Folks curious about CBD (Cannabidiol) and its positive mental and physical health benefits have come across the phrase Delta 9 in their research on the internet.
What is Delta 9?
That is a great question.
But, before we get into Delta 9, let's look at what the term “Delta 9” means.
Delta 9 or Delta-9 is short for:
- Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol
In addition, Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol may also be referenced by some as:
- Tetrahydrocannabinol
- THC
Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol is one of over 100 chemical strains in the cannabis plant. Its job for the cannabis plant is to help protect against insects, ultraviolet light, and environmental stress. But, Delta-9 also acts as a fatty acid.
The active compounds in cannabis sativa and hemp plants used to manufacture CBD, Delta-8, Delta-9 contain amounts of THC. Found in both plants there is more Delta 9 THC in cannabis than in the hemp plant.
The average cannabis sativa strain contains about 12% Delta-9 THC in its raw state, where the hemp plant has significantly less, 1.3%. Cannabis sativa contains only .01% of the Delta-8 compound, whereas industrial hemp has .03% in the raw form.
Industrial hemp has a much higher concentration of CBD than the cannabis plant. The average cannabis sativa strain may contain as much as 6% cannabidiol. In industrial hemp, the CBD concentration can range from 7% to 52.4%, even though the high end is somewhat mythic in its possibility.
CBD, Delta 8, and Delta 9 THC get consumed in the following ways.
(Most CBD, Delta 8, and Delta 9 THC products are available at a local dispensary or through the internet.)
- Vaping: Perhaps the quickest way to experience the full benefits of CBD, Delta 8, and Delta 9 THC alternative therapy products is through smoking, vaping, or dabbing. Vaping CBD oil or THC oil has drawbacks like cost and negative aftertaste.
- Edibles: CBD (Cannabidiol), Delta 8, and Delta 9 are consumed via edibles. Whether CBD gummies or hemp-infused edibles, sometimes edibles can be the best and easiest way for someone to get the maximum benefits of alternative CBD therapy. CBD edibles are perfect for people on the go even though it takes a bit longer for the body to digest, etc.
- Topical Delivery: Delta 8, Delta-9 THC, and CBD-infused topicals made from industrial hemp are superior delivery systems. CBD lotions, lip balms, muscle balms, salves, and bath bombs are great because they interact with users at the local level. They can help a user with chronic pain or inflammation, for example, because they provide relief first since it is less of a priority to travel to the brain first.
- Sublingual Delivery: Not as speedy as vaping, but Delta 8, Delta 9, or CBD ingested sublingually acts quickly. CBD Oil, Delta 9, Delta 8 lozenges and sprays, or other sublingual delivery systems, once they soak into the skin or hit the blood, provide the maximum benefits of CBD as an alternate therapy almost as fast as vaping.
Does delta 9 make you high?
Delta-9 is the active chemical compound in the cannabis plant responsible for producing the psychoactive effects people experience after ingesting marijuana.
In other words: Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol is what gets you high when you smoke weed.
The compound was first isolated in 1964 by a chemist named Raphael Mechoulam.
Once consumed, Delta-9 metabolizes and enters the bloodstream. From there, it travels to the brain. In the brain, it enters and bonds with receptors in the endocannabinoid system located in the cerebral cortex and cerebellum – the parts of the brain that are in charge of pleasure, coordination, pain management, hunger, etc.
Because Delta 9 THC (even the “Delta-9 Texas” strain) collaborates with the endocannabinoid system THC produces the cognitive effects. Delta 9 THC is a psychoactive compound that will interact with the human brain.
The high many people report feeling is similar to feelings of euphoria or a state of low-grade bliss. Some feel improvements in mood following the ingestion of a Delta 9 product; report experiencing mild to severe sensory deviation; report the experience of more vivid colors or vivid images across daily life.
What does delta 9 do to the body?
Delta-9 can produce a wide variety of effects that range from pleasant to unpleasant.
Depending on the potency, Delta-9 can produce a calming and relaxed feeling; change your cognitive processing speed; reduce stress and anxiety; intense mental focus; improve appetite and the quality of sleep.
Consuming too much Delta-9, however, can lead one to experience panic, anxiety, delusions, paranoia, and even hallucinations. Too much Delta-9 can also hinder coordination, impair speech and make users overly drowsy.
CBD (Cannabidiol), Delta 8, and Delta 9 are all different strains from the cannabis and hemp plants, yet they all interact with the brain in the same fashion.
Each chemical compound interacts with the endocannabinoid system in the brain. CBD, Delta 8, and Delta 9 all work to stimulate the endocannabinoid receptors, which causes the brain to produce organic cannabinoids. Delta 8 and Delta-9 bind with the endocannabinoid receptors, whereas CBD does not.
Delta 9 THC produces cognitive effects as well as physical effects. Whether ingesting Delta 9 through edibles, gummies, CBD balm, etc., – Delta 9 affects one’s mental health as it does one’s physical health.
The psychoactive effects that Delta 9 can have on the physical may range from having an increased appetite to feeling a deep feeling of relaxation in the muscles. Delta 9 may also help curb the symptoms of chronic pain.
What is delta 9 and is it legal?
Because Delta-9 THC is commonly-associated with marijuana, those with a curiosity about CBD as an alternate therapy medicine often question the legality of Delta 9 and whether it’s safe to purchase and receive it via the U.S Mail.
With the U.S. Federal Government passing the Farm Bill in 2018, which legalized any hemp derivative that maintains a dry weight of 0.3% Delta 9 THC, questioning whether or not Delta 9 is legal shouldn’t be a thing.
States that have yet to legalize recreational marijuana have also refused to allow the sale of all Delta-9 products.
Before a person orders a Delta-9 product from the internet, users should review the position of their state when it comes to Delta 9 to determine its legality. Is Delta-9 legal? Do research on Google before shopping for THC products through an online CBD store, regardless of whether it is for their fatty acid benefits or another purpose.
The 2018 Farm Bill does not express a difference between Cannabis sativa or indica and hemp or industrial hemp. Even though both contain THC, industrial hemp has always been less-restricted in the United States because of its multi-purpose.
Because the Farm Bill does not express a different between Cannabis and hemp, it allows companies to manufacture and distribute inferior products. Avoiding these products is easy. The best way for consumers to avoid poorly-manufactured CBD products is by only purchasing CBD products made in the US and those with third party testing.
What is the difference between Delta 8 and delta 9?
Outside the fact that Delta 9 is a more potent extract than Delta 8, what separates them is their existence in the cannabis plant and how difficult one is to extract over the other to bring to market.
Since Delta 9 THC is found more prevalently in cannabis and hemp plants, it is much cheaper to extract because of the simplicity of the extraction process. Delta-8 costs more on the market because it’s in shorter supply, and the extraction process is much more detailed when it comes to making it a viable commercial product for consumption.
In addition, Delta 8 is a compound made from a synthesized process (unlike CBD or Delta 9) that uses toxic chemical solvents.
The manufacturing process makes Delta 8 unnatural, and non-organic. Even with the process ensuring THC content is under 0.03%, the legally-required maximum, avoiding unnecessary chemicals in the production-process is mandatory.
Even though it costs more like a product, Delta 8 may be just as effective as Delta 9 THC when it comes to helping people find relief from chronic pain or reduce struggles with anxiety, depression, and even stress disorder.
Since the manufacturing process is different for Delta 8 and Delta-9 THC, another thing that makes Delta 8 dissimilar to Delta 9 is that some states have chosen to allow CBD and Delta 8 to be available legally when they have banned Delta-9 sales.
Whether CBD, Delta-8, and Delta-9 THC has sparked curiosity about these active chemical compounds, it is essential when experimenting that a user consults with a doctor beforehand. CBD, Delta-8, Delta-9 as alternative therapy to alleviate chronic pain, inflammation, anxiety, or depression disorders requires the supervision of a medical professional.
For high-quality CBD and Delta-9 products please check out the ViveCBD website.