Whether you use recreational drugs or take prescription medications; the side effects are inevitable. However, there is a slight difference when it comes to the side effects of delta-8 vs other drugs. Delta-8 is a synthetic cannabinoid that mimics the psychoactive properties of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is found in cannabis plants. However, unlike THC, which produces pleasant and psychoactive side effects, delta 8 edibles have no psychoactive or pleasant side effects. The lack of these side effects makes it an ideal option for patients seeking pain relief without the high associated with most cannabinoids. Read on to learn more about this unique drug and how it compares to other options— such as CBD oil — in terms of its benefits, dosage, and potential side effects.
How Does Delta-8 Compare to CBD?
CBD (cannabidiol) and delta-8 are both types of cannabinoids that occur naturally in cannabis plants. While both are beneficial for treating certain medical conditions, the two have significant differences. Due to its non-psychoactive nature, delta-8 is often used for treating chronic pain in patients who don’t want to feel the “high” associated with other cannabinoids. CBD is also beneficial in treating various medical conditions, but it is a more potent substance, meaning it has significantly more side effects. CBD is considered the better option if you intend to treat a specific condition without getting high. However, it should be noted that both CBD and delta-8 have mild psychoactive properties. This is not always a bad thing, though, especially if you are using the drug to treat a condition like anxiety.
How Does Delta 8 Work?
Like other cannabinoids, delta-8 works by interacting with receptors in the human body. These receptors are primarily located in the central nervous system and immune system. When delta-8 binds with these receptors, it produces therapeutic and analgesic effects. Delta-8 is a synthetic cannabinoid that binds to the CB2 receptor. This is the same receptor that is targeted by the body’s naturally occurring cannabinoids, such as CBD and THC. This is why delta-8 has similar effects to THC. Delta-8’s primary function is to relieve pain. It also treats symptoms of nausea and vomiting and many other medical conditions.
What Are the Side Effects of Delta-8?
Delta-8 is a synthetic cannabinoid with no psychoactive properties. Because of this, you won’t experience the pleasant side effects associated with other cannabinoids, like THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Unfortunately, this also means that delta-8 doesn’t have any positive side effects, either. It is only beneficial in that it relieves pain without the high. Due to delta-8’s lack of side effects, it is often used in controlled medical settings, such as hospices, palliative care units, and oncology units. In these settings, patients are seeking pain relief without a high. However, because delta-8 has no side effects, it is important to closely monitor your condition. If you notice any changes, you should contact your health care provider.
The difference between THC and Delta-8
While delta-8 and THC are both cannabinoids that occur naturally in cannabis plants, there are some significant differences between the two. While delta-8 has no psychoactive properties, THC does. This means that THC produces the “high” and pleasant side effects associated with cannabis use. While delta-8 is non-psychoactive, it does still have mild psychoactive properties. This means it slightly impacts your mental state. However, THC impacts your mental state greatly. This is due to its significantly greater potency compared to delta-8. THC has a higher potency because it binds more strongly with receptors than delta-8. Delta-8 has a weaker binding capacity than THC, which is why it has no psychoactive properties.
Conclusion
While delta-8 has some significant differences compared to THC, it also has some similarities, especially when it comes to its medicinal uses. Both are beneficial in treating various health conditions, including chronic pain, nausea, vomiting, and anxiety. Delta-8 also has a few unique benefits. For example, it is a non-psychoactive compound, meaning you won’t experience the pleasant side effects associated with THC. It is also a synthetic compound, which makes it an ideal option for patients who don’t want the high associated with cannabis use.
