Does Delta 8 show on all drug tests?

When you start using a new product, it’s always a good idea to gather information about it. Therefore, those people who are interested in using delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta 8 or D8 THC), probably have a lot of questions. Due to the fact that it’s a relatively new product, there is a fair amount that people are still trying to understand about it. One of the biggest questions is whether or not it will show up on drug tests. This is a good thing to know if you’re going to be using Delta 8. We here at DharmaD8 want to make sure that you’re fully informed about D8 THC. That's why we discuss the answer to this question, as well as some others, below. Let’s dive in.

What exactly is Delta 8?

To start with, we want to go through and make sure you know what Delta 8 is. That way, you can have a better understanding of how and why it might show up on a drug test.

D8 THC is what’s known as a cannabinoid. Cannabinoids are chemical compounds that are only found in cannabis plants, for example, hemp. You should pay special attention to these compounds because they have some unique properties. They are able to affect the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). 

Most people aren’t aware of what the ECS is. It is a group of receptors that are found in the human body. It is a pretty important system as it helps control all kinds of reactions and functions. There are a lot of cannabinoids in hemp plants, not just Delta 8. In fact, you may already be aware of another, called delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta 9 THC).

Delta 9 THC is also commonly known as just THC. The reason why you’ve probably heard of this cannabinoid before is that it is responsible for causing the feeling of euphoria that is often associated with cannabis plants. It creates a sensation by binding with the ECS receptors very tightly, which is what creates that intoxication.

As you likely already noticed, Delta 9 THC and  D8 THC have very similar names. This is because they are actually a lot alike, and are considered two different variations of THC. Delta 9 THC happens to be a bit more prevalent and is thus more famous. However, D8 THC can have a very similar effect to that of Delta 9 THC. 

This is due to the fact that they are built in almost the exact same way. The only difference is that Delta 8 has a double bond located in a slightly different spot. This means that while it can bind with the ECS receptors very tightly, the hold isn’t quite as strong as Delta 9 THC’s. As a result, D8 THC’s effect is not exactly the same as Delta 9 THC’s. While the experience does vary from person to person, the feeling of euphoria associated with Delta 8 is usually described as less intense than Delta 9 THC’s. Not necessarily weaker, just more bodily.

The question that people often have after learning that Delta 9 THC and D8 THC are so much alike, is whether or not Delta 8 is legal. This is, of course, a great question to ask, because it is important to know the legal status of any product you want to use. On this front, we have some pretty good news, because D8 THC is federally legal in the United States. This is a result of the 2018 Farm Bill. A bill that officially made industrial hemp and the cannabinoids found in it, federally legal. However, there is an important distinction between legal and federally legal.

Federally legal doesn’t guarantee that it will be legal in your state. There are a few states that have kept hemp illegal or have singled out Delta 8 to remain illegal. So, while the Farm Bill made it possible for a lot of people to start using D8 THC, it’s still a good idea to check in on your local cannabis laws in order to ensure that it’s legal in your state.

Those are the basics of Delta 8. You should have a better grasp of what this compound is and how exactly it works. Plus, you know a bit more about another cannabinoid that it is very similar to. Now it’s time to talk about one of the biggest questions surrounding D8 THC; how does it stand up to drug tests?

Does Delta 8 show on all drug tests?

This is a question that concerns a lot of people. Even if Delta 8 is legal in your state, there is a chance that it showing up on a drug test could be an issue. So, let’s talk about it.

The simple answer is that D8 THC will show up on pretty much any drug test that is testing for Delta 9 THC. As we mentioned, Delta 8 is very similar in shape to the more well-known THC. While there is a difference between them, most drug tests are not sophisticated enough to pick up on subtle differences like that. So, if the drug test you are taking is testing for THC, then it will find the D8 THC in your system. In contrast, if the drug test you’re taking isn’t specifically looking for that, then it probably won’t show up. Even if a drug test has a false positive for Delta 9 THC, there are other tests you can take; which will show that there is no Delta 9 THC in your system, even if there is Delta 8.

So, D8 THC will show up on pretty much every drug test looking for THC. Even though there is a recognized difference between the two versions of THC, the tests aren’t going to pick up on it. So, if you have any sort of drug testing coming up, it may be time to lay off of the Delta 8 for a little while.

What other effects could Delta 8 have?

You may be wondering if a feeling of euphoria is a good enough reason to risk having D8 THC show up on a drug test. However,  there are more reasons for using D8 than just a potential high. Recent research has suggested that there are some benefits to using D8 THC, which shouldn’t be too surprising considering the fact it can interact with the ECS. Let’s talk about a few of the benefits Delta 8 may be and the studies surrounding them.

Helps with anxiety 

Let’s start off with the effect that most people are confused about. Everyone has heard a story or two about someone using too much Delta 9 THC and becoming paranoid. Since D8 THC is so similar to Delta 9 THC, people think that it should cause the same effects. Well, in actual fact, research has suggested that Delta 8 could help with anxiety when used at the right levels. This is because the ECS is believed to have a major effect on how we process fear. Moreover, one study, in particular, pointed out that it is a specific ECS receptor called CB1 that has an effect on anxiety. This is the ECS receptor is affected the most by D8 THC, meaning that it could help a lot with anxiety.

Pain relief

The next potential benefit is one that you might have heard people talk about in regards to Delta 9 THC. In fact, you may have heard about it in connection with a lot of cannabinoids. That is because the ECS appears to have a very real effect on how we process pain. So, this could mean that just about any cannabinoid has the potential to help with pain. How much could Delta 8 help? Quite a bit, it seems. This study, for example, found that D8 THC was very helpful in reducing the pain and inflammation in mice corneas. This is why people argue for the use of cannabis and hemp over opioids, as they appear to be a much safer option. 

Asthma aid

The last potential benefit that we will touch on is Delta 8’s potential ability to help with asthma. This is a relatively new idea. It is certainly not one many people would consider to be possible at first. After all, what kind of effect could a cannabinoid have on someone’s ability to breathe? This study suggests that there is actually quite a significant effect. Researchers found that D8 THC could help increase bronchodilation, which is what causes the lungs to expand, allowing air to flow more efficiently. This means that D8 could possibly help many more people than initially predicted.

So, as you can see, there are various reasons you may want to check out D8 THC, beyond a feeling of euphoria. Of course, the research on Delta 8 is still relatively new. That doesn’t mean these studies should be disregarded. However, this does mean there is still a lot we don’t yet know. Therefore, you should consider all information in regard to this topic, with a certain degree of caution. That being said, D8 THC holds a lot of hope for many people.

The best way to find the right amount of Delta 8 for you

As you may recall, we mentioned that Delta 8 could only help with anxiety if it is used at the right levels. That’s because there are certain side effects that come with taking too much D8 THC. These include paranoia, fatigue, and mild lightheadedness, among other issues. This is why it is important to make sure you don’t take too much Delta 8. 

However, everyone experiences the effects of D8 THC differently. Some people need more to feel the effects that they’re looking for, while others only need a little. So, how exactly do you find the serving that you need without having to deal with the negative side effects?

The best way to do this is by being willing to experiment and move slowly. Start out with the smallest serving of your D8 THC product that you can. Wait for a little while to see how it sits with you. Remember that each product has its own wait time before it can start working. Some are almost immediate (like smokables) and others take up to an hour to kick in (like edibles). So, make sure that you’ve waited the appropriate amount of time before you try taking any more. If the right amount of time has passed, and you still aren’t feeling any effects, you can try taking a little more. You can continue doing this until you get your desired effect. It's a good idea to write down what the serving was that worked for you so that you can replicate it later.

This process may take some time, and you will need to be patient. It’s worth it if it means that you don’t have to deal with any paranoia or any other unwanted effects.

Wrapping up, no; Delta 8 won’t show up on every single drug test. However, it will show up on just about any test specifically looking for THC, because it is so similar to Delta 9 THC. This doesn’t necessarily mean immediate trouble, as D8 THC is legal in most states. Nevertheless, it’s always a good idea to stop using Delta 8 for a while if you know that you’ll have a drug test soon, to avoid any issues.

If you’re looking for a good place to get your D8 THC fix, we’ve got you covered here at DharmaD8. We carry a wide range of Delta 8 products, so there is something for everyone.  Additionally, if you have any questions that you still need to be answered then feel free to reach out to us. You can reach a member of the DharmaD8 team through our contact page or by emailing us at support@dharmad8.com. We look forward to hearing from you!