What is Delta 8 THC's high like?

Everyone who knows anything about cannabis knows one thing: It could cause a feeling of euphoria (also known as a high). With this common knowledge about what it can do, we'll explore more about what causes it? The chemical compound that normally gets the credit for "getting high" is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta 9 THC). But what about the other chemical compounds that you can find in cannabis, especially similar ones like delta- 8-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta 8 THC or D8)? Do they also cause highs? If so, what does it feel like? We want to cover all of this with you, so let's get started!

What to know about Delta 8 THC

First, we need to define what D8 even is.

Cannabis plants have over 100 different chemical compounds that are called cannabinoids. These are remarkable little compounds because they can do something that no other compound found outside the human body can do. They can interact with the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). The ECS is made up of a bunch of different receptors that help the body control several different functions, like appetite and mood. Delta 8 THC and Delta 9 THC are both considered cannabinoids and interact with the ECS in their own ways (but we’ll get into more detail about that later).

Because D8 is found in hemp  plants, a lot of people think this means that it’s illegal in the United States. We totally get where this comes from, but we’re here to tell you that you’re wrong. Delta 8 THC is technically federally legal in the United States. This is due to the 2018 Farm Bill. This bill helps regulate all things agriculture throughout the country. The 2018 Farm Bill federally legalized industrial hemp (one variation of a cannabis plant) and the majority of the cannabinoids found within it. This includes D8, among many other cannabinoids that you may have heard of, like CBD. But you have to remember that "federally legalized" doesn't guarantee that something is legal in every state. It's completely possible that Delta 8 THC and/or hemp are still considered illegal in your state. So, be sure to read up on your state's laws.

Before we start talking about the euphoric feeling you could experience with Delta 8 THC, let’s talk a bit about some of the other effects that it could have. Mainly, let’s focus on the potential benefits that D8 could have in store for you! One of the main areas that has been looked at is how Delta 8 THC may be able to help reduce pain and inflammation. Many of the studies that have looked at this, like this one, have found very promising results.

Now you’re all educated on most of the basics of D8. It’s time to move on to the big question, what is its high like?

What is a Delta 8 THC high like?

Before we can really dive into what the feeling of euphoria that Delta 8 THC may give you is like, we should talk about Delta 9 THC.

You may be thinking, “But why would we talk about Delta 9 THC if it’s a different cannabinoid?" Well, it's mainly for two reasons. One is that Delta 9 THC is often the cannabinoid thought of as the main cause of anything psychoactive. This makes it a good base to start with. The other reason is that (if you couldn’t already tell by the name) Delta 9 THC and D8 are very similar, so it’s likely that they would have similar effects.

Delta 9 THC works by binding with the ECS receptors. A lot of cannabinoids do this, but Delta 9 THC stands out because its bond is really tight. This changes the way that the ECS receptors process the information they receive, leading to the feeling of euphoria that is so often associated with cannabis plants.

As we mentioned briefly before, Delta 9 THC and Delta 8 THC are very similar. They are built in almost the exact same way. But there is one small difference in the structure. The double bond is placed in a different spot. Here's a diagram of D8, and for contrast, here's a diagram of D9 for reference. This is enough for them to be considered different cannabinoids, but it isn't enough for them to be thought of as completely different. Both, however, still interact with the ECS in a similar way. D8 also binds with the ECS receptors, but its bond isn’t quite as tight as Delta 9 THC’s. So, what does this mean for how it affects people?

Well, for one thing, it does cause a feeling of euphoria. But this feeling is likely going to be a bit different from Delta 9 THC. Some people say that it’s weaker, but that’s not actually the case. Delta 8 THC’s high is usually described as not quite as intense and felt in a more bodily way than Delta 9 THC. This could mean a number of different things. Some people report that the lesser intensity means that they don't feel quite as paranoid when using it. D8 could also be a good introduction for those who are new to THC and are nervous about what kind of effect it might have.

To give you a better idea, Dante Jordan of Leafly gave some Delta 8 THC a try. One thing to know about Jordan, is that he is pretty familiar with THC. He says himself that he “chain-smokes joints all-day, everyday,” so it’s not hard to think that he would have a pretty high tolerance. He wasn’t expecting much from the D8 gummies he tried, but he says that they gave him a sort of clear-headed high. Jordan even says that the feeling of euphoria he got helped him finish a bunch of work that he had been struggling with for a month. So, it’s not necessarily a Delta 9 THC high, but it definitely is something worth trying.

When it comes down to it, you'll never really know unless you give it a try. If you’re feeling ready to give D8 a go, why not check out what we have here at DharmaD8? We carry a wide range of high-quality hemp-derived Delta 8 THC products for you to choose from. You can check them out on our shop page here. And if you have any comments, questions, or concerns that you’d like to share, reach out to us through our contact page today. We’d love to hear from you! Read some more about Delta 8 CBD and learn even more about the topic.