You’ve all heard of or experienced the wrath of California’s wildfires. But did you know that a cannabinoid was accidentally discovered due to one of these wildfires?
Well, it’s true!
That is how Fusion Farms found Delta-10 – an isomer of Delta-9 THC that has now piqued the interest of scientists all over the world owing to its rare chemical structure and appearance.
Yes, they looked quite unusual, too.
The cannabis company, which had unknowingly stumbled upon Delta-10, didn’t expect to see these strange-looking crystals forming in its distillates soon after extraction. They looked nothing like regular cannabinoid crystals. The only mistake they did (that led to this amazing discovery) was to inadvertently procure some outdoor-grown cannabis contaminated with fire retardants.
Like most other labs, the company misidentified it as CBC by employing the standard High-Performance Liquid Chromatography methods.
CBC, scientifically known as cannabichromene, cannabichrome, and pentylcannabichromene, is another cannabinoid found in cannabis plants. However, the scientists at the company’s lab soon realized that they were wrong about this compound.
Finally, it was tested by a licensed testing lab to confirm its actual chemical structure and properties. The data retrieved from the lab was then compared with other cannabinoid reference standards. Unfortunately, that too failed to yield anything conclusive – for several months – until recently when better, more advanced testing methods became available to scientists.
In this article, we’ll tell you everything you should know about Delta-10 THC.
What Is Delta-10 THC?
Delta-10 THC, unlike its abundant isomer Delta-9, is found in minute amounts in cannabis plants. It’s among the 150-odd cannabinoids found in this class of plants and shares several characteristics with Delta-9 THC.
Despite its similarities, however, this molecular sibling isn’t the same as Delta-9 or even Delta-8. It differs from these THCs in many ways – mainly owing to its molecular structure.
Note that this chemical compound can’t be classified as marijuana or even synthetic marijuana. It’s a completely different compound. The placement of its carbon-carbon double-bond differs from that of Delta-9 or even Delta-8 (which is why their names differ too!)
However, it does possess some similar psychoactive effects, which are generally marked by mild euphoria. Additionally, like the other tetrahydrocannabinols, this cannabinoid, too, has marked anti-nausea, anti-anxiety, appetite-stimulating, and stress-reducing properties.
Although Delta-10 THC is a cannabinoid that you can find in and extract from hemp (and marijuana, too) through high-temperature distillation and recrystallization processes, it’s not feasible to do so, as Delta-10’s content in the natural form is so little. You would require huge volumes of plant material to extract any significant amount of this cannabinoid.
Remember how Fusion Farms found it in the first place? It took fire retardants to contaminate the fresh produce to yield Delta-10.
That means Delta-10 isn’t usually found in any significant amount in natural hemp.
However, laboratories have found better, safer, and “greener” methods of procuring greater volumes of this compound. They have discovered that using food-grade additives during the extraction process could act as catalysts to generate higher volumes of Delta-10 THC. In these processes, other cannabinoids transform into Delta-10. Further studies revealed that high volumes of food-grade radical (chemistry) initiators could also improve the yield by 75 – 80%. Of course, several other components would also be required to stabilize the chemical reactions.
What Are The Effects Of Delta-10 on the Human Body?
Most of what we know of Delta-10 are speculations and anecdotal references, since, very little research literature is available on this compound at this point.
All we can say for sure is that Delta-10 THC is far less psychoactive than Delta-9 or even Delta 8. Although it would take higher concentrations of Delta-10 to achieve a similar “high” as those achieved by small doses of other THCs, it would have to still interact with the human endocannabinoid system to do so.
Can Delta-10 make you high?
Delta-9 is the most potent psychotropic cannabinoid found in cannabis plants. Its effects cause euphoria and alterations in a person’s thought processes, memory, coordination, and perception.
Delta-8’s psychotropic potency is much lower compared to Delta-9. Users have reported experiencing mild levels of euphoria, appetite stimulation, and relaxation.
On that front, Delta-10 has an even lower psychotropic potency.
While Delta-8 may not be potent enough to get you stoned or feel anxious and paranoid, it’s potent enough to give you a good night’s sleep. However, Delta-10 is way milder than that. It is rather equipped to provide you with greater creativity, alertness, and energy.
That is why it’s considered perfect for daytime consumption.
While Delta-8 can also be a good energy booster at lower doses, Delta-10 is better at keeping you alert than making you sleepy.
Delta-10 is a much better option for those who prefer getting mildly high at social gatherings without experiencing any of the downsides typically caused by marijuana (aka Delta-9). Given its potential, it is expected that Delta-10 will become immensely popular in the coming days.
Since this compound can potentially impact your endocannabinoid system, and, in turn, your nervous system, we would recommend:
- You speak to your doctor first.
- Do not use it if you’ve been diagnosed or left undiagnosed with health issues, especially if you’re pregnant or nursing, or you’re suffering from high blood pressure.
- Use only if are more than 21 years of age
Having said that, Delta-10, like most other cannabinoids, is relatively a safe and potent agent to overcome several health issues, with no known side effects and no documented history of adverse effects. However, we would still recommend you wait for more conclusive evidence.
Are any hemp strains high on Delta-10 content?
Like Delta-8, Delta-10 THC is available in only small amounts in any natural hemp strain. However, to get a significant volume of this concentrate, you would need the extracts of a massive volume of plant material – something that is not a viable business strategy.
That is why most cannabis companies choose to manufacture Delta-10 THC from CBD through a series of chemical reactions, generally known as isomerization.
Through such chemical reactions, CBD can be chemically altered to form Delta-8 and Delta-10. Companies that use crude CBD for this reaction, utilize additives like carbon and vitamin C derivatives, whereas those that use CBD isolates for creating Delta-10, incorporate solvents and acids.
How Delta-10 Compares to other THCs
This can be quite difficult since very little is known about Delta-10.
However, based on the little information scientists could find so far, combined with anecdotal accounts, we have been able to put together some basic understanding about this newly discovered, yet still very mysterious cannabinoid and its differences with other cannabinoids.
Delta-10 vs. Delta-9 THC
The two tetrahydrocannabinol – Delta-10 and Delta-9 THC – are quite similar. Both are known for their psychotropic effects. However, Delta-9 gives you a stronger buzz, whereas Delta-10 is way more subtle and much less potent.
But that doesn’t mean it has any less of THC’s benefits. It does have all of the benefits of Delta-9 THC, but without any of the latter’s downsides.
What’s more, Delta-10 is legal, thanks to the fine details of the law.
Besides, Delta-9 THC is known for an array of side effects, such as:
- Dryness of the mouth
- Redness of the eyes
- Increased heart rate
- Higher blood pressure
- Coordination issues
- Incoherent thought process
- Memory failure
- Slower reaction time
With Delta-10, you don’t need to worry about experiencing these side effects, as its psychotropic effects are way milder than Delta-10.
However, Delta-9 has been put to medical use. Of course, you would need a medical marijuana card to use it legally in most states. While an MM card isn’t required to consume Delta-10, it has never been medically utilized – at least, not yet.
Delta-10 vs. Delta 8?
Although Delta-10 and Delta-8 are quite similar in their subtle psychotropic highs and their molecular structures, research is still on to determine their exact effects and their differences. Since both compounds are relatively new – to both the industry and scientists – all we can say for now is that they both:
- Cause a mild psychotropic high
- Are hemp-derived cannabinoids
- Are legal (but illegal if derived from marijuana)
- Enhance the entourage effects of other cannabinoids
- Require a lot more research
But there is a subtle difference in their effects. Like we mentioned earlier, Delta-8 is to sleep what Delta-10 is to focus and energy. Besides, Delta-8 has already made much headway into the industry. However, Delta-10 has a long way to go before it can make any significant strides into the consumer market.
Delta-10 vs. CBG
Like Delta-10, cannabigerol (CBG) is a relatively new cannabinoid and also a minor cannabinoid. However, most consumers utilize CBG as a whole flower product, and not individually, like CBD, Delta-8, etc.
CBG is a parent compound of CBD, or rather the latter’s acidic form. It is also quite popular in the industry, though we don’t know much about its direct effects.
It’s believed to interact with both the CB1 and CB2 receptors of the endocannabinoid system in a way that is quite similar to CBD. That is why, unlike the THCs, it doesn’t cause a psychotropic high.
Delta-10 vs. CBN
Cannabinol (CBN) is also relatively new to the consumer market. Although some scientific research has been conducted on this compound, not much is known for certain.
Like CBD and CBG, it doesn’t cause a psychotropic high. However, it does have some psychotropic effects, such as sedation.
Delta-10 vs. CBD
Like Delta-8, Delta-10 works well when taken with a non-psychoactive, yet beneficial cannabinoid like CBD. The latter makes the former’s effects milder and more manageable. In other words, CBD balances out Delta-10 THC’s buzz.
Coming to their other comparisons, note that both compounds are legal, as long as they’re procured from hemp. However, CBD is a major cannabinoid and a more well-researched one, whereas Delta-10 is a minor cannabinoid, and research on it has just started.
While a major section of the cannabis consumer market is controlled by CBD, Delta-10 hasn’t gained much traction yet. Besides, CBD is used for a host of benefits, while little of what Delta-10 can do is known to us.
How is Delta-10 Measured and Tested for Safety?
Going by the standard protocol, Delta-10 is measured by potency tests, such as Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The latest industry standards ensure the accuracy of test results. That is, they can better differentiate Delta-10 from CBD, CBG, other THCs, and even the likes of CBC and CBL.
Unfortunately, if third-party laboratories fail to distinguish Delta 10 from other cannabinoids, a safe compound could falsely be noted as an illicit drug. Again, testing for Delta-10 products is more intricate, time-consuming, and yet essential, since residual solvents, pesticides, and other toxic contaminants are likely to remain in the products.
As a consumer, you should always look up the Certificates of Analysis (CoA) to determine their potency, safety, and cannabinoid profile.
Is Delta-10 legal?
Delta-10, derived from hemp, is legal.
However, if it’s derived from marijuana (a Schedule I/Controlled Substance), it’s illegal. Again, if the Delta-10 is derived synthetically, it’s illegal.
Can Delta-10 show up on a drug test?
Yes. It could.
In a urinalysis, samples taken from someone who had consumed Delta-10 THC may not be distinguishable from samples from those who have consumed Delta-9 (marijuana). The reason for that lies in their metabolites. They both break down to more or less the same metabolites.
However, more intricate testing processes may reveal their differences and help you clear the drug test.
How To Consume Delta-10 THC?
Despite being a newly discovered compound, Delta-10’s popularity is expected to grow pretty quickly. It’s assumed that it would soon be available to consumers in most of the usual types of cannabis products, such as:
- Vaping products that can be inhaled and provide the quickest onset of effects, but stay on for the least amount of time.
- Sublingual tinctures can be placed directly under the tongue (on the sublingual glands) or mixed with foods or beverages. While the former causes swift action, the latter takes at least 20 minutes to start working.
- Edibles, such as gummies, chocolates, etc. take the longest time to impact the body, as it travels through your digestive system. This is called the first-pass effect. Due to this effect, a significant amount of potency and bioavailability is lost. However, the effects tend to last longer.
- Distillates and concentrates are other options that may soon become part of the Delta-10 market.
Types of Delta-10 products
Although not many Delta-10 products are available in the market at this point in time, many companies across the country are already planning to launch an assortment of products. They would most likely include:
- Disposable pens
- Vape carts
- Gummies
- Tinctures/edible oils
- Chocolate bars
- Dabbing syringes
- Shatter, wax, and other crystalline concentrates
- Flower and pre-rolls
How Much Delta-10 Should You Consume?
Although Delta-10 is relatively new to the consumer market, we can still say that the optimal dosage varies from person to person – just like any other cannabinoid.
The proper dosage depends on your body type, overall body fat, body weight, gender, age, health conditions, the presence of other cannabinoids and/or other drugs in your system, specific formulation, hemp strain used, etc.
There is no ideal dosage for anyone, even if you compare two people with similar health conditions, body weight, and age. There are so many variables to consider that it’s best to start with a small dose and titrate your way up – until you find the perfect fix!
Nevertheless, anecdotal evidence shows that for someone weighing about 130lbs, the optimal dosage is around 12 – 15mg, which can be raised to 20mg/dose if need be. Anything above that would defeat the purpose.
Why You Should Know About Delta-10?
In the natural cannabis wellness industry, CBD is old news. People need something more than just the natural potency of cannabinoids that help alleviate symptoms and improve health.
They need something that can help take the edge off after a stressful day at work, but not something that could potentially harm them. They want something that can help them relax, rejuvenate, and reorient themselves without having to apply for a marijuana card.
That’s why Delta-8 found such a big market from within the cannabis industry. Naturally, we can expect to see the same (if not higher) surge in demand for Delta-10 products in the coming days. The milder THCs may well consume the entire CBD market in the near future!
