D8 is an exciting cannabinoid that’s approximately half as potent as D9. This is significant because delta-9 THC is what’s found in marijuana. So, if you’re the kind of person who smokes weed, performs moves you saw on Jackass in 2010, and wonders why you’re in the back of a police car, delta-8 products might be worth a try.
This article lifts the curtain so you can learn all about this new kid on the block that’s actually been there the whole time!
On this page
What is Delta-8?
Affectionately known as “D8” or “the stuff that gets me less messed up than weed,” delta-8 THC is classified as a minor cannabinoid that’s found in the Cannabis sativa plant. It is given this designation because there’s only a tiny amount of it in the plant. There’s nowhere near enough of it for companies to justify the extraction process.
Instead, they create delta-8 using hemp derived from CBD and a chemical reaction. Now that reputable brands have mastered the process, there are plenty of delta 8 products on the market. These include tinctures, gummies, and vape juices. The problem with vape products is the USPS ban on smoking and vaping items. This has greatly increased the cost of shipping, to the point where many brands have taken their products off the shelves.
Users of D8 say it gives them a more focused high. They also feel clear-headed and ready for action. Consequently, you may decide that it’s best to try delta-8 instead of marijuana, particularly if the latter is proving a tad too potent.
There’s a certain charm to using extremely powerful weed and experiencing the joys of being completely stoned. It’s a bad idea to do multiple bong hits while also drinking alcohol. Then you get to lay passed out on the sofa while your friends make prank phone calls.
The above scenario becomes a lot less likely with delta-8. That’s not to say you can get away with taking large amounts of it. Remember, it is half as potent as delta-9. So, if 50mg of D9 causes you to doubt your own existence, taking 100mg of D8 gummies is probably not the way to go.
Rene Descartes famously said, “I think, therefore I am.” If you use too much delta-8, you may begin to think you’re stuck in a computer simulation. Thus, the “therefore I am” part takes over, causing you to try and jump cars the way Mario glides across those magical pipe things. If you do this with a moving car, you won’t get past level one.
What Are the Benefits of D8?
There isn’t nearly enough research into delta-8 to draw any conclusions. That said, the available data is somewhat encouraging. For instance, a recent study found that users of D8 reported feeling relaxed and euphoric and also suggested that the cannabinoid offered pain-relieving properties.
However, there were also some adverse effects. These included a variety of cognitive distortions, such as difficulties with short-term memory and concentration, along with an altered sense of time. So, in a nutshell, you have to be wary lest you become like Ashton Kutcher’s character from Dude, Where’s My Car?
This, of course, is a hilarious comedy chronicling the struggles of a dude who is unable to find his car. Yes, I know most readers started calling me a liar once they saw the word “hilarious.”
Delta-8 is typically used to help reduce anxiety and stress. Similar benefits are reported among delta-9 users, but since D8 is less potent, it might be a better option for people with a low to moderate THC tolerance. Also, it will come in handy once you begin panicking about the news that a Dude, Where’s My Car? sequel is in the works.
Final Thoughts on D8
It takes a cool cannabinoid to get a name like D8, but delta-8 THC deserves this designation. It is cooler than an ice cube dug from the depths of Beardmore Glacier in Antarctica.
Delta-8 is about half as potent as delta-9, so if you find marijuana’s effects to be a little strong, you should consider D8 instead. Users report feeling less stressed and anxious after using it, although it is also linked with analgesic properties.
