Purchasing a Product: The Best Ways to Take Delta 8 THC
In 2019, 14% of Americans polled said they used some kind of CBD product. Market experts predict that number will rise as more people become familiar with it.
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a non-intoxicating substance derived from the legal hemp plant. Did you know there’s a legal THC made from hemp that has more potential therapeutic benefits?
You may have seen products labeled Delta 8 THC and don’t know what that means. Purchasing a product you don’t understand is never a good idea. We’ll explain everything.
Read on to learn more about Delta 8 THC and the products you should buy.
What Is Delta 8 THC?
THC is the substance found in marijuana that gets you high. Delta 9 THC is found in the cannabis plant. Cannabis is illegal in many states, though that’s changing. 16 states now permit recreational marijuana use.
Delta 8 THC is in both the cannabis and hemp plants. Since the hemp plant is legal to grow, all Delta 8 THC products you buy are also legal.
Delta 9
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol is the chemical compound most often referred to as THC. The cannabis plant contains high levels of this compound people associate with the “high” of marijuana.
There are over 100 different cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. Delta 9 brings feelings of elation, laughter, relaxation, and memory impairment.
Delta 8
Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol is a similar chemical compound. Often referred to as “weed light,” its chemical structure has electrons placed upon different carbons in the compound sequence.
In the cannabis plant, Delta 8 THC is simply stored and degraded Delta 9. Delta 8 THC also occurs in the hemp plant in small amounts. Hemp growers selectively breed and process these plants for recreational use.
Delta 8 THC is intoxicating. Marijuana enthusiasts claim it has less of an intoxicating effect than Delta 9. It’s most associated with feelings of calm and focus.
Is Delta 8 THC Legal?
If Delta 8 wasn’t legal it wouldn’t be sold, right?
The questions surrounding Delta 8’s legality are murky. Until the 2018 Farm Bill, the government classified hemp and cannabis as the same plant. The Farm Bill allowed for regulated industrial hemp growth.
Products derived from hemp plants are legal. Therefore, Delta 8 THC products are also legal.
Not so fast.
Though Delta 8 derived from hemp is legal, some experts believe the process of altering CBD into Delta 8 THC is illegal. The DEA is currently undergoing a rules change procedure concerning Delta 8 classification.
What does that mean for you?
Not a lot. You should be confident when purchasing Delta 8 products. It’s no more illegal than buying a bottle of wine.
Why Take Delta 8 THC?
Delta 8 THC products are new, and so is the study of its effects. The most common rule of thumb seems to be that Delta 8 provides a more manageable daytime high.
What are the potential therapeutic benefits? Why should you take Delta 8 over Delta 9 or non-intoxicating CBD? Here are a few of its benefits.
Mellower High
Delta 8 is psychoactive, but not as much as Delta 9. For hardcore weed enthusiasts, this is a detriment. For new users, this is a benefit.
Many new users with low tolerance have a terrible first experience with marijuana. The high hits too fast and too hard. Delta 8 is less potent and less psychoactive.
The high comes on easy and smooth without the paranoia or panic attacks some new users feel.
Increased Clarity
People often use cannabis to help with their anxiety. Some strains, however, cause a racy feeling that leads to an inability to focus.
Delta 8 promotes a calm, relaxed feeling without the racing heartbeat and lack of focus.
Pain Relief
The use of medical marijuana has grown leaps and bounds over the past two decades. Doctors and patients both believe marijuana and Delta 9 THC relieve pain in a healthier way than prescription opioids.
Pain relief is also one of the many benefits of non-intoxicating CBD.
Delta 9 works too well for some, while CBD doesn’t work well enough. Some users feel debilitated when consuming Delta 9 THC products but don’t feel enough relief with CBD.
Delta 8 hits the sweet spot. It’s not powerful enough to glue you to your couch, but its gentle high provides much-needed relief.
Appetite Stimulation
It’s what Delta 8 and Delta 9 have in common. Do you feel too anxious or depressed to eat? Are you undergoing a medical procedure that kills your appetite?
Delta 8 THC products show great promise for appetite stimulation.
Promotes Healthy Sleep
Unhealthy sleep and anxiety feed off each other. The more anxious and depressed you are, the harder it is to fall asleep. The less restful your sleep, the more anxious or depressed you become.
Delta 8, Delta 9, and CBD all promote healthy sleep. Delta 8 relaxes you without that next-day groggy feeling of some cannabis products.
Delta 8 THC Forms
Like Delta 9 THC and CBD, Delta 8 THC comes in many forms. There’s the smokable flower, edibles, tinctures, dabs, and raw oils.
They’re all available at your favorite brick-and-mortar CBD retailer. You can also order them online through a trusted manufacturer like 3Chi.
Each has its own therapeutic benefits and potential drawbacks. The key to getting the most out of your Delta 8 experience is finding the form that works best for you.
Smokeable Flower
It looks, feels, and smells like marijuana. It isn’t marijuana, though!
These selectively bred and grown hemp flowers give users a healthy punch of Delta 8 THC. When you smoke, the THC enters your body through your lungs. This means the relief comes quickly.
Of course, smoking of any kind has its drawbacks. For one, it causes lung damage. Smoking flower also produces the most pungent smell.
This form works best for those who experience acute pain episodes and need quick relief.
Vapes
There used to be one way to consume any form of THC. Smoking. Vapes changed that.
Vapes are cartridges filled with Delta 8 THC oil combined with a heating mechanism. When the oil heats, it turns to an inhalable vapor.
This form gives you a lot of options. The isolated strains work for specific ailments and produce different effects.
Are you looking for anxiety relief? Do you want to improve your mood or your sex life? Do you need help falling and staying asleep?
There are strains for all of these and corresponding vape cartridges. There are also many fun flavors available to match your tastes.
A vape works best for those who enjoy the quick onset of smoking. The effects of a Delta 8 THC vape are almost immediate. They also produce a milder smell that won’t offend roommates and neighbors.
Tinctures
Tinctures are sublingual THC drops combined with a carrier oil like MCT or coconut. The effects arrive fast like smoking. Unlike smoking, a Delta 8 tincture lasts from four to six hours.
They’re also very easy to dose. Fill the dropper with the desired amount and drop the dose under your tongue. Hold for 45 seconds.
Dosing is key to a pleasurable Delta 8 experience. Knowing the exact amount you’re taking eliminates the psychoactive effects of taking too much.
Because of the easy dosing, this form works best for inexperienced users. It’s also helpful for those who take THC for insomnia.
Edibles
The edibles market keeps growing, and the possibilities are almost endless. Chocolates, hard candies, and caramels are popular. There are even drinks infused with THC.
Gummies are the king of the market.
Gummies made with Delta 8 THC offer a unique experience because of the way your body processes THC. When you smoke or drop THC, it hits your bloodstream before it reaches your liver.
You feel the effects very fast.
When you eat Delta 8 THC, the compound moves through your liver before you feel it. Your GI tract and liver transform Delta 8 THC into a completely new compound, 11-Hydroxy-THC.
11-hydroxy-THC produces much more profound effects. This means you need a lot less of an edible to get high, and the high lasts a lot longer.
Edible enthusiasts love gummies for this reason. New users find them pleasurable because the high is gradual. For many people, smoking hits too fast.
Gummies are the perfect form of Delta 8 THC for any symptom. Use them for long-term pain relief, anxiety, and insomnia.
Concentrates
Concentrates give you a high dose and a clean high. They’re powerful and easy to consume. They offer swift effects and long-lasting relief for any user.
The best part? You ingest them as you would any other concentrate, or you can use them to make your own edibles! Bake your own Delta 8 cookies and cakes.
Concentrates are dangerous to new users. They are very potent and must be dosed properly to avoid any detrimental effects. They work best for users who experience a high level of pain.
Dabs
If you’re new to THC, you might not be familiar with dabs. That’s ok. It’s hard to keep up with all the ingestion methods available to you.
Dabs are concentrated doses of Delta 8 THC wax. You place the wax on a heated surface and inhale the smoke.
Why do people dab rather than smoke or eat THC? Dab wax is very concentrated, usually 50% to 90% THC. You get a lot of bang for your buck.
When you consume Delta 8 THC this way, you’ll feel immediate and powerful effects. Dabs are also free of plant matter. The smoke you inhale is free from harmful carcinogens.
Dabbing is a safe, powerful way to consume Delta 8 THC. Novice users should steer clear because of the high concentration.
The Other Important Question
You know all about the different Delta 8 products. You’re aware of its legality. Will you fail a drug test if you take it?
Yes, you will. Though Delta 8 THC derived from the hemp plant is a legal product, it’s still THC. Drug tests aren’t nimble enough to discriminate between the different types of THC.
If you face frequent drug tests, it’s best to not take Delta 8 THC despite its legal status. Should you consume anyway, use these quick facts to figure out when the THC will leave your system.
- Delta 8 THC is fat-soluble and stores in your fat cells and organs.
- Your body eliminates THC in around 30 days.
- High BMI and overweight people may take longer to eliminate.
- Your metabolism speed also determines your body’s ability to eliminate.
- There’s no magic method, and a natural detox still takes at least 30 days.
Purchasing a Product Is Easy
It’s only a matter of time until every state legalizes recreational marijuana. The length of time might be a long time depending on where you live. Like gambling, sanctimonious politicians will fight it as long as they can.
When people see that tax revenue going to a neighboring state, the tide will turn. The great thing about Delta 8 THC is you don’t have to wait. It’s a legal product available for consumption.
Look for Delta 8 products in your local vape shop or health retailer. If you don’t live close, trusted online retailers like 3Chi will ship the product to your door.
The Delta 8 Products You Should Buy
Delta 8 THC comes in many forms, just like cannabis and CBD. You can smoke, vape, dab, or eat it. The key is to find a way that works best for you.
Consider why you want to try Delta 8 THC when you’re purchasing a product for the first time. Do you need effective pain relief? Do you need to mitigate your anxiety and depression?
Or are you looking for a good time? There is a Delta 8 product to meet your needs. Try a gummy today and your life will change.
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