A Brief Exploration of Delta 8
A psychoactive compound found in cannabis that hardly gets talked about is Delta-8 THC (delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol). Found within cannabis, Delta 8 is a psychoactive compound. It is one of many cannabinoids found in cannabis similar to delta-9 THC, the main psychoactive compound in cannabis. When compared to delta 9, Delta-8 THC is present in lower concentrations in cannabis but it can still produce psychoactive effects when consumed or inhaled.
It was first isolated and synthesized in the 1940s by Raphael Mechoulam and Yechiel Gaoni in Israel at the Weizmann Institute of Science. It has not been as extensively studied as delta-9 THC. Delta 8 is believed to have a lower psychotropic potency, or affect on behavior, mood, thoughts, or perception, than delta-9 THC. A feeling of euphoria can still be felt when absorbed or insufflated. It may also have potential medicinal benefits, such as reducing perturbation, motion or altitude sickness, and food aversion. More research needs to be conducted to fully understand the effects and potential therapeutic uses of delta-8.
Delta-8 THC is available in various forms, including oils, tinctures, capsules, and edibles. It can be consumed through inhalation (smoking or vaporizing) or ingestion. There are quite a few high quality delta-8 products on the market. It is important to note that the use and possession of delta-8 THC is subject to federal and state laws, and it may be illegal in some areas. It is important to familiarize yourself with the laws in your jurisdiction before using delta-8 THC.
Potential Benefits of Delta 8
There can be a vast array of potential uses and health benefits of delta-8. Some people use delta-8 THC to help reduce anxiety and stress. Delta-8 THC may have anti-nausea properties and may be helpful for people experiencing nausea as a side effect of chemotherapy or other medications. Delta 8 can also stimulate appetite, which can be helpful for people experiencing appetite loss due to illness or treatment. Delta-8 can also have pain alleviating benefits and may be helpful for people experiencing chronic pain.
Some studies suggest that delta-8 has anti-inflammatory properties which may be helpful for people experiencing inflammation-related conditions. The 2018 study found that topical delta-8 THC decreased corneal pain and inflammation in an experimental mouse model This shows cannabinoids, especially delta 8 THC, could help in clinical therapy for corneal pain and inflammation resulting from an ocular surface injury.
The use and possession of delta-8 THC is subject to federal and state laws, and it may be or illegal in some areas. THC free options may be limited to a certain state or area. as well It is also important to consult with a healthcare professional before using delta-8 THC for medicinal purposes.
Is There A Difference Between Delta-8 THC And Delta-9 THC?
Delta-8 THC and delta-9 THC have a somewhat similar chemical structure but are two different forms of THC. The psychoactive compound in cannabis. Delta-9 THC is the more well known and abundant form of THC, and it is the form that brings the onset of the psychoactive effects of cannabis. One difference of Delta-8 THC is that it is a less common form of THC that is thought to have similar but not as intense psychoactive effects.
Delta-8 THC is found in smaller amounts in cannabis plants compared to delta-9 THC. It is also less stable and more prone to degradation than delta-9 THC. It's reported by some people that delta-8 THC has more clarity and focused effect than delta-9 THC, which can feel more inebriating and produce a more psychoactive experience. However, research on the effects of delta-8 is limited, and further research needs to be conducted to fully understand the potential therapeutic and recreational effects of delta-8.
What is The Legality of Delta-8 In The US?
Delta-8 THC is not legal in all parts of the United States. The legal status of delta-8 THC is complex due to cannabis being a controlled substance and can vary depending on the state's laws or jurisdiction you are in as well as a possession legal limit on a federal level. In some states, recreational cannabis is legal, while in other states it is legal only for medical use. In a few states, cannabis is completely illegal.
A Farm Bill in 2018 legalized hemp based products and derived products from hemp, including delta-8 THC, at the federal level. However, the bill also gave states the authority to regulate the production and sale of hemp and hemp-derived products, including delta-8 THC. As a result, the legality of delta-8 THC can be different from state to state.
Does Your System Hold Delta 8 Longer Than Delta 9?
The length of time Delta-8 could remain in the body can vary based on many factors, including the individuals age, weight, metabolism, and the amount of delta-8 consumed. The more delta 8 you take, the longer it takes your system to flush out the THC metabolites. In general, delta-8 is thought to have a shorter half life than delta-9, meaning the time it takes your body to metabolize and eliminate half the substance. Heavy users are going to have a longer time period where delta-8 remains in their system.
Different drug testing methods have different levels of sensitivity and may be able to detect delta-8 for different lengths of time. For example, urine tests might be able to detect delta-8 for up to a week after use, while a hair test may be able to detect it for a longer period of time.
Can A Drug Test Detect Delta 8?
Delta 8 can be detected in drug tests, but it is not typically included in most standard drug panels. Most drug tests are designed to detect delta 9 metabolites. Due to the similar chemical structures of delta 8 and delta 9, delta 8 could potentially come up as a false positive in the drug test, leading to a failed drug test. Some specialized drug tests may be able to detect Delta 8 THC. These drug tests may be used in certain situations, such as in cases where an individual is suspected of using Delta 8 or delta 9 THC products.
What Are Some Different Methods Of Drug Tests?
There are several different drug tests that can be used to detect the presence of drugs and other substances in the body. These tests may be used for various purposes, such as to screen for drug use in the workplace, to monitor drug use in people who are receiving treatment for addiction, or to test for drugs in athletes or other individuals who are subject to drug testing.
The Urine Tests
One of the most common drug tests is a urine test. They are relatively inexpensive and easy to administer, and they can detect the presence of many different drugs, including marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, and opioids in the human body. Legal and illegal drugs are detectable up to five to ten days in urine.
THC molecules could still remain in the body beyond this time due to it residing in the fat cells of the body making it detectable in urine. Some jobs use urine tests as a legal requirement for maintaining their workforce and making sure they aren't partaking in an illicit substance. Failing a drug test for some could mean losing their job.
The Saliva Tests
A Saliva drug test involves collecting a sample of saliva from the person being tested. They are less invasive than other types of drug tests and can detect the presence of drugs within a few hours of use. Some employers use a saliva test as the regular routine test. If somebody smokes or ingests cannabis it can be detected with a saliva drug test. A drug may be detected in oral fluid in less than one hour and remain detectable for five up to 48 hours after last use, however, this is dependent on the drug used, dose, and route of administration.
Blood tests are the most accurate type of drug test, but are the most evasive and expensive. They can detect the presence of drugs within the body within a few hours of use and can provide a more detailed picture of an individual's drug use. Federally legal drugs can show up in somebodies system but are generally ignored by those giving the drug test.
A blood test is not very commonly used to detect drugs in somebodies system. This drug test can detect THC levels in the bloodstream for one to two days after consumption. As with the other tests, THC metabolites may be detectable in the blood of chronic cannabis users for longer, and they may test positive forty-eight hours after consumption. It is not common for this to occur however and can be something an employer has to extensively pay for.
The Hair Tests
A hair test is usually a good alternative to the standard urine drug test A hair drug test involves collecting a sample of hair from the person being tested. A blood vessel is contained in each hair follicle to feed the hair growth cells, the drugs are then carried from the blood into the hair follicles. Hair follicle tests can detect the presence of drugs in the body for a longer period of time (up to several months).
The specific drugs in somebodies system that can be detected by these tests may vary, and the detection window (the amount of time that the drug can be detected in the body) may also vary. If you have questions about any regular drug test, it is best to consult with a healthcare professional or the person administering the test.
The Reality Of A Failed Drug Test
Drug screening may be done as part of an application screening for a potential job offer. Failing a drug test could revoke the offer, or if it was given out to ensure all employees pass or are partaking in approved controlled substances, results in somebody becoming unemployed. Drug tests work as a way for companies to take notice of what substances people are using that could interfere with their health and safety on the job.
Due to it's close relation to delta 9, delta 8 could potentially contribute to a failed drug test. A false positive could occur which is a test result which incorrectly indicates that a particular condition or attribute is present. Products containing trace amounts of THC and even delta 8 can influence this during a drug test and possibly make you fail.
If you are somebody that partakes in a routine drug test, it wouldn't be a bad idea to avoid cannabis products and delta 8 altogether. Though there can be many factors that influence a positive or false positive result, if your current employer or potential employer is adamant on being THC free, it's best to accommodate such a request. An upcoming drug test for some can trigger immense anxiety.
Drug screening remains an efficient way to detect thc, whether it be through a urine test, blood test, or saliva test, there will always be a way to detect thc molecules in somebody, especially when dealing with higher doses of delta 8. There are several detox methods you could do to flush out delta 8 from your body. The easiest is to drink lots of water to flush out your system and dilute the remaining thc metabolites, but none of these methods can definitely guarantee that you will pass a drug test.
As Has Been Shown
It's true that delta 8 could make you fail a drug test due to it's close relation to delta 9. If a drug test is specifically designed to detect delta-8 THC, and the person being tested has used a product that contains a significant amount of delta-8 THC, it is possible that the test could detect the presence of delta-8 THC and the person could fail the drug test as a result too. It is important to note that typically delta-8 THC is not tested for on drug tests, and the likelihood is considered to be low of failing a drug test due to the presence of delta-8 THC.
It is also important to note that the legality of delta-8 THC varies by jurisdiction, and it may be illegal in some areas. If you use delta 8 products and are worried about the possibility of failing a drug test, it wouldn't be a bad idea to read about the regulations in your area and to use caution when using any psychoactive substance. You never know when using something like delta 8 recreationally could contribute to becoming unemployed or keep you from a potential new job opportunity.
