How Can Delta-8-THC Help You?
As the marijuana laws are beginning to change in the United States, more and more people are beginning to see the benefits of partaking in a smoke or two. However, marijuana still isn’t legal everywhere. That’s where Delta-8-THC comes in.
Delta-8-THC is legal everywhere that hemp is legal, which means that more people have access to it. Additionally, it produces a less potent, more mellow “high” feeling to those who use it.
But what exactly is Delta-8-THC and why is it considered legal where hemp is concerned? How do you find it and ingest it? Keep reading to find out more.
What is THC?
First, we’re going to take a look at what exactly THC is.
THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is a chemical found in marijuana that is responsible for its psychological effects. It interacts with our body through the cannabinoids that our body naturally creates.
Our brain has cannabinoid receptors located in certain areas that are connected to how we think, remember, perceive pleasure, how we coordinate, and how we perceive time. The THC connects to those receptors and turns them on. In doing so, it affects one of those areas of our brains and changes it.
What is Delta-8-THC?
Delta-8-THC is a cannabinoid as well. However, it doesn’t have the same psychoactive effects that typical THC does. It still matches Delta-9-THC, the THC you think about when you think about marijuana, in most other ways.
The fact that it has fewer psychoactive properties is important to consider. This makes it a great option for children dealing with the aftermath of cancer treatment from pain to inability to eat. But what exactly makes it different from Delta-9-THC?
Delta 8 THC vs Delta 9 THC
Delta-9-THC is highly potent and psychoactive. When you smoke or consume Delta-9, you’re going to experience the typical “high” that is often sought after in marijuana use.
Delta-8-THC is an analog of Delta-9, which means that it has a similar structure but it does vary in some ways. Delta-8 binds to the CB1 receptors in your central nervous system just like Delta-9.
It’s important to consider that Delta-8 THC is still psychoactive. This is a good thing, as these effects can help quiet the symptoms of extreme anxiety or even depression. But it’s less potent, so you will be able to maintain a mostly clear head while using it.
Also, Delta-8 is found in a much smaller potency in the cannabis plant.
The Importance of Delta-8-THC
Why does any of this matter?
Despite its lower potency and decreased psychoactive effects, studies have shown that it provides the same benefit as the more potent THC. The plus side? It has fewer side effects.
You could potentially experience the high you’re looking for without risking the paranoia that comes with smoking a little too much THC.
The Legality of Delta-8-THC
If Delta-8-THC gets you high, why is it legal in so many places that marijuana is illegal? It’s kind of a loophole, actually.
In December of 2018, the Farm Bill passed through congress. This bill legalized the production of hemp and everything in the hemp composition except for Delta-9-THC. Hemp must have less than 0.3% Delta-9-THC to be considered legal.
This makes CBD and Delta-8-THC legal in most states. There are a few states where hemp is still considered illegal, however.
Before you partake, make sure it’s legal in your area. There are a number of resources you can use to discover more about the legality of hemp products in your state.
Why Should You Try Delta-8-THC?
So, why should you think about Delta-8 the next time you light up? There are a couple of different factors that could lead you to a decision on Delta-8 THC.
If you’re simply curious about the effects of cannabis but you’re unsure if you want to try marijuana, Delta-8 could be what you’re looking for to dip your toes into the weed water.
If you’ve smoked marijuana before and you’ve experienced intense paranoia or a marijuana-induced anxiety attack, Delta-8 THC may be right for you. Because of its much more mellow high, fewer people report the jittery, paranoid state that pot can leave you with.
In general, if you’re looking for a “weed lite” option, Delta-8 should be next on your list of things to try.
If you look towards THC to help you in social situations, Delta-8 may also be a better option for you. It doesn’t cloud your mind as badly or disrupt your focus, so you’ll be a better conversationalist and more likely to make friends.
Another thing to consider is that you will still fail a drug test on Delta-8 THC. Those tests look for THC metabolites, which is what your body produces after processing any kind of THC.
Benefits of Delta-8-THC
Now that we know what Delta-8 THC is, it’s time to take a look at its restorative properties. After all, marijuana isn’t only used for its relaxing effect. Does Delta-8 THC pack the same healing punches that traditional THC does?
Nausea and Appetite
One of the most documented uses for THC is a nausea reliever or an anti-emetic, and an appetite stimulator. The US already has patents on Delta-8 and its use as an anti-emetic. If you or someone you love is going through medical treatments that cause you to feel nauseous, eating or smoking Delta-8 may be helpful.
In fact, many studies have found that it’s safe to use in children.
The researchers of one study gave Delta-8 THC to kids between the ages of 3 and 13 who were dealing with cancer treatments. When they took the Delta-8, they were able to stop vomiting and experience less nausea.
Researchers also found that the children didn’t experience the “high” that comes with traditional THC use. This is notable because adults who consume Delta-8 often feel some kind of psychoactive effects. The children, however, seemed to be immune.
Additionally, Delta-8 THC studies show that it improves appetite. Mice in a different study showed an increase in appetite when exposed to Delta-8-THC. Despite Delta-8-THC’s less potent psychoactive effects, it actually has a more potent nausea improving effect.
Cancer
In addition to helping with the side effects of cancer treatment, Delta-8 could be beneficial against cancer itself.
One study examined mice who had lung cancer. The mice that were treated with Delta-8 for 20 days showed a decreased tumor size by the time the treatment was finished. Survival time for these same mice increased as well.
It’s important to note, however, that human trials of this nature haven’t been approved yet. In order to concretely say that Delta-8 THC can reduce tumor size, scientists need to conduct more research.
However, there’s little harm in trying Delta-8-THC alongside your physician-approved cancer treatment.
Memory
Delta-8 THC could also be a powerful neuroprotectant, which is especially good news for those suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
In another study, scientists gave mice Delta-8 THC and it increased the amount of acetylcholine in their brains.
Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that allows us to learn and create memories. One of the signs of Alzheimer’s disease is lower levels of acetylcholine. This leads some to believe that Delta-8 THC can prevent, or possibly reverse Alzheimer’s disease.
As we mentioned with cancer, there is more work that needs to be done related to the testing of these claims. However, the presence of these increased levels of acetylcholine is a beacon of hope for people who have loved ones affected by this disease.
Anxiety
While Delta-9 THC also has calming properties, it’s possible that your brain chemistry makes relaxing while smoking pot difficult. Too much THC can increase your heart rate and cause paranoia and panic attacks.
However, as we mentioned before, the reduced potency of Delta-8-THC can lead to a more mellow, focused high. This will allow you to maintain a lowered heart rate, a clearer state of mind, and the ability to rationalize with yourself. You won’t have to worry about feeling paranoid every time you light up.
Of course, the evidence of these claims is mostly anecdotal. There is more work to be done in regards to proving the anxiety-reducing effects clinically.
Pain Relief
You can also use Delta-8-THC as an analgesic, meaning it can help lower your pain. There is a library of research that shows that our brain’s CB1 receptor plays a role in pain regulation. When Delta-8 THC binds to this receptor, it can help to alleviate pain.
As we mentioned, there is more studying to be done in order to conclusively prove these claims. But there are animal studies that show novel evidence for Delta-8 THC and pain relief.
One study of mice with a corneal injury showed that Delta-8 THC reduced their pain score. This same study showed that it worked by using the CB1 receptor.
Keep in mind that humans and animals react to medicine differently. But successful animal studies often lead to successful studies in humans, as well.
Marijuana Paranoia
We would be remiss to leave marijuana paranoia out of this discussion. Marijuana paranoia is the feeling of intense paranoia that some people experience after ingesting marijuana. Some people experience this feeling every time they smoke and some people only feel it when they’ve taken too much THC.
Because Delta-8 THC has less potency, it is much less likely to cause these feelings.
Marijuana paranoia can lead to marijuana-induced panic attacks. These are attacks that appear suddenly and cause the user to feel intense pressure in their chests, rapid heartbeat, sweating, shaking, and racing thoughts. It can feel like an end-of-the-world scenario for people who have never had a panic attack before.
Delta-8 produces a mellow high, meaning that the likelihood of these panic attacks is greatly reduced.
How to Take Delta-8-THC
Now that you know the benefits of Delta-8-THC, it’s time to find out how to take it.
Like marijuana, there are a ton of different ways you can reap the benefits of Delta-8 THC.
Some people prefer the quick effect that comes along with smoking Delta-8 THC. If you’re interested in taking a toke or two, you could try a vape version or a traditional joint.
While your effects are much faster, you could be damaging your lungs with every inhale.
A method of ingesting THC products that is fast gaining popularity is using edibles. Many companies make gummies, cookies, candies, brownies, and lollipops that have different strengths of THC in them.
It’s important to keep in mind that it can take up to 3-4 hours to feel the effects of edibles. One mistake many people make when eating their weed is thinking that they didn’t take enough because they didn’t feel the effects in an hour or two. But when you eat your THC, it has to pass through your digestive system for you to feel the effects, a process that can take up to 4 hours.
When taking traditional THC, overindulging will lead to an intense, uncomfortable high experience. But with something less potent, like Delta-8 THC, the effects are dramatically minimized.
There are also a variety of lotions, oils, and tinctures you can use to reap the benefits of Delta-8 THC.
Enjoy the Benefits of Delta-8-THC Today
Now that you know all the benefits of Delta-8-THC, you can feel confident in giving it a shot. Not only is it a less intense, more controlled “high”, but it is also loaded with benefits from reduced nausea to pain relief. And to top it off, you don’t have to worry about the marijuana paranoia that comes with being too high.
For more information on how to live a better, healthier life, keep reading!
