Delta-8-THC: Everything you need to know

• Meet delta-8-THC: an isomer of THC produced from CBD
  • Delta-8 vs. delta-9: what is the difference?
• The effects of delta-8-THC: "THC's milder brother"
  • Side effects
• Therapeutic potential: against nausea, pain and other ailments
• The uncertain future of delta-8 in Europe
• FAQ

Get to know delta-8-THC: an isomer of THC produced from CBD

Delta-8-THC is an isomer of THC (delta-9-THC) – it occurs in cannabis only in trace amounts, so "extracting it from the plant" would be extremely inefficient. Therefore, most commercial delta-8 is produced (semi)synthetically 🔬.

Simply put, CBD is "rearranged" (isomerised) into delta-8-THC through a chemical reaction. The resulting substance is then purified and used in final products.

Before regulations tightened in Europe, delta-8 was commonly offered in e-shops as a "legal high".

A wide range of products containing delta-8-THC gradually appeared on the market. You could find it in gummies and other edibles, in vapes and cartridges, in tinctures or capsules. Cannabis flowers infused with delta-8 distillate, snuff powders, various sweets and drinks were also sold.

Delta-8 vs. delta-9: what is the difference? 🧪

Chemically, these two cannabinoids differ "only" in the position of the double bond in the molecule, and it is this detail that can determine how the substance will behave in the body. The position of the double bond is shifted by "one carbon": in delta-8-THC, it lies between the 8th and 9th carbons, while in delta-9-THC, it lies between the 9th and 10th carbons 🧬.

Delta-8 is generally reported to have a lower affinity for the CB1 receptor (mainly in the brain) in the endocannabinoid system, which is associated with lower psychotropic potential.

👉 However, the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) has recently suggested that, in terms of biological effects, delta-8 and delta-9 may be roughly comparable in potency (equipotent).

Delta-8-THC is chemically more stable than delta-9-THC, which is one of the reasons why its potential therapeutic uses are being investigated.

Effects of delta-8-THC: "the milder brother of THC"

Because both delta-8 and delta-9 bind to CB1 and CB2 receptors, the effects are very similar.

Typically mentioned 👇:

• euphoria 😄
• relaxation 😌
• altered perception of time ⏳
• impaired short-term memory and concentration 🧠💭
• increased appetite 🍕

Many users report that delta-8 can produce a pleasant "buzz" without the "psycho trip" that delta-9 can sometimes cause.

In one survey of 521 delta-8 users, the most commonly reported effects were significant relaxation and euphoria, along with less anxiety and paranoia than when using delta-9.

👉 This is why delta-8 is sometimes called the "milder brother of THC" and is informally nicknamed "diet weed" or "weed lite" – precisely because of its allegedly lower intensity, which, however, has not yet been confirmed by any major clinical studies.

Side effects

Although delta-8-THC appears to be a milder variant of THC, side effects similar to those of delta-9 may occur.

The most common side effects reported by users are 👇:

• red eyes 👀
• rapid heartbeat 💓
• dry mouth 🥵
• temporarily impaired coordination and reactions 🕺
• impaired concentration and short-term memory 🧠🌫️
• feeling of confusion or "brain fog" 🤯

⚠️ At higher doses or in more sensitive individuals, unpleasant psychological symptoms (anxiety, paranoia or hallucinations) may occur.

Therapeutic potential: against nausea, pain and other difficulties

Delta-8-THC is also of interest to scientists because of its potential therapeutic benefits 👇.

As early as the 1970s, small studies suggested that delta-8 has approximately two-thirds of the psychoactivity of delta-9-THC, but the effects are qualitatively very similar. In other words, it works similarly, only potentially a little more gently.

A 1995 study is also often cited, in which delta-8 was administered to paediatric oncology patients as a remedy for chemotherapy-induced nausea. Eight patients did not experience vomiting during the eight-month follow-up period. The authors concluded that delta-8 can effectively suppress nausea and, thanks to its higher chemical stability, could theoretically be suitable for this purpose.

There is also interest in pain relief – more than half of respondents in a 2022 survey said that delta-8 helped them with pain. Some preclinical studies also suggest analgesic potential.

Other areas being discussed include appetite stimulation and anxiety reduction. However, there is not yet enough evidence, and more extensive research is needed.

👉 Delta-8-THC is not an approved medicine, and its potential therapeutic uses are still being researched.

The uncertain future of delta-8 in Europe

Delta-8-THC has gained popularity mainly as a supposedly milder variant of THC, offering a similar "buzz" with less intensity.

Most commercial products are (semi)synthetically derived from CBD, which raises questions about quality, purity and safety. Although some studies suggest potential therapeutic benefits, there is not yet sufficient evidence.

European institutions and individual states have begun to take delta-8 more seriously – the trend is towards further restrictions rather than free sale.

Sources:

• efsa.europa.eu/en/news/delta-8-thc-efsa-sets-safe-intake-level
• link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s42238-021-00115-8
• ascpt.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cpt1973143353
• ecddrepository.org/en/tetrahydrocannabinol-including-six-isomers
• euda.europa.eu/publications/eu-drug-markets/new-psychoactive-substances/distribution-and-supply/semi-synthetic-cannabinoids_en
• fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/5-things-know-about-delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol-delta-8-thc
• mdpi.com/1420-3049/27/20/6924
• news.vcu.edu/article/2021/12/vcu-lab-testing-delta-8-products-finds-misleading-labeling-lack-of-safety-standards
• biologyinsights.com/can-a-drug-test-detect-delta-8-thc/
• dpi.illinois.edu/news/know-your-deltas-the-difference-between-8-9-and-10

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