How does Delta 8 THC feel?

When presented with a new product, you should always have some questions. How much does it cost? What is it made from? What does it do? But when it comes to things like delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta 8 THC or D8), one question that needs to be asked is, how does Delta 8 THC feel? Because you should always spend some time familiarizing yourself with what to expect from something like D8. We, here at DharmaD8, want to make sure that we take that time with you to help explore those options together! That's why we’re going to go over it with you. Are you ready to get started?

Some Delta 8 THC basics

First, let’s get into some of the basics of D8 to make sure all bases are covered to understand it fully.

As you probably already know, Delta 8 THC comes from industrial hemp. It is one of well over 100 different members of a group of chemical compounds called cannabinoids. This group of compounds is special for two reasons. One is that they’re only found in cannabis plants. The other is that they are able to interact with and affect the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). If you’ve never heard of the ECS, you’re not alone. It’s one of those biological systems that doesn’t get talked about much, even though it’s pretty important. The ECS is made up of receptors that are found throughout the body. It’s designed to help your body control certain functions (memory and appetite, for example). So, cannabinoids, like D8, can have an effect on several different functions.

When people learn that Delta 8 THC is found in cannabis, the next natural assumption is that it is illegal in the United States. But this isn't actually the case, technically. This is due to something called the Farm Bill. This is a bill that regulates all things agricultural in the United States and is reviewed and updated every five years. In 2018 it was time for the bill to be renewed – that version of the bill officially federally legalized industrial hemp. At the same time, it also legalized most of the cannabinoids found in industrial hemp, which includes, you guessed it, D8. The one cannabinoid it did not approve was Delta 9 THC, as it is still classified as a Schedule One Drug. So, Delta 8 THC is technically federally legal, but there is something important you need to remember. "Federally legal" is not the same as being legal everywhere. Each state gets to decide whether or not it is legal there. Most states have legalized hemp and D8. But there are still a handful at the time of this publication that have either; not legalized Delta 8 THC or not legalized all of the hemp plant in general. This is why it is so important to familiarize yourself with local laws. Just because your neighbor state can do it doesn't mean you can.

That's that on the basics of D8. Now we get to get into the more exciting stuff, what Delta 8 THC feels like.

How Delta 8 THC feels

Before we start talking about this, there’s one thing to remember about D8: it's not the same for everyone. Some people will feel certain effects that others may not. Plus, the research on this cannabinoid is still relatively new (being legal for only a handful of years has kind of gummed up the ability to do research on it). So, we’re still trying to fully understand it. All of that being said, a lot of the feelings we’re going to talk about have been researched or reported about by many different people, as you’ll see in a moment

Now, with all of that out of the way, let’s get started.

A feeling of euphoria

This is a common idea connected to Delta 8 THC, that it could give you a feeling of euphoria or get you high. This mainly stems from the fact that it is a variation of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta 9 THC), the cannabinoid that is usually the one identified as the psychoactive component of cannabis. When Delta 9 THC interacts with the ECS, it binds nice and tight to the receptors. This causes the feeling of euphoria that has made hemp so famous. D8 does something similar. It also binds with the ECS receptors, but because it is built a little differently from Delta 9 THC, its bond isn’t as tight. This means that it does cause a feeling of euphoria, but it is often described as not as intense and more bodily than Delta 9 THC.

Help with anxiety

Cannabis has a reputation for causing paranoia in its users, so the idea that any component of cannabis could help with anxiety may seem kind of counterintuitive. But not to worry (get it?), there is research that suggests that Delta 8 THC has anxiolytic effects. Studies, like this one, have found that the ECS has an effect on anxiety and state of mind in general. Specifically, researchers believe that it is the ECS receptor known as CB1 that has the main hold on emotions like fear and anxiety. The interesting thing here is that D8, and other versions of THC, interact with CB1 a lot. This all suggests that at the right levels Delta 8 THC could help with anxiety. But remember the "at the right levels" part of that sentence, it’s good to regulate yourself and take it slowly to start to find your balance for the right amount for you.

Help with pain

Unlike the above section, this idea probably isn’t all that surprising. After all, one of the biggest arguments for legalizing cannabis across the board is that it could be an effective alternative to opioids. Research lately has been focused on individual cannabinoids and how they can help with pain and inflammation. The research lately has been more focused on Delta 8 THC. Studies like this one have found that it could help reduce both inflammation and pain quite a bit.

So, how does Delta 8 THC feel? There are a lot of ways that it can feel. And since everyone’s body chemistry is different, it’s hard for us to say how it will feel for you. The only way to really get to the feeling of Delta 8 THC is by giving it a try yourself. Luckily for you, here at Dharma8, we carry a wide range of D8 products. That way, you can find something that calls to you. Check out our shop page here! Read some more about Delta 8 CBD!