Industrial hemp is home to more than 100 phytocannabinoids — cannabinoids from plants — that we know of so far. Some, like Cannabidiol (CBD), and Tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta-9-THC), are well known and have long been studied for their properties and effects on all mammals, including humans and animals.
One emerging “minor” cannabinoid that you may have heard of is Delta 8, sometimes also called Delta 8 THC (or sometimes erroneously called Delta 8 CBD). What’s the difference between Delta 8 and its more famous cousins like Delta-9-THC and CBD? Read on to learn everything about Delta 8 and how this phytocannabinoid can be a part of your daily routine.
Delta 8: What is it?
Delta 8 is one of the many minor phytocannabinoids that can be found in industrial hemp. It can be found in a full spectrum hemp extract that contains all the phytocannabinoids and terpenes found in industrial hemp, and it also can be found in a concentrated form that’s used to make tinctures, gummies, vape cartridges, and other products. As minor phytocannabinoids go, Delta 8 is one of the more rare terpenes, appearing in small amounts in both industrial hemp and high-delta 9 THC cannabis.
Delta 8 and the endocannabinoid system: How they work
Delta 8 and other cannabinoids work because of your endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is believed to play a role in many bodily functions, keeping your body retain balance when things are awry. This system is composed of receptors found in nearly every part of your body, with large concentrations in your brain, nervous system, GI tract, and skin, among other areas of your body. Phytocannabinoids from plants and endocannabinoids produced, used, and repurposed by your body (yes, your body makes cannabinoids!) interact with this system and “activate” these receptors.
Two of these receptor types have been named and researched so far: the CB1 receptor and the CB2 receptor. Some cannabinoids bind to one or both receptors, while others, like CBD, influence the receptor’s shape, which affects how THC and neurotransmitters like serotonin interact with it. Delta 8 has been observed to bind to both CB1 and CB2 receptors.
Will Delta 8 Get Me High?
Delta 8 has intoxicating properties. They are not as strong as what you may feel after consuming Delta 9 THC, but they are intoxicating nonetheless; Delta 8 is approximately one-third less intoxicating than its Delta 9 sibling. (CBD, on the other hand, is non-intoxicating.) Take caution when consuming Delta 8; do not drive or operate heavy machinery after consuming Delta 8. Keep out of reach of children.
Where Does Delta 8 Come From?
Delta 8 is one of the many minor cannabinoids like CBN and CBG that are sourced from industrial hemp. It’s found in smaller amounts than other phytocannabinoids like CBD and THC. When you buy a Delta 8 product from a brand like Core Roots For Life, the delta 8 is extracted from industrial hemp and made into a product, such as a gummy or a tincture.
What The Research Says About Delta 8
The science around delta 8 is emerging and exciting. While most research conducted so far has been done with mice, these studies show potential for this phyotcannabinoid’s possible ability to restore our bodies and minds to a state of equilibrium. Some of these studies include:
- A 2018 study in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research found that Delta-8 applied topically to mice reduced pain-causing inflammation. A second pain related study in mice, conducted decades earlier in 1977 and published in Pharmacology, found that Delta 8 had pain relieving properties. That same study also uncovered that mice quickly developed a tolerance for Delta 8.
- Another mouse model study in 2004, published in Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, found that mice given Delta 8 experienced an increase in both appetite and cognitive function. Importantly, the study also notes that the mice did not experience
- In 1995, famed medical cannabis researcher Dr. Raphael Mechoulam conducted a small study of Delta 8’s effects on the GI tract, and particularly on vomiting, in children with cancer. The study, published in Life Sciences, found that delta 8 quelled all chemotherapy-induced vomiting in all eight study participants.
How To Take Delta 8
If you’re new to Delta 8, follow these steps as you try out Delta 8 and find the right amount for you:
- Take note of the product you’re using. Just like CBD, Delta 8’s onset and duration — how long they take to work and how long you’ll feel the effects — are dependent on how you’re taking them. For example, if you’re inhaling Delta 8, you’ll feel the effects faster but they will wear off quickly. If you’re taking the Core Roots For Life Delta 8 tincture, you’ll feel the effects around 1 hour after taking the tincture as instructed, and the effects will last for around 3 to 4 hours after consuming it.
- Start with a little bit. Each serving of Core Roots For Life Delta 8 tincture (the 500mg size) contains 16mg of Delta 8. You may wish to take smaller amounts, a half or quarter serving, and then gauge how you feel before taking more. It may take a bit of trial and error, but you’ll soon find your “sweet spot” — the amount that’s best for your body and mind.
- Know why you want to take Delta 8. While we are learning more every day about Delta 8, anecdotal evidence has demonstrated that this phytocannabinoid can help with nausea and vomiting, appetite stimulation, and pain, among other conditions. Understand why you want to incorporate Delta 8 into your routine, and set goals against that. For example, if you want to try Delta 8 for pain, take note of your pain levels both before and after taking Delta 8, and take note over time. A journal may be helpful. (By the way, these same tips apply to CBD!)
Delta 8 Products: What Are The Options?
Delta 8 is a rapidly emerging and growing area of industrial hemp-derived products. Consumers will find any number of delta 8 products available that fit the route of administration they’re looking for. Available products include delta 8 flower and delta 8 vape carts for inhalation, delta 8 topicals to apply on sore muscles, delta 8 gummies
Core Roots For Life does not carry any sort of inhalation products. Currently, we offer delta 8 tincture made with organic coconut oil and hemp seed oil. This easy to take product makes Delta 8 accessible for all adults who want to experience this phytocannabinoid.
What is a Delta 8 tincture?
Delta 8 tinctures are among the product types you’ll find formulated with this phytocannabinoid. Just like a CBD tincture, a Delta 8 tincture mixes a concentrated version of this minor phytocannabinoid with a carrier oil that makes it easy to measure and dispense. They come bottled with a dropper top, so there’s no need to pour into a measuring spoon or guess how much you’re taking. At Core Roots For Life, we use organic coconut oil and hemp seed oil to create a neutral-tasting tincture you can consume directly or put in food like a smoothie.
Why do some people call it Delta 8 CBD?
When someone says that they are looking to take or buy delta 8 CBD, they’re referring to delta 8 that comes from federally legal industrial hemp, like Core Roots For Life Delta 8 products. Understandably, it can get confusing — because industrial hemp and high-THC cannabis are the same plant, just with differing levels of the phytocannabinoid THC. It’s important to know, however, that delta 8 products can be derived from high-THC cannabis as well, but these products are only available from state-legal dispensaries to adults or eligible medical patients.
Shop Delta 8 products from Core Roots For Life
We are proud to offer Delta 8 tincture to our customers. At Core Roots For Life, we are committed to the same high standards for quality and transparency that you know and love from all our organic CBD products. Our Delta 8 tincture is manufactured in a GMP compliant facility registered with the FDA, so you know that you’ll get the same strength and quality with each order. The Delta 8 concentrate in our tinctures is mixed with organic coconut and hempseed oils for a neutral-tasting tincture. The easy dispensing top delineates the measurements right on the dropper, so you can see precisely how much you’re taking without guesswork.
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