What Does Delta 8 Feel Like

Among the heap of novelties and new cannabis products currently available, Delta 8 THC is one of the hottest topics. This minor cannabinoid seems to be on the lips of all cannabis connoisseurs and enthusiasts for its similar effects to Delta 9 THC. According to the 2018 Farm Bill, all products containing more than 0.3% THC contain a scheduled substance and therefore are illegal. However, this law refers specifically to Delta 9 THC. Delta 8 THC is in a gray area since it is not the specific type of THC that this law points out. In addition to this, manufacturers mainly extract Delta 8 THC from completely legal industrial hemp plants or directly from CBD. The result is a product that can get users high, although significantly less potent than the infamous Delta 9, which remains illegal in some states. According to user reports, the effects of Delta 8, although similar to those of Delta 9, are much more manageable, especially for new users. But, if you've been wondering what exactly Delta 8 THC feels like, you've come to the right place. In the following article, we'll talk about what exactly Delta 8 THC is, where it comes from, and everything you need to know about this increasingly popular cannabinoid.

Key Takeaways

• Delta-8 THC is a minor cannabinoid found in small concentrations.
• Delta-8 THC is most often derived from CBD.
• Delta-8 THC gets you high by interacting with your cannabinoid receptors.
• Delta-8 will get you high, but it’s not as potent as Delta-9 THC.
• According to the 2018 Farm Bill, Delta-8 THC is legal at a federal level.

What Is Delta 8 THC?

Delta 8 THC or Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol is a psychoactive natural compound derived from cannabis. It is one of the more than 100 cannabinoids that occur naturally in the cannabis plant and an isomer of the infamous THC. Naturally, Delta 8 THC only occurs in small amounts in both marijuana and hemp. Thus, to get Delta 8 THC in large concentrations, manufacturers generally use hemp-derived CBD and apply a process that changes the molecular structure of CBD and transforms it into Delta 8 THC.

​What Causes a THC High?

The molecular structure of THC is quite similar to that of the brain chemical anandamide. Both anandamide and THC function as neurotransmitters since they send chemical signals between neurons, affecting specific areas that influence movement, coordination, pleasure, memory, thought, sensitivity, and time perception. THC interacts directly with the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors of our endocannabinoid system, a neural communication network that plays a crucial role in the normal functioning of our nervous system. Therefore, altering the functioning of this system produces the characteristic psychotropic effects that THC and its isomers are capable of generating.

​Is Delta 8 THC Safe?

A simple answer to this question would be a simple yes. Delta 8 THC is safe and, at least in a healthy adult, cannot cause an overdose on its own. However, several factors may affect the safety of Delta 8 THC products and consumers. The FDA does not regulate the hemp market as such. Therefore, some of these products do not go directly through the proper tests and controls necessary to determine their purity. This lack of regulation opens the door to careless or malicious manufacturers launching products of dubious quality. In some cases, these products may contain remaining contaminants from the manufacturing process, such as pesticides, heavy metals, mold, or residual chemicals. For this reason, we recommend users always verify third-party laboratory tests on the label of the Delta 8 THC products they buy before consuming them. In this way, you confirm that you have a safe, free of contaminants and high-quality product in your hands.

​Delta 8 Side Effects

Since Delta 8 THC is still an isomer of THC, it can generate similar effects that may be uncomfortable for some users, especially those who don’t enjoy the intoxicating effects of Delta 9 THC. Some of the side effects that Delta 8 THC can cause in these people are:

• Impaired coordination and thinking
• Auditory or visual hallucinations
• Feeling of anxiety, fear, or even panic
• Irrational thoughts
• A sensation that you are not yourself
• Increased heart rate
• Dry mouth
• Red eyes

If you accidentally experience any of these sensations, keep in mind that they will only be temporary. Still, the time it takes for these feelings to disappear depends mainly on how you consumed the Delta 8 THC. For example, if these sensations are due to an excessive intake of Delta 8 products, it could take up to 12 hours to return to normal. Always read the instructions and ingredients marked on the packaging of whatever product you want to consume to know what to expect.

​How Does Delta 8 Make You Feel?

The significantly milder effects of Delta 8 THC compared to regular THC can feel like a buoyant and uplifting sensation that helps to promote a smooth and relaxed, calm state of mind. Even relatively high doses of this cannabinoid are unlikely to get you glued to the couch. On the contrary, you will find yourself being able to perform your daily tasks and even have better energy and focus, increasing your overall productivity.

Delta 8 Effects

In summary, we can say that Delta 8 THC is like a gentler and more manageable version of the well-known Delta 9. Some of the effects you can expect to experience when consuming Delta 8 THC are:

• Light cerebral high
• Increased body awareness
• Tranquility
• Uplifting mood
• Relaxation
• Dreamy introspection
• Mild euphoria

It is important to note that in addition to these effects, Delta 8 THC has a set of medical benefits that can be of great use to many users. According to The National Cancer Institute studies, Delta 8 THC has "anxiolytic, antiemetic, analgesic, neuroprotective, and appetite-stimulating properties." Therefore, the effects of Delta 8 THC also provide practical medical benefits for different users.

​What Do Delta 8 Edibles Feel Like?

Delta 8 THC continues to be a cannabis novelty on the market, so there aren’t many products available for consumption. For now, most Delta 8 THC-infused edible products for sale online are Delta 8 THC gummies. There are some other options like chocolate bars with Delta 8 THC, but there’s a long way to go for this cannabinoid to grow. No matter the option you choose, the effects generated in your body after ingesting Delta 8 THC edibles can feel like an enjoyable sensation of happiness and mild euphoria. After a while, you will begin to feel a relaxation that can help you slow down. Delta 8 THC edibles can improve focus, mood and help with attention-related problems. Additionally, Delta 8 THC is less likely to generate the anxiety and paranoia associated with Delta 9 THC. It is essential to avoid ingesting too many Delta 8 THC edibles at once. Delta 8 THC is about half as potent as regular THC. However, if you eat too many Delta 8 THC edibles, you may experience some of the highs you want to avoid from Delta 9 THC. So, especially if you have never used cannabis before, try to ingest a single dose of edible and pay attention to how you feel to avoid getting uncomfortably high or nauseous.

​How Long Does the Delta 8 THC High Last?

To a large extent, the duration of the effects of Delta 8 THC will depend on the dose and the way you consume it. A Delta 8 THC high experience can regularly last between 3 to 8 hours or even more. But, this duration can vary depending on whether you smoked Delta 8 THC or ingested it as an edible. Currently, you can choose between different Delta 8 THC-infused hemp strains, such as our delicious Delta 8 White CBG or our Pinneaple Haze pre-rolled joints. If you're more into vaping, you can also try our Delta 8 THC vaping cartridges if you lean more towards terpene-rich broad spectrum concentrates. If you smoke a few puffs of some Delta 8 THC concentrate or smoke a joint of buds enriched with Delta 8, the effects can last from 2 to 5 hours, depending on how much you smoke. On the other hand, the effects of Delta 8 THC edibles are longer-lasting. After you eat them, it usually takes 20 minutes to two hours for them to take effect, depending on how long it takes your body to digest and assimilate them. The edible effects of Delta 8 THC can last between 8 up to 12 hours.

How is Delta-8 Different Than CBD?

One of the major differences between these two cannabinoids is that Delta-8 THC produces psychoactive or intoxicating effects, whereas CBD does not. When you take CBD, although you might feel a little more relaxed, calmer, better able to sleep, and pain-free, it’s not going to produce an intoxicating head high or a body high like THC can produce, and this goes for all forms of THC. Although Delta-8 THC isn’t as potent as regular Delta-9 THC, it is still an intoxicant. The other major difference is a chemical one, as the location of the double bond between the carbon molecules on CBD and Delta-8 THC are different. Other than that, particularly in terms of the chemical structure, the two are identical.

What Do Delta-8 THC and Delta-9 THC Have in Common?

So, what does a Delta-8 THC high feel like in comparison to a Delta-9 THC high? Generally speaking, Delta-8 THC is not nearly as potent, so the high that you feel won’t be as strong or intense as from Delta-9 THC. That said, the biggest similarity is that they are both intoxicants, and they are types of THC. In general, the Delta-8 high feeling is said to resemble the high of a fairly weak Sativa strain. It produces a fairly mild intoxicating cerebral head high that can make you feel a bit calmer, euphoric, happy, giggly, talkative, energetic, focused, and relaxed. If you smoke a weak Delta-9 Sativa strain, it might feel almost like what Delta-8 feels like. Another similarity is that both of these cannabinoids interact with the human body in more or less the same way. They both get you high by interacting with the cannabinoid receptors in your body, both the CB1 and CB2 receptors. Both of these cannabinoids can help to improve appetite, potentially reduce pain, help you sleep better, and make you feel more relaxed. It can even make you feel more aroused. However, both cannabinoids, when taken in very high doses, may also cause slight disorientation, lethargy, loss of coordination, and increased heart rate. Delta-8 THC and Delta-9 THC are more similar than they are different.

How Does Delta-8 Get You High?

The Delta-8 feeling is a result of the interaction between it and the cannabinoid receptors in your body, both the CB1 and CB2 receptors. CB1 receptors are located mostly in the brain, whereas CB2 receptors are located mainly in the immune system. CB1 receptors are mainly responsible for the psychoactive effects of various forms of THC, and the CB2 receptors are responsible mainly for the anti-inflammatory effects and other such benefits of these cannabinoids.

How to Use Delta-8 THC

The cool thing about Delta-8 THC is that there are plenty of different ways to use it. There is Delta-8 THC hemp flower that you can smoke just like regular cannabis. You can grind it up, roll it into a joint, put it in your bong, your pipe, or anything in between. Delta-8 THC also comes in the form of edibles, which means that you eat them, and these could be lollipops, gummies, chocolates, or any other such food. Edibles do of course take a bit longer to hit than smoking, but they also last much longer and produce a stronger high. If you still like the idea of inhaling your THC but want something a bit healthier than smoking, you can always try doing some vaporizing of concentrates. A simple Delta-8 THC cartridge can contain very high levels of THC and produce a very strong high. There are then also Delta-8 THC tinctures that you just put under your tongue and allow your body to absorb. Although Delta-8 THC is not nearly as strong as Delta-9 THC, we do still recommend exercising some caution, especially if you are a beginner. Concentrates and edibles can still be very potent, so start slow.

Delta-8 THC Will Test Positive in Drug Tests

Because Delta-8 THC is chemically similar to Delta-9 THC, and because it metabolizes in the body in much the same way as Delta-9 THC, it will show up positive on a cannabis drug test. The issue is of course that drug tests won't differentiate between different forms of THC, so even if Delta-8 THC is legal where you live, if Delta-9 THC is not, you might still run into issues. Thanks for stopping by! Check out some of our premium Delta 8 THC here at Botany Farms.