This year, delta-8 THC, a new marijuana relative, burst onto the national scene. It is an improved form of THC in the Marijuana family. It comes as a vape or an edible, and the state of trance is similar to a moderate form of traditional marijuana.
In terms of chemical structure—three carbon rings, a long tail, and several hangers-on—and psychological effects, delta-8 THC is similar to delta-9 THC, the critical active component in marijuana.
The way they originate is the main distinction. The raw marijuana plant contains delta-9. Delta-8, on the other hand, comes from hemp, a cannabis plant that has been cultivated to produce fiber, biofuel, and bioplastics without the psychotropic THC.
Delta-8-Tetrahydrocannabinol (or THC-8, Delta-8-THC) is popular with digital sellers because it avoids the laws that apply to its cousin, cannabinoid Delta-9-THC. It is possible to synthesize it from CBD oils, resulting in a high profit margin. Not to mention the intoxicating effects and how customers cannot get enough of it. Is THC-8, on the other hand, risk-free?
Even though Delta-8-THC originated in the early twentieth century, consumers, researchers, and regulators have only lately become aware of it. Surprisingly, there is hardly any awareness about its safety profile, particularly in vape pens and edibles. The research is on a small scale in most instances.
What is Delta-8-THC?
Delta-8 is a cannabis component that has grown in popularity due to its resemblance to delta-9 THC, the primary ingredient in cannabis that causes euphoria, happiness, sedation, symptom alleviation, and other effects. The majority of cannabis cultivars have high levels of THC. Chemical structures and terms are the only similarities between the two cannabinoids.
Delta-8 is an acronym for delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol, which is also known as delta-8 THC. The effects of delta-8 THC are comparable to those of ordinary delta-9 THC, although they are significantly less powerful.
The legality of delta-8 is currently unclear. Hemp or cannabis may mix to make it. Hemp may now be cultivated and extracted legally across the United Areas, thanks to the 2018 agricultural bill, making delta-8 lawful in states where delta-9 THC is illegal—in some cases. Almost all Organic delta8 THC on the market today is made from hemp-derived marijuana, making it, at least in principle, part of a federally authorized supply chain.
People in places where THC is under ban want cannabis products, and delta-8 may be legal in their state, even though it is less potent than ordinary THC. To fulfill the gap between demand and supply, several hemp-based extractors are scaling up delta-8 production. It also is exported from the country to across the world.
5 Severe Side Effects of Delta 8 THC
Mouth dryness
One of the most prevalent adverse effects of smoking cannabis flower, whether Delta 8 or Delta 9, is cottonmouth or dry mouth. You will most likely feel parched as long as the Delta-8 molecule is present and active in your body. Many individuals drink a lot of water when taking Delta 8 to avoid this. However, a widespread misunderstanding is an occurrence of dehydration; this is not the case. It occurs as a result of the impact of enzymes on your salivary glands.
Dry eyes
It might not be a surprise to people who wear contact lenses. Consider how it feels to have left your eyes open for a minute. It includes continuously rubbing your eyes, trying to restore some moisture. However, like dry mouth, this lasts as long as Delta 8 is present in your system. This feeling of dry eyes will go away as the impact wears off.
Anxiety
Though Delta 8 alleviates paranoia and anxiety when consumed, consuming too much of it might make you feel jittery. Even though Delta 8 is said to have some of the psychotropic properties of Delta 9, ingesting large amounts of anything might create anxiety. When Delta 8 became legal, a uniform dose was also made available. However, if someone decides to go too far, they will almost certainly face negative consequences. Furthermore, because everybody is different, the effects of Delta 8 may vary from person to person. It is one of the reasons why Delta 8 must be under consumption in modest doses. It takes a bit for it to kick in, so the user should have an effective dose plan.
High-level trance state
Some individuals claim that Delta 8 gives them lightheadedness since it contains psychoactive chemicals, but they are not as potent as THC. It implies that anyone who has this experience is likely to become too concentrated on all of their ideas. On the other hand, they may find it hard to focus and start zoning out.
Inability to concentrate at work
It may be troublesome. However, it is dependent on when you consume Delta 8. It is best to accomplish this in your spare time rather than while you are busy with work. Because Delta 8's recognized effects are to relax you and give you a "high," it is understandable that taking it during work hours might interfere with your productivity. Delta 8 may affect your cognitive and physical abilities, making it difficult to regain your attention.
Is It Legal?
Delta-8 THC is not technically prohibited, as we previously said. Here, we will look at some of the most complicated legal issues that surround this drug.
Several cannabis businesses openly market Delta-8 THC as a legitimate method to get high. That is technically correct, yet it is still a subject of contention for some. For one reason, it is not a prohibited drug. While Delta-9 THC comes under a blanket ban by federal and few state legislation, Delta-8 THC never comes under it. However, more to the point, many supporters will refer to the 2018 Farm Bill. This law made numerous industrial hemp products, including Delta 8, lawful on a nationwide basis.
Conclusion
Because Delta 8 is so new, there has not been enough study to determine the long-term effects it may have on you. The side effects we have mentioned are mainly short-term, and the customer will notice them within a few hours after ingesting Delta 8. Monitor your dose and eat according to the manufacturer's recommendations. If you encounter any of the above-mentioned adverse effects, you should be patient and try not to be too concerned. They will only stay as long as you are high and then fade away.
The risk and benefits of Delta 8 products are balanced, and under controlled doses, it might well be the perfect alternative to other Marijuana products. Delta 8 can also cure the widespread opioid crisis in several states of the United States of America.
Thank you all for sharing your experiences. Im a 58yo man and ive been smoking weed off and on most or my adult life. I have found that im allergic which explains my constant breathing, pulse racing and depression issues. I decided to quit 3 days ago. I was thinking of trying delta-8, hoping there wouldnt be a similar problem. After reading your posts I’m not coming anywhere near it. Another week or 2 and I should be over the loss of appetite and craving. I think my life will improve vastly by just saying no to any cannabis products. Again, thank you all for saving me from making a terrible decision.
I am not a regular weed smoker, but have tried a variety of medical marijuana strains at varying dosages, and CBD even at high concentrations does not effect me much. The most I have experienced with Medical Weed was all the normal stuff. I took half a delta 8 gummy the other night and ended up in the ER. Severe derealization, paranoia, panic, full body tremor for several hours, dangerosuly elevated heart rate and blood pressure, and about 4 full hours of not being able to tell if it was real or a dream. It was a nightmare. They gave me Ativan to get my heart rate back down to a safe level.
I have no idea why I would have such an extreme reaction, I vaped Delta 8 two nights before and experienced nothing except a numb/ sleepy feeling. Never Again.
I thought they were CBD gummies so I ate 3 for my bad back.
Got lost on familiar streets and after I got to my location I got numb and dizzy then started blacking out . Twitching of arms and legs. Could not talk.Paramedics took me to the hospital .After contacting the source we found that they were Delta 8 gummies. Took 10-11 hours to come out of it. After several test they determined it was the gummies most likely . Never again.
I guess I have been fortunate not to have had some of these strange reactions to Delta 8. I have never used cannabis so I have nothing to compare it to but so far my experience has been mainly good. I started taking Delta 8 + CBD gummies about a year ago mainly to help with chronic pain and sleep issues. I did a lot of research before trying any because I was leery of getting one that might have toxic chemicals. I also read all of the instructions ahead of time (most reputable sellers will provide dosing recommendations and warnings about over-consumption). I always try to look at the lab reports too, though I realize those are sometimes fabricated (hello photoshop!) and/or a lot of companies do not include solvent tests/safety info which is concerning.
In my experience and from all that I’ve read it seems that there needs to be at least a small percentage of CBD in the mix with the Delta 8 to reduce those troublesome side effects like, anxiety, dizziness, etc. that some people feel with Delta 8 or THC in general.
While I don’t doubt the reviews by people who’ve had some drastic effects I believe those effects were from taking too much (like WHY would someone take 100mg or more of a product they’ve never even used before and which has warnings all over the label saying to start with half a gummy or less???!!!) or from taking a shoddy product laced with impurities or toxic residue.
That being said, I have had some unusual side effects that come and go with certain brands I’ve tried, namely hot flashes and some restless sleep (mainly due to the hot flashes- these are normal at my age but usually I’m able to keep them at bay with a hormonal supplement). However, this can also happen when I take high doses of full or broad spectrum CBD alone, with no THC (under the regulated percent). I don’t know if this is because of the way that CBD & THC affect the cannabinoid receptors that regulate hormones or if it’s because I got a shoddy batch laced with some solvent residue and my liver is just working over time. But if you are peri-menopausal or menopausal you will want to be aware of this potential and annoying side effect when using high dose CBD or Delta 8 products.
I would like to see more regulation of these products though like requiring manufacturers to be certified in some way and required to comply with safety protocols. Any substance that goes on/in the body should have to have some oversight to ensure people are not getting poisoned or being exposed to a dangerous product.
It cannot be stated strong enough but again…. ONLY take the recommended dose of these products and even start with less if you aren’t familiar with how you will react. Just because you handle traditional THC well doesn’t mean you can inhale or gobble down 50-100mg of Delta 8 and not get sick. Moderation is always best and you can add more after you see how things go after several hours. Be safe not sorry!
I took a 25mg edible of delta 8. I started to feel the effects about 10 min in. Gradually felt effects and peaked around 3 hours. Worst high I ever felt. My brain went into another place. I was talking to people who were not there. My subconscious took over and my conscious was trapped and could not escape. My heart rate went up to 150 resting and bp was 140/100. Which is high for me. I had chest pains and anxiety. I could not sleep later that night and had bizarre dreams. My wife took a 100mg edible and was crying and freaking out on me 3 hours in. She had a resting heart rate if 140. Luckily she went to sleep. I was pretty close to going to the ER. I believe that these products should be sold at a much lower dosage. I regularly smoke weed but I can control how much I smoke. With those edibles be careful. I would start out with a quarter or half of a 25mg. Wait 3 hours then take more. I’ll just stick with delta 9. Good luck.