Your Official Delta-8 THC Guide
If you thought that you knew everything that there was to know about cannabinoids, you might want to think again, as there’s a new one in town, or should we say one that's getting some extra love.
Delta 8 is one of the lesser known cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, largely because it’s a minor cannabinoid, meaning that it’s not abundantly occurring compared to, say, CBD or THC.
In fact, delta-8 is technically a THC cannabinoid, but it’s far different from the one that we associate with marijuana’s psychoactive effects.
Delta-8 is growing in popularity, and here at Wellicy, we’ve made it available to our customers by offering a generous variety of Delta-8 infused products.
But, in short, it’s a new product on the market, but this is certainly not a new and recently discovered cannabinoid by any means.
This means that a lot of people may be apprehensive about trying it.
That’s why we’ve made this guide to share everything that we know about delta-8 THC in order for you to make a decision as to whether or not it’s right for you.
What is Delta-8 THC?
Delta-8 is a minor cannabinoid that’s present in both the hemp and the marijuana plants, which both belong to the cannabis genus.
Cannabis naturally contains a wide variety of cannabinoids – over 100 – which each bind with cannabinoid receptors in the body to produce unique effects that can promote overall wellbeing.
But what exactly are cannabinoids, and why are they so popular right now?
Well, humans have been using cannabinoids for at least hundreds upon hundreds of years, so they’re nothing new.
It’s just that until recently, we didn’t have the means to isolate and extract individual cannabinoids in order to study their effects and create formulas based on the properties that they offer to us.
Cannabinoids, or phytocannabinoids, refer to a class of compounds native to cannabis, hence the name.
Cannabinoids are processed by the endocannabinoid system, which is a bodily system found in every mammal, which regulates bodily systems to achieve homeostasis, which is a state of wellbeing that results from a sense of equilibrium throughout the body.
Here’s how it works: When consuming cannabinoids, our endocannabinoid system sends them to cannabinoid receptors throughout the body where they are most needed.
Cannabinoid receptors are found in every bodily system, and each one correlates to a nearby bodily process. For example:
- Cannabinoid receptors in the brain use cannabinoids to potentially regulate mood, cognitive function and neurological health, among other things.
- Cannabinoid receptors in the muscular tissue potentially regulates physical pain and inflammation.
- Cannabinoid receptors in the immune system potentially regulate the function of the immune system.
And so on.
So, back to delta 8.
Delta-8 is a unique cannabinoid in that it binds with CB1 receptors, which play a role in nervous system function, immune function, pain levels, mood and other important functions fulfilled by the body on a daily basis.
When delta 8 binds with these receptors, regulatory actions occur that help these areas of the body run more smoothly, so to speak.
Then of course one of the largest differences between the non-intoxicating effects of CBD and delta-8 is the fact that consuming delta-8 will provide slight intoxicating effects but nothing near those experienced when smoking delta-9 THC (cannabis).
What The Difference Between Delta-8 & Delta-9?
Well, we said that it’s a minor cannabinoid. It’s actually the lesser known little sister to delta 9 THC, being a THC cannabinoid itself.
Yes, we know – delta-9 THC is the cannabinoid that makes people high, as it’s highly psychoactive.
And yes, delta 8 is also psychoactive.
But, it’s not the same kind of psychoactive as its older sibling.
The high that users describe is more relaxing, allowing a person to remain clear-minded and functional rather than foggy and confused.
Delta-8 is unique from other cannabinoids in that it double binds with these receptors, hence the name.
What this means is that it has the potential to be twice as potent and therefore effective as other cannabinoids that are taken from cannabis for wellness-related purposes.
Another fascinating thing about delta-8 is that it only occurs when delta-9 oxidizes.
In other words, it’s a degraded form of the THC that we’re more familiar with, and once it degrades, it becomes a new cannabinoid altogether which joints the others in the plant’s chemical composition.
Because it has already oxidized, it actually boasts unique chemical stability, meaning that it can maintain its chemical integrity through various conditions.
Delta-8 is most often extracted from the hemp plant, mainly due to the fact that hemp is federally legal, while marijuana is not.
Furthermore, the 2018 Farm Bill made all cannabinoids, derivatives and isomers from hemp as long as the final product contains less than 0.3% delta-9 THC. And delta-8 is an isomer of CBD.
Learn more about the legality of delta-8.
There’s less than 0.1 percent delta 8 present in the hemp flower, which means that it’s quite difficult to extract compared to, say, CBD, which is the dominant and most abundant compound in the hemp plant.
So by leveraging a process known as 'isomerization' manufacturers are able to take CBD isolate and convert it into pure delta-8 distillate.
Is Delta-8 Safe?
Now, you might be wondering whether or not delta 8 is safe.
Well, allow us to reassure you that presently, there is no reason to believe that it’s unsafe.
The hemp plant is considered nontoxic to humans, and many of us take high doses of cannabinoids daily.
In fact, if you’re taking full spectrum hemp products, you may already be taking a small amount of delta-8 that exists in the plant material on a regular basis.
But does that mean that it’s safe to take in concentrated isolate form?
Well, there have been no recorded instances of bodily harm caused by delta 8 consumption.
So, rest assured that you should be fine. But in the end you should always consult with your doctor before taking any cannabinoids, especially if you're on prescription medications.
However, keep in mind that while the cannabinoid itself may be nontoxic, there are companies out there that wish to capitalize on the delta 8 trend while using subpar manufacturing methods.
Some of these manufacturing methods may, of course, be unsafe.
This is why it’s important to do your research before choosing a brand to buy your delta 8 from.
Luckily for you, we at Wellicy manufacture our own delta-8 products, and carefully select all of the 3rd party products that we sell based on their levels of safety and quality, among other things.
How is Delta-8 Made?
Delta 8 naturally occurs in cannabis, so if you’re consuming the cannabis plant as a whole, then you may already be taking in delta-8, whether you know it or not, just in extremely low amounts.
But, delta-8 distillate products are becoming more and more popular among those specifically seeking out the effects of this compound.
Extracting delta-8 is a tedious and difficult process. Because it’s so minimally occurring in hemp, companies would need to go to great lengths to isolate this small amount of the compound in order to extract it, thus making it costly.
Then once it has been isolated, it is extracted using a variety of methods, and then turned into a thick, liquid distillate which is extremely concentrated.
But, another method does exist that is being used more and more.
CBD and delta-8 are isomers, which means that within their molecules they share the same atoms, except those atoms are rearranged in different ways.
Highly advanced techniques allow chemists to rearrange the atoms in CBD, which is far easier to isolate and extract, not to mention cheaper, in order to turn it into delta-8.
The delta-8 products you are seeing on the market today are widely available thanks to this process, isomerization, which makes this cannabinoid much more cost effective for the manufacturer and in turn the end consumer!
Why are People Using Delta-8?
Many people are turning toward delta-8 because of its unique as well as it's synergistic properties with other cannabinoids such as CBD.
All cannabinoids offer properties to the body due to how they are used by the endocannabinoid system.
But due to the double-bonding nature of delta-8, these effects may be more potent, and may therefore allow for a more effective routine.
Delta-8 also offers a unique type of psychoactive experience that isn’t like delta-9 THC in terms of its heaviness, but is usually more pleasant and subtle, making the act of taking it uniquely enjoyable, that delivers effects you can actually feel.
What are the Properties of Delta-8?
One thing to bear in mind about delta-8 THC is that it’s still pretty new as an isolate.
This means that medical researchers have not been able to do as many studies on it as they have, say, CBD, or delta-9 THC, which have been isolated properly for quite some time.
Why this matters is because many delta-8 users have reported similar and unique positive effects, but we have yet to be able to back them up scientifically based on research provided by medical environments, and so we cannot list them as properties.
We do anticipate, however, that in the near future, as delta-8 continues to grow in popularity and availability, we will see more and more exciting studies being done about that which it’s capable of.
Delta-8 Studies
However, we’re not saying that no studies have been done on this particular cannabinoid. Plus, the ones that we do have access to look pretty promising.
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Study #1: Showed that delta-8 has potentially both analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, meaning that it may be effective against pain. Anti-inflammatory properties fight inflammation, which is an immune response that causes areas of injury and infection to become red, swollen and tender. Analgesic properties interfere with pain receptors in the brain that receive pain signals from the nervous system, effectively numbing pain that occurs throughout the body.
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Study #2: Two other properties that have been brought up by medical researchers relate to anxiety and seizures potential. CB1 receptors exist in the central nervous system, which plays a role in both mood and neurological function.
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Study #3: Has potential appetite-inducing properties, which could make it useful to those struggling to consume enough food each day. These same properties may potentially help a person combat nausea as well.
- Study #4: This cannabinoid has been shown to have the potential to aid in memory thanks to its properties that deal with cognitive function. This may surprise those who are more familiar with delta-9, which has a reputation for interfering with short-term memory temporarily.
Although these studies demonstrate some incredible potential, they are exactly that, potential effects. Just like with all other cannabinoids, further research is needed before any definitive claims can be shared.
What Forms of Delta-8 are Out There?
Delta-8 comes in many forms, as do most cannabis products these days.
Because we can isolate the delta-8 compound, we can create an extract that can then be added to any formula.
Let’s discuss the key delivery methods for delta-8, as you’ll see that they’re really no different from other cannabis products on the market, like CBD.
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Vaping Products: Delta-8 extract can be combined with terpenes to produce delta-8 vape cartridges or delta 8 pens with specific terpene profiles. This is becoming an extremely popular way to consume delta-8 because it is fast-acting and potent compared to other methods, and this is due to the way in which the lung absorbs the compounds in cannabis.
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Topicals: Delta-8 topicals work much like CBD topicals in that they quickly sink into the muscular tissue and bind with cannabinoid receptors in this area of the body for targeted relief.
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Tinctures: Delta-8 tinctures, are formulas consisting of a delta-8 extract that’s been diluted in a carrier oil that is deemed perfectly safe for ingestion, such as MCT oil. This type of product is most often taken as a tincture, which can provide effects in as little as 20 minutes due to the high absorbency rate of the sublingual tissue, which is the tissue directly beneath the tongue.
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Edibles: Delta-8 edibles are also popular, providing a more long-lasting activation in the system, and requiring a bit more time to “kick in” due to how the cannabinoid must slowly travel through the digestive system before entering the bloodstream.
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Flower: Technically, cannabis flower products can contain trace amounts of delta-8. However, to increase the delta-8 potency, manufacturers are now leveraging delta-8 distillate to actually spray or infuse CBD hemp flower.
- Pure Distillate: You can also find pure delta-8 distillate, which consists solely of this cannabinoid and nothing else, which could be used for making your own infusions or for something like dabbing.
What are Examples of Delta 8 Products?
Here at Wellicy we have begun to carry and even manufacture a variety of delta-8 products that are extremely popular among our customers.
Each have been lab-tested, compliant with industry standards, and legal to consume. Here are just a few of the top delta 8 products on our website.
Wellicy Delta-8 Cartridges
We have launched our very own line of Wellicy delta-8 cartridges that was built off our love for cannabis, cannabinoids and terpenes. Which will be noticed after your first use, as we leverage nothing but pure delta-8 distillate from hemp derived CBD isolate, that's then paired with specific blends of cannabis derived terpenes that work together synergistically to target specific problems.
Available Strains:
Rift Delta-8 Gummies
For those looking to ingest this cannabinoid, there’s the Rift Delta-8 Gummies, which come from highly trusted hemp company Pinnacle Hemp.
These gummies have a delicious fruity taste and are infused with 25mg of delta-8 per gummy. And are available in a 20 count 500mg bottle, or 40 count 1,000mg bags.
Urb Delta-8 Cartridges
Urb has released an exciting line of Urb delta-8 cartridges that are used just like traditional CBD vape cartridges.
The difference, of course, is that these carts contain delta-8 distillate – over 80 percent, to be exact.
They also come in a variety of fun and tasty flavors that are derived from high-quality plant terpenes that offer additional properties to the body and mind.
Canna River Lemon Raspberry Delta-8 Tincture
The Canna River Lemon Raspberry delta-8 tincture is an exceptional choice for tincture enthusiasts who don’t want to miss out on as much hemp action as possible.
Infused with 2,500mg of delta-8 in a 60mL bottle, this is a great way to introduce yourself to the many potential possibilities found within delta-8 as you can incrementally increase or decrease your dose to find what works best for you.
Should I Talk to My Doctor Before Taking Delta 8?
It’s always best to speak with your doctor before starting a new daily routine for wellness purposes, and cannabinoids are no different.
They may be able to provide more insight into the unique potential that delta-8 has for you based on your medical history.
This is especially important if you are currently prescribed medications, or if you ever get prescribed medications when already taking cannabinoids like delta-8 or CBD.
What are the Side Effects of Delta-8?
As of now, there have been no serious side effects reported as a result of taking delta-8.
Delta-8 is intoxicating, but in a way that’s very different from traditional delta-9 THC.
Further, you may experience dry mouth and dry eyes, as well as an increase in appetite, after taking delta-8.
Some may feel a bit groggy if they take a particularly high dose. So we do not recommend driving or operating heavy machinery while using delta-8 products.
How to Shop for Delta-8
Delta-8 is quickly becoming a trend, and while that is a good thing as it implies more availability, it can also make it more difficult to ensure that you’re getting the real thing, and that its quality level is sufficient.
Hemp products remain unregulated by the FDA, and so the industry must self-regulate to ensure quality and purity, as well as potency.
How Do You Know the Delta-8 You’re Buying is Actually Worth Purchasing?
Well first, you should only buy it from a trusted company that either produces delta-8 themselves or distributes products from reputable brands.
A company that already has a strong reputation for producing high-quality products is unlikely to make low-quality delta-8 and risk losing customers’ trust.
The best thing that you can do, however, is look at the lab reports that the manufacturer makes accessible to customers.
These lab reports come from a third-party testing facility, where the delta-8 extract is thoroughly analyzed for overall quality, as well as purity levels, potency, and chemical composition.
This information is unbiased and objective, and therefore is a great way to know exactly what you’re getting when you make a delta-8 purchase.
If you are looking at a product that does not have a QR code on the label for test results, or the website doesn't contain a lab report, we would recommend not purchasing that product as you cannot know for sure what's actually inside said product.
A Final Note
Cannabinoids are fascinating compounds that help promote regulation throughout the body.
But, of course, all of us process them differently in our bodies.
Ultimately, the way in which you experience delta-8 may be different from others, which is why we suggest starting slow in order to get a feel for the compound in your system.
Grab Delta 8 Today!
Delta-8 is quickly becoming a hot item on the wellness market, and now you can understand why that is the case.
If you wish to start taking delta-8 as part of your personal wellness regimen, then check out the products at Wellicy, which are made with lab-tested, properly extracted delta-8 compound.
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