As much as we’d love to think that cannabis products don’t bring side effects, they certainly can. While these side effects are mild and tend to be uncommon, they may occur and ruin a cannabis experience entirely. Along with THC and CBD products, you’ll find that there are delta 8 side effects, too, that you should be aware of.
Again, these side effects are nothing to be terrified of; however, they are uncomfortable. Thus, we’re here to help you navigate and avoid the potential side effects of consuming delta 8 THC. This way, the next time you go to have your favorite delta 8 gummies, you’re totally prepared to have a safe, beneficial D8 experience.
What is Delta 8 THC?
Before we get into delta-8 THC side effects, it’s important that you have a full understanding of what the compound is.
Delta 8 THC is one of the many cannabinoids found in cannabis plants — both hemp and marijuana. Naturally, delta 8 THC is present in quite small amounts, making it difficult to pick up when you’re enjoying flower or full-spectrum products. To embrace its benefits and properties more, professionals have started extracting delta 8 THC from hemp-derived CBD. This helps to isolate the compound and help consumers really experience what the cannabinoid has to offer.
It’s important to establish that delta 8 THC is not the same as delta 9 THC. When people discuss THC, they’re most likely referring to delta 9 THC. D9 is the most abundant psychoactive compound found in cannabis, and it’s one of the most well-known cannabinoids to date. However, delta 8 THC is not nearly as popular — and not nearly as psychoactive, either. While D9 is known for its intoxicating properties, delta 8 THC has only mild psychoactive properties. Thus, you don’t want to get these two confused.
In fact, many people refer to delta 8 THC as “weed lite,” because its effects seem much more mild and gentle than traditional delta 9 THC.
Alongside the subtle psychoactivity, delta-8 THC is gaining serious credibility for its therapeutic aspects. Many consumers find that delta 8, like CBD, is wonderful for promoting feelings of relaxation and comfort.
Nowadays, you’ll find products containing delta 8 THC of all types. Whether you’re interested in trying a D8 gummy, some oil, or even delta-8-rich flower, professionals all across the US are manufacturing the perfect products for you.
Is Delta 8 Safe?
Now that we’ve established the ins and outs of delta 8 THC, let’s talk about delta 8 side effects and safety.
In general, yes, delta 8 THC is safe. This cannabinoid is all-natural and only subtly psychoactive. Plus, it has strong therapeutic compounds that various consumers have found beneficial in their everyday lives. However, because of the recent explosion of D8 THC, there has also been an uptick of fraudulent, unsafe products on the market. Thus, people have been getting the wrong idea that delta 8 THC isn’t safe. Thankfully, this isn’t the case at all.
Right now, delta 8 THC is seriously unregulated in the United States. With the country still trying to figure out legalities and properties, the cannabinoid stays in a bit of a gray area. Because of that, people have been attempting to capitalize off of the legal substance, creating products that are low-quality and, often, unsafe.
When making delta 8 THC, reputable brands will go through extra lengths to ensure that their products don’t contain any harsh additives, chemicals, or residual solvents. Fraudulent brands, though, will not go to these lengths; thus, they produce products that are potentially harmful. So, while delta 8 THC is completely safe for consumption, certain brands craft products that aren’t. Thus, the cannabinoid is getting a bit of a negative reputation regarding safety.
D8 Legality in the US
When we talk about the safety and side effects of delta 8 THC, we also have to discuss the legality of the cannabinoid.
Right now, delta 8 THC is federally legal thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill. As long as D8 THC cannabis products don’t contain more than 0.3% delta 9 THC and come from the hemp plant, they are legal for sale and purchase in the US. So, technically, delta 8 THC is federally legal in the US. But, that doesn’t mean that all states are on board with it.
Since the emergence of delta 8 THC, states have started taking it upon themselves to put delta 8 THC regulations in place. As of 2022, there are over a dozen states in the US that have banned or strictly regulated delta 8 THC products. This means that people in those states are not allowed to purchase or possess D8 products. Vendors are also not allowed to sell these kinds of products in any form. If they do, they are breaking the law.
That being said, you have to double-check the delta 8 THC laws in your area before you try purchasing some products. This way, you know that you’re not breaking any laws and you can enjoy using delta 8 with confidence.
Delta 8 Side Effects
That brings us to delta-8 side effects. It’s important to mention that delta 8 THC has incredibly positive effects that consumers of all backgrounds are finding. But, it’s also crucial to address that you may come across some delta 8 THC side effects that you might not find super appealing. For a quick reference, we’ve listed the most common delta 8 side effects below:
- Red, dry eyes
- Dry mouth
- Fatigue
- Reduced reaction time
- Anxiety, paranoia
- Memory loss
- Increased heart rate
- Reduced coordination
- Nausea
As you can see, most of CBD delta 8 side effects are similar to those you would get from delta 9 THC and other cannabis products. The side effects, while quite mild, can still be unpleasant enough to impede your D8 experience, preventing you from getting the support you wanted.
It’s important to keep in mind that delta-8 THC side effects are mild and won’t last forever. If you consume D8 and find that you’re having a bad time, there are various ways you can mediate delta-8 gummies’ side effects. First, try taking a few deep breaths. Often, deep breathing is a great way to calm the brain down enough to think rationally.
Next, you’re going to want to drink some water or consume a good meal. Doing these everyday activities is a good way to get your mind back in its regular place. Plus, food and water can help sober you up. You can also try taking a shower or even a nap if you’re feeling too fatigued. By the time you wake up, you’ll be feeling like your normal self again.
Another great way to reduce delta-8 THC side effects is to sniff black pepper. We know, this sounds a little funny, but black pepper’s terpenes are often calming enough to reduce this uncomfortable high. Some people suggest sucking on or eating a black peppercorn if you’d like, but just smelling it should be effective, too.
In general, you want to be cognizant of potential delta 8 THC side effects. But, this doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed to experience them. Many consumers never feel these negative effects, consistently enjoying their D8 journeys. The key to doing this — and having pleasant, beneficial highs — is proper dosing.
How to Avoid Delta-8 Side Effects
To avoid experiencing the side effects of delta 8 THC, you want to be careful with how much D8 you’re consuming. Often, people have adverse reactions when they consume more delta 8 THC than their body is okay with. Thus, the body responds negatively and you’re left no longer enjoying your D8 experience. But, this doesn’t have to happen! Instead, you want to remember this: low and slow.
Regarding dosing cannabis products, you always want to start with a low dose and see how your body reacts. If this low dose doesn’t produce the effects you’re looking for, you can increase your dose slowly, by just small increments. You’ll continue doing this until you find the perfect dose for you, and you’re doing so gently. This way, your body likely won’t feel overwhelmed by the cannabinoid and create the side effects we mentioned above.
Unfortunately, it’s also crucial to remember that D8 THC simply isn’t for everybody. Some people may just have negative reactions, regardless of dosing. This means that the cannabinoid isn’t right for your body — and that’s okay! But, if you do have these negative responses even after a super-small dose, you should avoid consuming D8 in the future.
Keeping D8 Safety in Mind
When you’re buying delta 8 products, you have to make sure to keep safety in mind. While there are so many wonderful D8 brands out there, there are also some that you’ll want to avoid. If you’re shopping for delta 8 THC products online, the first thing you need to look out for are third-party lab-test results.
Any reputable D8 brand is going to have their products’ third-party lab-test results available on their website. This way, people can look at the test results before they even make a purchase. These test results will demonstrate how quality their products are, illustrating purity levels and so much more. You’ll see how much D8 is inside the products, as well as if there are any harmful impurities. Once you’ve seen these test results, you won’t have any problem making a purchase with total confidence.
If you scour a website for their third-party lab-test results and don’t find any, this is your first time to turn elsewhere. A brand shouldn’t have anything to hide, so offering their test results is always necessary. Along with this, you’ll want to purchase your delta 8 THC products from companies that are open and honest about their ingredients and extraction techniques. This kind of information is crucial for most customers!
Finally, do your own research on the brand and see what others have to say about their delta 8 THC products. If you find that other consumers have had complications with the brand — specifically regarding quality — then you’ll want to keep shopping. When it comes to delta 8 THC, you don’t want to settle.
Navigating Delta 8 Side Effects & Finding Benefits
Navigating the world of delta 8 THC side effects can be tricky. Thankfully, it’s easy to discover the incredible benefits the cannabinoid brings once you’ve found your ideal dose and a perfect product. It may take some time and a bit of trial and error, but we have faith that you’ll fall in love with the therapeutic benefits that delta 8 THC can bring.
Once again, many consumers will not experience these negative side effects at all. But, if you do, just remember that these effects are only temporary — and that you just had a bit too much weed lite.
