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The Many Medicinal Effects of Delta 8 THC

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The Many Medicinal Effects of Delta 8 THC

Cannabis has been cropping up in the news a lot lately. With several states legalizing recreational and medical marijuana this past general election and other states working on legalizing through Senate and House Bills, cannabis is everywhere.

Unfortunately, there is still a lot of speculation about the benefits of cannabis as a whole. In the US, cannabis is considered both legal and illegal. It depends on which strain of plant you’re looking at. If a plant contains less than 0.3 percent of Delta 9 THC, then its hemp. Hemp became federally legal in 2018 thanks to the Farm Bill passed by the USDA and signed by former President Trump. If a plant tests higher than 0.3 percent of Delta 9 THC, then it’s marijuana. Marijuana is a Schedule I drug according to the DEA. It has been since the creation of the Controlled Substance Act in the early 1970s.

With all the news around cannabis, you may have missed a new and upcoming cannabinoid that offers several benefits both recreational and medical. It’s called Delta 8 THC and it offers many medicinal effects.

What is Delta 8 THC?

Delta 8 THC is an analog of Delta 9 THC, the main psychoactive cannabinoid in marijuana. It’s what gets consumers high. But it’s also illegal. However, Delta 8 isn’t. In fact, when derived from hemp plants, Delta 8 will naturally contain less than 0.3 percent of Delta 9 in it’s final products. So, Delta 8 fits into the hemp definition established by the USDA. 

A big question people ask is, How is Delta 8 THC legal over Delta 9 THC? That comes down to a difference in chemical structure. Delta 8 has a double bond on the 8th carbon chain while Delta 9 has a double bond on the 9th carbon. That’s it. That’s the only difference between the two cannabinoids. But each creates a different effect in individuals. Many Delta 9 users report a full body high with some side effects like increased paranoia or anxiety. Delta 8 users experience the same full body high, but don’t have any of the side effects.

Why Delta 8?

Since cannabis is becoming more popular and available across the country, why should consumers care about Delta 8? 

Delta 8 typically offers a smoother, better experience than Delta 9. And that’s not just a few people saying this. A lot of anecdotal evidence points to a better overall experience for those who have taken Delta 9 in the past as well as brand new users. Additionally, in states that have legalized cannabis, there are heavy taxes on all sales. Delta 8 is a much more cost effective option. 

One company, 3Chi, most recently promoted in the Rolling Stone, offers Delta 8 products ranging from gummies and tinctures, to vapes and oils. Each creates a different experience. But most consumers agree that Delta 8 is a better option. 

Potential Medical Benefits

Research is still being conducted on Delta 8 THC. Until recently, research was nearly impossible in the states because of the drug scheduling of cannabis. Thanks to the Farm Bill, research is more readily approved and encouraged. Delta 8 has been studied for decades since its discovery in the 1970s.

In 1995, a study in Jerusalem found that Delta 8 offered antiemetic properties. Meaning that it reduced the feeling of nausea in patients going through chemotherapy. 100 percent of patients felt the antiemetic properties of Delta 8. A couple of patients didn’t take Delta 8 at first, but seeing the benefits in other patients, they switched and felt relief and no need to vomit while being treated. 

Another study, published in 2004, found that small amounts of Delta 8 stimulated mice appetites. The potential could be used in patients that find it difficult to eat with current medications or those suffering from certain eating disorders. 

Anecdotal Evidence

While scientific research is still being done, those who have tried Delta 8 have reported positive results. For those who suffer from stress, anxiety, and depression, Delta 8 offers a sort of serotonin experience, relaxing the brain and protecting neurotransmitters from becoming overstimulated and leading to other issues. 

With the euphoric high that consumers feel after taking Delta 8, many have reported feeling a sense of calm wash over them, similar to Delta 9 THC. But they still have clarity. They can still accomplish tasks and activities without feeling incredibly sedated like with Delta 9.

Some researchers say that anecdotal evidence isn’t proof. But with so many people saying that they experience so many different benefits after they take Delta 8 THC, we have to take that into consideration. 

The Delta 8 THC Movement

Yes, we agree that more research needs to be done. There is still so much more we don’t fully understand about the cannabis plant. But we do know what people have been saying. And most of it is positive. Some have reported being able to function properly at work. Others say that it helps relieve their depression more than antidepressants. For me personally, Delta 8 helps turn off the racing thoughts in my head to allow me to fall asleep without laying awake for several hours a night. 

There’s been some negative news in the press. And part of that seems to be fueled by concerns about marijuana. This stems back to Reefer Madness in the 1930s, where immigrants were accused of bringing marijuana over to the states in order to poison the youth. 

None of that is true. With all of the positives around Delta 8 as well as marijuana, there has to be something we are missing around the cannabis plant. It’s important for future research to show the benefits of cannabis and not just criminalize it. There’s more to it than that. 

Even you can stay informed. Look for biased articles and really look at them. Learn what Delta 8 is through scientific studies published across the web. Be proactive in the study and research of cannabis. Push for legislation. Show those around you that cannabis and Delta 8 aren’t things to be scared of. 

Whether or not you agree with all of this is up to you. But it’s hard to ignore the evidence surrounding us today. 

What do you think of cannabis legalization and Delta 8 usage? What about the medicinal effects? Let us know in the comments below. And be sure to check back for more cannabis, hemp, and Delta 8 news.