The 2018 Farm Bill established hemp as federally legal so long as it tests at trace amounts of Delta 9 THC of 0.3% or less at dry weight. This opened up an opportunity for people to have accessibility to hemp derived cannabinoids such as CBD, CBG, and CBN to potentially aid them in their health and wellness journey. Although this change in legality opened Pandora's box, as several other cannabinoids also became available which grew in popularity including Delta 8 THC, Delta 10 THC, and HHC.

These variations to the THC compound have been frequently used and reported to help with a myriad of different situations. There have been several studies investigating their potential effectiveness with various ailments as well. That being said, there certainly is a demand for products to give similar results. However they are quickly becoming obsolete in the market since they exist in a gray area of legality for a few states.

If you are looking for more natural alternatives to the hemp derived semi-synthetic cannabinoids D8, D10, or HHC then check out this article to discover what might be the next best product for you to try!

Why can’t I find Delta 8, Delta 10, and HHC anymore?

These THC analogs are all naturally occurring in cannabis, although the caveat is that they are found in such low percentages at even less than 0.3% in hemp that it would take massive amounts of biomass to use for extraction to get anywhere near the potency you actually see in these products on the shelf. Instead manufacturers will typically convert federally legal hemp derived cannabinoids such as CBD or the trace amounts of Delta 9 THC into these other forms through processes such as isomerization or hydrogenation. This created a gray area of legality and several states are now putting legislation in place to make manipulated cannabinoids that are semi-synthetic like these illegal. Suppliers of these products may still do so under the context of federal law or where they are still legal in their state. However with the direction many states are leaning towards it may only be a matter of time before they are non-existent in the hemp market.

What is the difference between D9, D8, and D10?

Most people when they say THC they are referring to Delta 9 THC, so what is really the difference between Delta 9, Delta 8, and Delta 10 THC? Well they all have the same base chemical structure, with just a slight difference as to where the double bond is located between two carbon atoms. When two pairs of electrons are shared between two carbon atoms they are considered a double bond. Each carbon molecule is numbered so as to easily identify where on the compound each one is located. If the double bond is located between carbons 8 and 9 it is called Delta 8 THC, between 9 and 10 is Delta 9 THC, and finally when it is between 10 and 11 it is called Delta 10 THC.

Having the double bond shifted like this alters the way that these cannabinoids bind to our cannabinoid receptors slightly which impacts their overall psychoactive properties. Delta 9 creates strongest psychoactive effects, then Delta 8, followed lastly by Delta 10. However they are very identical beyond this and have similar potential benefits.

Delta 8 THC Alternatives

The most identical cannabinoid to substitute Delta 8 THC for would be Delta 9 THC. This is especially the case for anyone who is seeking a product that may help stimulate appetite. Delta 8 THC is commonly reported to be a more functional high so if you do plan to switch to Delta 9 then it is best to start with lower doses and gradually increase as needed. Many consumers share that our lower dose Delta 9 THC gummies at 5 mg work great for their issues without experiencing the negative side effects of having too much THC such as increased anxiety or paranoia. Everyone responds to every cannabinoid differently however so it is encouraged when trying any new product to start with lower doses and gradually increase as needed.

Commonly people find that Delta 8 THC produces a more bodily relaxed high akin to an indica effect of cannabis. If you are looking for a product that may help you relax and sleep better then we have heard great feedback from people using another cannabinoid called CBN. CBN actually is converted from Delta 9 THC naturally through a process called oxidation, a chemical substance changing because of the addition of oxygen, which may also result in a loss of hydrogen atoms. Oxidation can occur due to exposure from light, heat, and air which is why CBN is typically found in aging cannabis. Most commonly users find that CBN has a more bodily sedative effect that helps them relax physically and mentally to help them get better sleep. We offer a 150 mg CBN water soluble tincture that is specifically designed to maximize absorption so you may feel the potential effects faster and more efficiently. These tinctures absorb the fastest going the sublingual route of holding the oil under the tongue for a minute or two and swallowing the rest. This allows for a more direct absorption into our bloodstream thanks to all of the blood vessels under our tongue. However they are also made to homogenize or mix evenly with drinks and the CBN pairs great with a night time herbal tea like chamomile, just remember to wait until the tea is cool enough to drink before mixing in the CBN oil.

Delta 10 THC Alternatives

Delta 10 tends to produce a calm yet uplifted mood and being the least psychoactive many people use it to help them manage daily stress. A majority of Delta 10 THC products on the market are vape cartridges that easily attach to a 510 thread battery. It is no wonder why as when it comes to managing stress or anxiety inhalation offers the fastest method of absorption. Typically effects are felt within a few minutes, but may not last longer than a few hours. We see plenty of our Delta 10 customers switching over to our CBD vape cartridges and giving great feedback that they help them keep calm and even more focused than they felt with Delta 10.

Some people have related their experience using Delta 10 to the high of a sativa that is more mentally energizing for them. Another cannabinoid that people go to for more natural energy is CBG. Cannabigerol, or CBG is known as the mother of cannabinoids as it is the building block that the hemp plant’s enzymes convert into CBD, THC and all of the rest. Another reason many people are drawn to CBG is that it has been shown in studies to potentially be an effective anti-inflammatory for gut issues like IBS. If you have been using THC as a remedy for stomach problems then it might be worth trying out CBG for possibly even better results. We offer a 150 mg Water Soluble CBG Tincture that is one of our best sellers!

HHC Alternatives

Hexahydrocannabinol, also known as HHC, is a version of THC that has been hydrogenated to make it more stable which extends its shelf life considerably before the compound begins to break down over time. This process of hydrogenation essentially replaces the double bond structure with hydrogen atoms. Besides this main difference, the rest of the structure is nearly identical to Delta 9, Delta 8, and Delta 10. In terms of psychoactive and therapeutic properties, many people find that HHC is most similar to the effects of Delta 9 THC. With this in mind, most people may expect to see similar results of HHC by using Delta 9 THC instead. Several of our customers have shared amazing experiences using our Delta 9 Syrup which is also made using our proprietary water soluble formula to maximize absorption. The full 30 ml cup serving yields 20 mg of Delta 9 THC which is a higher dose that may be more optimal for people looking to potentially benefit from pain relief or better sleep. The syrup may be a superior option to the Delta 9 gummies for anyone who needs a higher dose due to the severity of their issues or even natural tolerance to THC.

We commonly hear people who prefer to use HHC share they use it to help manage their pain. Several studies have shown the various THC analogs to have anti-inflammatory properties that backs this anecdotal evidence. In many cases you might just be looking for a product to offer some relief rather than experience a high, and this is where CBD truly shines as it is non intoxicating and has also been observed in research to also have anti-inflammatory effects. There is a plethora of people who find CBD to be an effective option to manage their pain in place of HHC. If you have been using HHC gummies due to their extended duration of potential effectiveness then transitioning to a CBD gummy or even a CBD capsule might be worth trying out. Between these two options, our 25 mg CBD capsules offer much more efficient absorption due to them being water soluble formulated specifically to maximize the absorption of CBD into our system. Although we also now offer a high dose option for our CBD gummies at 75 mg per gummy which makes up for the lower bioavailability or percentage of CBD absorbed with edibles.

Conclusion

There are several benefits to trying alternatives to Delta 8, Delta 10, and HHC. For starters you can rest assured that you are taking a natural compound that works with our bodies thanks to our endocannabinoid system. The emergence of these THC analogs is novel and unfortunately we have not had the opportunity to truly observe the longer term effects of taking cannabinoids that have been manipulated on our body. Secondly you are abiding by the legislature in your area and do not need to worry about getting into trouble for using a product or even traveling with it.

If you are considering switching from THC to CBD, CBG, or CBN then you may even actually save money in the long run. It has been demonstrated that we naturally build up a tolerance to THC over time and will gradually need to take more of it to get the same results. In contrast most people find that they do not typically build up any sort of tolerance to CBD and can continue to take the same dose with the same great results. In many cases the high from the various THC analogs may be an unwanted side effect and you may find that you enjoy the clear mindedness and focus you may get from taking non-intoxicating cannabinoids like CBD, CBG, and CBN. Everyone receives each cannabinoid differently so it may take some experimentation to discover what works best for you. It might be difficult to accept change, especially if you found products you already love using. However we encourage everyone to be patient and believe that you may find even better results with some of these THC alternatives.

There is a lot to explore in the CBD realm so if you have any questions or concerns about what direction to go next from Delta 8, Delta 10, or HHC we are always happy to help with your health and wellness journey. Please feel free to visit any of our retail locations, chat with us at https://discovercbd.com , or give us a call at 719-666-7219.