At one time, Delta-8 THC was a niche cannabis product. Only those in the know were aware of its existence.
However, Delta-8 THC has become incredibly popular recently, and now everyone is talking about it. Now you might be wondering, what exactly is Delta-8 THC, and what does it do?
To find out the answers to these questions, continue reading below as we explain everything you need to know about Delta-8 THC.
History of Delta-8 THC
Although this might be the first time you hear about delta-8 THC, it's been around since at least 1941. A researcher way back then named Roger Adam was the first to discover it.
It wasn't until decades later that researchers became interested in the compound. In the 1970s, researchers used delta-8 THC for cancer research.
They found that delta-8 THC might have anti-tumor properties and was able to reduce nausea in cancer patients. Despite this good news, Delta-8 THC would slink back into the shadows.
It wasn't until recent years that Delta-8 THC reappeared and was thrown into the limelight.
What's the Difference Between Delta-8 THC and Regular THC?
The THC we know and love is actually the shorthand way to talk about delta-9 THC. The obvious difference between delta-8 THC is the one number change.
What this number means is that there's a very slight structural difference. Without getting too deep into chemistry, there's a single chemical bond in a different place.
What this boils down to is that the two compounds are almost exactly the same. The only difference is an atomic one.
However, this tiny deviation in structure leads to different effects. It turns out that Delta-8 THC is much less potentthan delta-9 THC.
What Does Delta-8 THC Do?
In a nutshell, Delta-8 THC has the same effects as regular THC but is weaker. That means Delta-8 THC still has psychoactive properties, unlike CBD.
On top of that, Delta-8 THC may be able to aid pain relief, support appetite stimulation, and aid in reducing nausea.
However, the relaxed nature of Delta-8 THC may be its most significant advantage. That's because regular THC can cause harmless but stressful side-effects like paranoia, anxiety, and even panic.
There's probably been a time where you got way too high and had an uncomfortable experience. For some people, the side effects of THC can happen way too often.
That's especially a problem with those who use THC for medical reasons. Delta-8 THC is seen as an attractive alternative to people who want to avoid THC's side effects.
How Does Delta-8 THC Work in the Body?
Delta-8 THC works in the same way that THC works—through the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a complex network of receptors found throughout the body, from the brain to the immune system.
The ECS is responsible for keeping your body balanced. If you get sick or hurt, the ECS tries to bring everything back to normal.
That's why cannabis can have such a wide range of beneficial properties.
Regular THC connects mostly to the ECS receptors found in the brain. These receptors are known as CB1, and once THC connects to them, we get the feeling of being high.
Delta-8 THC can connect to CB1 receptors like delta-9 THC. However, because of the slight chemical difference, it doesn't connect to it in the same way.
The result is that delta-8 THC causes a high similar to THC, but not exactly the same. That's why users refer to delta-8 THC as weed-lite.
Where Does Delta-8 THC Come From?
Delta-8 THC is a natural byproduct of delta-9 THC. When regular THC is damaged through sun exposure, age, or damage—there's a chance it can turn into delta-8 THC.
That means that delta-8 THC isn't created by the cannabis plant itself like CBD, CBG, or CBC. Once cannabis buds are harvested, there's usually only 0.1% of delta-8 THC present.
Since Delta-8 THC comes from damaged THC, there are no high delta-8 THC strains. Now you might be wondering—how do pure delta-8 products exist?
It would be challenging to produce pure delta-8 products from such tiny amounts of natural delta-8 THC. The thing is, delta-8 THC distillates are often made by turning CBD into delta-8 THC in the lab.
Is Delta-8 THC Legal?
Under the 2018 Farm Bill, delta-8 THC is technically legal. The law made hemp products legal so long as there was less than 0.3% delta-9 THC.
However, there was no part of the Farm Bill that outlawed delta-8 THC or limited the amount of it. Now, individual states have taken it into their own hands to crack down on the compound.
Some states have outright banned delta-8 THC, and others are planning to do so. The reason for this controversy is due to the unregulated nature of delta-8 THC.
CBD and THC products in legal states have strong safety standards in place. With delta-8 THC, lawmakers fear that the products are unregulated and may not have high safety standards.
How to Find Good Delta-8 THC
Delta-8 THC products are safe, so long as you purchase them from a reputable seller. As we mentioned, the controversy surrounding delta-8 THC is due to safety concerns.
However, it's good practice to always find a high-quality brand when shopping for any cannabis products. After all, just because CBD is legal nationwide doesn't mean that you can trust any CBD product.
What you need to look out for are companies that actually lab test their delta-8 THC products. One company that's committed to producing high-quality delta-8 THC products is Luxe Delta.
Simply Crafted provides cannabis products that are all lab-tested and made to the highest possible standard. Knowing that the product is pure and free from dangerous chemicals will keep you safe and give you peace of mind.
If you're looking to try delta-8 THC safely, then don't hesitate and head on over to Luxe Delta.