Delta-8 first got recognised as a distinct cannabinoid back in the 60s, when many other natural pyschoactives such as albino shrooms were also popular, but it wasn't until several decades later that research on these things for health benefits, and not just getting high, started taking off. 

In the last few years, delta-8 has been found to have a number of great benefits that can help many people.  Learn about the potential health benefits of delta-8. Learn how it may be able to help with anxiety, insomnia, and more.

Is Delta-8 legal?

Do check your own country’s laws to whether delta-8 is legal or not for recreational or medicinal use.  In some USA states, it’s allowed and in some European cities, however, it is currently not allowed in many other countries such as the UK.  This article focuses on studies showing how delta-8 could be useful to the health industry thanks to its many medicinal properties. 

Delta-8 THC is not as intense as THC

Delta-8 is an analogue of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) — the most common (and well-known!) compound in cannabis. It's also present in other forms like dronabinol and nabilone, which are legal medications used for treating nausea and vomiting caused by cancer treatment as well as loss of appetite from AIDS wasting syndrome.

Delta-8 shares several similarities with THC but it's significantly less potent. This means that although delta-8 does make you high, the effects aren't overwhelming and unpleasant like using too much of a stronger form can be. But that doesn't mean that delta-8 isn't psychoactive — it just means that the effects are milder and last for shorter periods.

Delta 8 also has a different duration from THC because of this. While delta-8 can make you feel high for up to four hours, its total duration is only around two hours long. This is another reason why delta-8 makes a great choice if you don't want your medication to impair your ability to function normally in society.  Just like you can purchase THC in gummies from retailers like ccd canada you can also buy delta-8 as delicious sweet gummies to enjoy their effects.

It's also a better option than taking CBD on its own (which does not get you high) as it still has many other health benefits associated with cannabinoids like THC and CBD. You can read more about that here.

Delta-8 counteracts the negative effects of THC

Cannabis strains that have higher levels of delta-8 are popular with users who want to enjoy the benefits of THC without it being too overwhelming or euphoric.  These strains are also a great choice for people who use cannabis for medical reasons but find that the high is too much and it interferes with their day-to-day tasks.

Delta-8 has been found to combat some of delta 9's negative effects, such as paranoia, anxiety, and short attention span. It essentially counters most problems that have been linked to regular THC intake.  

In fact, there have been several clinical studies carried out on patients using dronabinol which resulted in positive improvements in anxiety symptoms and spasticity with minimal side effects compared to traditional medications they were taking for these conditions before.

There are many medical benefits associated with delta-8. It has been shown to help with chronic pain, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, multiple sclerosis spasticity symptoms, weight loss from AIDS, and muscular dystrophy.

Learning disorders and ADHD treatment

Studies have shown that delta-8 THC could improve cognitive function in children with ADHD. It also helped to reduce aggression and anxiety, which are common behavioural issues caused by this condition.

Delta-8 THC targets the same neuroreceptors as Ritalin, an FDA-approved pharmaceutical drug commonly used in treating ADHD, but without many of the side effects typically related to it. 

This is because delta-8 doesn't cause insomnia or loss of interest in usual activities like other medications do.  The beneficial properties of delta-8 also apply to patients with learning disorders that can benefit from its relief from tension and stress.

The research on this matter also suggests that delta-8 THC is a better option than using cannabis with higher levels of THC. This is because the negative effects associated with delta-9 — such as anxiety and short attention spans — can sometimes interfere with learning instead of improving it.

However, more studies need to be conducted on this matter before we know for sure how exactly delta-8 can improve cognitive function in people with ADHD and other learning disorders. But so far, initial research has been positive, which opens up new possibilities for those who suffer from these conditions.

Research into delta-8's anti-inflammatory effects

Cannabinoids are known for their anti-inflammatory properties, which are particularly useful when dealing with conditions such as arthritis and the swelling and pain caused by inflammation.

Delta-8 is beneficial for arthritis patients because of its ability to relieve this condition without the psychoactive effects of THC or other cannabinoids. This makes it great for people who want the medicinal benefits but don't want to get high, especially when they need to stay alert at work or while taking care of their kids.

Its also great for patients who suffer from fibromyalgia, a similar condition that causes muscle and bone pain.

According to a study published in The Journal of Experimental Medicine, delta-8 was found to work just as well at relieving arthritis inflammation as many prescription drugs, while being much less toxic for other cells in the body. 

In fact, it was discovered that injection solutions that contain both delta-9 THC and delta-8 THC gave an excellent response when tested on lab rats with rheumatoid arthritis.

The researchers also found that injections containing only delta-8 were very effective in treating inflammatory conditions in mice without any psychoactive effects. It's possible this is due to the fact that there are more receptors in the body that binds with delta-8 THC vs. other cannabinoids, making it much more effective in this regard.

The fact that Delta-8 was found to be an effective anti-inflammatory in these studies supports the results of another study conducted in 2005 by researchers at Toulouse University Hospital in France, who also found "a significant decrease in both clinical and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis when [delta]9-THC or [delta]8-THC" were injected into lab animals bred to have similar symptoms as multiple sclerosis patients.

Delta-8's anti-inflammatory properties are potent

The anti-inflammatory properties of delta-8 are just as potent as that of other more well-known cannabinoids like CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol acid (THCA). One study found that delta-8 actually has similar anti-inflammatory effects on arthritic rats as ibuprofen, which is a common over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drug.

Delta-8's pain-relieving properties can be used to treat muscle and joint pains, headaches, migraines, and PMS, among others. It also helps heal wounds faster than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). 

Unfortunately for arthritis sufferers worldwide — especially those in the US — research on this matter isn't being carried out because of cannabis' somewhat recently reclassified status as a Schedule 1 drug by the DEA.

Other potential health benefits of delta-8 THC

Delta-8 is great at treating stress and anxiety because it mimics the effects of serotonin on your brain without making you high as THC does. This can help regulate your moods and improve your overall sleep patterns while enhancing your appetite.

This cannabinoid also stimulates the release of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), which is a neurotransmitter that has many benefits including helping to regulate your sleep patterns, get rid of excess nervous energy, relax tight muscles and calm you down when you're stressed out or anxious.  

It can help treat depression by raising levels of serotonin in your brain while relieving tension and reducing irritability. On top of all this, delta-8 can improve your quality of sleep by lowering oxidative stress throughout the day, keeping inflammation at bay, and making sure that fatigue doesn't hinder any dreams you may have on your journey into dreamland.

Delta 8 THC vs THC: which is better?

THC is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, which makes it great for treating pain and muscle spasms. However, because it's strongly linked to the euphoric high that marijuana is known for — as opposed to having a milder effect like delta-8 — THC isn't recommended for those with anxiety and depression issues.

On the other hand, delta-8 provides many of the medicinal and health benefits of cannabinoids without also inducing undesirable effects such as sleepiness or lack of motivation/interest in everyday tasks.  Though both compounds are good at fighting inflammation and muscle spasm, only delta 8 THC has anti-anxiety properties as well as antidepressant capabilities.

In conclusion…

Delta-8 has some powerful benefits that make it a great choice for many types of medical users. While delta 9 does have benefits as well, they aren't as potent as those of its milder, delta-8 cousin.

Delta 8 also has a milder high with fewer side effects, which makes it a great choice for people who have to use cannabis for medical reasons but don't want their medication to interfere too much with their normal lives.  

It can treat patients suffering from chronic pain, depression, and even improve cognitive function in children with ADHD among many other conditions.

As our understanding of cannabis and its many compounds continues to grow, we will continue to see more research on new and exciting cannabinoids like delta-8.