Delta-8 THC is defined as follows by the National Cancer Institute:
“An antiemetic, anxiolytic, appetite-stimulating, analgesic, and neuroprotective tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) analog.” [Delta-8 THC] binds to the cannabinoid G-protein coupled receptor CB1, which is found in the central nervous system…This agent has a lower psychotropic potency than [delta-9 THC], which is the primary form of THC found in cannabis.”
Although delta-8 THC differs chemically from delta-9 THC, it has many advantages of its own. Delta-8 and delta-9 bind to the endocannabinoid system, resulting in a high. The double bond found in their atomic structures causes this high. However, for each cannabinoid, the double bond is located on a different carbon atom: delta-8 has it on the eighth carbon atom and delta-9 has it on the ninth.
Delta-8 THC has grown in popularity due to its similar properties to THC, which people use for its ability to produce happiness, euphoria, sedation, and symptom relief. While delta-8 THC is only found in trace amounts in nature, companies are seeing value in concentrating esoteric cannabinoids like delta 8 for their unique effects and applications.
What Consumers Should Know?
Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol is less psychoactive than its close cousin delta-9 THC, which is the most abundant constituent found in cannabis. This is preferable if someone wants to use delta-8 THC to relieve pain during daily tasks.
Delta-8 is well-known for its ability to bind to both CB1 and CB2 receptors in the human body. This can be extremely beneficial to cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy and experiencing difficult side effects, particularly nausea and vomiting. Previously, patients undergoing various types of cancer therapies were given delta-8 before, during, and after treatments to see if it reduced their side effects. Vomiting was completely avoided with the addition of delta-8, and other side effects from cancer treatments were reported to be negligible.
Delta-8 THC is a highly valuable cannabis-derived chemical compound due to its efficacy and stability. The benefits and effects of the distillate benefit both medical and recreational users, and it demonstrates the power of cannabis’s individual chemical constituents. As science defines and refines the applications for cannabis’ diverse collection of cannabinoids, we will benefit one puff at a time.
Health Benefits of Delta-8
- A Smoother High That Is Less Psychoactive
Many cannabis smokers do so for recreational reasons: they want to get high. Tetrahydrocannabinol is the cannabinoid responsible for the high levels experienced when smoking cannabis. When you smoke marijuana, however, you get delta-9 THC rather than delta-8 THC.
Delta-9 THC is extremely potent and produces an intense high that some people may not enjoy. The high can also be accompanied by a variety of side effects, including drowsiness, exhaustion, paranoia, anxiety, and, in rare cases, psychosis.
Delta-8 THC may provide a smoother and more mild high for people who experience these side effects with delta-9 THC. When compared to delta-9 THC, many delta-8 THC users claim that it provides a more mellow and less anxious psychoactive experience. This is to be expected given that delta-8 THC is less potent than the more commonly known delta-9 THC.
Most researchers believe that delta-8 THC has half the potency of delta-9 THC, and some have discovered that some delta-8 THC flowers only have 10% of the potency. If you don’t like the intense high that marijuana can provide, or if you suffer from anxiety and paranoia, Delta-8 THC flowers may be a better option for you. You will be more focused and relaxed without experiencing any negative side effects.
- An Effective Antiemetic
Delta-8 THC is an effective anti-nausea and anti-vomiting medication. THC’s scientific role in vomiting inhibition is not novel; scientific evidence has shown for years that delta-9 THC is effective in relieving nausea and reducing or stopping vomiting. The strong psychoactive component of delta-9 THC has hampered its widespread use to treat these issues.
Delta-8 is capable of resolving this issue. People who suffer from nausea may be more inclined to use delta-8 as a treatment because it has similar antiemetic properties to Delta-9 THC but a lower psychoactive potency. Researchers used delta-8 THC to treat children with cancer and discovered that it reduced nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy treatments.
- A Better Stimulant for Appetite
While delta-9 THC produces a more intense psychoactive high, delta-8 THC has the potential to be a more effective therapeutic agent. Delta-8 THC is thought to be twice as potent as delta-9 THC in terms of medicinal properties, according to researchers.
You may have heard that marijuana use can cause munchies,’ and delta-8 THC is even more effective at stimulating appetite and regulating nutrient absorption. The great thing about delta-8 THC is that even a small dose can significantly increase appetite. This has additional potential applications for the cancer patients mentioned previously, as well as anyone suffering from a lack of appetite.
- Could Improve Brain Health
One of the main reasons for the recent surge in delta-8 THC research is that scientists want to learn more about its beneficial effects on the brain. Delta-8 THC has been studied for its strong neuroprotective properties. It functions in a variety of ways, including adenyl cyclase inhibition and the regulation of potassium and calcium channels in the central nervous system. These activities promote better brain health.
Because delta-8 THC raises choline and acetylcholine levels, it may be useful in the treatment of degenerative mental health conditions. It boosts neuron generation and growth, resulting in better brain health.
