If you’ve been following news surrounding the hemp
industry as of late, then you’ve surely come across delta 8 THC by now, with its rapidly
growing popularity and sudden availability in virtually all places in which
cannabidiol (CBD) is sold. Delta 8 is the newest cannabinoid
to add to the value of the hemp plant, recently isolated so that we can offer
it in concentrated forms for more advanced effects associated with the compound.
So, what can delta 8 be used for? Well, as it turns out, lots of things. Although delta 8 is very new to the scene,
there have been some studies emerging recently that have indicated that like
all cannabinoids, delta 8 offers specific properties to the body that can be
extremely useful.
What is Delta 8 THC and How is It Unique from CBD?
Before we get into using delta 8 THC for pain relief,
it’s important to understand exactly what delta 8 is, and what makes it stand
out from other compounds of the hemp plant.
Delta 8 THC is short for delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol, and it’s a minor
cannabinoid in the hemp plant. While CBD
(cannabidiol) can make up as much as 25% of the hemp plant’s chemical
composition, there’s only about 0.1% delta 8 that naturally occurs in the plant
material.
Delta 8 THC, as it turns out, is the natural result of
aged delta 9 THC. When the delta 9 compound
ages in the plant material, it’s converted into delta 8 THC, which is why the
compounds share some similarities. The
most notable similarity is delta 8’s mildly intoxicating effects, which produce
a high fairly similar to that of delta 9, only in a gentler way that’s less
consciousness-altering.
Delta 8 THC for Pain: What We Know So Far
Because delta 8 is a cannabinoid, its job is to bind
to the cannabinoid receptors found throughout the body, which have the roles of
balancing the functions of individual bodily systems. Each cannabinoid in the hemp plant binds with
cannabinoid receptors in its own distinctive way to offer specific
properties. Delta 8 is unique in that it
binds primarily with CB1 receptors located throughout the nervous system,
binding with them twice in a way that can increase the regulatory properties
for which cannabinoids are known.
Because delta 8 THC binds to CB1 receptors in the
nervous system, it has the potential to offer uniquely potent effects on
pain. The nervous system consists of a
series of pain receptors that are attached to the body’s nerve endings, which
register pain and send signals to the brain to let it know that it has been
injured. Cannabinoid receptors in the
nervous system are largely responsible for regulating the sensitivity of these
pain receptors, so that we can feel pain in a less acute way.
As we said, delta 8 THC is still being studied for its
effects on the body, and since it’s so new to the scene, there just aren’t as
many studies out there as there are pertaining to cannabidiol. But, the few studies that we already have
look quite promising. Multiple studies
have suggested that delta 8 THC offers analgesic properties, meaning that it
may be able to desensitize the nervous system to pain,
thus acting as a way for increasing pain tolerance.
Also, research
is showing that delta 8 may also offer anti-inflammatory effects,
which can regulate the body’s inflammatory response, reducing pain, swelling
and other symptoms associated with inflammation.
Types of Delta 8 Products to Try for Possible Pain Relief
If you want to try delta 8 THC for this purpose, it’s crucial
to understand the different delivery methods and how they can each affect pain
levels. The studies cited above show
that delta 8 can work in this manner when taken orally, but other methods exist
as well, that may be equally promising:
- Delta 8 Inhalable Products: Inhalable
products like delta 8 THC flower and delta 8 vape cartridges allow us to inhale
the compound into the lungs. This
delivery method promotes very fast-acting effects which are often felt within
minutes. The effects are particularly
potent as well due to the nature of lung absorption. The effects are short-lived, usually lasting
for around an hour, but this type of delivery method is a good option for
someone looking for fast and potent relief. - Delta 8 Tinctures: Delta
8 tinctures are taken sublingually, which means below the tongue. They come in bottles with dropper caps that
make it easy to portion out each dose and administer it to the sublingual
tissue. Tinctures can take 30 minutes to
an hour to become effective, and promote effects that last for up to 6 or so
hours. They come in many milligram
strengths, which gives pain sufferers more control over their potency levels. - Delta 8 Edibles and Capsules: Delta
8 capsules and edibles work in the same manner, in which the delta 8 compound
is processed through the body’s digestive system before getting released into
the bloodstream. Many pain sufferers
prefer edibles and capsules because of the long-lasting effects that they
provide. This delivery method is the
longest-lasting of all, with effects typically lasting for 8 hours, and
sometimes more. The effects can take 1
to 2 hours to kick in, but many will tell you that the wait is well worth it. - Delta 8 Topicals: Delta
8 topicals are not as widely available on the market as the other delivery
methods listed above, but with the new research showing potential
pain-relieving effects, we expect to see more topicals produced in the near
future. We know that cannabinoids
efficiently absorb through the skin and permeate the deep tissue of the body in
order to bind with cannabinoid receptors in the muscles and joints. Delta 8, in theory, is no different. Topicals come in various forms, such as
creams, gels and salves, and all serve the same purpose of delivering delta 8
directly to the affected area for targeted relief.
Tips for Getting as Much Out of Delta 8 as Possible
If you wish to use delta 8 THC for pain relief, it’s
important that you speak with your doctor, who understands the unique nature of
your pain condition, and appreciates your particular needs. It’s also wise to buy a delta 8 product with
a milligram strength that reflects the severity of your situation, as delta 8
varies in milligram strengths just like CBD.
For the best results, it is recommended that you take
delta 8 on a daily basis. Like
cannabidiol, delta 8 accumulates in the body’s endocannabinoid system to be
utilized more effectively and efficiently over time. If you’re a delta 8 beginner, it’s best to
start with a small dose in the beginning to get used to the unique psychoactive
effects of this compound.
Delta 8 THC: A Potential Holistic Approach to Pain Management Has
Arrived!
Delta 8 THC is a unique cannabinoid in hemp that
shares a lot of properties with CBD but has a unique means for potentially
providing pain relief through its affinity for receptors in the nervous system.
Like cannabidiol, delta 8 can be found in many delivery methods that can each
produce the desired results in their own way.
So, if you’re interested in addressing pain with delta
8 THC, again, as we cannot stress this enough, you should have a conversation
with your doctor, and then consider the various types of delta 8 products that
are available in order to find the product type that suits your specific needs.
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