The 2018 Farm Bill not only allowed CBD consumers reasonable access to the cannabinoid but facilitated further research, leading to the discovery of delta-8 THC. It also empowered top CBD brands to develop advanced extraction processes, maximizing delta-8 THC production to meet consumer demands.
Like CBD products, Delta-8 THC products are gradually taking over consumers’ hearts and the cannabis market. The cannabinoid is available in multiple consumable forms, including vapes, concentrates, delicious edibles, and delta-8-infused smokable flowers.
However, each delta-8 product has its advantages and disadvantages. Fortunately, this guide has you covered, providing tips on navigating the vast delta-8 market to end up with a high-quality product subjected to independent laboratory testing.
What is Delta-8 THC?
Cannabis consumers often describe delta-8 THC as delta-9 THC’s “girl next door” sister or a “love child” between CBD and delta-9 THC. The somewhat hilarious descriptions are pretty accurate because if CBD and delta-9 THC are the two opposite extremes of a psychoactive spectrum, delta-8 THC products fall smack in the middle.
The Difference Between Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC
Delta-8 THC borrows from both sides of the spectrum, balancing CBD’s calming effect with delta-9 THC’s euphoria and sensory enhancement to create a blissful experience. The cannabinoid is mildly psychoactive, delivering a mellow “high” without causing typical adverse delta-9 THC side effects like confusion, anxiety, paranoia, and heart palpitations.
Most customers love delta-8 products because when you consume delta-8, you can get “high” without losing control. Consequently, you can take them any time of day and enjoy delta-8 its effects.
Is Delta 8-THC For Sale A Natural Product?
Another noteworthy fact about delta-8 THC is that although it occurs naturally in the hemp plants alongside CBD and HHC (Hexahydrocannabinol), it is a minor cannabinoid. The CBD content in hemp flowers ranges from 12% to over 30%, depending on the hemp strain.
However, minor cannabinoids like delta-8 hardly makeup 1% of the cannabinoid content in a hemp flower or plant part. The limited delta-8 THC content in hemp extracts makes extracting it on a large scale impractical and commercially unviable.
Fortunately, research into advanced cannabis processing methods led delta-8 THC producers to the isomerization process. Isomerization is a complex process that converts CBD molecules to delta-8 THC molecules; it is the current standard method for yielding delta-8 THC extract.
Delta-8 THC manufacturers infuse delta-8 THC extract in all their products, including delta-8 smokable flowers.
What are the benefits of Delta-8 THC products?
Similar to other cannabinoids, delta-8 THC’s mechanism of action entails interacting with the endogenous cannabinoid system (ECS), influencing the system’s function. The endocannabinoid system is an elaborate signal transmission system featuring receptors located in the brain and the nervous system that help modulate body functions.
Delta-8 THC is not a medication intended to cure ailments or manage disease symptoms. However, it targets the ECS as a therapeutic agent, promoting consumers’ physical and mental well-being as follows.
Smoother Psychoactive Properties
Delta-8 THC’s interaction with the ECS’s CB1 receptors temporarily alters brain functions like cognition, as does delta-9 THC. However, the primary difference between the two cannabinoids is how each one attaches to the ECS’s CB1 receptors. CB1 receptor concentration is higher in the brain than in the central and peripheral nervous systems, meaning compounds with affinity to the said receptors rule the brain.
Although delta-8 THC and delta-9 THC are CB1 receptor agonists (bind to the receptor via a lock-and-key mechanism), delta-8 THC is a partial agonist. Delta-8 THC’s low affinity to CB1 receptors means it has a less intense psychoactive capacity than delta-9 THC.
Delta-9 THC’s potent psychoactive property results from CB1 receptor overstimulation, producing undesirable side effects. Such negative side effects include delusions like paranoia, cognitive dysfunctions like mental fog and memory loss, anxiety, and compromised motor skills.
In contrast, delta-8 THC’s interaction with CB1 receptors triggers the ideal amount of stimulation to allow you to enjoy feeling “high” while retaining control of your senses and awareness of your environment.
Although cannabinoids like delta-8 deliver individual-specific effects, expect more of a mental “high” than a body “high.” The “high” is gentle and mild, delivering euphoria, uplifting feelings like cheerfulness, and a sense of calm.
Moreover, the cannabinoid kicks in gradually, allowing you to indulge in and enjoy every bit of each sensation. You may also feel more inspired, creative, and productive after taking delta-8 THC. However, the best part is that you will fondly remember the “high.”
May relieve pain
According to government statistics, 20.4% of American adults experience some physical pain during their lifetime. Pain management experts classify pain as either acute or chronic pain. Acute pain has an apparent cause and diminishes with healing. In contrast, chronic pain has no apparent cause and persists for over six months.
However, the ECS regulates multiple body functions, including pain relief. Although delta-8 THC is not a pain prescription medication, it acts as a therapeutic agent, delivering pain relief.
Better sleep
The ECS also modules sleep patterns, helping maintain the circadian rhythm (sleep-wake cycle) and promoting restful sleep. Although research on delta-8 and its effect on sleep is scarce, the cannabinoid shares a pharmacological profile with delta-9 THC for the most part.
According to one expert review on delta-9 THC, it helps reduce rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep, enabling you to fall asleep faster. Therefore, taking delta-8 THC before going to bed may help you fall asleep quicker and avoid sleep disruptions.
It might boost appetite
Cannabis consumers associate cannabis products with “the munchies” or enhanced appetite. Delta-9 THC and HHC products, in particular, often triggers cravings for junk food due to their potent affinity to CB1 receptors.
CB1 receptors are in high concentration in the portions of the brain that control appetite, and THC’s action on such receptors causes a sense of hunger. THC heightens sensory perception, including smell, making you find food aromas more tantalizing.
On the other hand, CBD’s action on CB2 receptors induces relaxation in the digestive tract, alleviating any discomfort that may cause appetite loss. The cannabinoid may also relieve pain that causes appetite loss.
Given that delta-8 THC has a moderate affinity to both CB1 and CB2 receptors, its combined effect on both receptors may help improve appetite.
May calm anxiety and nausea
Delta-8 THC induces a sense of calm, alleviating underlying stress. Therefore, a dose of the cannabinoid should help you navigate everyday stressful stimuli with ease.
Besides mental relaxation, delta-8 THC works like CBD, meaning that its action on CB2 receptors induces muscle relaxation. The cannabinoid helps relax digestive tract muscles and may prevent nausea.
Type of delta 8 products on the market
Delta-8 THC is available in various consumable forms to meet consumer preferences. The different consumables delta-8 products have intrinsic features that influence their bioavailability and ease of consumption. The features can be influenced by the strain and source. Products made from hemp cultivated with sustainable farming methods, lab-tested, and gluten-free are safe and effective.
Here is a breakdown of the primary characteristics for each delta-8 THC consumable form.
Vape Cartridges
Vaping is a popular administration method for various cannabis cannabinoids, including delta-8 THC. Delta-8 THC vapes are popular thanks to their fast delivery and high bioavailability.
Vaping entails inhaling delta-8-infused vapor directly into the lungs, and once inhaled, the air sacs facilitate instant delta-8 absorption in the bloodstream. Delta-8 THC consumed via vaping bypass digestion (digestion lowers drug bioavailability), takes effect within minutes, and reaches peak blood concentrations faster.
Besides exceptional bioavailability, a delta-8 THC vape cartridge is also user-friendly, featuring only one control button that powers the device, allowing you to take a hit within minutes. The vapes also emit mild odor, allowing you to enjoy your delta-8 THC fix discreetly or without irritating individuals averse to cannabis odors.
Disposable Delta 8 THC Vape Cartridges
Most delta-8 THC brands sell various vape types, including pre-filled vape cartridges compatible with standard vape devices and delta-8 disposables for one-off use. The elements also include diverse flavor options, from fruits, candies, and baked goods to classic cannabis terpene flavor profiles. Taste is a significant aspect of the vaping experience, so always choose a delta-8 THC vape flavor that appeals to your palate.
However, while delta-8 THC vapes have many advantages, repeatedly recharging your vape device is inconvenient. Unscrupulous vendors sell low-quality vape cartridges prone to battery failure and heating mechanism malfunction.
Sturdy Vape Cartridges
Fortunately, you will not have to deal with such quality issues if you buy delta-8 vape cartridges from leading brands like Astro Eight. Astro Eight’s premium-grade delta-8 and HHC cartridges feature a ceramic heating mechanism to prevent such malfunctions. Ceramic has better heat conductivity than metals, and ceramic heating mechanisms constitute the best vape cartridge build quality in the vape industry.
Flower (CBD flower enhanced with Delta 8 distillate)
Smokable cannabis flowers are a timeless classic because something rather profound about rolling joints makes for a wholesome experience. Delta-8 THC is a minor cannabinoid, and researchers are yet to figure out how to breed delta-8- dominant cannabis strains.
The Techniques Behind Delta-8 THC Flowers
However, they did figure out how to infuse CBD hemp flowers with potent delta-8 extract, creating delta-8 smokable flowers without synthetic additives.
Different delta-8 brands apply different techniques when infusing delta-8 THC extract to CBD flowers, including spraying and dunking the flower into the extract before drying the flowers.
Smokable Delta-8 THC Flower Advantages
Like vape cartridges, delta-8 THC flowers also have a high bioavailability. However, the primary advantage of delta-8 THC smokable flowers is their straightforwardness. They present zero concerns about backfiring batteries and incompatible pre-filled cartridges hampering your delta-8 THC experience.
Smokable flowers are more social; the traditional passing of the joint will never go out of style. However, smoking delta-8 THC produces harsh throat hits, which new consumers may find unbearable, and pungent smoking odors.
Gummies
Delta-8 THC gummies are bright, colorful, and tasty, so it makes sense that they are the most sought-after delta-8 products in the cannabis market. They are available in diverse, delicious flavor options, from sweet to sour gummies.
Smoked and vaped delta-8 THC products have higher bioavailability because it bypasses digestion. However, the digestive tract breaks down THC into 11-hydroxy-THC, a more absorbable THC metabolite.
Best Delta-8 Products to Buy in 2022
Delta 8 disposable vape- Purple Punch
Purple Punch is among the most popular cannabis strains, loved for its profound relaxation effect. The strain resulted from breeding two indica-dominant cannabis strains, Larry OG and Grand Daddy Purple.
The strain delivers a subtle body “high” and is ideal for vaping as you relax at the end of the day.
Although many Purple Punch delta-8 THC vapes exist in the cannabis industry, Astro Eight and Exhale Wellness products stand out regarding vape liquid quality and cartridge construction.
For starters, it’s from a renowned brand. The disposable vapes come with an integrated non-rechargeable battery, with a power capacity determined according to the number of hits manufacturers estimate will exhaust the vape liquid.
Delta 8 Tropical Fruit Candy
Everyone loves gummies, and delta-8 tropical fruit candy gummies are a must-try. The gummies are the latest addition to Astro Eight’s exceptional delta-8 THC product collection and win customers’ hearts based on positive reviews.
Astro Eight’s fruit candy gummies ooze with tropical fruit flavors that will teleport your palate to a tropical paradise. Each gummy serving contains 25mg of premium-quality delta-8 THC extract per serving.
Delta 8 Rainbow Sour belts
Delta 8 Rainbow sour gummies are the go-to gummies if you dislike the cloying sweetness in sugary candies. The rainbow sour belt gummies feature a hint of acidity that balances candy sweetness, making the gummies more palatable.
Astro Eight is a reputable brand known for the best delta-8 rainbow sour gummies with their out-of-this-world rainbow sour belts. Each rainbow sour belt gummy strip contains a potent 33mg of organically grown hemp delta-8 THC extracted from pure hemp plants.
The gummies’ strip shape makes it easier to divide into smaller doses if the 33mg proves overwhelming.
Each delta-8 THC sour belt gummy bag contains 500mg of organic delta-8 THC extract. You can view the gummies’ lab reports on its product page to confirm their cannabinoid quality, dosage accuracy, hemp source, and other quality markers.
Although effects may vary among individuals, the manufacturer recommends these gummies for relaxation.
Delta 8 Milk Chocolate Crunch
Besides gummies, the Astro Eight Brand also produces other delta-8 THC edible treats, and their delta 8 milk chocolate crunch bar is phenomenal.
The aromatic, creamy, and delicious chocolate bar packs a punch, and the manufacturer recommends indulging in this delightful treat when you desire an uplifting, euphoric experience.
Astro Eight’s flavor experts crafted this artisanal chocolate using natural ingredients. They infused Belgian chocolate with premium-quality organic hemp all-natural and crisped rice for some crunch.
The delta-8-infused chocolate kicks in within 45 minutes and delivers a sublime experience.
D8 cart: Strawberry Dream
Astro Eight’s D8 Strawberry Dream cartridge is yet another terpene-infused vape cartridge that delivers an exceptional mental “high.” The strawberry dream cannabis strain is a cross between the Blue Dream berry and Strawberry Cough cannabis strains, both Sativa-dominant strains.
The D8 strawberry Dream vape features delicious flavors, starting with juicy, sweet strawberry gelato notes on the nose and palate. Like all Astro Eights products, it undergoes lab testing in ann in house laboratory and a third-party lab to ensure it is free of harmful chemicals
The strawberry dream terpenes infusion in the D8 disposable vape cartridge causes an uplifting “high” due to their Sativa influence.
You can expect to experience euphoria, enhanced sociability (perhaps even giggling), and bouts of energy.
Is Delta 8 Legal?
Delta-8 THC’s legality is a grey area due to its production’s technicalities and varying legislation governing cannabis consumption. The 2018 Farm Bill stipulates that it is federally legal to cultivate, produce, and distribute hemp products with a THC content not exceeding 0.3%.
Delta-8 THC is technically full-spectrum hemp since it is a CBD byproduct, and hemp-derived CBD contains less than 0.3% THC.
The DEA’s Stand On Delta-8 THC products
However, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) proposes a ban on chemically-derived hemp products, stating that such products have an unnaturally high delta-8 THC concentration, despite having a 0.3% THC concentration.
On the other hand, delta-8 brands argue that the DEA failed to highlight isomerization as a synthetic drug production process. Moreover, they argue that the process utilizes only organic ingredients rather than chemical compounds.
Does Delta-8 THC Show Up In Drug Tests?
Third, although hemp-derived products are federally legal, individual states have the final say on the legality of cannabis products within their jurisdictions. Consequently, some states, including Alaska and Arkansas, have banned delta-8 THC products consumption unless you have a medical marijuana card. It also shows up on drug tests, so if you have an upcoming drug test at work, avoid delta-8 THC products at least two weeks ahead.
Essential Factors to Consider Before Purchasing Delta 8 THC Products
Third-party lab testing
Renowned brands submit their products for testing in a third-party laboratory to ensure you only consume safe products. The certified third-party laboratory that conducts the tests look for toxic chemicals, heavy metals, microbes, hemp source, mildew, solvent residue, and other possible contaminants.
Certificates of Analysis (COA)
The lab-tested products come with lab reports with lab test reports confirming that specific products underwent testing and are safe for consumption. Therefore, always purchase delta-8 products that have supporting lab reports. The third-party labs are usually displayed on the company website for easy access.
Potency
Delta-8 THC products vary in potency, with individual product delta-8 THC extract concentrations ranging from as low as 5mg per serving to 40mg per serving. The varying cannabinoid concentrations in different products exist to cater to diverse cannabis industry consumers.
Delta-8 concentrations that are too low have dismal effects, while those too potent for your tolerance are overwhelming, creating an unpleasant experience.
Company Policies
Consider purchasing your delta-8 THC products from brands with customer-friendly policies. Such policies give insight into a brand’s credibility and include:
A satisfaction guarantee.
Reasonable return policies (specifying who caters for return costs).
A transparent refund process.
Fast shipping.
However, look into the company’s reputation to ensure they fulfill such policies.
Reputation and customer reviews
Some D8 brands look good on paper (or on-screen), promising high-quality products, reasonable prices, and customer-centric policies, yet they deliver low-quality products and services. However, conducting extensive research on brands beforehand helps you establish brand reputation and avoid dealing with lousy brands.
Read on-page reviews, off-page reviews, and posts on trusted review websites before buying a product from any D-8 brand. Many positive customer reviews mean that the seller is reliable. Sifting through social media engagements on the brand’s page and other cannabis forums can help you establish a brand reputation from positive reviews.
Conclusion
The delta-8 THC cannabis market is growing to meet diverse consumer needs; however, the products vary in quality and expected effects. Different D8 product consumable forms also create unique experiences. Therefore research delta-8 brands and consumable products before buying any delta-8 product.
References:
https://www.astroeight.com/collections/delta-8?page=3&customer_locale=en
https://www.3chi.com/blog/what-to-look-for-when-buying-delta-8/
https://observer.com/2021/12/best-delta-8-brands-review/
https://www.monarchmeds.com/what-is-delta-8-cannabinoid
https://www.discovermagazine.com/lifestyle/is-delta-8-thc-legal-in-your-state-our-guide
https://www.fda.gov/news-events/congressional-testimony/hemp-production-and-2018-farm-bill-07252019
https://www.sleepfoundation.org/natural-sleep-aids/marijuana-for-sleep
