Delta-8 THC or Delta-8 for short is an exciting compound derived from the hemp plant. It provides a pleasant euphoric feeling, found to be less intense than marijuana (Delta-9 THC). Some even find it more enjoyable than Delta-9. You are probably asking, will Delta-8 THC get you high? Well, the answer is a little more complicated than you might think.
At Delta-8 World, we like to say the feeling people typically experience falls between CBD and marijuana. The National Center for Biological Information (NCBI) considers it to be the cousin of marijuana because of its chemical structure. Users reported the experience is a more mellow type of feeling that keeps your head clear and can also help with nausea, vomiting, and anxiety.
There is still a lot to learn about the hemp plant. Experts are continuing to learn about its benefits. Delta-8 is on the rise because of the work of people in the hemp industry and its desired mellow effects.
Why is the question of will Delta-8 THC get you high so complicated?
When most people think of getting “high” they think of the psychoactive effects that marijuana has, but Delta-8 is not your mother or father’s THC in a way, meaning Delta-8 does not fall into the traditional category of “getting high” and is helping reduce the stigma surrounding THC.
In previous posts, we covered why researchers believe Delta-8 effects are milder, what it is, how it reacts in the body, and the different forms it comes in, in greater detail. But don’t worry, we’ll start with a quick refresher to help better understand.
Why are Delta-8 effects different from CBD and Delta-9 THC?
There are a few reasons why the feelings users get from each of these are different. Keep in mind that the effects these give do vary from person to person. It is helpful to know information about products to get your desired effect. Delta-8 world offers a variety of strains and products for users.
Let’s begin with what these have in common. CBD (cannabidiol), Delta-9 (marijuana), and Delta-8 are all cannabinoids. There are hundreds of different compounds that are divided into terpenes and cannabinoids, which occur naturally. Terpenes are organic compounds responsible for the aroma and flavors of cannabis.
Delta-8 THC and CBD are derived from hemp making them legal to sell under the 2018 United States Farm Bill. This also means that there are only trace amounts of 0.3 percent or less of THC found in products.
CBD is the main compound found in hemp, has no psychoactive compounds, and is widely used by people for its health benefits. CBD alone has a long list of benefits reported by users and researchers.
Some of the common benefits include its antibacterial components, it promotes bone growth, reduces blood sugar levels, reduces inflammation, relieves pain, relieves anxiety, suppresses muscle spasms, and inhibits cancer cell growth.
Full-spectrum and broad-spectrum are two of the three main types of CBD available. The main difference between them is which compound they contain. The third common form of CBD isolate.
A full-spectrum CBD product contains several naturally occurring cannabis plant extracts, including terpenes and other cannabinoids, including up to 0.3 percent THC. CBD will not get you high.
Delta-8 has trace amounts of Delta-9 in it as well. Will Delta-8 THC get you high then? The low percentage of Delta-9 THC doesn't trigger its psychoactive "high" feeling.
A broad-spectrum CBD product also contains several cannabis plant compounds, but it is typically free of any trace amounts of THC. CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD and contains no other cannabis plant compounds.
CBD doesn’t have any psychoactive effects, but will Delta-8 THC get you high?
Delta 8 and CBD chemical compounds influence the way the body responds to them. For instance, CBD does not have a THC compound. This affects the way it binds to receptors in our Endocannabinoid System (ECS).
The ECS is a cell-signaling system found in everyone’s body. Molecules in the system are produced as needed by your body to help keep internal functions running smoothly. The two main receptors that the cannabinoids bind to are CB1 and CB2.
Experts are still learning about how CBD interacts with the ECS. They do know it does not bind to the CB1 or CB2 receptors like THC does. Some believe it works by preventing endocannabinoids from being broken down while others believe that CBD binds to a receptor that has not been discovered yet.
Dr. Rahul Khare, the founder of Innovative Express Care, told HuffPost that CBD attaches indirectly to the cannabinoid receptors, which are responsible for functions throughout the body including appetite, pain, mood, and memory.
A 2010 study gave CBD oil to people with a social anxiety disorder. It found that it reduced anxiety symptoms after participants had their brains scanned. The scans found that CBD oil triggered changes in the blood flow to regions in the brain linked with feeling anxious, according to Medical News Today.
Experts do know that Delta-8 THC binds to the receptors in the ECS. At this point you might be asking, will Delta-8 THC get you high because it binds to the same receptors? Delta 8 does not bind nearly as well as Delta-9 THC. This allows it to provide a stronger effect than CBD but much lighter than marijuana. It is not giving the user a “traditional high” feeling.
Are there other benefits to Delta 8? Yes. Delta-8 not only provides a euphoric experience it also includes all the benefits of CBD. Users report it does not come with some of the negative effects associated with marijuana including feeling anxious or paranoid.
How do I get Delta 8 THC? How do I know what product is right for me?
Retail shops seem like they are popping up left and right with all different types of products. For a first-time or new user, this can be incredibly overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be! Delta-8 World offers a variety of products and information about Delta-8.
Now we know that Delta-8 does not provide that traditional high feeling, let’s take a look at how each product can give different effects. Knowing what the different strains and the different products can do is helpful when making your selection.
Will the different strains of Delta-8 THC get you high?
The different strains provide results in different areas of the body. The user will still feel the mild euphoric effects but may want to feel it more in their body than their head, for example. It also gives customers information about the type of hemp plant the product was made from.
When we say the different strains of Delta-8, we are referring to if the hemp plant is an Indica, Sativa, or hybrid. Indica versus Sativa is a common phrase used among cannabis plant users.
Sativa strains provide a cerebral feeling that's more uplifting and euphoric. It tends to give users more energy and alertness than its counterpart, the Indica strain. This makes Sativas a good option to use during the day.
On the other end of the spectrum is the Indica strain. This type of strain is typically felt in the body and less in the head. They promote relaxation and help stimulate the appetite. These sedative-like effects make it a great option for sleeping or spending a night in.
We have Indica and Sativa, so, what is a hybrid strain? A hybrid hemp plant is a crossbreed between an Indica and a Sativa plant. The best benefits of the two strains are typically taken out to create a new hybrid strain. Hybrids can be Indica-dominant or Sativa-dominant, but most are evenly split. This can provide the user with a balanced euphoric experience.
What forms do Delta-8 products come in? Will different forms of Delta-8 THC get you high?
Just like the strains, Delta-8 still gives off a lighter feeling that falls between CBD and marijuana no matter the form.
The difference among the products is how quickly a customer will start to feel the effects.
As always, keep in mind that the effects vary among customers and the time it takes to feel the desired effects. Metabolism and tolerance levels play a key role in this. The most common ways to use Delta 8 are tinctures, gummies, vaping, and capsules.
The effect of tinctures, or an oil-based liquid dropped underneath your tongue, is typically felt in 15 to 20 minutes. It can last a few hours. Tinctures are a good choice for those who do not need relief immediately.
Gummies are easy to consume and dose accurately. They are a good choice if you don’t enjoy tinctures or smoking, but have a slow onset time. Gummies can take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes to feel any effects because it has to pass through the digestive system.
If you are looking for more immediate relief, vaping or smoking Delta-8 flowers is a good option. Vape cartridges are also popular because they come with a large variety of strain options. The effects of vaping can also feel more intense than other methods and can last for a few hours in between puffs.
If you're still unsure about the effects or if Delta-8 THC will get you high, contact a hemp professional at Delta 8 World.
