Delta 8 THC is the newfound legal high that is available in almost every state. However, since the product is still recent, we wonder what happens when you smoke delta 8 THC.
Delta 8 THC provides a milder high compared to its relative, delta 9 THC found in cannabis buds. Yet, the compound also has several therapeutic properties, including calming, mild pain-relieving, and appetite-stimulating benefits.
Hemp-derived delta 8 is legal, as stated in the 2018 Farm Bill. However, only a limited number of studies analyzed the effects of delta 8 on the body.
To know more about the effects of delta 8 THC upon consumption, keep reading!
Is Delta 8 Safe To Smoke?
While there are not enough studies done to obtain a concrete answer on the safety of Delta 8 THC, until now, there are no reported deaths caused by the compound.
To establish if the compound is safe or not, researchers undergo clinical and randomized controlled trials.
According to a study from the Life Sciences Journal in 1995, researchers found that delta 8 THC reduced feelings of occasional nausea and motion sickness among children.
The side effects observed were also negligible among the participants since only two children out of eight reported side effects.
The researchers observed that some of the side effects included one instance of euphoria and slight irritability.
Yet, it should be noted that the study had a small sample pool of eight children only.
In another study made by the ASCPT Journal in 1973, they compared the effects of Delta 8 and Delta 9 THC through intravenous or oral administration among male participants.
The authors found that upon oral administration of Delta 8, the participants experienced an extensive selection of cannabis-like effects.
These include stimulating effects, dizziness, dry mouth, and visual changes.
Moreover, delta 8 had similar side effects as delta 9 during intravenous administration.
The researchers stated that the symptoms experienced were like those reported from Delta 9 but at a weaker strength.
Thus, they estimated the relative potency ratio of delta 8 to delta 9 being roughly 2:3.
Therefore, we can conclude that delta 8 THC is safe, even safer than delta 9 due to its milder effects on the human body.
What Effects Does Delta 8 Have?
Delta 8 THC has several potential therapeutic effects on the human body, including appetite-stimulating, mild pain-relieving, and calming properties.
The compound is ideal for people looking for a milder high while still enjoying the potential benefits of THC.
As shown above, from the study published in the Life Science Journal, delta 8 THC can reduce or inhibit occasional nausea.
Moreover, a study from the Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior Journal found that delta 8 can stimulate food consumption in mice at low doses.
They also found that the molecule also improved cognitive function without any side effects.
These findings show promising results that delta 8 can be a potential treatment for weight issues.
Additionally, by interacting with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), there is a possible link that delta 8 can indirectly trigger calming effects in the body.
Like delta 9, delta 8 interacts with CB1 and CB2 receptors in the ECS.
A report from the Journal of Psychopharmacology found evidence that the ECS can act as a regulator for emotional responses, including stress, occasional anxious feelings, and fearful emotions.
More research is needed to determine the extent of the therapeutic potential of delta 8 on the human brain.
If you are considering taking delta 8 THC for its therapeutic benefits, discuss your plans with a medical professional to ensure that the compound does not interfere with other drug treatments.
Is Delta 8 Legal To Smoke In Public?
Delta 8 THC is legal to smoke in public since it is derived from hemp plants, only if there’s no sign explicitly banning its consumption on their premises.
The 2018 Farm Bill legalized all cannabinoid products derived from hemp, including CBD and delta 8 THC.
In fact, the synthesis of delta 8 THC is derived from CBD that was extracted from hemp.
Delta 8 isolate and cartridges are obtained following a long extraction, isolation, and distillation from CBD.
Currently, delta 8 is nearly 100% legal, but there are uprising issues as the product becomes more and more popular among the population.
Firstly, congress passed the bill thinking that all hemp-derived products did not have stimulating effects, which is not the case for delta 8, despite its milder effects compared to delta 9.
Moreover, the compound is added to the list made by the DEA for controlled substances like its cousin delta 9.
Therefore, while you can still legally obtain delta 8 products across the country and smoke it publicly, the compound is still lying in the grey zone for now.
Unless there are any changes in the Farm Bill, you can enjoy smoking delta 8 publicly, only if the owner of the property didn’t explicitly ban the consumption.
Does Delta 8 Make You High?
Delta 8 THC provides a milder high than delta 9 THC according to anecdotal reviews from users.
People state that they feel relaxed, creative, and clear-headed when taking delta 8, without the anxious feelings that can come with delta 9.
As stated by the ASCPT Journal, the potency of delta 8 to delta 9 is 2:3, making it the perfect balance between delta 9 THC and CBD for some users.
The effects of delta 8 on your brain are due to the nearly identical chemical structure of the compound to delta 9.
Delta 8 has a double bond on the 8th carbon atom, while the double bond is found on the 9th carbon in delta 9, as suggested by their name.
Both compounds interact with the ECS, but the difference in structure leads delta 8 to bind with receptors slightly differently.
The difference in binding can explain the milder effects of the compound on the brain.
If you prefer a more controlled high than what you experience with delta 9 THC, then delta 8 is the perfect balance for you.
How Is Delta 8 THC Made?
Delta 8 is obtained through a series of synthesis processes in laboratories.
Hemp plants contain cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), which is the source of all cannabinoids in young hemp plants.
As the plant grows, the CBGA is naturally converted into THC and CBD in the presence of enzymes.
To obtain delta 8 THC, lab technicians first extract CBD from hemp plants and dissolve CBD in a solvent.
An acid is then added to the solvent mixture while being continuously heated and stirred up to 18 hours.
Once the chemical reaction is finished, any byproduct or residue is removed from the solution and separated from delta 8 THC.
Before packaging the delta 8 distillate, the product will undergo several tests to ensure that the delta 8 solution is pure.
After a series of tests, manufacturers can package delta 8 products and sell them to the public.
