Save D8 THC

Cannabis marijuana is still considered a controlled substance, which doesn’t appear to be changing anytime soon. As states fight internally over legalization, scientists and researchers have been exploring alternative solutions.

This is where Delta-8 comes in.  It hasn’t even been around for a full year. But now is the time to learn, because the newest member of the cannabis industry is already making waves.

So what is Delta-8 and how does it work?

Delta-8 THC is one of the less popular naturally occurring compounds in the cannabis plant. Its close cousin is Delta-9 THC — the main psychoactive ingredient that gives the famous high. When you consume marijuana, the Delta-9 is what you feel. The two THC compounds are very similar. The two molecules even look almost identical. But they are two very different experiences, because they bind to the receptors in the brain in very different ways.

Delta-8 is promising because it offers many of the same helpful effects as Delta-9, but in moderation.

• The potency is much lower
• Side effects are greatly diminished
• Users have reported the same high, the same calming sensation
• Some have even reportedly enjoyed the same medical benefits like pain and nausea reduction.

The biggest difference? No anxiety. No paranoia. None of the distortion or fogginess that accompanies high doses of Delta-9.  The reported high is clearer, cleaner, and more energetic. And unlike cannabis and Delta-9, Delta-8 THC is federally legal. And it may stay that way.

You may be wondering why you haven’t heard about it until now.

It’s about the Chemistry! 

There are over 100 types of cannabinoids (chemical compounds) present in the cannabis plant. Each bond with a slightly different set of receptors in your brain, producing a range of effects.

• Delta-9 THC is the illegal one. It produces pretty powerful psychoactive effects.
• CBD is another cannabinoid found in the plant. It has recently become extremely popular, and you’ve probably heard of it. CBD exists in its own classification. It is the brother of THC, and both are actually part of a group called “phytocannabinoids”.
• Delta-8 THC is not part of the CBD family.

Double Bonding.

Both Delta-8 and Delta-9-THC have one set of double bonds in their molecular chains. And while Delta-8-THC contains that bond on the 8th carbon chain, Delta-9-THC contains the bond on the 9th carbon chain. That subtle difference translates to noticeably different effects on how the body binds and responds to the two molecules.

Your body has a system called the endocannabinoid system. It has two main sets of receptors:

• CB1
• CB2

There are a ton of different receptors, and as a whole they determine a lot about your experience. Your mood, energy level, happiness, hunger any many other areas are all affected by this very important system.

CB1 Receptors

The first set of receptors are located mostly in your central nervous system and brain. This CB1 receptor mostly deals with the psychoactive effects.

• Delta-9 hits this set of receptors HARD. That’s why you might feel groggy, disoriented, and even paranoid after using cannabis.
• Delta-8, by contrast, also binds to the CB1 receptor, but in a very different way. This difference leads to far less psychoactivity, making it reportedly much easier to concentrate and stay engaged.

CB2 Receptors

Delta-8 also interacts with the CB2 receptors, which mostly sit inside your organs. Together these receptors interact with Delta-8 THC, and reportedly lead to a more calming high overall.

Why medical applications favor Delta-8 THC

The biggest advantage of Delta-8 is a lower potency which leads to lower psychoactivity. Studies have suggested that high doses of Delta-8 cause significantly less anxiety and paranoia than cannabis. The research seems to show that Delta-8 produces roughly 50 to 75 percent of the psychoactive effects. It could be thought of as a much more tolerable version of THC.

• Users can still focus and go about their work, all the while enjoying the relaxing effects that are expected from THC.
• The high is much clearer, and comes without any of the anxiety and distortion.
• Users will notice the difference in mental state, but it will feel far less hazy, and instead more energetic.

Medically, the early date is extremely promising for patients who want the same kind of relief, without the constant side effects. A 2018 preclinical study showed that Delta-8 was excellent at reducing pain and inflammation in mice. The national library of medicine has published data that indicates Delta-8 is every bit as effective as Delta-9 at soothing anxiety, nausea, and stimulating appetite in humans.

The Future of Delta 8 is Uncertain

The Farm Bill of 2018 opened the door for Delta-8 THC. It has been around for just under a year, and it is already gaining a ton of attention for its wide-ranging applications. However, as recently as August 2020, the DEA walked back its interpretation of the Farm Bill and cast a cloud over the future of the industry, and this new compound.

For now, Delta-8 remains fully legal. There are countless users nationwide, that rely on Delta-8 for therapeutic benefits. Keeping it around would be a landmark win for the cannabis industry, and allow people to get the relief they need.

Here is a link to the actual DEA rule: https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2020-17356.pdf?utm_campaign=pi%2Bsubscription%2Bmailing%2Blist&utm_source=federalregister.gov&utm_medium=email