What Is Delta-8 THC?

What Is Delta-8 THC?

Delta-8 THC is a trace cannabinoid derivative found in some strains of the cannabis plant. How is it different than Delta-9 THC? Find out below.

What Is Delta-8 THC?

Delta-8 THC is an oxidized isomer of Delta-9 THC that appears is precent is small very small amounts in some strains of cannabis. It’s formed when Delta-9 THC has become oxidized, which converts into an isomer with an almost identical molecular structure to its parent derivative.

Delta-8 THC has astonishing therapeutic qualities with significantly lower psychoactivity than its cousin Delta-9 THC. Although Delta-8 THC can be likened to Delta-9 THC, its real potential is in its effectiveness and stability.

How Does Delta-8 Differ From Delta-9 THC?

Delta-8 THC and Delta-9 THC are very similar in every way except for their chemical bond. Delta-9 THC naturally oxidizes into Delta-8 THC in the aging process that results in two analog phytocannabinoids. They share the same effects and identical properties, but in a lesser amount for Delta-8 THC. Delta-8 THC balances the effects, with a soothing quality like Delta-9 THC’s, but without the strong high and anxiety.

How Is Delta-8 THC Made?

As stated above, Delta-8 THC can be found in very low concentrations (< 0.1%) in CBD hemp flower. However, it can also be converted or extracted extracted with other cannabinoids and turned into a concentrate with various uses.

The main cannabinoid that delta-8 THC can be made from is the cannabigerolic acid or CBGA, which is the acidic form of CBG. CBG is known as the cannabis stem cell. CBGA is the parent of the other major cannabinoids, including THCA. The THCA produced is then turned into Delta-8 THC through oxidation.

What are the Health Benefits?

In a study conducted by Dr. Raphael Mechoulam on the effect of Delta-8 THC on children with cancer, it was found that chemotherapy-related side effects like nausea and vomiting were substantially reduced when patients used Delta-8 THC.

The research also concluded that high doses of Delta-8 THC could be used to increase the effecst on the children without causing any of the psychoactivity that comes with Delta-9 THC. Interestingly enough, while adults tend to experience mild psychoactive effects when using Delta-8 THC, the children in the study seemed to have been immune to this specific effect.

• Delta-8 THC is a more tolerable version of traditional THC. It produces a semi-sedative physical effect without much mental effect, while allowing users to stay active, focused, and balanced as they go about their daily routines.
• Delta-8 THC causes lower levels of anxiety than its relative Delta-9 and offers different effects than Delta-9 THC. Users of Delta-8 often describe feeling more in tune with their bodies and less altered than when using Delta-9 THC. Combined with the fact that it heightens senses and perception, Delta-8 THC makes outdoor activities such as hiking, climbing, and cycling more fun.
• Delta-8 THC has also been proven to be very effective at managing many different medical conditions. It’s especially useful because of its effectiveness at stimulating appetite and reducing nausea.
• Its balanced effect is attracting both new and experienced cannabis users. The derivative has also been found to be particularly suitable for children who have cancer and are undergoing treatment.

Remarkable Medical Potential

Delta-8 THC is begining to be used in the pharmaceutical industry because of its stability and efficacy. According to the U.S. National Cancer Institute, Delta-8 THC contains THC with antiemetic, anxiolytic, appetite-stimulating, analgesic, and neuroprotective properties.

Its largest value is in the low potency, which means less psychoactivity. When used in high doses, Delta-8 THC causes less anxiety than its relative Delta-9 THC. This lesser effect, together with the substance’s array of medical benefits, has caused researchers to delve deeper.

Delta-8 THC Availability

Delta-8-THC is present in dry cannabis flowers, but only in trace amounts, which makes it very hard to extract with traditional methods. The amount of Delta-8 THC cannabinoids found in plants naturally are far too low to be economically viable to capture.

While research is ongoing on developing CBG-rich strains to allow more natural bulk-to-substance ratio of cannabinoids like Delta-8 THC, we will have to make do with the synthesized versions of the compound instead.

Substantial amounts of Delta-8 THC is extracted with a special process of extraction, isolation, conversion, and refinement.

Is Delta-8 THC Legal?

There has been a lot of speculation on whether or not Delta-8 THC is legal. While the arguments rage on between proponents and opponents, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has weighed in heavily on the controversy, implying that the substance falls under the classification of controlled substances in a report published on August 20, 2020.

The Drug Enforcement Administration stated, “As a result, a cannabis derivative, extract, or product that exceeds the 0.3% Δ9 -THC limit is a schedule I controlled substance, even if the plant from which it was derived contained 0.3% or less Δ9 -THC on a dry weight basis.”

However, there are still many speculations, fear, and fierce claims that the new DEA Interim Final Rule made some things clear, like extracts and interpreting Delta 9, but failed to mention Delta 8 specifically. This position has spawned a heated debate on whether it still is or is not legal.

As of now, the legal hurdles are still a little tricky.

This article is not to be considered as legal advice or a legal interpretation. It is always best to look to your state regulation when considering using delta-8 THC.