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THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is perhaps the most commonly known cannabinoid found in weed.
Infamous for delivering the psychoactive effects of cannabis, or the ‘high,’ it is what gives you the euphoric sensation once you take the hit.
Often associated with ‘head high’ or mental high, it is what we refer to when we talk about the mind-altering effects of marijuana as a psychotropic plant that it is.
Found across the entire cannabis plant family in different proportions, THC can be extracted and sold/ consumed individually just like any other cannabinoid like CBD or CBG.
Regardless of how you take it though, THC is largely used for its recreational properties such as high energy, focus, imagination, and creativity.
When taken with other cannabinoids, especially CBD, it can further deliver tons of health-friendly benefits including pain relief and anti-inflammation.
The best part- THC is available in various forms in the cannabis plant that you can use to target a specific condition or meet the desired effects.
Two of the most common are delta-8 THC and delta-9 THC with the latter simply referring to the “THC” that we know of generally.
Delta-8 THC is a psychoactive compound found in cannabis and is a milder form of THC.
As an isomer of delta-9 THC, it has a lower affinity for our endocannabinoid receptors and thus a lower psychotropic ability to cause a high.
Nevertheless, when taken in sufficient amounts, delta-8 THC can provide most of the essential benefits of THC but with fewer side effects.
Found naturally in the plant, although, in lower concentrations than THC or delta-9 THC, it can be directly extracted from the plant or synthesized from other cannabinoids when needed.
Like other cannabinoids, delta-8 THC can be used in a variety of products including edibles, smokeables, vapes, dabs, oils, and other concentrates.
Compared to delta-9 THC users, most delta-8 THC users have claimed a great deal of relaxation, euphoria, and pain relief with a lack of cognitive distortions such as difficulty concentrating, memorizing, and an altered state of time or reality.
At the same time, the majority of the users did not experience any kind of anxiety or paranoia thus favoring delta-8 THC over delta-9-THC and other pharmaceutical drugs.
What is Delta-9 THC?
Simply known as THC, delta-9 THC is the more abundant form of THC that is found across all cannabis plants naturally in some or other proportion.
It is one of the most extensively researched cannabinoids along with CBD, which is the main medicinal compound of cannabis.
Contrary to the latter though, THC has been mainly used for recreational purposes due to its psychoactive abilities.
Despite being primarily psychoactive, delta-9 THC, or THC in short, has been lately considered a key medicinal ingredient in weed with a remarkable potential to manage and treat chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and stimulate appetite.
It is for these reasons, that FDA has also approved its synthetic formulation called “dronabinol” for the same.
Apart from that, THC is known to produce a variety of effects including pain relief, reduction in inflammation, euphoria, relaxation, sedation, and sleep when taken in the recommended doses of 2.5 mg – 5 mg per serving.
These promising effects of THC can be attributed to its strong affinity with our endocannabinoid receptors that are responsible for modulating our sensory, somatic, and cognitive perceptions.
In essence, by binding to our Endocannabinoid System (ECS), THC or delta-9 THC exhibits its neuroprotective, analgesic, anti-spasmodic, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Key Differences Between Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC
As self-explanatory, the key difference between delta-8 and delta-9 THC lies in their molecular structure with the location of a double bond between carbon atoms 8 and 9 rather than between carbon atoms 9 and 10 respectively.
However, due to this minor change in their structure, delta-8-THC or Δ8-THC tends to be less friendly with our Endocannabinoid System and therefore possesses a lower psychotropic potency than THC or Δ9-THC.
That said, some of the major differences between delta-8 and delta-9 THC are:
1. Effects
Delta-8 THC produces more calmer, milder, and light-headed effects of marijuana compared to delta-9 THC which is much more intense and can cause greater anxiety and paranoia.
2. Side effects
Delta-8 THC is claimed to offer all the experiential effects of THC but with fewer side effects like anxiety and altered state of consciousness.
Both have been reported to provide anti-nausea, anti-inflammation, anti-anxiety, pain-relieving, and appetite-stimulating properties, especially for chemotherapy patients.
3. Legality
Delta-9 THC has a more stringent approach and laws for its production and use than delta-8 THC products due to their supposed milder psychoactive effects.
As such, delta-8 THC is considered the fastest-growing segment of hemp-derived products with most states in the U.S. having access to it.
4. Availability
Due to the legal formalities and its supposed extraction from hemp only, delta-8 THC can mainly be found in off-the-shelf gummies, tinctures, and vape cartridges.
Whereas, THC being widely available across all the states where marijuana is legal, can be easily obtained through various forms of products such as edibles, oils, flowers, and isolated concentrates.
Health Benefits and Risks of Delta-8 and Delta-9
Since both delta-8 and delta-9 THC are the psychoactive elements of weed, they have their share of potential health benefits as well as risks.
Albeit, considered safe when taken in lower dosages, too much of either can lead to tolerance and dependency for weed.
Before we delve deeper into their risks or side effects, let us quickly recap their therapeutic benefits.
• Health benefits of delta-8 THC:
• Relief from anxiety.
• Pain management.
• Anti-nausea.
• Appetite stimulation.
• Neuroprotective properties.
• Health benefits of delta-9 THC:
• Pain relief.
• Nausea reduction.
• Appetite stimulation.
• Sleep and relaxation.
• Uplifting mood and energy.
• Creativity and focus.
With that out of the picture, let us turn our attention to the potential risks associated with THC, or weed in general.
• Risks of delta-8 THC:
• Lack of purity and potency in delta-8 THC products due to less stringent laws and regulations.
• Enough psychoactive effects to induce lags in motor skills, reaction time, and cognition.
• Can lead to tolerance and dependence on weed, specifically THC.
• Limited research about the effects and experiences of delta-8 THC in both, medical and recreational settings.
• Risks of delta-9 THC:
• Anxiety and paranoia, especially with high doses.
• Problems memorizing, focusing, and displaying proper cognition.
• Addiction and dependence.
• Lungs and respiratory issues (when consumed via smoking).
• Impairment of motor skills such as coordination and reaction time.
• Mental health issues like psychosis or schizophrenia in heavy/ regular users.
So, to answer which one is safer, one can easily find delta-8 THC as a more tolerable alternative due to its milder psychoactive properties and fewer side effects.
Nevertheless, when choosing one of them, there are more factors at play that you can think of.
How to Choose Between Delta-8 and Delta-9
Choosing between delta-8 and delta-9 THC boils down to your preference and the availability of the products in your area or region.
If both are easily available, then pay special attention to your health, the purpose of taking THC, and your tolerance levels.
Here’s what to look for:
1. The desired effects
Those looking for a stronger hit and superior ‘high’ every time whether for pain relief or recreational activities should go for delta-9 THC. Whereas, newcomers and medicinal users might want to start with delta-8 THC being a less potent and milder psychoactive substance.
On the other hand, for severe medical conditions that require instant remedy such as chronic pain, nausea, or insomnia, delta-9 THC is a better option.
2. Your tolerance levels
While delta-9 (THC) is the more commonly available form of THC, it certainly is quite intense and can be too overwhelming for noobs and patients alike.
To avoid getting caught up in the intoxication of weed, new users might want to start slow with delta-8 as a lighter form of THC.
3. Quality of products
Since delta-8 THC is less regulated with the latest farm bill not addressing its production and use, it can be impure and unsafe, especially in unauthentic products bought from unauthorized dealers.
THC (delta-9 THC) being a more legally regulated compound of weed is more likely to be used in high-quality products.
4. Method of consumption
Last but not least, it is the method of consumption that you favor depending on which you can make an informed decision as to which type of THC you should buy.
That is, while THC is available across most cannabis products including edibles, flowers, oils, tinctures, topicals, resins, and so on, delta-8 THC may not be readily available and can only be found in gummies, vapes, oils, and high-end distillates.
Conclusion
Delta-8 and delta-9 THC are two of the major forms of THC-rich cannabinoids found in weed in various concentrations.
While delta-9 THC is the main psychoactive substance and is found in abundance in cannabis plants, delta-8 THC is a minor cannabinoid that has substantially lower concentrations but can be synthesized from other cannabinoids.
As a result, delta-8 THC has lighter psychoactive properties with fewer side effects as compared to the highly potent and infamous THC.
So, those looking to gain the mind-altering effects of weed in a controlled manner can always go for delta-8 THC as a safer alternative to typical THC.
Whereas, experienced users who have learned how to cope with the intense mental sensations of weed can stick to THC, or delta-9 THC to have their fill.
In either case, when using weed, specifically THC, make sure to not overdo it as it can lead to unnecessary addiction and dependency.
