The difference between Delta 8 and CBD gummies

Hemp products are everywhere these days. Everyone seems to either be selling or using them. One product in particular that has become increasingly popular is hemp gummies. However, there are different kinds of gummies, and not everyone knows the differences. They are delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta 8 or D8 THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) gummies.

We want to ensure you fully understand the difference between these two kinds of gummies. That way, you can be sure that you’re getting what you want, because these two will have different effects.

What is Delta 8?

To help you make an educated decision, we want to start by explaining what exactly Delta 8 is.

Hemp is filled with a group of chemical compounds that are better known as cannabinoids. These compounds have caught the attention of researchers because they are able to do something almost no other compound can do. They can influence the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). This is a system of receptors that help your body control certain functions, like anxiety and pain. The body does produce compounds on its own that interact with it (they are called endocannabinoids). Nevertheless, cannabinoids (sometimes called phytocannabinoids) are also able to interact with the ECS. Due to this, cannabinoids are able to have all kinds of different effects on people.

Both D8 THC and CBD are types of these cannabinoids. When you first read Delta 8’s name, you may have thought of another cannabinoid, namely delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta 9 THC). This cannabinoid might be familiar to many of you because it is responsible for the high generally associated with hemp. Naturally, one would assume that with names so similar, the high produced by D8 THC and  Delta 9 THC would be interchangeable. You would be both right and wrong.

To fully explain this, take a look at these diagrams of Delta 8 and Delta 9 THC. As you can see, they are built in almost the exact same way, apart from one double bond in a different place. This changes how these compounds interact with the ECS. Delta 9 THC binds with the ECS receptors tightly, causing the intoxication that we think of as a high. Contrastingly, the way that D8 THC is built, it can also bind with the ECS receptors, tighter than most cannabinoids, but not as tight as Delta 9 THC. As a result, Delta 8 creates a slightly different kind of high than that of Delta 9 THC. It is often described as less intense, but not weaker. Some people say that it is more bodily, while others say that it helps them focus better. This tends to vary from person to person.

Now that you have the basics of D8 THC in your mind, let’s move on to the other compound, CBD.

What is CBD?

As we mentioned earlier, CBD is one of the many cannabinoids found in hemp. You can probably already tell from the name, it’s pretty different from Delta 8 and Delta 9 THC. Unlike D8 THC, CBD isn’t another variation of THC. Instead, it’s its own cannabinoid. As a result, it has distinctly different effects.

To start with, CBD isn’t psychoactive in any way. It doesn’t cause any sort of high or feeling of euphoria. So, why do people use it then? Well, there has been a fair amount of research on CBD that found some incredible results. For example, some studies have found that CBD could help with depression. Other studies suggest that CBD is helpful for inflammation. There have even been a few studies that have found promise in the idea of CBD helping with acne. 

CBD can do all of this because, like Delta 8, it can interact with the ECS. This means that it is able to have an influence on a number of different functions. But, unlike D8 THC, it isn’t shaped in a way that allows it to bind tightly with the ECS receptors. Instead, it just interacts with and activates these receptors. Allowing for the potential benefits of having the ECS stimulated, but without the feeling of euphoria the THC cannabinoids give.

So, those are the main points that everyone should know about D8 THC and CBD individually. But how do they compare, especially in gummy form?

Are gummies better with Delta 8 or CBD?

Hemp gummies really are all the rage. It’s not hard to understand why when you consider the fact that they taste great and are easy to use. But if you’re trying to decide between D8 THC and CBD gummies, it can be a difficult decision. So, which makes one gummy better than another?

To begin with, let’s talk about access. Which of these is easier to get your hands on. Well, there is a clear answer here. It is CBD, but only barely. Back in 2018, hemp was made federally legal in the United States by the Farm Bill. This legislation also included all the cannabinoids found in hemp, such as Delta 8 and CBD. However, when something is federally legalized it isn’t guaranteed to be legal in every state. 

Each state is able to make its own laws and restrictions, and they have done that. Pretty much every state has legalized CBD (though most do have some laws regarding how much Delta 9 THC can be in a CBD product and how old you have to be to use it). On the other hand, there are a fair number of states that haven’t legalized D8 THC. So, depending on where you live, it will likely be easier to find CBD gummies than Delta 8 gummies.

Another thing to look at is the effect of the gummies. If you’re looking for something that may help you with a few things, but won’t cause a feeling of euphoria, then you’re going to want CBD gummies. If you’re more interested in that feeling (and who could blame you) then D8 THC is the way that you’re going to want to go. It all just depends on your needs and personal preferences.

All of this means that discovering which gummy is best is something only you can do. Here at DharmaD8, we’re all about the Delta 8 (of course), but we also recognize that there is a lot of appeal for CBD as well. After all, why else would it be everywhere these days? So, it’s really up to you to decide which you would like best, or you already know exactly which one you would like to use. Maybe you will need to give some of each a try to really know. Either way, you’ll likely find the perfect choice for you.

What other kinds of products are there?

However, gummies might not seem appealing to you, and in that case, you could try some of the various other Delta 8 products out there. So, if you give gummies a shot and realize that they’re not for you, that’s no problem. You can give just one of the many other kinds of products a try and see how you like them.

Since there are so many products out there, we thought we’d make it easier for you to narrow down your search. We'll go over the different general categories. 

Other edibles

Gummies aren’t the only way that you can get your D8 THC or CBD through a snack. You can also find all kinds of edibles, suitable for any palate. Do you want candy that isn’t gummies? Try some Delta 8 caramels. Would you rather have a baked good? There are all kinds of cakes, brownies, and marshmallow rice treats made with CBD and D8 THC for you to try. 

Contrastingly, if you don’t have that much of a sweet tooth, there are snacks like popcorn, crackers, and chips that have been infused with your preferred cannabinoid. The one thing to bear in mind is that edibles will take the longest to start working. This is because they have to digest before the Delta 8 or any other cannabinoid can be released and enter your bloodstream. So, if you don’t feel any effects right away, don’t worry, they’ll get there soon.

Pills

If you would rather just take your cannabinoid and not have to worry about anything, then pills may be the best way for you. These are pills or capsules filled with the cannabinoid of your choice. However, you’re more likely to find pills containing CBD than D8 THC. That doesn’t mean they don’t exist. Pills can also take some time because, much like edibles, they need to fully break down in your stomach before any cannabinoid can start working.

Smokables

Smoking is the traditional way to use hemp. These products include blunts and vape pens and cartridges are the fastest working products. With smokables, you’ll feel the effects pretty much right away, due to the fact that they enter your system almost immediately. So you’re going to feel things quickly after inhaling the smoke. One of the downsides to smokables is that the effects tend to fade rapidly compared to other products. This means that you’re going to have to take more hits more often than you would with other Delta 8 or CBD products. If you’re looking for fast effects and aren’t concerned about what you need to do for upkeep, then smokables could be a good choice for you.

Oils

On the other hand, if you are looking for diversity in how you can use a product, oils would be a good option to consider. When using Delta 8 or CBD oils there is an assortment of methods you can employ in consuming them. There are a lot of people who, being unimpressed with their options for pre-made edibles, would rather make their own snacks with their chosen cannabinoid. 

They use the oil as one of the ingredients in their cooking, baking, or meal prep. Contrastingly, others will take it directly, which is achieved by placing the oil drops under your tongue. If you allow it to sit there for a moment before swallowing, the cannabinoid in the oil can absorb through the thin skin under your tongue. Meaning that you will be able to feel the effects sooner than with an edible.

Topicals

The final category of D8 THC and CBD products you can buy is topicals. These are anything that you use on your skin that has been infused with Delta 8 or CBD. However, these products are not quite as popular as their oral counterparts. This is due to the fact that the cannabinoids are not physically able to enter your bloodstream when used topically. As a result, D8 THC is unable to give you the feeling of euphoria you would experience with all the other products. Nevertheless, there is good news! Both of these cannabinoids will be absorbed through your pores. In this way, they may be able to still provide you with the pain-relieving, and other, effects we talked about earlier.

We know there are so many different hemp products out there that it must be confusing to anyone looking into them for the first time. With luck, after reading this, you have a better idea of what exactly it is you want in a product. Maybe none of the other products appeal to you, and you've decided you should simply stick with gummies. If that's the case, hopefully, you now know which of the two kinds of gummies you want to try.

So, there is a lot to be said about both Delta 8 and CBD gummies. The right one for you is going to be based entirely on your personal preferences. If you’re leaning towards D8 THC gummies, then you’re in the right place. Here at DharmaD8, we carry high-quality Delta 8 gummies that are green apple flavored. You can take a look at them and the other D8 THC products we carry on our shop page. If you still have some questions that need to be answered, reach out to us through our contact page. We want to hear from you!