Delta-8 THC. With that said, we know that there are many therapeutic effects that are similar to CBD. This includes relieving anxiety and stress.
You also get stronger and more calming effects including plenty of pain management. You’ll still get high from Delta-8 THC except you don’t need to worry about any effects of paranoia or heart palpitations that you might experience from Delta-9 THC.
If you are someone who is hoping to feel the effects of marijuana but you find Delta-9 THC too intense then you might want to consider going with Delta-8 THC.
Is Delta-8 Safe?
Scientists are still not entirely sure what the positive and negative effects of Delta-8 THC. Nobody has ever died from taking marijuana. Of course, it is still possible to die from reckless behavior that is brought on by marijuana.
Because marijuana has been illegal for decades, there is not as much research surrounding the drug as there should be. Delta-8 THC is relatively safe. However, you should be careful if you choose to smoke the substance with a vape pen.
Taking Delta-8 THC in an edible like a gummy is pretty safe. However, scientists know very little about how Delta-8 THC affects the body when it is inhaled.
You can’t know what other chemicals made their way into the product during the manufacturing process. Those chemicals might cause nausea, headaches, or other side effects.
To put it another way, it is not just a natural product that you are putting into your lungs. There might also be many unknown substances, including toxins.
If you are looking for Delta-8 distillate then you should consider getting a pre-filled syringe.
Is Delta-8 THC Legal?
In many ways, Delta-8 THC is legal. However, it is not legal in all states and will probably become more illegal as time goes on. Even CBD’s legality is coming into question, despite the fact that marijuana is becoming more legal around the country.
In the Farm Bill, it also states that any isomers of any part of the hemp plant will be considered legal. Because Delta-8 THC is an isomer of CBD, it has been able to remain legal so far.
Delta-8 THC is sold throughout the country, although several states have passed laws to outright ban the substance.
Because the laws are constantly in flux, you should stay updated so that you don’t end up doing anything illegal by accident.
The Importance of Knowing About Delta-8 THC
So, is Delta-8 safe? As we can see, Delta-8 THC is fairly safe. Just make sure that you get your Delta-8 products from a reliable manufacturer. It is also a good idea to see if the product has been tested by a third-party laboratory.
Because you can’t be sure of how your body will react, it is a good idea to only take a little bit of Delta-8 THC at first and see how that affects you.
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