29th Aug 2022

A Beginner's Guide to Delta-8 THC

If you’ve been curious about delta-8 for quite some time and you don’t have much, if not any, experience with other cannabis derivatives… then this is the article for you.

In this article, we’ll explain what delta-8 is and guide you on the best practices as to how to consume it effectively, so you can learn to control your experience and make the most out of its benefits.

WHAT IS DELTA-8

Delta-8’s story starts with cannabidiol (CBD), which is extracted from the hemp plant. It is then refined into a CBD isolate and synthesized into its final product.

HOW DOES DELTA 8 WORK

One of the very important internal regulatory systems that we have in our bodies is known as the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system helps regulate the nervous and immune systems by maintaining many physiological processes such as our appetites, our memory, our blood pressure, inflammation and pain sensations, among others. Delta-8 is able to stimulate this system by introducing cannabinoids that bind to these receptors in our bodies cells, creating a variety of therapeutic effects including relief from:

Anxiety
Insomnia
Nausea
Pain

DELTA-8 VS DELTA-9 THC

The difference may seem confusing at first, as delta-8 and delta-9 share many similarities, both in their chemical structures and names. Both are molecular variations of THC, however their extraction processes vary, as delta-9 derives from cannabis and nearly all delta-8 currently on the market is sourced from hemp.

Technically, hemp is a cannabis plant but, unlike its more famous counterpart, hemp contains a THC concentration of 0.3% or lower. Cannabis, as we tend to know, has a THC concentration of 0.3% and higher.

The 2018 Farm Bill was a big win all across the cannabis industry, as it legalized hemp on a federal level. That is why delta-8 products are sold in many states where weed is illegal.

We’ve found that even though many people live in states where weed is recreationally or medicinally legal, a lot of our customers opt for delta-8 as its lower levels of THC can offer a milder, smoother high.

DELTA-8 VS CBD

Even though delta-8 is extracted from CBD, it’s more similar to THC than it is to CBD.

CBD can have many medicinal benefits but, unlike THC, it does not have any psychoactive compounds which can cause those euphoric, uplifting and energetic feelings that we know and love (or that you will hopefully learn to love).

Bottom line: delta-8 is a good option if you want effects that are similar to THC, but with less potency. A CBD product may be a good option if you are looking for calming effects without the high.

BEGINNER’S GUIDE

Now that you have a basic understanding of what delta-8 actually is, it’s time to move on to the more practical side of the article.

If you don’t have any experience with cannabis products, or if it’s been a really long time since you’ve last experimented with it, the way you go about this process is extremely important.

TRUST THE BRAND

Despite delta-8’s recent boom in availability, we don’t recommend going to your local smoke shop and just picking up the first product you find. A lot of these delta-8 products are not clear as to where they are sourced and they don’t have any lab reports to go along with it, so you really don’t know what you’re taking.

All of DRIP’s formulas are designed with the safety of the end user in mind. We offer full traceability on our lab-tested products and promise to deliver only the purest product of its kind.

For first time users, we recommend starting either with our entry-level tinctures or gummies.

Fun fact: all of DRIP gummies are completely organic and vegan, so you're not only giving your body a break, but your mind a break too.

START LOW AND GO SLOW

Be specific and methodical on your dosage, until you become comfortable with delta-8 and understand what works best for you.

Whether you choose to take the gummies route first or the tinctures, we recommend taking into consideration the suggested dose, and take ¼, if not less of that.

Edibles can take one to two hours to digest and take effect into your system, so if you don’t feel anything just yet… don’t take more. You don’t want to end up stoned out of your mind the first time, so start low and go slow.

24 hours later, try to increase the dosage by a hair and repeat this process until you’ve found your groove.

HAVE SOME FOOD IN YOUR STOMACH

Delta-8 absorbs into your system better if you have some food in your stomach. Think of it kind of like alcohol in that sense. Taking Delta-8 with a balanced meal, even if a small one, can result in a more consistent euphoric experience overall.

Everyone metabolizes things differently, so the time it will take you to process and metabolize the THC will vary compared to others. Your experience is unique and that’s why it’s essential to take these steps to ensure a smooth ride ahead.

BE IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT

Take delta-8 in a comfortable setting for the first few times. Maybe try it in the comfort of your own home, or at a trusted friend’s house; so long as it’s somewhere where you don’t have to drive and you are comfortable in your surroundings.

Take note of how you’re feeling 2 hours after you’ve taken your first dose, jot it down in a notebook or on your phone’s notes, so you have something to reference back to later on.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Delta-8 products are a great solution for many consumers. They give back nearly as much as the plants they come from. This guide was created to help you understand a product that is still gaining social acceptance. It's amazing to imagine where we will be in a few years.

Take your time to discover your favorite combination and dosage of our hemp products. It's possible that you will decide to use CBD or delta-8 edibles or tinctures, or all three.

We hope you find this guide helpful, no matter what road you take. You have the ability to harness the power of hemp in any number of our hemp-derived DRIP products.