Does Delta-8 Help with Inflammation?

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Delta-8 THC has grown in popularity over the last few years. Thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp-derived cannabinoids like CBD and Delta-8 are more popular than ever among users for their wellness and therapeutic potential.

However, there is much to understand about this cannabinoid. Delta-8 THC is fairly new to the cannabis space, and many brands and products tend to make claims that might sound too good to be true. That’s why we’ve assembled a small guide to help you understand Delta-8 THC better.

Specifically, new or old users who want to give this cannabinoid a go and want to know how it could benefit them with inflammation and pain management. Without further ado, let’s jump into Delta-8’s effects, how it can help with pain, and some of its most important properties.

Key Takeaways:

• Delta-8 shows potential in reducing inflammation and pain.
• Studies and user experiences suggest benefits for managing chronic pain and conditions like arthritis.
• Notable effects include less psychoactivity than Delta-9 THC, potential cognitive and anti-cancer benefits, and antiemetic properties.

Is Delta-8 Anti-inflammatory?

Yes, Delta-8 has some anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. According to this study conducted on mice, Delta-8 has the potential to interact with the endocannabinoid system and help as an anti-inflammatory agent.

While more clinical studies are needed, this gives Delta-8 lots of potential to help with inflammation and pain symptoms.

Does Delta-8 THC Help With Pain?

The short answer to this is that Delta-8 THC has the potential to help with certain pain symptoms. The longer answer is that more research needs to be done to understand how Delta-8 THC affects a part of our nervous system called the endocannabinoid system.

This system is part of our body and naturally sends neurochemicals and signals to our body, and it is responsible for many things like appetite, stress, pain, inflammation, and more. Delta-8 THC binds to the proteins in two of the receptors called CB1 and CB2. Both of these are responsible for several tasks in our body.

However, by binding to its proteins, it might help diminish certain pain and inflammation signals in our body. This is mainly why Delta-8 produces a sedative effect.

Delta-8 for Pain Management

All of this information is great, but how can it help your day-to-day? Well, it is believed that Delta-8 THC can be a safer analgesic for certain diagnoses. Thanks to how it is metabolized, it can help improve quality of life for people who have high pain levels.

This study from 2020 examined how this cannabinoid could help users with ocular pain and inflammation. This condition tends to be pretty bad, as pain is constant and lowers the quality of life of patients, as it turns everyday tasks into a challenge. Luckily, the study concluded that Delta-8 could significantly reduce chronic pain and inflammation. Thanks to these properties, and the mental relaxation the mild high can give, Delta-8 has a lot of potential for pain management.

From milder pains to chronic pain diagnoses like fibromyalgia, Delta-8 THC has grown in popularity among users to help them treat their pain. But, as always, you should consult with a doctor before treating any symptoms on your own.

Delta-8 for Arthritis Relief

Even though there’s still much research to be done, there is evidence that Delta-8 has the potential to help with some arthritis symptoms. Both anecdotal and recent studies have noted that the properties of this cannabinoid could be useful for people with this diagnosis.

We’ve already explored how this cannabinoid works without the nervous system. However, this study on Delta-8 showed that it could help with the pain pathway for stronger pains like arthritis by creating a safe analgesic effect for people with neuropathic pain.

Users generally accept that Delta-8 THC is a much stronger relief for inflammation and pain than CBD. And thanks to the synergy from the entourage effect created by both cannabinoids, you can also mix them both to get a better result, according to frequent users.

Potential Benefits of Delta-8 THC

Now, let’s get to something pretty important: the actual potential benefits of Delta-8 THC. Some people make incredible claims about this cannabinoid, but it is important to know which claims are backed up by science and research and can have an actual effect on your wellness goals.

It’s also important to note that very few cannabinoid products have been approved by the FDA as official treatments, so much of what is claimed comes from anecdotal evidence and current studies that are underway.

With that out of the way, let’s review some of the most important potential benefits of Delta-8 THC backed up by science.

Lesser Psychotropic Effects

Delta-8 THC has shown a minor psychoactive effect than its sibling cannabinoid, delta-9 THC. The estimated power when compared to Delta-9 is about two-thirds to half the actual potency of regular THC.

Thanks to this, the high and intoxicating effects of Delta-8 have fewer side effects around it. Some of these are paranoia, anxiety, and even nausea. And while still being stronger than CBD, users have slowly turned to Delta-8 THC for its properties for a stronger relief.

Improved Cognitive Function

Some people have used Delta-8 THC to help them improve their creativity and productivity, but there are actual studies about helping with cognitive disorders like Alzheimer’s. This 2004 study noted that the use of Delta-8 THC could help with the neurotransmitters in the cortex and hippocampus.

Overall, this could help reduce the incidence and neurological deficit that happens with cognitive disorders in the long term. And while more clinical testing is needed, it opens the dialogue toward improving the quality of life for people with these kinds of diagnoses.

Pain and Inflammation

Yes, as we’ve stated above, Delta-8 THC can help treat pain and inflammation in general. This study has also helped to understand this, as it noted that Delta-8 THC could help with its analgesic properties to help with pain in mice.

In general, this study gives potential as pain relief and muscle relaxation aid, as the administration of Delta-8 has a 64% reduction of pain in the early phase while not altering motor function and overall activities of animals.

Early Research Shows Potential Cancer-fighting Properties

One of the main reasons it is believed medicinal marijuana was legislated in some states, was thanks to cannabis and hemp’s role to help fight cancer. Delta-8 THC is not that far behind, as researchers found that in mice that it could help reduce tumor sizes and prologue its survival time when treated with this cannabinoid.

This could mean that this compound has the potential to help reduce both inflammation and some symptoms that come with chemotherapy, including fatigue, irritability, nausea, and appetite loss. So while the actual mechanisms need more research, Delta-8 THC holds the potential to help with symptoms that also affect the patient’s quality of life as well.

Antiemetic Properties

Users report that hemp and cannabis can provide antiemetic properties, meaning they can prevent motion sickness in general. This is backed up by a 1995 study that used Delta-8 to treat pediatric cancer patients who had strong nausea and gastrointestinal problems associated with chemotherapy.

The research done has a 100% success rate over 480 treatments, with very small side-effects to be reported. And as a fun fact, the US Government has a patent on antiemetic uses of Delta-8, which opens the conversation for helping to alleviate these symptoms in further clinical cases.

Appetite Stimulation

It is believed that Delta-8 products like gummies and edibles can help to increase a person’s metabolism for a short time. This and the appetite stimulation effect it can provide thanks to how it works with our endocannabinoid system, can help people struggling to eat meals.

This 2004 study showed that low doses of Delta-8 THC could increase food consumption in general and help alter neurotransmitter levels. With this, it could help release dopamine and serotonin levels and help with overall weight loss. The study does notice that more clinical research would be needed, but that this compound holds great potential as a therapeutic way of treating weight disorders.

Anti-anxiety

Delta-8 THC might also play a role to lessen some stressors that cause anxiety. Delta 8 has been categorized as a compound that can inhibit anxiety symptoms thanks to how it interacts with our nervous system. These kinds of medications or compounds are called anti-anxiolytics.

And with fewer side effects than its isomer, delta-9 THC, this cannabinoid has the potential to aid with fatigue, nervousness, and stress caused by certain anxiety diagnoses. It can also give a clear-minded experience that can also help relax the mind as well.

Suppress Nausea

Surprisingly, Delta-8 THC has also helped with nausea. Cannabinoids in general are believed to combat this symptom as natural nausea suppressants. Cannabinoids have helped not only by deactivating nausea signals from the endocannabinoid system, but they can also help to prevent vomiting at all, according to this study.

Boost Energy

Athletes and fitness enthusiasts have started taking Delta-8 thanks to the clear-headed high that it can give. Users have reported feeling more energy, and thanks to its relaxing properties, some people can feel like it gives them the perfect boost to keep up with their workout routine.

While it can mostly relax your mind and body, Delta-8 can be a great way to boost you through a sluggish day. And if you are interested in getting to know Delta-8 flower strains for energy, you can read more about them over here. You can also learn more about Delta-8 in the video below.

Can I Buy Delta-8 Online?

Yes! Thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, Delta-8 THC products are fully available as long as they are extracted from legal hemp and don’t contain more than 0.3% of delta-9 THC. Besides being a safer option thanks to the fewer side effects, you can try Delta-8 THC in many ways.

First, you can try smoking it. The Delta-8 flower usually uses CBD flower covered in extract, our flower at Botany Farm’s store uses frozen Delta-8 THC distillate so the herb burns more evenly.

If you are new to the hemp world, we recommend one of our favorite Sativa strains, Sour Hawaiian Haze. This balanced sativa is perfect thanks to its sweet tropical fruit flavors that mingle with the sour notes at the back, making it perfect for a first toke.

If you like sativas but want a flower that’s a little stronger and still very sour our version of Sour Lifter is perfect. It has a stronger fuel-like profile, while still being pretty manageable with amazing mood-changing effects. Some users also use it to relieve everyday pains and stress as well.

However, for chronic pain and inflammation, our Delta-8 Sour Elektra flower is one of our user's favorites. Not only it has a delicious profile, thanks to its strong cannabinoid content with its 17.6% you can have a clear-headed relaxation. It also has terpenes that allow for inflammation to go down, like Myrcene and Caryophyllene.

If you want something similar but with sweeter, more fruity notes, the Delta-8 Sour Space Candy strain is also a great option. If you want to skip the smoke altogether, we also know two options. You can try our Live Resin Delta-8 THC tincture, which uses 1000mg of CBD and 500mg of Delta-8 THC per bottle to potentially help as a pain relief aid.

Tinctures are oil-based products that contain extracts of cannabinoids, which act faster than other edibles and provide a discreet way of trying Delta-8. However, you can also try our Delta-8 THC gummies if you want a small treat instead. These take a little longer to feel the effects, but that also means they take longer to wear off.

You can try these in our assorted sour flavors in their 15-pack. Each gummy has 30mg of Delta-8 THC and 2mg of delta-9 THC, making them great for microdosing, helping you unwind, or keeping inflammation and pain at bay during the night.

My Final Thoughts

During my deep dive into Delta-8 THC, I was amazed by all the potential pain relief options offered by this ‘aging’ cannabinoid. The term ‘aging’ only being used given the age of researchers learning about this chemical compound, which will in part shape what reviews and studies are conducted on it moving forward.

Of course, this fascinating cannabinoid isn’t just for pain, as its mere profile suggests a plethora of possibilities. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects mean that, anecdotally at the very least, this could be used as an analgesic for all kinds of pains.

The ‘high’ it provides is less intense than its counterpart in Delta-9 THC, and I know personally that cannabinoids such as THC tend to scare off many, gaining an infamously bad reputation. For me, this was one of the most important reasons for trying Delta-8 THC – giving it a form of ‘cannabis’ that I would be more likely to try, on-demand and in the comfort of my own home.

The possible applications of Delta-8 THC to cancer treatments, as well as its potential use as an appetite stimulant for those suffering from medical or other reasons, is an example of how potentially widespread its use could be.

There is no research into the health benefits of Delta-8 THC, but my experience has been positive, allowing me to relax and not become nervously affected by discomforts arising in my body.

Sources used for this article:

• https://www.usda.gov/farmbill
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15099912/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10490883/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4789136/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32445190/
• https://ascpt.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/cpt1973143353
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31968549/