Delta 8 THC is a popular cannabinoid derived from the hemp plant. It’s similar to delta 9 THC, the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, but they have some key differences. When ingested, delta 8 THC produces mind-altering effects, often described as being more mild and clear-headed compared to delta 9 THC. So what is the delta 8 high really like?
How is delta 8 THC different from delta 9 THC?
Delta 8 and delta 9 THC have a similar chemical structure, but small differences in their atomic arrangement account for different effects. Both interact with the endocannabinoid system, but delta 8 binds less efficiently to CB1 receptors in the brain. This results in the following differences:
- Delta 8 high feels less intense and intimidating
- Delta 8 has lower psychoactive potency, producing a milder intoxication
- Delta 8 is associated with less anxiety and paranoia
- Delta 8 has clear-headed cerebral effects
- Delta 8 results in less couch-lock or sedation compared to delta 9
However, their similarities often outweigh their differences. At moderate or high doses, the effects of delta 8 and 9 THC can feel nearly identical. Both create euphoria, sensory enhancement, creative thinking, pain relief, stimulation of appetite, and other common cannabis effects.
What are the stages of a delta 8 high?
Like other forms of cannabis, the delta 8 experience unfolds in phases. It typically lasts around 3-6 hours. The stages are:
- Initial onset (15-60 mins): Mild relaxation and lightheadedness as the effects start to appear.
- Come up (1-2 hours): Stronger intoxication sets in with alterations in thinking, perception, mood, and senses.
- Plateau (2-3 hours): The peak high with the strongest effects. Feelings of euphoria and sensory enhancement.
- Come down (1-2 hours): Gradual return to a sober state as effects wear off.
- Afterglow: Residual relaxation and positive mood lasting up to 6-12 hours after ingestion.
However, there is considerable variation in how long the effects last and their intensity. Factors like dose, tolerance, metabolism, and product quality all impact the timing and stages.
What are the positive effects of delta 8 THC?
When taken in moderate doses, delta 8 is known to produce enjoyable and beneficial effects, including:
- Euphoria: Heightened sense of well-being and contentment.
- Relaxation: Relief from stress and physical tension.
- Analgesia: Reduced sensitivity to pain.
- Appetite stimulation: Increased enjoyment of food and taste.
- Focus: Enhanced attentiveness and concentration.
- Creativity: More divergent thinking and new connections.
- Sleep aid: Increased drowsiness, easier falling asleep.
These sought-after effects explain delta 8’s rising popularity as an alternative to delta 9 THC from cannabis.
What are the negative effects of delta 8?
Delta 8 is not risk-free and can have adverse effects, especially at high doses. These include:
- Anxiety or paranoia: Nervousness, fear, and distorted thinking.
- Confusion: Trouble focusing, cloudy thought processes.
- Dizziness: Lightheadedness, loss of balance and coordination.
- Drowsiness: Sedation, lethargy, “couch-lock.”
- Increased heart rate: Temporary spike in blood pressure and heart rate.
- Dry mouth and eyes: Dehydration-like symptoms.
- Impaired motor skills: Difficulty performing physical tasks.
Negative side effects are usually dose-dependent. Careful dosing and avoiding delta 8 overconsumption reduces the risk of adverse reactions.
What does delta 8 feel like physically?
The physical sensations of delta 8 differ somewhat from person to person but often include:
- Warmth and tingling throughout the body due to vasodilation (widened blood vessels).
- Increased heart rate and fluctuations in blood pressure.
- Heavier eyelids and bloodshot eyes due to ocular effects.
- Dry mouth and throat, often leading to increased thirst and dehydration.
- Slower reaction time and reduced motor coordination.
- Impaired balance and dizziness, especially when standing up.
- Increased sensitivity to touch, temperature, and other tactile stimuli.
- Loss of appetite initially, followed by intense food cravings later (“munchies”).
These effects result from delta 8’s interactions with the endocannabinoid system, which regulates pain, appetite, motor control, inflammation, cardiovascular function, and other processes. With higher delta 8 doses, the physical effects intensify and can become unpleasant or disorienting.
What does a delta 8 high feel like mentally and emotionally?
Subjectively, the delta 8 high alters consciousness and produces a distinct array of psychological effects:
- Euphoria – heightened mood, optimism, and sense of well-being.
- Relaxation – reduced anxiety, fears, and worries.
- Cognitive enhancement – increased creativity, focus, and flow state.
- Sensory intensification – music, foods, and tactile stimuli are more pleasurable.
- Time dilation – one’s sense of time stretching or slowing down.
- Introspection – deeper self-reflection and insights.
- Mind wandering – more free-flowing thoughts and mental tangents.
- Laughter – increased giggling fits and amusement.
However, negative mental/emotional effects like anxiety, paranoia, confusion, or loops in thinking can also occur, especially with higher doses.
How does delta 8 affect your senses?
Delta 8 causes heightened sensitivity and intensification of all five senses:
- Sight – enhanced colors, visual acuity, and pattern recognition.
- Hearing – improved music appreciation and auditory detail.
- Taste – increased flavor sensitivity and enjoyment of food.
- Touch – greater tactile awareness and pleasurable skin sensations.
- Smell – boosted olfactory ability and more vivid smell experiences.
As with the overall high, sensory effects are dose-dependent – moderate doses enhance the senses subtly, while very high doses can overstimulate them to an uncomfortable degree.
What are the short-term effects of delta 8 THC?
During the high itself, which lasts around 2-4 hours, delta 8 causes:
- Feelings of euphoria, calmness, and well-being
- Heightened senses – colors, textures, and sounds are more vivid
- Increased appetite, especially for savory foods and sweets
- Difficulty concentrating and impairment of motor skills and reaction time
- Distortions in time perception and subjective experience of time slowing
- Mild analytical and creative thinking enhancement
- Relaxation of muscles and relief of pain and inflammation
Negative short-term effects like anxiety, dry mouth, and dizziness are also possible if too high a dose is taken.
What are the long-term effects of delta 8 usage?
The long-term effects of delta 8 THC have been less studied than delta 9 THC from cannabis. But potential long-term effects may include:
- Increased tolerance over time, needing higher doses for the same effect
- Mild withdrawal symptoms when stopping heavy use, like cravings, irritability, anxiety, insomnia
- Possible impacts on motivation with chronic use, dubbed “amotivational syndrome”
- Risks to respiratory health from inhaled delta 8 products
- Interactions with certain medications that are metabolized similarly to delta 8
- Exacerbation of underlying mental health conditions
- Negative effects on adolescent brain development if used frequently
However, moderate delta 8 usage has not been linked with severe or irreversible health effects thus far. More research is still needed on its long-term impact with chronic use.
How does delta 8 affect your brain?
Delta 8 THC produces a high by binding to CB1 receptors concentrated in certain areas of the brain. This alters neurotransmitter release and activity in various neural circuits and networks, resulting in the following:
- Increased dopamine release – boosts mood and pleasure
- Altered serotonin levels – enhances wellbeing
- Decreased GABA – leads to disinhibition and creativity
- Increased glutamate – sharpened senses and cognition
- Decreased norepinephrine – more relaxation
- Disrupted acetylcholine signaling – impairs memory formation
Brain imaging studies show delta 8 activates regions involved in reward, pleasure, appetite, memory, coordination, and other functions. The specific neural effects depend on dosage, individual brain chemistry, and tolerance.
Is delta 8 THC safe? Risks and side effects
When used responsibly, delta 8 appears to be relatively safe, according to existing research. However, there are some risks and side effects to consider:
- Potential for addiction or dependence with frequent use
- Exacerbation of psychiatric conditions like anxiety, depression, schizophrenia
- Impaired coordination, increasing falls or accidents
- Reduced concentration, focus, and cognition
- Increased heart rate and cardiovascular effects
- Adverse reactions like dizziness, nausea, anxiety
- Drowsiness and fatigue, especially following the effects
- Rapid tolerance build-up requiring higher doses over time
Unknown manufacturing processes and contaminants in some delta 8 products also pose risks. Using pure, lab-tested products from reputable brands can help minimize risks.
Is delta 8 THC legal?
Delta 8 sits in a legal grey area. Technically, it’s legal under the 2018 Farm Bill since it’s derived from hemp. But some states have banned delta 8 products outside approved medical or recreational frameworks. The FDA has also raised concerns about its unregulated growth and unknown effects.
So in practice, delta 8 legality depends on the state. It’s permitted in most but outlawed in a growing number of states. Users should check their state hemp and delta 8 laws before purchasing and using products.
Does delta 8 show up on a drug test?
Yes, delta 8 THC can trigger a positive result for THC on a standard drug screening. This is because drug tests detect metabolites of THC that are produced when the body breaks it down. Delta 8 forms many of the same metabolites as delta 9 THC.
However, studies show delta 8 may be slightly less likely to cause a false positive than delta 9 THC. But there are no guarantees, so those subject to drug testing should use delta 8 cautiously or avoid it altogether.
Conclusion
In summary, the delta 8 high is often described as clear-headed, energetic, and less anxious compared to delta 9 THC. It produces a milder intoxication while still providing many desired effects like euphoria, relaxation, improved senses, creativity, and pain relief. However, dosage is key – low to moderate amounts provide the best experience, while very high doses increase the risk of negative side effects and over-intoxication.
Delta 8 remains in a legal grey area, and more research is needed on its long-term effects. But thus far, it appears to be a relatively safe and enjoyable alternative to delta 9 THC for those looking for a low-key cannabis experience – as long as it’s used mindfully and in moderation.
