The Basics of Delta 8 THC: What are the Medicinal and Recreational Benefits of Legal THC?

Although we are glad to put the year of 2020 behind us, one of the biggest cannabis products to grace our shelves at Go Green Botanical’s last year was Delta 8 THC. Due to the 2018 Farm Bill Act, all cannabinoids in hemp are legal to consume in Texas, making Delta 8 THC legal to use across the state. With the Delta 8 THC boom across the country, Consumers might wonder which vape, oil or edible option could be the most beneficial product for their medicinal and recreational needs. For this edition of Go Green Botanical’s education articles, we are going over the basics and benefits by demonstrating how legal Delta 8 THC vapes, edibles, distillate, isolate and oils could possibly help consumers find optimum relief for pain, anxiety and more.

How is Delta 8 THC Extracted from Hemp?

Since only 1% of Hemp contains Delta 8 THC, most cannabis farmers extract the legal THC cannabinoid from the plant using a CO2 extraction process. This process safely extracts the cannabinoid without overheating or compromising its chemical structure if for example the cannabinoid was extracted using olive oil or steam. Although extracting hemp cannabinoids like with olive oil and steam is less costly, the cannabinoid is less likely to lose its concentration once formulated into a vape, oil or edible product, making the final cannabis-infused product more perishable.

With Delta 8 THC’s boom in the cannabis market, more commercial hemp farmers have begun to work with scientists to create more breeds of hemp flower that is rich in Delta 8 THC. After scientists are able to alter the plant’s DNA to produce more concentration of this cannabinoid, farmers then use selective breeding, molecular isolation and distillation to create large batches of hemp rich in legal THC.

How Can Delta 8 THC Help Relieve Chronic Pain Conditions?

In a 2018 Clinical Pharmacy study, a group of researchers analyzed the results of multiple cannabis studies conducted from 1975 to March 2018 to conclude how CBD could help relieve different forms of chronic pain conditions. With daily dosages of CBD oil, the team of researchers discovered an increase of endocannabinoids within the spine and brain area, resulting in less back pain, migraines and neuropathic pain. The scientific review also showed a significant increase in possibly relieving the symptoms of arthritis, fibromyalgia and more.

Delta 8 THC has also been known to help not only relieve possible chronic pain from cancer, but also nausea and anxiety. In a 1995 Life Sciences study, Israeli scientists discovered that Delta 8 THC distillate and isolate oil could improve the rate of nausea and pain for adults and children undergoing chemotherapy for various forms of cancer. With parental guidance, eight children from the age of 8 to 13 were given 18mg of Delta 8 THC oil three times a day for over eight months. All eight children reported little to no symptoms of pain and nausea without any psychoactive effects. Adults in the study also experienced a reduction of nausea, pain and anxiety with minimal psychoactive effects.

Depending on your metabolism and absorption rate, Delta 8 THC oil along with distillate or isolate could provide long-lasting medicinal effects for over 12 hours. Just like CBD, consumers are recommended to possibly start with a small dosage of 6 to 8 drops of oil once or twice a day. After two or three days, some consumers can increase their dosage by a few drops at a time to find the right dosage that could help relieve symptoms of chronic pain and more. Some consumers might take their dosage in the morning and early-afternoon if their oil provides them with possible energetic and mental focus benefits. While if consumers feel as if their oil might make them feel more relaxed and calm, some might benefit from using their THC oil near nighttime or mid-afternoon.

What are the Differences Between Vapes and Edibles?

As Delta 8 THC edibles digest through the liver, the THC cannabinoid metabolizes into 11 Hydroxy THC metabolites, which could increase the edible’s psychoactive effects. As the liver processes these Hydroxy metabolites, these edible molecules could potentially be 10 times more potent than Delta 8 THC. In a THC Pharmacology study, a research team analyzed the blood samples of nine individuals to see how long Hydroxy edibles lasted in their system. After six hours from the original dosage, the scientists were able to identify 50% to 75% of the Hydroxy THC molecule, estimating that consumers could possibly retain THC edibles for over 10 hours.

While Delta 8 THC edibles might be longer-lasting than vapes, edibles could take up to 60 to 120 minutes for consumers to feel it’s medicinal effects. Although vaping could take only 10 to 15 minutes for consumers to feel its effects vaping could also possibly last up to 2 to 3 hours before taking another dose. Some Delta 8 consumers might prefer a longer-lasting edible option for relieving the symptoms of depression, pain and sleep deprivation. For consumers who might use their products for as needed purposes might prefer to use their THC vape for anxiety, focus and more.

What are the Psychoactive Benefits of Delta 8 THC?

Since Delta 8 THC’s chemical structure includes double-ended carbon atoms, this THC cannabinoid will be able to create more activity to the endocannabinoid system for optimal relief and a subtle psychoactive high. Compared to Delta 9 THC, Delta 8 THC could produce a less potent high without the possible side effects of paranoia, sleepiness and irritability. In a 2016 Pharmacy and Therapeutics study, researchers determined that Delta 8 THC had 50% to 70% less potent psychoactive effects compared to Delta 9 THC. For consumers who are looking to find optimal focus, pain, anxiety and sleep relief, Delta 8 THC could be a beneficial option for as needed consumption throughout the day.

Since Delta 8 THC could get you high, consumers would possibly have to worry about testing positive in a drug test. As our bodies process THC, these metabolites are stored within our fat cells and a urine analysis test could possibly be able to trace these THC chemical markers in the body for a while. Depending on an individual’s absorption and metabolism rate, some consumers might be able to test negative on a drug test if they halted the use of Delta 9 THC for possibly three to four weeks. Although these negative drug test results are not guaranteed, Delta 8 THC’s medicinal and recreational benefits could help relieve multiple all-body ailments like pain and much more.

No matter your preference, whether it’s vape, oil, or edible Delta 8 THC isolate or distillate product, this legal THC cannabinoid could help consumers find relief for severe pain conditions like Fibromyalgia, arthritis, cancer pain and much more. Go Green Botanicals recommends consulting with your doctor before trying a product or other cannabis-derived products. By knowing the basics, consumers can be able to find optimal all-body medicinal and recreational benefits with legal THC.x