Delta-8 vs Delta-9 THC – What Are The Difference?

Recently updated on November 28th, 2022 at 09:29 am

The cannabis plant (Cannabis sativa) produces over 400 chemical compounds called cannabinoids. Tetrahydrocannabinol is one of these compounds, and it is available in Delta-8 and Delta-9 forms. THC is the abbreviation for tetrahydrocannabinol.

This is a type of cannabinoid used as a recreational drug or medicine to relieve pain and help with nausea.

Molecular Structure of Delta-8 vs Delta-9

Delta-8 THC has a carbon atom double bond with the carbon at numbers eight and nine. On the other hand, Delta-9 THC is different because it only contains one single-bonded pair of carbons together.

The Delta-8 form is used as an experimental cancer treatment in some countries where it is not legal to use medical marijuana yet. The slight structure difference causes the effects of Delta-8 to be more intense when taking THC gummies containing it.

Delta-8 vs Delta-9 in the Production Process

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Delta-9 THC (check it out here)is produced in its natural state by the cannabis flower. It is usually found in the highest concentrations within the flowering parts of plants. Delta-8 also occurs in nature when Delta-9 is heated or exposed to UV light.

You might ask how does one increase the amount of Delta-8 THC? It can be synthesized from other forms of THC that are naturally found in the plant.

Delta-9 is then converted to Delta-8 by removing one carbon atom, which causes it to lose its double bond. The removal process also changes the way you ingest Delta-nine into your body. This is because your body converts it from an acid form into a neutral fat-soluble form.

Delta-8 vs Delta-9 in Intensity of Psychoactive Effects

Delta-8 THC is a gentle cannabinoid that has been shown to have fewer side effects than Delta-9. It is also not as potent, so it does not produce a high level of psychoactive effects. Therefore, you will find most THC gummies containing the Delta-9 THC.

THC gummies containing Delta-9 THC is the safest choice for most people. Delta-9 THC does not produce an intense psychoactive effect that can interfere with your daily tasks at work or school. Tetrahydrocannabinol in its natural form has a euphoric feeling. However, this “high” typically lasts for around three to five hours before you need more of it.

Delta-8 THC can produce a more intense effect when you use it. This is due to its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier easier than Delta-9. Conversely, Delta-nine cannot enter your body until after being converted into Delta-8 by enzymes in your liver.

Delta-8 THC is more challenging for your body to process than Delta-nine because it requires extra steps before it is processed. As a result, it causes the psychoactive effects of Delta-8 to last longer when compared with Delta-nine.

Delta-8 vs Delta-9 Legal Concerns

THC gummies containing Delta-9 THC are not legal in some states, the same with Delta-8. Besides gummies, Delta 9 and Delta 8 can also be used in cookies and taffies. As same as gummies, they have a lot of flavors from standard chocolate to delta 9 marshmallow cookies. The effects and properties are similar to gummies This is due to the additional processing required before it can be used for medical purposes. The Delta-8 form of marijuana needs to change its molecular structure from an acid into a fat-soluble substance. Such a process helps your body to use it more efficiently when you are treating medical conditions.

Delta-8 vs Delta-9 Medicinal Use

Health regulators have not approved Delta-8 THC in many countries because it is harder for your body to process into Delta-9. You cannot use Delta-8 until enzymes in your liver change its chemical structure. Therefore, the conversion is the rate-limiting step, making it much more challenging to produce than delta-9.

Since there are fewer known side effects of using Delta-9, it is an ideal choice for people looking to treat common medical conditions. It does not produce a “high” feeling when you ingest it, making it easier to use without worrying about any other consequences from its psychoactive properties.

Delta-8 THC has been used in some states a medication, but the US FDA has not approved it for medical use. Lack of approval is due to its psychoactive properties, producing a “High” feeling when you ingest it.

Delta-8 THC is meant to be used as medication so that your body does not have to process Delta-9 into Delta-8. This gives your body a different chemical structure it needs to process to treat medical conditions more efficiently.

Delta-9 is the best choice for most people because it does not affect their daily lives and livelihood. Health regulators have approved it around the world as a medication.

One key benefit of Delta-9 THC is that it can remain in your system for a more extended period. Therefore, you should not worry about using more than the recommended dose. Furthermore, expect a lower dose frequency as compared to Delta-8.

Conclusion

Knowing the difference between Delta-8 THC and Delta-9 THC is vital for people looking to treat their medical condition. The choice between the two depends on the factors you are looking for in your medication, including safety, affordability, and health needs. You should deliberately analyze which one will suit you better when you decide to choose delta 8.

Marijuana plants are grown for their different types of cannabinoids, so knowing how to distinguish between them will assist you in deciding which one to use.