Delta-8 THC is one of the newest and the most talked-about cannabinoids in the cannabis industry. Although relatively new in the market, D-8 THC has taken the cannabis world by storm.
Naturally, you may be intrigued to know more about the compound.
You want to find out more about its properties and how it could make you feel. So, it is only natural that you’d wonder: “Will Delta-8 make me high?”
Short answer: Yes.
But not as high as Delta-9 THC that gives marijuana a bad name, making it illegal – a Schedule I Substance.
We will tell you about it in this article. We will do you one better. We will tell you how high you’d actually feel and how this high impact you – physically and mentally.
How Does D-8 High Differ for New & Experienced Users?
Before we delve too deep into the topic, let’s clear something up first.
Every person is an individual. One’s experiences of using Delta-8 THC might differ from that of another in more ways than one.
The kind of high you would feel after consuming Delta-8 THC would vary from other people who are more or less experienced with this compound than you. First-time users are those who have never tried any kind of cannabis-derived product before, while experienced ones are those who may have tried all sorts of cannabis products.
While Delta-8 THC high could be too intense for a newbie, for a regular cannabis consumer, it would be much milder – particularly milder than those accustomed to using marijuana (aka Delta-9 THC).
Many users have described the Delta-8 “high” as mellow and relaxing. They experience a rush of calmness engulfing their mind and body, as they relax into a tranquil state of mind. They would feel much more clear-headed and focused – not drowsy or sleepy, though – which is what marijuana usually does to a person.
Different cannabinoids have different psychotropic properties. So, they affect users differently. THC is the most mood-altering compound found in the hemp plant, whereas CBD uplifts your mood without causing any intoxicating effects.
CBD makes you feel calm and relaxed. A heavy dose of it could also promote sleep. Delta-9 THC, on the other hand, gives you a buzz, i.e., a kind of heady feeling, combined with occasional hallucinations and paranoia.
For anyone using Delta-8 or Delta-9 THC for the first time, the effects may be far too intense and overwhelming for them to manage. That is why people usually advise people to go slow with such intoxicating and psychotropic compounds.
However, for those who have experienced Delta-9’s high, the Delta-8 high may not be that impactful at all.
The D-8 high may be described as a calming and relaxing effect, with a heightened sense of focus and concentration. Users usually feel relieved of compulsive thoughts, pain, anger, anxiety, etc. If a user takes the compound early on in the day, s/he would feel focused and somewhat invigorated to carry out difficult and complicated tasks that demand intensive concentration.
Note that the D-8 high is usually accompanied by increased hunger pangs – just like Delta-9 THC. So, we would advise you to have some food at hand before taking a hit of D-8.
Besides uplifting your mood, D-8 THC consumption may also numb all kinds of pain and inflammation.
The compound affects different individuals differently – as any other cannabinoid would. Some people may feel a lot high (not as much Delta-9) with only a small dose, while others may not feel high at all. They may feel highly focused or may need a much higher dose to experience any effects.
How Do The Delta-8 Effects Differ From That Of Delta-9 THC?
Well, it is very difficult to explain the differences between the “highs” of these two compounds. However, we will try to explain it as well as possible.
Both the THCs work on the body in the same way. That is, they interact with the same cannabinoid receptors — CB1 and CB2 – to have their effects on you.
Apart from that, the chemical bonds of both these compounds are nearly the same, but with minor differences. These minor variations in the molecular bonding of these compounds make them drastically different in the way they impact our bodies.
Both Delta-8 and 9 have nearly the same set of effects, i.e., the feeling of high, calmness, relaxation, relief from pain and anxiety, etc. However, they differ drastically in terms of their intensity and side effects.
Delta-9 is known to cause anxiety, paranoia, and hallucinations, along with intoxication. These are some of the short-term side effects of Delta-9 THC, which Delta-8 does not have. But it does deliver a potent buzz.
So, you would get the desired effects without the undesirable ones.
This is the main reason why Delta-8 THC is breaking the charts these days.
Besides, Delta-8 THC can make you feel energized, focused, and energized.
The difference to note here is that with Delta-8, you would feel charged up, all the while being fully aware of yourself. However, in the case of Delta-9 THC, users tend to feel an out-of-the-body experience.
With Delta-8, regardless of the dosage, the effects do not overwhelm you even if you choose to consume a high dose of it. Delta-8 THC increases the energy levels just like Delta-9 does. However, it does not cause problems like making your heart race uncontrollably or other stressful symptoms.
How Long Does Delta-8 Take To Have An Effect?
The time Delta-8 takes for its effects to set in may vary from person to person. Factors such as previous exposure to the compound or to Delta-9, bodily proportions, body fat, age, and the method of consumption, are some of the more crucial ones.
Smoking and vaping cannabinoids will give you the most potent effects within the shortest time. If you vape it, Delta-8 THC starts working in about 30 minutes. However, if you consume Delta-8 THC as gummies, oils, or tinctures, the effects may be slightly delayed.
Someone’s overall tolerance to intoxicants is also another crucial factor that impacts the time for the compound to show its effects.
Generally, it takes anywhere between 2 and 10 minutes for the effects to set in. Factors such as the strength of the product, how deep you draw a puff, and how long you hold it in can affect the time.
For first-time users, it is best to wait for a while and let your body absorb the effects fully before going for a repeat or an uptick in the dosage. This will also help avoid an overdose.
How Long Does The D-8 High Last?
The answer to this question will depend on answers to numerous other questions.
For instance, how long does the compound take for its effects to peak in an individual’s body?
Or, what is the average duration of Delta-8 THC’s effects?
To answer the first question, Delta-8 usually takes about 30 minutes for its effects to reach their highest mark in the human body. After that, if you do not use the compound any further, the effects will start to wane within the next 1.5 to 2 hours.
The effects may last for a maximum of 5 hours from the time the effects were first experienced.
Things can vary widely depending on factors such as the amount of chemical used, its concentration, whether you use pure Delta-8 THC or Delta-8 THC with CBD, the brand, etc.
As mentioned earlier, a person’s overall biochemistry and physiology are also important factors that could contribute to the ultimate results.
People with higher muscle mass and body fat will require higher amounts of the compound. If you do not consume the right amount, you may never experience the desired effects or the effects may fade too soon.
Regardless of the method of administration, however, from the time you start feeling the effects, the time these effects take to peak, and the time they last for usually have a general pattern when it comes to any specific individual.
So, you’d have to experience it at least one time to get an idea of how exactly it would impact you.
How Long Does Delta-8 THC Stay In the Body?
This is a very important question.
Delta-8 THC is a chemical analog of the infamous Delta-9 THC compound. Lab tests conducted to detect the possible use of Delta-9 THC could easily (and quite erroneously) detect Delta-8 metabolites in your blood and give you a false positive.
If you consume Delta-8 THC and don’t fully detox in time, you may fail a drug test. Delta-8 THC can last in your body for around 30 days – a duration that is quite common among all kinds of cannabinoids.
These cannabis-derived phytochemicals are lipophilic, i.e., fat-soluble. So, they would bind with the fat cells in your body and slowly get flushed out, along with the waste and unused water content in the body. It takes up to 30 days for the body to completely and naturally cleanse itself of all such substances.
So, it may take more than a month for you to test clear on a urinalysis.
Some other types of tests, such as a hair follicle test, could still detect the presence of this cannabinoid’s metabolites even after 90 days from consumption. The cannabinoid particle can remain embedded within the hair shaft for months.
Our Takeaway
The internet still lacks adequate data on understanding the “highs” of Delta-8 THC. But if you were to experience it first hand, you may not find the same kind of effects as the next person.
Nevertheless, one thing is clear. It is much safer than Delta-9 THC. And, it is legal for consumption in the US.
It has all the pros of Delta-9 and none of its cons.
Still, if you are new to Delta-8, we would suggest you start with a small dose and gradually work your way up. Most new users experience a sting and dryness in their throat and tend to get high very quickly.
And, if you’re scheduled to undergo a drug test within a few days, it’s safer to stay away from Delta-8 THC until you’ve cleared the test.
And a final warning: You MUST talk to your doctor before you decide to try Delta-8 for the first time or use it with hopes to find some medical miracle.
