Hemp legalization has opened many doors for those who want to take advantage of the plant’s numerous therapeutic properties. Users can easily, and most importantly – legally, find beneficial hemp-infused products that could improve their overall wellbeing and help them take charge of their health.
Several different cannabinoids in hemp can have a powerful impact on your body and mind, the most famous of which is CBD and Delta-9 THC. But recently, all eyes have turned to Delta-8. You can easily find Delta-8 on Ministry of Hemp, but before you do, look at its benefits and effects.
How Is Delta-8 Different from CBD or THC?
CBD and THC are the two of the most abundant cannabinoids found in every hemp plant. CBD is renowned for its lack of psychoactive effects, so many patients suffering from chronic pain, insomnia, nausea, and other health problems gladly take it to alleviate their symptoms without clouding their minds.
On the other hand, we have THC, the Delta-9 variety, which despite its numerous potential benefits, became notorious for its strong psychoactive effects. Not to mention that it’s known for inducing paranoia and anxiety with frequent users.
Delta-8 THC shares some similarities with both CBD and Delta-9 THC, and yet it’s different from either of them. Like CBD, it can be calming and relaxing, bringing an abundance of benefits (which we’ll discuss in a moment). And like THC, it has some psychoactive properties that can give a smooth buzz to the user without making them feel paranoid or anxious.
Unlike D-9, Delta-8 is legal on a federal level, mainly because its effects are much, much milder. The 2018 Farm Bill has legalized every hemp-derived product that has less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC. Since Delta-8 is in that category, you can use it in any state and country that’s legalized hemp.
Potential Benefits of Delta-8
Unfortunately, Delta-8 THC hit the spotlight only recently, so more research remains to be done to provide conclusive evidence of just how beneficial it can be. Still, the few studies so far conducted have given us a glimpse into D-8’s therapeutic properties.
Chronic pain and inflammation
Chronic neuropathic and inflammatory pain is notoriously difficult to treat, even though millions of people worldwide suffer from it daily. Traditional painkillers work only to an extent. They come with a long list of side-effects and are at high risk of abuse since they’re so addictive.
That’s why many patients have started using D-8 THC. Delta-8 has potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that can help to alleviate pain and reduce inflammation. It’s non-addictive and effective, and since its psychoactive effects are exceptionally mild, it should keep you focused and energized throughout the day.
Nausea
D-8 THC has antiemetic properties, meaning it can help alleviate vomiting and nausea, especially in patients undergoing chemotherapy or similar treatments which are known to induce nausea.
Additionally, it can help to stimulate appetite in a similar way to its D-9 counterpart.
Anxiety
Anxiety disorders affect over 40 million adults in the US alone, making them one of the most common mental illnesses; and the most common reason why US adults request medicinal marijuana.
Like CBD, Delta-8 THC has potent anxiolytic properties that could help alleviate both physical and mental symptoms of anxiety, including excessive sweating, inability to focus, memory issues, uncontrollable shaking, and increased heart rate, among others.
Research suggests that Delta-8 could also alleviate the symptoms of mood disorders such as depression. However, more studies need to be conducted to provide conclusive evidence.
Insomnia
Insomnia doesn’t just impact your energy levels. Chronic sleep deprivation can negatively affect your mental and physical well-being, increase your stress levels, affect your appetite, harm your immune system, and more.
Studies indicate that D-8 THC can have similar effects on insomnia patients as CBD. It helps to relax your body and mind and starts making you feel drowsy at higher doses. Taking D-8 in the evening could help you have a well-deserved good night’s sleep and give you more energy in the morning.
Why It’s So Potent
Of course, the therapeutic benefits and potency of Delta-8 don’t just lie in its chemical composition. The main reason why cannabinoids like D-8, D-9, and CBD have such a powerful effect on us is our natural Endocannabinoid System (ECS).
The ECS moderates functions and processes such as sleep, memory, appetite, pain-sensation, sex drive, and more. If we want to stimulate the ECS, our bodies produce endocannabinoids which are incredibly similar to cannabinoids. So, our bodies are primed to respond to compounds such as Delta-8.
Final Thoughts
While the public’s attention has only recently turned to Delta-8, the cannabinoid has been in existence since the first-ever hemp plant. It has an abundance of potential benefits, and only time will tell just how potent it can be on its own.