Delta-8-THC Side Effects and How to Avoid Them
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Delta-8-THC is a potent force in today's hemp market. It's mild psychoactive effects and vast therapeutic potential have made it a hot topic among consumers, and it's federal legal status makes it far more accessible than traditional THC products.
But there's a catch—many people don't know much about the shiny new cannabinoid yet, and specifically they don't know much about Delta-8-THC's side effects and risks. We're here to cut the confusion and give you the facts you need to know before you try Delta-8-THC for yourself, including the potential D8 side effects you could encounter and what you can do to avoid them. Let's jump in:
What is Delta-8-THC?
Is Delta-8 Safe?
Most Common Delta-8 Side Effects
Less Common Delta-8 Side Effects
How to Avoid Delta-8-THC Side Effects
What to Do if You Experience Side Effects
Where to Buy Delta-8-THC
Delta-8 is very similar to traditional Delta-9-THC, so it may have many of the same benefits and drawbacks.
Delta-8 side effects are mild and usually rare and can often be linked to incorrect dosage or a poor quality product.
The most common side effects include dry eyes and mouth, increased thirst and appetite, and tiredness.
Starting with a low dosage and a high quality Delta-8-THC product can help you avoid any adverse effects.
Delta-8-THC is a phytocannabinoid much like traditional THC and CBD. Delta-8 boasts many of the same effects and benefits as traditional THC, which means users seek it out for recreational and therapeutic purposes.
In fact, the Delta-8 and Delta-9 molecules are almost identical, and they interact with the body's endocannabinoid system in very similar ways. Delta-8-THC has psychoactive effects similar to traditional THC products, although they are thought to be only about half as potent.
Unlike traditional THC products, however, Delta-8-THC can be derived directly from hemp material. Because hemp products are legal in the US by federal law, Delta-8-THC is also federally legal and much more accessible than traditional THC products. Thanks to this increased accessibility, Delta-8 products are becoming increasingly popular both for recreational and therapeutic purposes.
The argument has been made that Delta-8-THC is synthetic because of the way that it is made from CBD derived from hemp material. While it's true that Delta-8 is created from CBD through a process called "isomerization," Delta-8-THC is a natural THC. Still, this unconventional extraction method leads many people to be concerned about the safety of Delta-8-THC products.
In general, Delta-8-THC is thought to be as safe as traditional THC products. There's currently no research that specifically evaluates Delta-8's safety profile, but most of the research regarding Delta 8's benefits notes that it is generally well tolerated by patients.
In fact, one pediatric study suggests that Delta-8-THC may be a safer alternative to traditional THC products for managing chemotherapy-induced nausea. The study concluded that Delta-8 was actually much less likely to induce some of the most common adverse effects, like anxiety and paranoia.
While natural Delta-8-THC material may be just as safe as any other natural THC product, it's important to note that all Delta-8 products are made differently. The most significant safety concerns surround the quality of a Delta-8 product. In other words, while Delta-8 is likely safe, you still need to ensure that Delta-8 is made with high-quality ingredients and safe manufacturing practices.
Of course, just like traditional THC, there are still some Delta-8 side effects to look out for:
In general, the side effects of Delta-8-THC products are rare and mild. Because Delta-8 has milder psychoactive effects than Delta-9, the risk of certain side effects is even less significant.
Particularly, the risk of developing sudden anxiety or paranoia is much lower. That's because the side effects are generally linked to over-consumption of THC. Since Delta-8 is milder in general, it takes much more Delta-8-THC to reach the same level of over consumption. Still, some of the mild side effects associated with Delta-8 include
Dry, red eyes
Increased thirst
Increased hunger
Trouble focusing
Some Delta-8-THC side effects are even more rare and are generally linked to taking Delta-8 doses that are too large. Still, these less common side effects may include:
Many people are able to enjoy Delta-8-THC without experiencing side effects at all. In fact, side effects are often linked to incorrect dosing or low quality formulations. In other words, you can significantly reduce your chance of experiencing side effects by taking a couple of precautions.
First, make sure that the Delta-8-THC products you buy are well made and lab tested. Look for products that use safe extraction methods, like CO2 extraction, to remove the CBD material from hemp. Then, a third party testing process should be used to ensure label accuracy.
Also pay attention to the other ingredients in the formula to ensure that there are no allergens or ingredients you may be sensitive to. Check the product's expiration to make sure that it's fresh, and take time to read other people's reviews of the products if you're feeling uncertain.
Next, make sure that you understand how to dose your Delta8-THC products. Because Delta-8 is said to be less potent than Delta-9 many people assume that they can take twice as much. We want to be clear that while the effects are less potent, they are also different in some ways. Delta-8 is known to have a more relaxed euphoric effect compared to certain traditional THC products, especially sativas or other high energy strains.
We always recommend that those who are new to Delta-8 start with small doses and increase their dosage over time in order to find their unique dosing threshold. For new THC users this may even mean starting with doses as low as 5 mg.
A Delta-8-THC tincture is a great way to experiment with different doses since it allows you to measure the dose in precise increments each time. It also takes effect quickly, usually in about 30 minutes, as opposed to some edibles that can take an hour or more to kick in. For more information about Delta-8-THC dosing, read "How Much Delta-8-THC Should I Take?"
What to Do if You Experience Delta-8-THC Side Effects?
If you do happen to experience some mild side effects from your Delta-8 dose, don't panic. If you're experiencing a headache or general tiredness, you may just decide to nap it off.
Some people report that a cool shower can help calm them down when they take too much THC and start to feel a bit panicky. Staying hydrated and nourished with small healthy snacks can also help reduce the chance of any negative experience.
If you experience more severe side effects, like extreme nausea and vomiting, you may be experiencing cannabis hyperemesis syndrome. This condition is extremely rare and generally only shows up in people who consume cannabis chronically or those who have taken a dose that is way too large.
If this situation is continuous or is resulting in dehydration, seek medical help. If you experience any other severe side effects not listed here, they may not be caused by Delta-8, rather an unsafe contaminant in the product you chose and it may be a smart idea to seek medical assistance.
In most cases, any side effects you experience from Delta-8 will be mild and short lived, so just try to relax and let it wear off.
Where to Buy High Quality Delta-8-THC
Delta-8 is federally legal and is legal in most states, which means it's easier than ever to buy Delta-8-THC both in stores and online. Of course, in order to reduce the chance of experiencing side effects from Delta-8, you should take time to diligently review a product before you buy.
At Vida Optima, our Delta-8-THC products are made from US grown, pesticide-free hemp material and are third-party tested by batch before sale. All of our products are fully Farm Bill compliant and made according to the industry's highest standards.
To find Delta-8-THC oils, edibles, vaporizers, flower, and more, check out our Elev8 Collection.
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