When it comes to smoking marijuana, you may think about the movie Pineapple Express. The story revolves around two characters smoking marijuana and going on an exciting adventure.
The type of cannabis they probably consumed was delta-9 THC, which is the most well-known form of marijuana that people consume. However, there is another type of THC that provides a high and has beneficial effects.
Delta-8 THC is a cannabis strain that’s gaining popularity across the U.S. Today, we’ll discuss how experiencing this delta high can be an enjoyable experience and some of the best benefits associated with delta-8 THC.
A Brief Overview of Delta-8 THC
Delta-8 THC and Delta-9 THC come from the same plant, but there is a slight difference. It comes down to the atom’s double bond location; delta-8 double bonds on the 8th carbon on the chain, and delta-9 double bonds on the 9th carbon.
That small shift in the composition is what creates a difference between the two strains. Because of this, when delta-8 is consumed, it gives off a less potent high that’s not as strong as delta-9.
You won’t have that strong psychoactive experience that you would generally feel using delta-9. Additionally, users experience valuable benefits when they use delta-8 because of its medicinal properties.
How Does Delta-8 Work?
Delta-8 works just like its counterpart, delta-9; it binds to CB1 receptors in our body and generates the high experience we feel from consuming cannabis. However, it affects us less overwhelmingly because the cannabinoids attach to our CB2 receptors also.
The delta-8 cannabinoid binding to both CB1 and CB2 receptors in our bodies enables us to experience a balanced feeling. This is part of the reason why businesses are allowed to sell delta-8 in certain states.
Benefits of a Delta High
Over the last couple of years, there’s been extensive research done to compare the differences between delta-8 THC and delta-9 THC. The chemical compounds of delta-8 THC have shown several benefits such as:
Anti-Anxiety Properties
One of the most distressing factors about smoking delta-9 is its level of THC potency. Smoking too much in one sitting can increase your anxiety levels and paranoia, causing you to have an unpleasant experience.
Delta-8 can be described as an anxiolytic drug. Anxiolytic drugs help prevent anxiety or help treat patients that may have mild anxiety disorders.
Delta-8 THC has anxiolytic properties that give a milder and calming high. This relaxes the mind and encourages motivation. Also, while you use delta-8 THC, you’re still able to complete your daily tasks (make sure they don’t involve operating machinery or driving) instead of feeling like you can’t move.
Appetite Stimulation
THC can be used as a potent appetite stimulant in some cases. People usually refer to the psychoactive appetite boost as the “munchies.” That swell in your appetite helps you eat more than you usually would.
Although its THC potency is less than delta-9, delta-8 has still been proven to be a beneficial appetite stimulant. You can increase your appetite while not dealing with the usual heaviness that comes with consuming delta-9.
Helps Nausea and Vomiting
Being nauseous is a terrible feeling. You don’t know what to do because your body feels like it’s going in two different ways. It’s such an uncomfortable feeling for your brain and body. There are times when extreme nausea can lead to vomiting and create more discomfort.
Delta-8 THC is has antiemetic properties. An antiemetic is a chemical found in some drugs that helps reduce nausea, vomiting, and motion sickness. Antiemetic drugs are also useful in assisting pregnant women and cancer patients.
Studies shown involving delta-8 THC have demonstrated that it can remove nausea and prevent vomiting. This can significantly help those individuals who take medication that cause discomfort.
Having THC substitutes for medicinal purposes does aid in treating patients. The antiemetic properties from delta-8 THC can benefit sick individuals like delta-9 while removing the harsh nature that can follow.
Memory Boosting Properties
Whenever we hear stories about people smoking marijuana, it can involve hearing about how they forget many things. They experience a high that creates fuzziness around their memories and limits their capacity to remember events.
Because it’s lighter in THC potency, delta-8 can boost acetylcholine levels in your brain. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter in your brain that has several essential responsibilities, such as:
- Creating memories
- Arousal
- Boosting learning capabilities
- Enabling motivation
- Helping induce REM sleep
A severe decline of acetylcholine levels in your brain can lead to diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Studies have shown that the memory-boosting properties in delta-8 can help prevent and treat conditions that affect memory loss.
Pain Relieving
As we get older, we start to experience pain differently. We may have suffered a broken bone when we were younger that has come back to haunt us on a cold day. There’s also the case of overusing muscles which can also create some pain in our bodies.
Studies done relating to THC have shown that chemical properties in cannabis plants can relieve chronic pain. Although this research has been mostly done concerning delta-9, delta-8 is now recognizable in treating chronic pain.
Delta-8 attaches to the CB1 receptor in our bodies, a receptor that functions primarily in our nervous system. It regulates brain functions such as euphoria (feeling high) and pain tolerance. Once the cannabinoid binds to the receptors in the brain, it creates a response that generates pain relief.
How Long Does a Delta-8 High Last?
Although delta-8 isn’t as potent as delta-9, it still creates psychoactive effects in your body. The average THC high can last anywhere between two to eight hours. Before you try delta-8, make sure that you understand other factors that can determine how it affects you, like:
- Potency
- The level of concentration the THC product has will determine how much of an effect it will have you
- Tolerance level
- Consistent users of delta-8 may be able to tolerate a higher THC level than those that are just starting consumption
- Absorption method
- The way you consume delta-8 can affect how high you feel and how quickly it comes on
- Body Type
- Your age, weight, gender, and metabolism play an important factor in how your body reacts to delta-8
The goal of cannabis consumption is to create an experience that you can enjoy without worrying about consequences. Take these factors into account before you try delta-8 or any cannabis strain.
How To Get the Best High
As we stated above, several factors will determine how quickly you will get high and how long the high will last. Choosing the right method of consumption is what determines how you enjoy your delta-8 experience. This section will talk about each consumption method and the length of time that it affects your body.
Smoking
Smoking cannabis is a common way to consume delta-8. The high can last anywhere from about one to three hours, depending on THC potency.
You’ll know when it kicks in because you’ll feel a refreshing sensation for a while, and then it will slowly fade away as it works throughout your body. If you’re looking for a quick way to get high, this is the fastest method.
Vaping
Like smoking, vaping is also a popular method that people use to consume delta-8. The high lasts about the same time frame as smoking.
However, many people might prefer vaping because all you need is oil and your cartridges. It provides convenience, and you can bring your vape with you anywhere. Also, you won’t have to worry about the lingering smell of cannabis.
Dabbing
Although it has the same name as the dance, dabbing is a more intense method of consuming delta-8. Dabs use higher concentrates, meaning the THC being consumed is higher in potency.
The effects of delta-8 dabs can last from two to five hours for experienced users. Results can vary for those who are beginning, with some possibility of the dab high lasting the entire day.
Edibles
Eating edibles can be a fun and cost-efficient approach to consuming delta-8 THC but can be unpredictable at times. It takes between half an hour to three hours for the high to kick in, and it may last for the entire day once it does.
Ensure that you know the edible contents before eating them because you don’t want to go past your limits. Although you won’t experience effects of overuse like with delta-9, you still want to enjoy yourself.
Which Strain Is Right for Me?
There two different types of delta-8 strains, Indica and Sativa. With the many benefits of THC products, it can be easy to try different strains throughout the day. Knowing which strain produces a great experience helps you figure out the high you want to maintain each time you consume delta-8.
Sativa is known for the energy it creates. Since delta-8 is already an active-type cannabinoid, Sativa strains can double these feelings and provide you with the power to tackle daily tasks and enhance your experience in social gatherings.
Indica strains target full-body relief. They’re mostly used for post-work relaxation and can help you get a good night’s rest.
Depending on the type of person you are, write a list about how you want to feel after consuming delta-8 THC. Think about the structure of your day and what you can do to increase its quality. You can find out more info from 3Chi about the type of strains that could benefit you.
Increasing Your Experience With Delta-8 THC
Enjoying cannabis in the most pleasant way possible is what people aim for in consumption. After considering the physical factors, consumption methods, and delta-8 potency levels, what’s left to consider?
Believe it or not, your mental space will have a great deal of impact on achieving the delta high you’re looking for. Before you start your THC consumption, here are a few things that you can do to increase your experience.
Build a Safe Environment
Because delta-8 THC creates psychoactive responses in your brain, it’s imperative to consume it somewhere you feel safe. Remember that its low potency levels mean that you may still experience a high.
To build a safe space, consume delta-8 THC with people you trust who already have experience with it. Maybe try combining a specific activity with your strain of choice.
Do whatever you need to do to make sure that you can enjoy your delta in the most pleasant way possible.
Slowly Increase Your Tolerance
Having some experience with delta-8 means that your body has gotten used to a certain psychoactive effect level. Maybe it might be time to increase the level of consumption for a better high.
Think about your current consumption of delta-8 and how much you want to increase. Start with a small increase to see how your feeling. You could also switch up your consumption method to change how you experience the high.
Mix Delta-8 With CBD
CBD is a chemical compound that you will find in most hemp and cannabis products. However, it’s not like THC; it doesn’t get you high. Instead, it helps with relaxing and relieving stress. Some people will also put it in their food for its health benefits.
Mixing Delta-8 with CBD can be ideal for someone who wants to increase their overall body experience. Use this method of mixing to enhance your sensations of relaxation.
Get High and Enjoy Your Supply
Delta-8 THC has shown why it is a force to be reckoned with in the near future. Its chemical properties plus its health benefits make experiencing a great delta high a possible experience.
- If you want to learn more about delta-8 THC and other cannabis-related products, feel free to check out some of our other blog posts.
