- Key Takeaways
- What is THC?
- What is Delta-11 THC?
- Does Hemp Contain Delta-11 THC?
- The Benefits of Delta 11
- Delta 11 vs. Delta 8
- Delta 11 vs. Delta 9
- Delta-11 vs. Delta-10
- Does Delta 11 THC Get You High?
- Delta-11 THC Has Negative Health Effects
- How Potent is 11-hydroxy-THC?
- How do You Make 11-hydroxy-THC?
- Is Delta-11 THC Safe?
- Is Delta-11 THC Legal?
- Is Delta-11 THC Identical to 11-Hydroxy-THC?
- How Strong is Delta-11 THC?
- How Much THC is in Delta-11?
- What does Delta-11 THC Feel Like?
- Where to Find Trusted Delta-11 THC
- Will Delta-11 THC Fail a Drug Test
The world of cannabis is rich with a wide range of compounds that appeal to our senses to create the mellow, relaxing, arousing, and cerebral effects we love. Some of these compounds are more well-known than others. While we’re all familiar with THC and CBD, other cannabinoids are less well known but no less important to the cannabis experience. One of those lesser-known compounds is Delta-11 THC.
Key Takeaways
- Delta-11 THC is its own cannabinoid.
- Delta-11 THC and 11-Hydroxy-THC are not the same.
- Delta-11 THC is about three times as strong as regular Delta-9 THC and produces very strong cerebral and body effects.
- Delta-11 THC has great pain-relieving benefits.
What is THC?
THC is the main psychoactive component in the cannabis plant. THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol, one of more than 400 compounds found in cannabis, including at least 65 other cannabinoids.
The human body produces similar cannabinoids called endocannabinoids that attach to receptors on cells, helping to regulate a wide range of physiological and cognitive processes such as appetite, pain sensitivity, mood, and memory.
Is All THC the Same?
The short answer is no. All THC is not the same. THC is one of 400 cannabinoids in the cannabis plant and is the most widely studied and understood. But there are many other cannabinoids in the plant that interact with our endocannabinoid system and many different forms of THC that have different effects on the body and brain.
The Many Forms of THC
THC comes in several different forms, including:
- Delta-9 THC is the most abundant naturally occurring cannabinoid in cannabis. THC has several health benefits, and it can be used for pain relief, nausea control, and improving mood.
- Delta-8-THC is another type of cannabinoid that is considered non-psychoactive because it doesn't have the same high effects as those produced by Delta-9 THC. However, it interacts with other receptors in your body and may also have some medicinal benefits.
- Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) is similar to THC, but it does not get you as high as delta-9 THC does. It has been found to help people with epilepsy and multiple sclerosis. Still, more research needs to be done on this compound before any conclusions can be made about its medical benefits or side effects.
- THCA or tetrahydrocannabinolic acid is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in raw or unheated cannabis plants. THCA has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties similar to CBD.
What is Delta-11 THC?
Delta-11 THC, or 11-hydroxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, is a chemical compound produced in the liver after your body processes THC. It's the main metabolite of THC, which means it's what your body turns THC into after you ingest it.
While Delta-11 has similar effects and binds to many of the same receptors as Delta-9, its unique structure means that it acts on different parts of those receptors. For example, both molecules can bind to CB1 receptors, but Delta 11 (11-OH-THC) binds more strongly to CB2 receptors, which can have pain-relieving effects similar to CBD.
What is 11-nor-Delta-9-THC-COOH?
11-nor-delta-9-thc-cooh is a metabolite of THC that is produced in the body. It is the primary active metabolite of THC and is believed to be responsible for most of the effects associated with cannabis use.
Is Delta-11 THC also 11-hydroxy-THC?
The simple answer is no. Delta-11 THC is an entirely different molecule than 11-hydroxy-THC. Delta-11 THC has less psychoactive properties; it's just a precursor to Delta-9 THC, which has been shown to have analgesic (painkilling) effects in animal studies.
Does Hemp Contain Delta-11 THC?
The answer is yes. In fact, hemp can contain all of the cannabinoids found in cannabis. But it's important to understand that Delta-11 THC is not psychoactive in the same way that Delta-9 is.
This is because it binds to CB2 receptors, which affect things like inflammation and pain. That means you can use hemp products as an alternative if you want their health benefits without getting high.
The Benefits of Delta 11
The main benefit of Delta-11 THC is that it's a more potent version of THC. In fact, it binds to receptors in the brain more easily than THC does—so much so that some studies have suggested that it might interact with other drugs like benzodiazepines (which are used to treat anxiety) and barbiturates (used to help people sleep).
Delta-11's most notable effects are anti-inflammatory rather than psychoactive and can last longer because Delta-11 is produced through edibles. When you eat cannabis edibles, your liver metabolizes the THC before releasing it into your bloodstream. This means that it takes longer for you to feel the effects of eating a cannabis edible (about 30 minutes), but that those effects may last longer once the THC has entered the bloodstream.
The effects of edibles on the body vary based on how they’re consumed. They can range from feeling relaxed and happy to becoming sleepy and sedated. The time it takes for the effects to set in depends on the amount of THC in the meal and how much you eat in one go.
Edibles that have been infused with THC are more potent than other methods of consuming marijuana because they contain concentrated amounts of cannabinoids like THC and CBD. These compounds pass through the stomach lining and liver before being metabolized into Delta-11 THC (11-OH-THC), which is more psychoactive than regular THC.
Delta 11 vs. Delta 8
Delta 8 is an enzyme that converts cannabidiol (CBD) into Delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This conversion process occurs when the plant material is exposed to heat during smoking or vaporizing, which results in a higher concentration of THC than would otherwise be present in the plant material alone.
The main difference between Delta-11 THC and Delta 8 is that Delta-11 THC has a longer half-life than Delta 8. The time it takes for a substance to be eliminated from your system is called its half-life, which refers to the time it takes for half of the substance to be excreted from your body.
Delta-11 THC has a longer half-life than Delta 8 because it’s more fat-soluble than Delta 8 and is ingested through the digestive system rather than smoked or vaporized like Delta-8. Now that you're a bit more informed, are you looking try Delta 8 THC? Check out some of our Delta 8 options from Botany Farms.
Delta 11 vs. Delta 9
Delta 9 THC is the main psychoactive component of cannabis, but Delta-11 THC has a more pronounced effect on memory, learning, and inflammation than does Delta-9 THC. Delta-11 THC is an active metabolite of THC that is more potent than Delta-9 at CB1 receptors.
The relative amounts of each compound vary between individuals, with some people metabolizing much higher levels of Delta-11 THC than others. Several studies have examined differences in how individuals convert THC into Delta-11 THC. Still, there was no consensus on whether the conversion rates were similar across all individuals or if there were differences between strains or even within the same strain.
The conversion of THC into Delta-11 THC occurs principally in the liver and is not dependent on the presence of other cannabinoids or terpenes, whereas Delta-9 is usually present in smokable cannabis. We discuss Delta 9 THC vs. Delta 11 in depth in this article.
Delta-11 vs. Delta-10
Both Delta-11 THC and Delta 10 are metabolites of THC, but they are produced in different ways. The two compounds differ in how they are metabolized by the body, which affects their properties, and how they affect the user.
Delta 10 is a potent pain reliever, while Delta-11 THC is more psychoactive. Delta 10 is produced when THC enters your liver and is broken down into metabolites. This process can take up to three days, depending on the amount of cannabis consumed, frequency, and other factors.
Delta-11 THC is produced from Delta-9 THC through a series of reactions during metabolism. The enzyme CYP2C9 converts Delta 9 into 11-hydroxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (11-OH-THP).
This substance then reacts with oxygen to form 11-hydroxyhexahydrocannabinol (11-OH HHC) before becoming 11-carboxyhexahydrocannabinol (11-COH HHC). Finally, this substance undergoes further oxidation reactions to form 11β hydroxylation products such as 11β hydroxyhexahydrocannabinol (11β OH HHC).
Does Delta 11 THC Get You High?
Delta-11 THC is a byproduct of THC. It is formed when THC is broken down in the liver. This metabolite of THC gets you high, but it can take up to 10 times longer than regular THC to get there. So if you smoke or vape 3 mg of Delta-11 THC, it could take up to 30 minutes for you to feel its effects.
Delta-11 THC Has Negative Health Effects
The negative health effects of Delta-11 THC are not yet known. However, it has been suggested that it may cause some negative side effects in the body.
One study found that Delta-11 THC can interact with neurotransmitters in the brain to affect brain activity and behavior. The researchers also found that this interaction could lead to a condition called a "motivational syndrome," characterized by decreased motivation and low energy levels.
How Potent is 11-hydroxy-THC?
The potency of Delta-11 THC is about 2 to 4 times higher than that of THC. This means that a dose of pure Delta-11 THC will have a similar effect as a dose of THC, but it will be more potent and have a higher risk for adverse effects.
How do You Make 11-hydroxy-THC?
The answer is that you do not make 11-hydroxy-THC. It is formed in your body as a result of consuming THC. THC, or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, is the main active ingredient in cannabis. It's what gets you high when you smoke or consume cannabis.
However, another molecule called Delta-11 THC (11-hydroxy-delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol) has similar effects to THC but might be even more potent and addictive than the original compound. Enzymes synthesize THC and Delta-11 THC in your body, called cytochrome P450 oxidases (CYP450).
These enzymes break down cannabinoids into other compounds that have different effects on the body. One of these enzymes converts THC into Delta-11 THC, which causes an increased heart rate, dry mouth, eyes, and increased appetite—all symptoms of being high.
Is Delta-11 THC Safe?
Yes, Delta-11 THC is safe at moderate levels. The average person has a THC-COOH level of 10 ng/mL, about one-tenth of the concentration in urine after smoking a joint. The average THC-COOH level in urine is about 500 ng/mL, about ten times higher than the average in blood.
However, the average level is higher among people who smoke multiple joints per week or monthly. In other words, if you're a regular smoker, your body will have more THC metabolites than others, but that doesn't mean that you're impaired by them at all.
Is Delta-11 THC Legal?
The answer depends on where you live and whether your state has laws against driving with drugs in your system. In most states, it's illegal to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. However, it can be difficult to determine whether these substances impair someone at any given moment.
Is Delta-11 THC Identical to 11-Hydroxy-THC?
No, Delta-11 THC and 11-Hydroxy-THC are not the same thing. These are two different molecules. Technically speaking, Delta-11 THC is the compound created by the liver as it processes THC, whereas 11-Hydroxy-THC is a completely different compound, with effects similar to those of Delta-9 THC.
How Strong is Delta-11 THC?
Delta-11 THC is said to be about three times stronger than regular Delta-9 THC, with the psychoactive effects being much more pronounced and generally longer-lasting. Furthermore, Delta-11 THC is also said to bind much better with CB2 receptors, therefore potentially offering greater pain-relieving benefits than regular Delta-9 THC.
How Much THC is in Delta-11?
If we were to compare Delta-11 THC to Delta-9 THC, you could say that there is about three times as much THC in Delta-11 as in Delta-9. No, you can’t really compare them in this way, but Delta-11 THC is about 300% stronger than Delta-9 THC.
What does Delta-11 THC Feel Like?
If you think that Delta-9 THC gets you high as a kite, just wait until you try Delta-11 THC. Smoke a bit of Delta-11 and your kite is going to turn into a space-bound rocket ship. The high produced by Delta-11 THC is extremely potent, and it doesn’t take much of it either. A few milligrams are more than enough to get the job done.
Compared to regular Delta-9 THC, Delta-11 produces a much stronger sense of euphoria and relaxation, as well as a much stronger body and head high. Think of it this way, if Delta-9 makes you a bit giggly, Delta-11 will turn you into a laugh track from a 90s sitcom.
If Delta-9 makes you a bit tired and gives you that couch lock feeling, then Delta-11 will knock you out and turn you into the couch. It’s just a much stronger high. The effects are generally the same as with Delta-9 THC, just much more pronounced and longer-lasting. Delta-11 effects are like Delta-9 effects on steroids.
Where to Find Trusted Delta-11 THC
If you are looking for Delta-11 THC, you may be able to find it online or in your local dispensaries.
Will Delta-11 THC Fail a Drug Test
Delta-11 THC is chemically similar to Delta-9 THC. Moreover, Delta-11 THC is the main metabolite of Delta-9 THC when your liver processes it. Due to these reasons, although it has not been thoroughly researched, it is safe to assume that yes, Delta-11 THC will cause you to fail a drug test.
Want more information on Delta 11 THC? Check out the video below.