A relatively newly known member of the cannabis family, delta 8 THC has been drawing much attention for quite some time now. The 2018 Farm Bill that made hemp-derived products federally legal and caused the upsurge in the popularity of CBD (cannabinol) is also responsible for increased interest in delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 8 THC). However, certain states like New York and Colorado have banned it and so one must know their state’s laws before using delta 8. Being a new compound, people know little about the effects and uses of delta 8. The similarity in the name with THC (aka delta-9 THC) makes it susceptible to be associated with the extreme euphoric effects. On the other hand, sharing the same origin as that of CBD, people confuse them to have similar properties. So, what is delta 8 and what are its properties? Will it be detected in a drug test? Here’s a detailed answer to all your queries.
What is Delta 8?
Delta 8 is an isomer of the rather well-known cannabis compound THC. Isomers have the same number of atoms of each element and therefore, share the same molecular formula. But the placement of these atoms in space differs slightly in the two isomers, so their properties also become different. In the case of delta 8 and delta 9 THC isomers, the difference is in the placement of the carbon-carbon double bond. And the difference in outer effects is more quantitative than qualitative. Delta 8 shares the psychoactive, anxiolytic, antiemetic, analgesic, and neuroprotective effects of delta-9 THC. However, delta 8 is considerably less (almost half) potent than delta 9. So, if you currently mix one drop of 2500 mg tincture of delta-9 THC in your food, you’ll need to have one drop of Delta 8 tincture 5000mg to get the equivalent effect.
Psychotropic and other properties of Delta 8
As we noted above, delta 8 has mind-altering effects, though they’re less potent than those of THC. However, it is said to be among the most intoxicating minor cannabinoids. One difference between the two isomers is stability- delta 8 is far more stable than delta 9 is. But this won’t affect delta 8 THC’s potential to make you euphoric, it will only make that high a little milder and smoother. In fact, this is one of the luring features of delta 8 which renders it suitable for those entering the realm of cannabis or those who want THC’s medicinal properties without the intense euphoria. Gummies are a perfect starting place, Delta 8 gummies 1000mg will be good for beginners.
Delta 8 has the potential to relieve pain, reduce nausea, and even retard the growth of tumors. It has also proved to have a better effect in increasing appetite than delta-9 THC does. But more research studies need to be done to establish delta-8 as a potent medicine for these conditions.
Is Delta-8 detected in a drug test?
This is a crucial question for people who are seeking to use delta-8 for recreational purposes or those who are using it for medicinal benefits but have a drug test around the corner. The answer is YES, delta 8 is very much detectable. This is because like all drugs, delta 8 also takes some time to be properly metabolized and eliminated by the body. And since drug tests are designed to look for the traces of metabolites, it is possible for you to fail the test if your body has not totally gotten rid of them. A urine test is the most common drug test and it can detect delta 8 traces. Urine tests can be further of two types- a rapid Immunoassay (IA) test and a slower gas chromatography test. Both can detect delta-8 THC. The other less common drug tests are saliva and hair follicle tests which are also capable of tracing the delta-8 metabolites.
But then one may ask if delta 8 is not illegal (as delta 9-THC is), how does it matter if one is found positive. Sadly, the tests do not detect THC but the metabolites (THC-COOH) which are the same for both delta 8 and delta 9. So, when the test detects the metabolites, no one can surely tell if they’re from one compound or the other. This is why you will end up failing the drug test and will have to face the legal consequences too. So, what’s the solution? Charlie Thompson, an expert cannabis botanist and also the Chief Editor at Divine Hemps suggests that if you take delta-8 products occasionally, you should steer clear of them for about 4-5 days before taking the drug test. If you are a regular consumer, he recommends stopping the use of delta 8 about 1-3 weeks before the test. Lastly, for heavy users, a month to a month and a half will be needed for the body to flush out all the metabolites.
You should eat a more nutritious diet, drink more water, and do exercise to speed up your metabolism. These will help you in draining the metabolites out of your body faster.
Conclusion
To summarize, delta 8 is a fairly new addition to the cannabis compounds family and is seeing a rise in popularity for both recreational and medical reasons. However, it is important to know that it has a psychotropic effect, even if it is milder than that of THC. Further, most drug tests are sensitive to delta 8 and therefore, you should be careful if you are about to undergo a test. Depending on your usage, you’ll have to stop taking delta 8 a week to a month before the drug test.
You have to use it in moderation and do the proper things like drink a lot of water, exercise, and don’t smoke all the time. Smoking is what really stays in your system.