Delta 8: The Latest THC Substitute You Need to Know About

Whenever it comes to cannabis-related products, it is almost always a matter of debate. With the current trend of marijuana legalization across the country picking up pace, it may be a matter of time before marijuana is declared a legal substance at a federal level.

While it might not be legal just yet, there is good news in the form of another cannabis-derived compound: Delta-8.

Never heard of delta-8? It is not surprising. Not many people know about the chemical compound derived from the hemp plant. This post will bring you up to speed on the latest substitute for tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC.

Learning about delta-8 could help you understand why it might be one of the best things about this year. We will also give you the good news about where you can get high-quality delta-8 from – just to make it easier for you.

What is Delta-8?

Delta-8 is the short form of delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol. As the long chemical name suggests, it is a relative of THC.

Delta-8 is quite similar to THC, and it displays several antiemetic, appetite-stimulating, anxiolytic, analgesic, and neuroprotective qualities of THC. The key difference between delta-8 and THC is that the THC substitute displays all the beneficial properties of THC with a significantly lower potential for psychoactivity.

In simpler words: Delta-8 is excellent when it comes to imparting a soothing, pain-relieving, anxiety-relieving, and calming effect like THC, without making you feel high. However, you should know that it has a bit of a heady effect, and we will discuss that some more later in the post.

Delta-8 inhibits these effects because it can bind to the same receptors in the brain as THC does. Despite being processed in the same way, its effects are significantly different. People who use the compound have reported a high that is unlike using THC. They feel clearer, calmer, and well-composed. You could even think of it as a lighter version of THC.

You might be feeling curious about trying this revolutionary new compound. If you have been using any marijuana or even some CBD products, the chances are that you have likely already consumed delta-8 as well.

Delta-8 is derived from hemp plants. Researchers have known about delta-8 for a long time, but proper extraction of the compound only began recently. As a result, not many brands have mentioned delta-8 in their product copies.

Ever since the 2018 Hemp Farm Bill, hemp-derived products were declared legal, allowing compounds like delta-8 to be researched and used more commonly in different products. Delta-8 is undoubtedly going to become the next big hemp-derived distillate to become a household name after cannabidiol, or CBD.

Is Delta-8 Legal?

The fact that delta-8 technically does make you feel a different kind of heady effect might make you question its legality. After all, THC is not legal because it is psychoactive, and CBD is legal because it is not psychoactive. Where does that leave delta-8? Is it legal?

Delta-8 is legal everywhere. Based on the Hemp Farm Bill passed in 2018, the manufacture and sale of any products derived from hemp containing lower than 0.3% delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are completely legal.

There is a slight issue to note regarding its legality. Some states have local regulatory laws that ban any hemp products, including CBD and, subsequently, delta-8. If you live in any of the states that have yet to legalize hemp products, delta-8 will be a no-go for you.

And another potential issue you might face is with drug tests. Its chemical structure is so similar to THC that delta-8 can even result in false positive drug tests. The drug tests for what is left of the compound after it is metabolized. Since delta-8 bonds with the same receptors, it produces the same byproducts as THC.

How Does Delta-8 Compare with CBD?

Delta-8 and CBD also bond to the same receptors in the brain. It means that the two compounds can have several similar effects. Many people say that CBD does not do anything for them, mainly because it is not psychoactive.

CBD offers plenty of benefits without making you obviously aware of them. The reason you cannot feel the benefits is the same as with any other healthy food you eat. You cannot immediately feel smarter when you eat a lot of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, but that does not mean it is not working for you.

Delta-8 is like that, but it gives your brain more immediate feedback. It offers all the beneficial properties of CBD, from neuroprotective properties to anti-inflammatory effects. The slight difference is that it comes with a slight psychoactive effect that is drastically less intense than with THC.

These qualities of delta-8 make it an ideal option for people who want to have something that with a more immediate effect than CBD but not something as intense as the experience THC offers.

Delta-8 is a naturally occurring compound. However, it is found in such small trace amounts that it is very challenging to extract significant amounts of the compound. Fortunately, manufacturers are finding more efficient processes to increase their yields while extracting delta-8 from hemp plants to make it more commercially available in the form of different products.

You just need to know where to find the right product – and that is where we come in.

Get High-Quality Delta-8 Oil in Oklahoma

Are you looking for high-quality delta-8 oil in Oklahoma? Our store at the Physicians Choice Cannabis offers a wide range of cannabis-based products in Oklahoma, from your favorite cannabis strains to pre-rolls and even delta-8 oil.

Feel free to check out our menu of bespoke cannabis products if you are interested in viewing our extensive collection at Physicians Choice.