With more than 100 cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant, no wonder people can get confused between the different types of THCs that keep popping on the market.
However, even as different types of THC and CBD products are becoming the norm, the popularity of Delta-8 THC is a specific phenomenon with scientific research backing the producers’ claims of a gentle high. But, if you’ve never been able to differentiate between your CB1 receptors and your CBD, no worries.
You’ve come to the right place. Keep on reading to learn all about the differences between Delta-9 THC and Delta-8 THC, how they work, the similarities and differences in how they affect the human body, and even a quick look at the variety of consumption methods.
What Is THC?
Before we start our deep dive into the chemical breakdown of THC, let’s make sure that we’ve got our basics right.
When you hear about THC on the market, it’s referring to the delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol or Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ-9-THC), not Delta-8 THC.
In the simplest of terms, Delta-9 THC is a cannabinoid chemical that naturally occurs in the marijuana/cannabis plant, and it’s been widely known for its core psychoactive effects on the human body, basically its ability to get people “high.”
Yet, a lot of people are unaware that THC is only one of more than 400 active substances that are present in the marijuana plant, with CBD placing second in terms of popularity in the market.
How Does THC Work?
THC, whether the Delta-9 or Delta-8 version, activates by attaching to the body’s cannabinoid receptors. These receptors are found throughout the brain and your nervous system.
Besides, THC can be easily detected in the human body, as it stays there for longer than the majority of other drug compounds, even though the psychoactive results can only last for a few hours.
After all, THC can be stored in your organs and body fat from three to four weeks, with hair follicle testing detecting THC in your body for up to 90 days.
The Main Forms of THC Application
Yes, we’re all familiar with the notion of smoking marijuana, which are the dried leaves of the cannabis plant. However, there are different ways to get THC into your body that don’t include inhalation.
But, you’ll want to keep in mind that inhalation is actually one of the fastest methods of delivery, and it’ll produce the quickest psychoactive effects. So, if you prefer feeling the effects within minutes of consuming THC, then you’ll want to pick an inhalation method, like vaping or smoking.
If you’re not a fan of the inhalation method, here are the other ways you can consume THC.
- Sublingual Ingestion: This is a fancy way of saying you can ingest THC in the form of sprays, lozenges, or even dissolvable trips that can be placed under your tongue for quick absorption into your bloodstream.
- Oral Ingestion: If you’d prefer going with edibles, capsules, oils, or tinctures, then you’ll like getting your THC in the form of oral ingestion. This method will take longer for the THC to activate, so it’ll take some time to feel the effects. However, the effects themselves tend to last longer.
- Topical Application: You can get THC lotions, oils, salves, balms, and even bath salts that can be applied to your skin. It’ll give you more of a localized effect, so you won’t be getting “high” in the process. However, it’s truly a godsend if you’re aiming to reduce inflammation and pain in specific areas of your body.
There are other methods available on the market, but those are the most common ones out of the bunch.
Where Does Delta-8 THC Come In?
Believe it or not, not all cannabinoids have been thoroughly studied, yet. At the moment, we know that Delta-9 THC and Delta-8 THC are the only compounds naturally occurring in the marijuana plant that produces the psychoactive effects.
Delta-9 THC is more abundantly available in the cannabis plant, that’s why the market refers to Delta-9 THC simply as “THC.”
How Does Delta-8 THC Work?
Delta-8 THC has spread like wildfire on the market because it’s been discovered as a solid alternative to Delta-9 THC. It produced a gentle, less intense, and much more manageable high than Delta-9 THC.
When it comes to our endocannabinoid system, Delta-9 THC tends to only activate the CB1 receptors. On the other hand, Delta-8 THC activates both the CB1 and CB2 receptors. This allows your body to reach a state of balance known as homeostasis, which is your body’s natural resting state.
Admittedly, the chemical structure of Delta-8 THC is rather similar to that of Delta-9 THC. Yet, the couple of extra electrons that Delta-8 THC has makes all the difference when it comes to interacting with your receptors. leading to a gradual high, instead of an instantaneous hit.
Moreover, you can get Delta-8 THC products in the same forms as Delta-9 THC. So, if you’re wondering “are Delta 8 carts good?” The answer is a solid yes.
The Benefits of Delta-8 THC
On this surface, you might be wondering, why go for Delta-8 THC at all? Especially, if the only benefit is a gentle high.
Interestingly enough, Delta-8 THC has shown better results in curbing paranoia and alleviating anxiety than Delta-9 THC. If that’s not enough of a reason, Delta-8 THC can provide a sensation of clear-headedness, with mild intoxication effects. You’ll be getting the best of both worlds, in a nutshell.
Therefore, if you’re looking for better ways to manage your stress, Delta-8 THC can be a great aid.
Ready to Explore the World of THC?
We know how overwhelming it can be to pick the right THC type, as well as a product when you’re a newcomer to the THC market. Hopefully, our guide on what Delta-8 THC entails, and its similarity and differences to Delta-9 THC was helpful to you.
Just remember to always start with a smaller dosage than you think you’ll need, then increase the amount as you see fit.
Also, always read your product labels carefully before consumption.
