Many people use tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) for their recreational and medical needs. However, with the number of THC on the market, a beginner may find it challenging to pick the right product. Do you know how to differentiate between delta-8 and delta-9? In the cannabis industry, many buyers want to know the right cannabinoid for their recreational and medical needs.
Delta-9 THC and delta-8 THC possess similar structures and names from the Sativa cannabis plant. As a result, you must know the molecular structure of the two cannabinoids to avoid the confusion associated with them. Firstly, you must know that the cannabis sativa plant manufactures more than one hundred active constituents or cannabinoids. You can find several hemp-derived products like gummies, flowers, tinctures, and vapes that contain other cannabinoids on the market.
Secondly, these products have become legally accepted on the federal level, pushing their popularity worldwide. However, before buying a broad range of cannabis products, you should get familiar with their benefits, origin, and differences.
Thirdly, the cannabis plant possesses larger quantities of delta-9 THC than delta-8 THC, which makes the latter a minor cannabinoid. Depending on the dosage, quality, and other cannabinoids, both delta-9 THC and delta-8 THC can produce psychoactive effects. Despite the two cannabinoids’ similarities, they have benefits, potential risks, and differences.
While many of us have little or no reason to use delta-9 THC, we have compared both delta-8 THC and delta-9 THC to help you make the right choice.
Delta-8 and Delta-9 Review
The differences between delta-8 and delta-9 depend on their classifications and how brands derived them from the cannabis sativa plant. Meanwhile, cannabis consumers must understand that on the federal level in the United States, only cannabis plants with less than 0.3% delta-9 THC are referred to as hemp.
In addition, you can only purchase hemp legally in some states in the United States. Due to the extensive cannabis research on cannabis plants, brands produce safe, low-grade delta-9 and delta-8 THC from hemp plants. In terms of chemical structure differences, delta-8 THC has a double bond located on its eighth carbon atom, while you can find this double bond on delta-9 THC’s eighth carbon atom on their carbon atoms.
Delta-9 THC offers consumers a euphoric high when it binds with cannabinoid receptors in their brains. Further, it produces powerful psychoactive effects, including laughter, talkativeness, relaxation, and elation. Unlike delta-9 THC, most consumers prefer delta-8THC because of its mild ‘high’ and fewer adverse effects. Most delta-8 consumers want therapeutic benefits like relief from insomnia, and chronic pain relief, including inflammation and anxiety reduction. Since delta-8 THC amount in hemp plants is minimal, brands spend more money, time, and effort in the extraction process.
What is CBD?
You can find cannabidiol (CBD) in marijuana plants, but it does not possess tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). As a result, cannabis consumers do not experience a euphoric high, and CBD offers a non-intoxicating effect, unlike what you may experience from delta-9 and delta-8 THC. However, CBD can interact with the central nervous system through the endocannabinoid system when it alters the brain chemicals. Hence, the chemical offers anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, and analgesic benefits.
What Is Delta-8 THC?
It costs more to produce delta-8 THC because it comes in small amounts from cannabis sativa. Therefore, brands make it from hemp-derived CBD in concentrated amounts. CBD may not have intoxicating effects, but delta-8 THC has mild psychoactive properties that are less powerful than delta-9 THC. You can find delta-8 THC products such as breakfast cereal, infused drinks, vaping cartridges, tinctures, cookies, candies, chocolate, and gummies.
Some brands sell their delta-8-derived products for treatments of some medical conditions like multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, and insomnia. However, delta-8 THC products have no validation from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Recently, the FDA warned some delta-8 THC brands about manufacturing products that can affect public health. If you consume products without adequate instructions about how to use them for your medical use, it might affect your health.
Delta-8 THC Potential Benefits
The most important uses of medical marijuana come from delta-8 THC benefits. You can easily work into cannabis dispensaries in most states and buy delta-8 products without medical authorization. If you must understand delta-9 THC or delta-8 THC benefits and risks, you should consider:
- The consumed dose
- The constituents/ compounds consumed
- The administration method
- The consumption frequency
- Quality of hemp production process (extraction, cultivation, and product formulation)
- Health status and demographics of the consumer
With that highlighted, delta-8 THC can offer you:
- Pain relief
- Reduced inflammation
- Boosts sleep quality
- Prevents sensory overstimulation
- Calms overactive immune system or nervous system
- Increase appetite
Delta-8 THC Potential Risks
Like any controlled substance, the body reacts differently to delta-8 THC products. As a result, you may suffer some adverse effects when treating your medical conditions. Some of the short-term adverse effects of consuming more than the necessary dosage include:
- Anxiety/ panic attacks
- Lethargy
- Disorientation
- Impaired coordination
- Increased heart rate
- Dry mouth and eyes
Nevertheless, the adverse effects disappear after some time with inhalation but take longer with edible products. People with pre-existing conditions suffer more negative effects. For example, people with diagnosed or high risk for psychotic diseases may suffer severe psychosis if they overdose.
Furthermore, people with underlying cardiovascular diseases that smoke significant amounts of the products may suffer from abnormal heart rhythms or heart damage. Some products may have higher risks if they contain contaminants or potentially harmful chemicals. For example, some other chemicals associated with fake delta-8 THC products can cause severe side effects.
What Is Delta-9 THC?
Most states in the United States ban delta-9 THC because of safety concerns and its increased risk of side effects. Delta-9THC forms a significant component of the marijuana plants. You can easily experience a euphoric high when you consume or smoke delta-9 THC at a certain threshold. You can find delta-9 THC in many forms like topical lotions, tinctures, re-rolled joints, vaping cartridges, infused beverages, candies, cookies, and gummies.
Some brands claim that their delta-9 THC products can cure some diseases or medical conditions. However, the FDA or the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved nabilone and dronabinol for medical use.
Delta-9 THC Potential Benefits
Contrary to popular opinion, delta-9 THC has some benefits that include:
- Improved sensory perception
- Relaxation
- Increased appetite
- Decreased anxiety
- Feelings of exhilaration/happiness
- Heightened imagination
While more research has shown that delta-9 THC can offer therapeutic support for some medical conditions, it has not been federally legal to purchase in most states. You may manage some of the conditions like vomiting or feeling of nausea associated with multiple sclerosis (MS), seizure disorders, chemotherapy, or chronic pain with delta-9 THC products. Your medical professional may advise that delta-9 THC has no definitive proof of curing some of the conditions highlighted above.
On the other hand, some people using delta-9 have seen improvement in their post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), autism, depression, neurodegenerative disorders, anxiety, seizures, autoimmune diseases, and others.
Delta-9 THC Potential Risks
Delta-9 THC has a notorious reputation for decriminalized recreational use and intoxicating effects on users. Therefore, using delta-9 THC for your cannabis use may result in the following:
- Paranoia
- Dry mouth
- Sedation
- Heightened anxiety
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Confusion
- Feeling dissatisfied (dysphoria), uneasy, or unhappy
Some long-term users complain of recurring nausea, dehydration, abdominal pain, and severe vomiting. Multiple surveys carried out by different researchers of delta-9 THC show that most participants suffered from psychiatric conditions, anxiety, schizophrenia, depression, and increased risk for psychosis. About two-thirds of the survey participants experienced substance abuse disorders.
Beginners’ Guide to Delta-9 and Delta-8
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Extraction
Delta-9 THC extraction process does not cost brands more money because of its abundance in the cannabis plant. As a result, it costs less than delta-8 THC products in different regions. On the other hand, brands take more effort to extract delta-8 THC because it comes as a minor cannabinoid. Instead of wasting resources in extracting such minimal amounts of delta-8 THC, brands have found innovative ways of doing that.
These brands use organic solvents to synthesize delta-8 from CBD, but it costs more to produce delta-8-derived products. As a result, you can see most delta-8 products originate from the hemp plant rather than marijuana. The process ensures that delta-8 THC products contain less than 0.3% delta-9 THC to suit medical cannabis use.
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Effects
The two cannabinoids have varying effects that make them different, which has become the deciding factor for beginners. For instance, delta-9 offers more intoxicating effects than delta-8. Many users believe delta-9 has twice the potent effect of THC than delta-8 THC, which makes the former risky for some users. In addition, delta-9 THC has more side effects like impaired motor skills, mental fog, increased feelings of anxiety, or paranoid delusions.
In contrast, delta-8 offers a more enjoyable experience and a great sense of clarity and calm. Some users talk highly of its mild high that does not impair their focus or coherent thoughts, and they feel less burdened by anxiety or stress when consumed. The time taken to experience the effects differs between the compounds. For instance, delta-9 has an instantaneous effect on the body, while delta-8 slowly works on you.
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Products
Delta-8 THC and delta-9 THC have similar products on the market. You can smoke them as flowers, consume them as edibles, or inhale them via vaping. In addition, they come as edibles, tinctures, capsules, tropicals, and other products.
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Legality
You may buy marijuana with the support of some online retailers, but on a federal level, the compound remains illegal. The legality pushed by individuals, medical professionals, and hemp producers have been left to the state lines. For example, at least 34 states in the United States have legalized marijuana for therapeutic support and recreational use. As a result, delta-9 THC has suffered from the many laws associated with community health. Most states only accept products with less than 0.3% delta-9 THC, but the legality depends on the local laws guiding the use of marijuana. The 208 Farm Bill gave delta-8 THC an edge over delta-9 THC on a federal level. Its moderate effects on users and health benefits make it popular among cannabis consumers. Since delta-8 has mellow psychoactive intoxicating effects on public health, most states in the United States approve its medical and recreational use.
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Availability
You may find it legally tricky to purchase delta-9 THC products in some states, except at local joints. However, you buy it where the state allows its sale or with online retailers. Online retailers may not ship across some state lines where delta-9 THC remains prohibited. On the other hand, delta-8 THC enjoys more coverage across state lines. As a result, consumers can buy the product online or at their local cannabis dispensaries.
However, some reputable brands may not ship your delta-8 products to some states because of legality issues. You can purchase delta-8 products in most physical locations, but you must exert caution in where you buy. For example, you don’t want to purchase your quality delta-8 THC products from gas stations or grocery shops. Like most supplements, you should not expect the FDA to regulate delta-8 products.
Hence, you may end up with low-quality products with unwanted impurities if you don’t exert a level of caution. Finally, when purchasing delta-8 products, use trustworthy and reputable brands. We recommend you check the official websites to learn about the product’s extraction process, independent lab results, and ingredients.
How to Compare Delta-8 THC and Delta-9 THC
The empirical evidence from a set of studies shows that delta-9 and delta-8 have the exact composition of elements (oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon) but differ in their carbon atoms. You can use the chemical difference to tell them apart.
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Similarities
Delta-9 and delta-8 THC offer both positive and intoxicating effects we have listed above. The two compounds activate the cannabinoid receptors in the central nervous system. For instance, when they activate the CB1 receptors, they improve sleep, reduce pain, soothe the overactive nervous system, heal nerves, increase appetite, and inhibit sensory overstimulation.
Additionally, when they activate the CB2 receptors, users enjoy inflammation reduction and calming of sensory overstimulation, which can lead to chronic health conditions. However, consuming more delta-9 or delta-9 than necessary can lead to decreased coordination, increased heart rate, dry eyes and mouth, panic attacks, anxiety, disorientation, or lethargy.
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Differences
Researchers have studied delta-9 THC for years and have hundreds of information about the compound. Unlike delta-9 THC, delta-8 THC has few research articles published by reputable people or brands. The regulation process differentiates the two cannabinoids more. For example, many states regulate delta-9 based on labeling, extracting, and testing. However, some delta-8 THC brands have not followed the regulations guiding them.
Some brands have adulterants or some chemicals that can cause adverse side effects on community health. Delta-8 THC and delta-9 have varying potency levels in their products, and we can reasonably assume that delta-8 products from reputable brands have at least one-third less of what you can find in delta-9 THC. Lastly, you can vaporize or smoke delta-9 flower or bud without any extraction method, but you need an extract for topical or edibles to use them. On the other hand, most delta-8 products come extracted, synthesized, and purified from the best cannabis farms.
Delta-9 THC vs. Delta-8 THC Dosing
We recommend that you begin slowly as a beginner before you increase your dosage based on your tolerance level. You can avoid uncomfortable symptoms and severe side effects when you learn to use the proper dose. Many brands advise that you consume between 10mg and 60 mg for any delta-8 THC product, while you can consider 5mg to 30mg for a lower dosage of delta-9. Since the body reacts based on preferences, needs, metabolism, and tolerance, you must not compare your reaction with another user.
You can talk to a medical professional if you don’t know how to use these products. You learn how to use delta-9 or delta-9 products with a dosage chart effectively. Also, buy from reputable brands offering transparency and high-quality products online.
How to Buy High-Quality THC Products Online
We have already highlighted that you can find countless numbers of both delta-9 THC and delta-8 THC products online. Therefore, buying any of them may be a bit challenging. We have employed the help of researchers, medical professionals, growers, and online forums to help you pick the best products on the market.
While brands compete to offer consumers the best of these cannabinoids, you must consider some factors before making your choice. Here is what to consider:
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Ingredients
You must not sacrifice quality over quantity for your selection. So, you have to pick the product with the most potent ingredients. You need products with natural ingredients to avoid severe side effects from some chemicals. Enjoy the bonus when you find gluten-free, cruelty-free, or vegan-based products. Additionally, do not buy products containing artificial additives or preservatives, including GMOs, flavors, and colors. Regarding medical cannabis, the community health of the consumers must not suffer from any strange ingredient. Thus, double-check the ingredients if you don’t know their significance in a product.
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Third-Party Product Testing
A third-party lab testing ensures that a product comes from a cannabis plant devoid of chemicals and dangerous ingredients during cultivation and extraction. Federal law has enforced that medical cannabis products must contain less than 0.3% THC.
The community health of users must not suffer when they use any delta-8 or delta-9 product. As a result, ensure you study the lab report of the product you wish to consume. With the support of independent lab testing, you can learn about a product’s safety, potency, and purity. Furthermore, you can know if the source of the cannabis plant comes from the United States.
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Price and Variety
Many consumers want to explore new potencies and flavors, so you should consider using brands with various products. This way, you don’t have to search for other brands if you want a particular product. The price of a cannabinoid product depends on whether you will buy from a brand. While medical cannabis costs more to produce, you can only buy from brands with reasonable prices. You should often avoid overly cheap products because of poor quality. Therefore, you should check for potency, safety, and budget-friendly products on the market.
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Customer Service/Shipping Policies
Most consumers prefer online shopping because it allows them to compare numerous products from their comfort. As a result, they check the shipping policies before they make their orders. You don’t wish to wait weeks to receive your products from a brand, so consider using the least affordable and reliable shipping options. Many brands offer free delivery depending on location or the amount spent on their products.
Aside from free or affordable shipping options, consider promotions, exclusive offers, or discounts, including money-back guarantees. These factors can improve your shopping experience. With a return policy, many beginners feel comfortable buying from a brand because they can change their minds fast about such products. Meanwhile, a friendly and active customer service unit can serve you better and save you unnecessary shopping stress.
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Online Review
You should read an online review about a brand before you make your purchase. For example, a brand or product with more negative reviews may not do you much good. As a result, you should use products with more positive ratings online.
Delta-8 and Delta-9 Molecular Structure
We must remind you that delta-8 THC comes as a delta-9 isomer with a similar chemical formulation. However, the two compounds have different molecular structures. Besides their similar chemical structures, the two cannabinoids have varying effects due to their slight differences. The placement of their bonds on the carbon atoms makes them different, and the cannabinoids got their names from these carbon atoms’ placements. We mentioned that delta-9 has its bond on the ninth atom, while delta-8 has its double bond on the eighth atom.
Delta-8 and Delta-9 Extraction Methods
Delta-8 THC and delta-9 THC have different extraction and manufacturing processes. Brands use these extraction methods to produce their hemp-derived products, which include:
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Alcohol Extraction
Alcohol extraction employs alcohol to take out cannabinoids from the cannabis plant. Most consumers who cannot find products from C02 extraction prefer this method. However, if you suffer from alcohol addiction, you may not want to try products manufactured from this method.
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Solvent Extraction
The solvent extraction process deals with petroleum-based chemicals in the extraction of cannabinoids. However, considering public health, this method may be risky to consider.
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CO2 Extraction
The most reliable brands use C02 extraction because of its industry standard. If you want the cleanest and safest means of cannabinoid extraction for public health, you should consider products from this method. The extraction method offers brands the opportunity to transform the liquid into gas. The process uses low temperature and high pressure to turn C02 into a liquid state that helps them extract the cannabinoids. Immediately, they extract the cannabinoids, and the solution gets heated up as pressure leaves to create a pure product. However, it costs more to use this extraction method than others.
Frequently Asked Questions About Delta-8 & Delta-9
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Can I legally use delta-8 and delta-9?
Currently, most United states have approved delta-8 THC for medical and recreational use. However, you can only use the products in states that accept their usage. With that state, you may not have the luxury of using delta-9 in many places. Delta-9 has little acceptance because of its severe side effects and associated health behavior. Therefore, you should consider the state you want to purchase and use delta-9 or delta-8/
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Can I test positive in a drug test when I consume delta-8 or delta-9?
You can test positive for delta-9 THC during a drug test, which makes it challenging to consume. However, delta-8 THC may not appear in most drug tests unless THC metabolites are searched. Additionally, if you consume delta-8 with more THC concentration, you may test positive in a drug test. In short, we cannot assure that you will test positive in a drug test if you use delta-8 THC.
Conclusion: Delta 8 vs Delta 9
Researchers have used many participants in their experiments to compare delta-8 and delta-9. The results point to delta-8 THC as a more favorable cannabinoid to consume because of its mild effects and low-risk health behavior.
The choice in selecting any of the cannabinoids depends on individuals. While delta-8 and delta-9 share similar features, you can quickly tell them apart with their differences. With open access to different forms of cannabinoids on the market, we have highlighted some differences you should know about these two compounds. For instance, delta-9 has become a classic selection by some people, while the mild effects of delta-8 make it more acceptable.
If you have any underlying medical situation like a cardiovascular issue, you should consult your doctor before using cannabinoids for your medical use. Lastly, people who want to sleep better, improve their energy and health, and reduce anxiety, can use delta-8 THC for such needs. However, you can consider delta-9 THC products if you want to feel high.
