Cannabinoids are chemical compounds that naturally occur in the cannabis plant. These compounds affect the body by interacting with the receptors found in the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), a system responsible for regulating your vital functions, like sleep, appetite, memory, learning, pain control, immune responses, and others.
More than a hundred cannabinoids have been discovered since the first one was uncovered in 1940. The most famous of these cannabinoids are CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). THC, also known as delta 9 THC, is the psychoactive compound of the cannabis plant, meaning this compound is responsible for that ‘high’ feeling consumers feel. But, one lesser-known cannabinoid that’s getting traction these days is delta 8 THC.
An Overview Of Delta 8 THC
Delta 8 THC is also psychoactive but has a mellower, less potent effect than its more popular sibling, Delta 9 THC. The cannabis plant contains only a minuscule amount of delta 8. But, since the demand for this cannabinoid is increasing, manufacturers have started synthesizing it from CBD derived from hemp plants.
Due to the 2018 Farm Bill, CBD from hemp plants is legal on a federal level. Cannabis, although legal in some states, is still illegal federally. Delta 8 THC, however, is legal at the federal level because it’s derived from CBD.
Delta 8 THC is a good choice if you want the buzz of delta 9 but have to work the next day. It may also bolster your appetite without getting you as high as a kite. Depending on your tolerance, its mildness may be as stimulating as a good cup of coffee, but without the sleepy comedown that follows after ingesting the more potent delta 9 THC.
It may also produce a soft buzz that helps you relax as you get home after a day’s work, suffusing the end of the day in a calm, gentle light as the soft susurrous of twilight embraces you.
Safe Ways To Consume Delta 8 THC
If you’re looking to try delta 8, make sure to get your products only from legitimate sources. Products containing this compound are largely unregulated, and their manufacture may include harmful chemicals. So, be sure your product is safe and lab-tested.
Below are a few suggestions on how to consume this compound safely:
1. Vaping
Vaping is a safe way to inhale cannabis products like delta 8 because you’d be inhaling vapors instead of smoke. Vaping can quickly deliver active compounds into your system. This means that you’ll feel its effects instantly and can last about two to three hours. Vaping is also discreet and easy to use.
The cartridges, or ‘carts,’ are filled with vape juice containing delta 8 THC and are plugged into your vaping device. The device heats the vape juice, turning the juice into vapors that you can inhale. The inhaled substances are absorbed into your lungs without the harmful chemicals that result from burning something. However, it’s always important to remember to get delta 8 vape carts only from reputable sources, preferably with great reviews.
2. Sublingually Through Tinctures
Delta 8 THC tinctures, which refer to concentrated liquid extracts, are created by diffusing, or spreading, a concentrated delta 8 distillate (product of the distillation process) into a liquid base. The liquid base is often oil from various sources, like hemp seed, vegetable, or MCT (medium-chain triglycerides, i.e., fats found in palm or coconut oils) oils.
Delta 8 tinctures are ingested sublingually (beneath the tongue), which means they’re absorbed through your mouth’s mucous membranes. As tincture products include a dropper, you can put a few drops under your tongue and wait for a few minutes for the onset of action. Also, the dropper makes sure you consume your exact amount of dosage.
Tinctures are safe to consume because, aside from being smokeless, they’re more sanitary as you won’t have to share pipes or devices. They’re also more discreet, and you won’t reek of pot when you go out. Moreover, tinctures have long shelf lives—kept out of direct sunlight, tinctures may last as long as five years before they expire.
3. Ingestion Through Edibles
Delta 8 THC edibles can be gummies, candies, chocolate bars, and baked goods, like cookies and brownies. They’re typically made by infusing cannabis distillate paired with butter or oil into the food ingredients. These products are safer and more delicious alternatives for people who don’t like vaping or smoking, especially if they have respiratory conditions. They won’t experience any adverse effects in their lungs.
Edibles are introduced into your body via the digestive system and metabolized by the liver. This method means you’d have to wait up to one hour before the delta 8 THC takes effect. The effect will probably peak within three to four hours, so ensure you don’t take any other cannabis products. The edible’s effect can last from six to eight hours.
When taking edibles, it’s crucial not to underestimate delta 8 THC’s potency. Work within your tolerance levels, and take note of the dosage per serving on the packaging.
Final Words
Delta 8 THC, one of the cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, is the mellower version of delta 9 THC. The cannabinoid has grown popular in recent years, and because it’s found in minuscule amounts in cannabis, manufacturers have synthesized CBD from hemp plants to produce delta 8 THC.
Getting delta 8 THC from reputable sources is important, as products with this cannabinoid are largely unregulated. If you’re thinking of trying it out, consider this article as a guide to some of the safest ways you can consume it.