What Is Delta-8-THC?
Delta-8-THC (Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol) is a type of THC closely related to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, a compound that gives marijuana its intoxicating properties. To be more precise, these two compounds have a similar molecular structure, but they differ in the way their atoms are arranged.
This minor arrangement difference makes delta-8-THC far less stimulating than delta-9. In addition, the delta-8 strain doesn’t trigger paranoia or anxiety that often accompany delta-9-THC. That makes delta-8 perfect if you are avoiding marijuana because of the above-mentioned side effects.
Since delta-8-THC is not synthesized naturally, extracting sufficient amounts of this compound was practically impossible in the past. However, the evolution of extraction technologies made the production of delta-8-THC easy and widely available.
Oddly enough, you don’t even need marijuana to create delta-8, since it can just as easily be extracted from hemp. As you might already know, THC content in hemp is trivial at around 0.1%. However, scientists have found a way to convert CBD into delta-9-THC and then into delta-8-THC.
Needless to say, this process is extremely challenging and requires expensive equipment and highly skilled lab workers.
Related:Where to buy weed online?
Does Delta-8-THC Get You High?
As we’ve mentioned, delta-8-THC is not as potent as its delta-9 counterpart. That being said, it can still get you intoxicated. Furthermore, getting high with delta-8 will prevent some of the more common side effects of delta-9 from occurring.
Namely, anxiety and paranoia that come with every bad trip could become a thing of the past. Furthermore, delta-8 will give you a smoother, calmer buzz. It could make you functional while making your highs more enjoyable. So, it comes as no surprise that more and more people are giving delta-8-THC a try.
What Are Delta-8-THC Tinctures?
Delta-8 THC tinctures share some similarities with CBD tinctures. Namely, both of these compounds are fat-soluble, so they need to be mixed with a carrier oil to become fully effective. However, these two tinctures have entirely different cannabinoid profiles.
How to Use Delta-8-THC Tinctures
Delta-8-THC tinctures usually come with dropper caps which will make both dosing and administering D8 almost effortless. The route of administration of these tinctures is the same as that of CBD ones. All you need to do is place it under your tongue and wait for about a minute.
How Long Does It Take for the Effects to Kick In?
With delta-8-THC, patience is the name of the game. After ingesting your dose of a delta-8 tincture, you’ll have to wait for more than an hour for it to take effect. It’s not clear why this delay occurs, but we’re sure it will be addressed in the near future.
Notes and Warnings
- Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery while under the influence of delta-8 THC.
- Although hemp-derived products are legal on the federal level, check your local regulation before ordering any THC products.
- Delta-8 and other cannabinoids can interact with some medications. Consult your doctor before you start using D8 tinctures.
- The legal age to purchase and consume delta-8 tinctures is 21 years old.
- Avoid delta-8-THC if you have an upcoming drug test.
- Store your tincture in a cool, dry, and dark place. Exposure to heat and light can cause delta-8 THC to degrade, while humidity can promote the growth of bacteria and fungi.
Delta-8-THC Dosage
The recommended dosage for D8 varies from person to person. As a rule of thumb, a 10 mg dosage should be enough to produce mild psychoactive effects. On the other hand, even regular users shouldn’t go above 60 mg dose.
The right dosage depends on many different factors, including:
- weight
- age
- sex
- level of tolerance to THC
- experience with THC
- whether you are taking it on a full or empty stomach.
We recommend starting low and gradually increasing the dosage until you hit the one that’s perfect for you. Furthermore, even if your current dosage seems insufficient, do not increase it rapidly as it could lead to some unpleasant side effects.
Can You Build Tolerance to Delta-8-THC?
Tolerance happens when your body no longer responds to a certain substance the way it used to. Therefore, it takes a higher dose of this substance to achieve the same effects that you felt at first. As with any supplement or medication, there is a strong chance that the prolonged usage of delta-8 can cause tolerance.
Furthermore, your body will build a tolerance to D8 much quicker than it would to delta-9 THC. If you use delta-8 tincture every day for a month, you’ll soon find yourself needing double the amount to achieve the same intensity of high.
There are a few things you can do to avoid the tolerance to delta-8-THC. First of all, use the tincture in moderation. You could take higher doses once or twice a week or go with lower doses every other day. Additionally, you might want to consider cycling off D8 for a month or so, allowing your body to reset.
Is Delta-8-THC Dangerous?
According to what we know from previous research, delta-8-THC should be completely safe. Furthermore, it’s even superior to delta-9 in terms of safety, as it doesn’t cause anxiety or paranoia.
However, although the cannabinoid itself isn’t dangerous, the chemicals used to extract it might be. As we’ve mentioned, extracting D8 from hemp requires expensive equipment and lots of skills. This process also involves expensive chemicals that could become harmful if not used correctly. In order to cut costs, some manufacturers will skimp on equipment, employ incompetent workers, and even use cheaper, often dangerous ingredients.
The best way to avoid such malpractices is to find manufacturers with third-party lab certificates. Since hemp products are not regulated by the FDA, this certificate is the only way to separate the wheat from the chaff.
Delta-8-THC Side Effects
The fact that D8 is less potent may explain the absence of some of the major side effects that regular THC produces. However, delta-8 still has some adverse effects, including:
- Dizziness
- Sedation
- Appetite boost
- Dry mouth
- Concentration difficulties
- Motor functions impairment
We should also note that these side effects are less likely to occur if you keep your doses low. In an unlikely event that your side effects get worse, call your doctor or ambulance.
Is Delta-8-THC Legal?
Every year, more and more states across the US are legalizing marijuana for recreational use. However, if you don’t live in one of these states, you must be wondering if you are breaking the law by using delta-8 THC tinctures. We are here to clear things up.
The 2018 Farm Bill made hemp-derived products federally legal as long as they have less than 0.3% of THC. But, this rule only refers to the delta-9 strain of THC, while it fails to mention its less famous counterpart. This loophole opened a door for manufacturers to produce and sell delta-8-THC products without any federal restrictions.
However, we shouldn’t celebrate just yet, since the DEA considers both THC strains illegal. This agency claims that D8 is attained synthetically, and thus prohibited even under the Farm Bill. To complicate things even further, we should mention that current methods of extraction are far from synthetic. So, the argument made by the DEA doesn’t hold.
In conclusion, delta-8-THC tinctures are in a grey area when it comes to legality. Be sure to check your local legislation before purchasing them, even if the company ships to your state.
Delta-8-THC and Drug Test
Almost all drug tests are designed to recognize metabolites of delta-9-THC. However, they aren’t able to differentiate between D9 and D8 THC, as they have the same structure. This means that you will fail a drug test if you’ve used delta-8 recently. Therefore, avoid taking D8 tinctures if you have an upcoming toxicology screening.
ingredients: MCT Oil, Delta 8 oil