Delta 8 THC is a cannabinoid found in cannabis that has been gaining popularity due to its reported effects. It is said to have all the benefits of cannabis with fewer negative effects. A survey of delta-8 users supports this, and respondents reported that they felt less paranoid, less anxious and had a “more pleasant high” compared to delta-9-THC. The most common experiences using delta-8 were relaxation, euphoria, and pain relief.
People reported that they had some difficulty concentrating, short-term memory problems and an altered sense of time, although not to the same extent as with normal marijuana. Delta 8 THC is biphasic in nature, meaning that at low and moderate doses it can promote relaxation, euphoria, laughing mood and tension relief. However, higher doses can cause it to be counterproductive and cause anxiety and paranoia. In non-smokable forms, such as those found in raw cannabis, Delta 8 generally exists as a glycoside, meaning that it is attached to a sugar molecule (in this case, glucose).
It is considered less psychoactive than traditional THC because Delta 8 does not bind to the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB). If you already have any experience with marijuana, chances are you'll need more THC delta 8 to experience the same type of buzz. A survey of 114 experienced delta-8 users showed that 71% of users reported “a lot or a lot of relaxation” and 68% said they had euphoria. More than half were relieved of pain.
Delta 8 binds to the brain's CB1 receptor and has approximately 10% of the psychoactive effect of THC, but researchers believe this figure is close to 30% in some cases. It's important to note that Delta 8 acts as a CB1 agonist, meaning it will amplify the effects of any cannabinoid it comes into contact with. Since THC Delta 8 undergoes the same metabolic process as THC Delta 9 when exposed to heat, they are statistically exactly the same, except for the fact that THC Delta 8 doesn't make you so high. In the absence of federal regulation, 14 states have banned delta-8 or all unregulated forms of THC (there is also a delta-10).
It's important to note that while generally safe, it is possible to take too much of any cannabinoid, including Delta 8 THC products. As with any substance that interacts with brain receptors, THC delta 8 can produce a variety of cognitive effects in different users. If this is your first time with Delta 8 THC, you might be wondering what the high feels like, how it works on your brain, if it relaxes you the same way as Delta 9, and if you can do it too much and feel anxious.
