What Is Delta 8 THC?

Delta 8 THC is for hemp fanatics looking for something with properties that are a bit stronger. You might want to get your hands on Delta 8 THC. For the last year and change, Delta 8 has been a fast-growing submarket, offering a new way to experience cannabinoids.

All You Need to Know About Delta 8 THC

Delta 8 THC is a minor cannabinoid found in the hemp plant, making up about 0.1% of the plant’s total composition of chemical compounds. Delta 8 is simply delta 9 THC that has degraded and converted into a new cannabinoid altogether, with its distinctive molecular makeup. It’s best known for being mildly intoxicating, having about 70% of the psychoactive activity of delta 9. Also, as a cannabinoid, it binds to CB1 receptors in the nervous system to promote regulatory actions that can affect the way that we feel, both physically and mentally.

Delta 8 THC Cartridge

A delta 8 THC cartridge is the most popular way to experience the effects of the cannabinoid, as vape cartridges are easy to use and come in a wide array of strains, which combine the delta 8 distillate extract with the terpene profiles of numerous popular strains for which hemp is known. Delta 8 THC vape carts attach to any 510-threaded vape pen device made for vaping hemp e-liquids and offer fast-acting and potent effects due to the nature of inhaling compounds.

Delta 8 THC Disposable Vape Pens

An alternative to a delta 8 THC cartridge would be delta 8 disposable e-cigarettes.  Like cartridges, they come in numerous strains and offer fast-acting, potent effects.

They are more user-friendly, fully assembled, and the battery is pre-charged (lasting for as long as it takes to get through the e-liquid that comes in the cartridge). So, they require no maintenance or technological expertise to enjoy them, as you can just start hitting them straight out of the box.

Delta 8 THC: Where is It Legal?

Delta 8 THC is legal under federal law, as a result of the Farm Bill that passed in 2018. The Farm Bill determined that all hemp compounds are legal to purchase and sell as long as no hemp product contains more than 0.3% Delta 9 THC, which is, as we said, not the same as delta 8.

Despite federal law permitting the delta 8 markets to exist across the United States, as of now, 12 states have banned delta 8 completely: 

• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Delaware
• Idaho
• Iowa
• Mississippi
• Montana
• New York
• Rhode Island
• Utah

What this means is that if you live in any of these 12 states, you cannot legally purchase delta 8 in any form. You can still purchase hemp products that contain the 0.1% delta 8 that naturally exists in the plant, such as full-spectrum products and flowers. However, these products have no psychoactive effect due to the very low amount of the compound, and will not give you a true taste of the cannabinoid’s diverse properties.

Delta 8 THC Benefits

Delta 8 THC, as we said, is a cannabinoid that works with CB1 receptors in the nervous system. When we consume delta 8 in any form, the cannabinoid attaches itself to these receptors, which are tasked with regulating important nervous system functions that influence how we feel each day. This can be compared to CBD (cannabidiol), which spreads itself across CB1 receptors and CB2 receptors in the immune system and digestive system. That being said, delta 8 may offer more concentrated effects on nervous system functions than other cannabinoids.

Because Delta 8 is so new to the market compared to CBD, we’re still learning about it as we go. Right now, only a handful of studies exist on its properties and effects, but what we do have is promising so far. In the coming months and years, more studies will be available as researchers are studying and analyzing the cannabinoid as we speak to understand what makes it so distinctive and how it can be used to our benefit.

Delta 8 THC as a Pain Reliever

Researchers have determined that delta 8 may offer some level of pain relief as it seems to have both analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Analgesics pertain to the nervous system, as they have the job of desensitizing pain receptors in the nerves to make them less reactive to pain stimuli. At the same time, like many cannabinoids, delta 8 may offer anti-inflammatory properties that can be useful to those dealing with pain caused by inflammation.

Does Delta 8 THC Make You Sleepy?

Delta 8 THC may make you sleepy, but that depends on several factors. For instance, choosing a vape in an Indica strain may enhance sleepiness, because indicas contain terpenes that promote relaxation on top of the properties of the cannabinoids themselves. And, many people find that higher doses of delta 8 cause them to feel sleepier than moderate amounts. Of course, sleepiness may be a desirable outcome if you are looking for a hemp product to take at bedtime to aid in your ability to fall asleep.

Can Delta 8 THC Help You Relax?

Delta 8 THC has been analyzed in a way that has indicated it has some level of anxiolytic activity. Meaning, it may be useful to those who are dealing with stress or anxiety. Due to its effects on the nervous system, delta 8 may bind to cannabinoid receptors that regulate neurotransmitters that dictate our mood as well as our physical state. Many delta 8 fans find that taking the compound helps them feel relaxation in both the mind and the muscles and that using the cannabinoid regularly helps them manage stress levels throughout the day.