What’s The Difference Between Delta 8 And Delta 9?
The cannabis market is full of countless unique strains and seemingly endless products that can provide unique effects and benefits. There are even different forms of THC, with delta 8 and delta 9 being two of the most notable.
These two psychoactive compounds are found naturally in the cannabis plant, though they have some evident differences. From chemical structure to the effects, it’s important to understand how delta 8 and delta 9 differentiate.
Keep reading, and we’ll share the seven key differences between these two common THC forms.
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Cannabis Plants
If you want to understand what makes delta 8 and delta 9 THC different, you need to be familiar with what THC is.
Cannabis plants contain hundreds of active ingredients, including flavonoids, terpenes, and cannabinoids. Each element has a unique purpose and goes towards making each cannabis strain what it is!
The two most prevalent elements in marijuana plants are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD(cannabidiol).
These two compounds can affect your body by interacting with your endocannabinoid system. However, THC is the primary psychoactive element in cannabis plants and is responsible for providing that “high” feeling that many people chase after.
What Is THC?
However, there’s not just one kind of THC. For instance, delta 8 THC has been making a big splash in the cannabis industry due to its unique pros and benefits. Delta 9 is another form of THC that is considered to be the most commonly occurring.
Though delta 8 and 9 are insanely similar, they still have some differences that can’t be overlooked.
Delta 8 and 9 both come from the cannabis sativa plant, which naturally contains high amounts of delta 9 yet lower counts of delta 8.
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Chemical Structures
Though you can observe the differences between delta 8 and delta 9 from a difference, many of the unique effects they provide can be attributed to the chemical structures.
Though these THC forms still have similar structures, there are still some notable differences.
For example, delta 8 THC has a double bond on the eighth carbon atom, while delta 9 THC’s double bond lies on the ninth. This double bond on the carbon atoms determines how the THC interacts with the CB1 receptors of your body, as well as your central nervous system.
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Production
Since delta 9 THC occurs in higher amounts naturally than delta 8, another difference between the two lies in production methods. Delta 8 is found in trace amounts, which can pose production challenges.
Delta 9 THC is efficiently drawn from female cannabis plants during production. After being harvested, dried, and cured, delta 9-buds undergo an extraction process to remove the desired elements.
These crude extracts then undergo even further filtration to remove things like fats, lipids, and pesticides.
In comparison, the production process for delta 8 is a bit more lengthy, as this type of THC only occurs naturally in smaller amounts.
Delta 8 is produced from hemp plants, though there are some misconceptions that delta 8 THC is synthetic but it is not. The distillation and extraction process creates a CBD isolate from hemp biomass, while an organic solvent is then used to dissolve the isolate.
Next, an acid reagent is added in order to change CBD into delta 8 THC before being neutralized.
Finally, once the delta 8 and delta 9 THCs are extracted, they can be used to create anything from edibles to vape cartridges to topicals.
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Potency
Many people who look into the specifics of THC forms are often curious about what will get them high.
Both delta 8 THC and delta 9 THC can provide that “high” sensation. However, these effects aren’t the same, as delta 8 is considered to be milder than delta 9 THC, with delta 8 being referred to as delta 9’s “nicer, younger sibling.”
Delta 8 THC Is Less Intense Than Delta 9
The effects of delta 9 THC are more intense and intoxicating, which can elicit euphoria. Delta 8, on the other hand, maybe less intensive or powerful.
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