The growing selection of new products in the cannabis industry is hard to grasp. Especially considering that there are different types of cannabis derived products available such as cannabidiol, (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) as well as their variations and combinations. Let’s take time to discuss delta 8 vs CBD.
TL;DR – Delta 8 THC and CBD are both cannabinoid within the cannabis plant, however, Delta 8 remains highly psychoactive, while CBD will not get you high. This is, perhaps, the most noticeable difference.
Delta 8 THC vs CBD – Obvious Differences
To make things more confusing, we keep discovering more of these cannabinoid derivatives. This is great from a medical discovery point-of-view, but adds to possible consumer confusion.
There are over 100 cannabinoids in the cannabis sativa plant, one being delta 8 tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as Delta 8 THC.
Delta 8 tetrahydrocannabinol is an isomer of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. This means both of these cannabinoids share the same formula but have differently arranged atoms with varying properties.
Delta 8 THC, among many other cannabinoids such as Delta 9 THC, has psychoactive and intoxicating effects. It occurs naturally in marijuana in very small concentrations.
Related: How Long Does Delta 8 THC Stay In Your System?
The effects of Delta 9 THC are similar to Delta 8 THC.
CBD products do not have psychoactive properties (do to a lack of THC) and are federally legal. Delta 8 THC is still legal, but is quickly becoming illegal in most states as they pass laws that restrict the sale and possession of it.
Also, many hemp derived products that contain Delta 8 THC are manufactured in high concentrations. The quality of this concentrate is hard to control or quantify at this time. Companies are producing as much of it as they can, before all state laws deem Delta 8 illegal. Product quality goes down the drain when this happens, unfortunately.
For those who aren’t aware, cannabis includes both the hemp and marijuana plants. Their THC content is what distinguishes them apart.
Cannabis plants containing over 0.3% THC are automatically considered marijuana, and therefore a controlled substance.
If the THC content is 0.3% or below, the plant is considered hemp, and therefor federally legal to possess and use as you need.
The THC and CBD extracts of the cannabis plant are most commonly used for pain relief, relieving anxiety and other health conditions. Adding to that, some compounds interact with each other creating an entourage effect with more effects in the final products.
It is good to take some time and learn about the different chemical compounds in your cannabis products.
What Is Delta 8 THC?
Delta 8 THC or delta 8 tetrahydrocannabinol is a cannabinoid found in the cannabis sativa plant. Being the less popular brother of delta 9 THC, there is limited knowledge on its potential benefits and dangers.
Delta 8 THC, Delta 9 THC, and CBD are all cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. The most commonly referred to compound when talking about the psychoactive effects is Delta 9 THC as it is found in large quantities in the cannabis plant and has an effect of being “high”.
Delta 8 THC can also naturally occur in cannabis but in low concentrations. It is not as powerful as Delta 9 THC.
Delta 8 THC and Delta 9 THC are made of similar atoms. The main difference lies in the order of those atoms and their properties.
Although Delta 8 THC and Delta 9 THC are different compounds ,they trigger a similar response in the endocannabinoid system.
Is Delta 8 THC Legal?
As of March 2022, Delta 8 THC is a federally controlled substance. In addition, it has been banned by many states for recreational use.
These two chemicals have a few identical as well as distinctive properties. Though all the potentials of delta-8 THC and CBD are unknown and are still under investigation, scientists have found that both these cannabinoids have some impressive therapeutic benefits.
Scientists have found a way to convert CBD into delta 8 THC via artificial means. Due to its less potent effects, delta 8 THC is made in large quantities.
Another issue with delta 8 THC is that there is not enough research available to accurately assess its benefits and potential side effects.
Many fear that some of these unregulated delta 8 THC products might get into the hands of children.
How Is Delta 8 THC Produced?
There is a lack of information regarding the production process of delta 8 THC. What is known is that delta 8 THC is extracted from the cannabis plant. The final product also contains unknown by products that potentially can have ill effects on the human body.
The process of converting raw cannabis into delta 8 THC is well known and documented. It is usually performed in a lab using solvents and acids. The conversion is never completely pure. The mixture usually contains byproducts, but companies that make high-quality products will be able to remove most of these and achieve a non-detectable level. It’s amazing what we can do with technology we have, today.
Are There Any Benefits Of Delta 8 THC?
Similarly to delta-9 THC, delta-8 may
- bring euphoria
- help relax
- ease pain
Many individuals opt for delta 8 THC due to its decreased potency. In addition, peer reviewed studies have shown decreased anxiety in over 70% of test subjects. The individuals also experienced better pain management. Some even like to choose delta 8 over delta 9 due to its milder effects.
Delta 8 THC Side Effects
Similarly to delta 9 THC, delta 8 THC may cause the following side effects:
- anxiety
- increased heart rate
- dry mouth
- increased sensitivity of the five senses
Since delta 8 THC is synthetically produced, it is not always known what goes into the production process. The FDA has reported adverse effects after using unknown delta 8 THC products.
Delta 8 THC in itself is not harmful. That being said there have been reports from poison control centers about adverse events involving ingesting contaminated delta 8 THC products.
More recently there has been an uptake in scientific research regarding delta 8 THC. So far, it can be observed that this chemical compound can produce the same psychoactive and euphoric effects.
Will Delta-8 Make You High?
Yes. Both delta 8 and 9 have highly intoxicating effects. As with delta 9, delta 8 THC produces similar effects of being “high”.
When compared to a traditional THC high, you may notice it doesn’t last as long, and might not be quite as strong. Many people report that they enjoy the delta 8 high over a normal marijuana product high because of this. Regardless, you will absolutely feel intoxicated when using a delta 9 THC item.
How Does It Make You High?
Our bodies are filled with different receptors. These receptors make up the endocannabinoid system (ECS), and it is responsible for different functions. This system was just discovered in the mid 90’s, so we’re still learning a lot about how it works.
THC has a strong binding affinity (it fits really well) with the CB1 receptor. This is why you experience feelings of being high after consuming THC products – delta 8 THC included. CBD, on the other hand, doesn’t have as strong of a binding affinity – so it doesn’t get you high.
What Is CBD?
CBD (cannabidiol) is a naturally occurring cannabinoid in the marijuana plant.
CBD does not have the psychoactive properties of delta 8 or delta ( and that is one of the reasons why it is federally legal and approved by the FDA.
Related: What Does CBD Stand For?
An interesting thing about CBD is that it can be derived from both hemp and marijuana plants. Unlike THC, CBD does not have intoxicating effects. It cannot make you “high”.
As long as a CBD product contains less than 0.3% THC it is considered legal.
Much more studies have been finished on CBD. This is also due to its availability in both hemp and cannabis plants.
One of the significant benefits of CBD is that it is very safe to use by a variety of people.
CBD has been tested in many environments and proved to be well tolerated by a vast majority of participants.
Related: CBD vs THC for Anxiety
On top of that, many individuals experienced a host of health benefits such as deeper sleep, vivid dreams, released muscle tension, decreased chronics pain and overall calm state.
CBD vs Delta 8 THC: Main Differences
Yes, they are quite different. Let’s compare the differences between CBD vs Delta 8 THC:
Impairing effects
- CBD – no
- Delta 8 THC – yes
Legality
- CBD – yes
- Delta 8 THC – no, its currently being banned as we speak in many different states – if it already hasn’t been.
Health Benefits
- CBD – yes
- Delta 8 THC – yes, similar to typical THC benefits.
Delta 8 THC Gummies vs CBD Gummies
Both of these products are quite popular. Keep in mind, though, that they are very different, too!
Delta 8 THC gummies will absolutely get you high. While the high doesn’t last as long as delta 9 THC, it still can last upwards of 30 mins to an hour.
If you want to get high, stick with delta 8 products. If you don’t want to get high, stick with CBD gummies. Hemp derived CBD products won’t get you high.
Which Cannabinoid Is Best To Offer Relief From Discomfort?
Considering all of the mentioned points about the unique benefits of CBD, delta 8 and delta 9 THC we can see a major overlap of different health benefits across the board.
What is more, all these compounds had undergone human studies which produced a lot of data regarding their safety as well. Hence we now have a variety of CBD products available that cater to a specific crowd that prefers its non psychoactive effects.
Delta 8 and Delta 9 THC will show up on a drug test. This may be an issue if your workplace does random drug tests. If you consume any of those substances you will fail a drug test.
On the other hand, if you choose a CBD product you will not fail a drug as it does not show up on reports.
Another fact to consider when ingesting delta 8 and 9 products is that the euphoric states often lead to increased appetite. Since the cannabinoids activate a lot of receptors in the body through the endocannabinoid system, it naturally needs more energy.
Chemotherapy for cancer patients can lead to loss of appetite and weakness. In order for the patient to regain strength, a cannabinoid such as delta 8 or 9 THC can be beneficial in terms of increasing appetite and improving mood.
On the other hand, if you are looking to lose weight, you might want to go for lower potency cannabinoids such as cannabidiol. CBD does not increase food consumption as much as other THC derivatives and can be a better option for weight management.
Safety Concerns: Delta 8 THC vs CBD
As we have mentioned previously, the limited research available is inconclusive. This is mainly due to the unspecified production process and materials used for the delta 8 mixtures.
If you do decide to use delta 8 products or have been exposed to such you may experience the following adverse events / effects:
- Anxiety
- High appetite
- Paranoia
- Dry mouth
- Increased heart rate
Should a child unexpectedly consume delta 8 THC products, contact poison control centers immediately, along with am emergency healthcare team.
Cannabis Plant Dependency
As with any supplement of medication it is strongly advised to be aware of the possibility of developing a dependency over time. Any drug taken over an extended period of time can lead to addiction. In many cases the addiction can be mental rather than physical.
The currently available data points to the fact that delta 8 does not have major lasting effects on the human body. If you experience adverse effects of CBD, delta 8 or delta 9 THC you can easily fix this by simply stopping supplementation.
That being said, there have been accounts of adverse effects of CBD. In general, there are very few cases where CBD is not tolerated well but it is important to note that some people have have experience side effects such as:
- Weakness
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Low Appetite
- Dry Mouth
Clinical studies are conclusive that CBD is non-addictive.
When taken in controlled doses, CBD poses no risk of addiction. On top of that, CBD can help with treating tobacco and nicotine addiction. In doing so, it may reduce craving for other more addictive substances and help manage withdrawals from them.
CBD and Delta 8 THC Medical Interactions
CBD and THC have shown to interact with some medications. Always consult your doctor before taking CBD or THC products.
CBD reacts with certain medications such as prescription medications and substances that help fall asleep (opioids, benzodiazepines), antidepressants, blood thinners, and pain killers. THC, however, has adverse reactions with sedatives and immunosuppressants.
If you decide to consume THC make sure you are not on any similar medications.
Summary: Comparing Delta 8 and CBD
According to the available data both CBD and Delta-8 THC can have beneficial health properties. The only thing you have to decide is…
Do you want to get high, or not? If you want to get high, go with delta 8 THC. If you want to get relief from discomfort without getting high, go with CBD products.
Due to its hallucinogenic effects, delta 8 can prove to be more addictive in comparison to CBD, too. At the same time, CBD and THC combinations yield even more powerful results when acting on the endocannabinoid system and activating more cannabinoid receptors.
This can have a major impact in more serious health conditions such as autism or epilepsy. It should also be noted all THC products will show up on a drug test.
Alternatively, if you are looking to improve your overall well-being and do not suffer from any serious medical conditions you might want to start with a CBD product.
Make sure to always consult your doctor before taking any CBD products due to their possible drug interactions and other side effects.
Make sure to always consult your doctor before taking any CBD products due to their possible drug interactions and other side effects.
