Will Delta 8 Get You High?

Delta-8 THC (tetrahydrocannainol) Produces a Weak High

In the last two decades, here has been a huge increase in the interest of therapeutic, psychological and physical benefits of medicinal cannabis products.

For those new to the cannabis plant. Cannabis is the family of plants that we call Marijuana and Hemp. Although both plant strains look similar they are different at the molecular level. Both Hemp and Marijuana have medicinal value.

• Medical-Marijuana or Delta-9 THC, according to the national cancer institute, helps with nausea for chemotherapy. It also promotes appetite stimulating, and reduces painful conditions associated with auto-immune and central nervous system diseases like multiple sclerosis. The effects of cannabis Marijuana use can, when the potency is high, have negative psychoactive effects. Basically, it can get you “too high” causing temporary cognitive impairments like “couchlock”, panic-attacks, and the inability judge depth and speed.
  
• Hemp or CBD is best known for its ability to treat epileptic seizures such as epilepsy in children. Anecdotally, CBD users have reported that CBD products when either smoked, eaten, or through cannabis oil tincture does help with anxiety, chronic pain, inflammation due to arthritis and neuropathic pain. It’s also been used by insomnia patients to help with falling asleep and staying asleep

What is Delta-8?

Savvy cannabis users are discovering Delta-8 THC which is another form of THC that is not widely known yet. It provides similar benefits of D9 THC in terms of helping with nausea, appetite, insomnia, and nerve pain. But with a mild, more tolerable high. Because of it’s more mild effects, many Delta-9 THC weed users are turning to D8.

The molecule structure of Delta-8 & Delta-9 are quite similar. The only difference is the location of the double bonds between carbons. On the delta-9 thc the double carbon in the chain is located between delta 9 and delta 10 (see highlighted area). On the delta 8 thc the double bond is located between delta 8 and delta 9.

This small but important difference at the molecular level causes BIG differences in the binding activity to the endocannabinoids system CB1 & CB2 receptors.

CB1 receptors are responsible for feelings of bliss & calm. D9-THC binds primarily to these CB1 receptors which are concentrated in the brain. When you smoke or ingest Delta-9 THC it can overwhelm the receptors causing poor reaction times, cognitive impairment, and in some cases anxiety and paranoia.

Delta-8 on the other hand binds primarily to the other receptor named the “CB2 receptor” CB2 has higher concentrations in the immune system, gastrointestinal track, and peripheral nervous system. D8 also binds to the CB1 receptor but in much much lower amounts

it’s because of this lower affinity to CB1, that the effects of delta-8 tend to be “low-level” highs without the intense side-effects. This low level “high” is a desirable effect. This s why many CBD users are switching over to products that contain D8, they want the mild psychoactive high. 

Researchers have concluded that Delta-8 is approximately one-third as strong as D9/THC. Many consumers consider the effect of D8 to be a mild cerebral buzz which includes an uplifting effect on the body as well.

D8 tends not to produce the undesirable side effects that some consumers sometimes encounter when using D9-THC, including anxiety, paranoia, confusion, and dry eyes and mouth. Additionally, as the effect of D8 wears off, it does not leave any lasting negative effects, such as energy or emotional depletion, as some consumers experience after using THC. 

Delta-8 is like the 3rd bowl of porridge?

D9-THC might be too hot, CBD might be too cold, and Delta-8 seems to be just right!

D8 produces many of the same health benefits as Full-Spectrum CBD, but because of its low affinity to the CB1 receptor, it also produces a mild yet clear headed high effect. You might consider Delta-8 to be the crossover between CBD and D9 THC. You benefit from the desired effects of both products without any negative feelings sometimes experienced when taking D9 THC alone.

The main thing Delta-8 has in common with CBD ia low affinity to that CB1 receptor.

At the molecular level, Cannabidiol also known as CBD is quite different than D8 or D9 THC. It’s not exactly clear how, but the CBD molecule has no affinity to either to the CBD 1 or CBD 2 receptors like its THC counterparts. Instead, the CBD cannabinoids tend to engage with “other” receptors. These other receptors interact with or somehow influence the CB1(brain) & CB2(body) receptors.

Delta-8 just may be what goldilocks found

It’s an exciting time in the cannabis industry and delta-8 may be the game changer so many are looking for. It provides mild psychoactive “high” but without negative side effects. D8 is becoming a popular alternative to both D9-THC and CBD. Delta-8 produces many of the same health benefits as CBD and THC.

A word of caution. Start with small doses because everybody responds differently. I’d suggest calling you local dispensary and ask lots of questions. They should be able to help you.

Resources:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15302527/

https://www.hindawi.com/journals/arp/2009/827290/

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabidiol-cbd-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-2018082414476

https://phd-organics.com/what-is-cbd/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4120766/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5877694/

Priceland Hemp is a local hemp dispensary located at 118 Main Street, Black River Falls, Wisconsin 54615 (715) 299-5200

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