What is Delta-10 THC?

Prepare yourself, because there’s a new type of THC to explore. By now, you are probably familiar with Delta-8 and Delta-9. But Delta-10? Not likely. Unless you are a cannabis enthusiast who keeps up with the latest product developments, you probably haven’t heard much about this compound.

Compared to other hemp-derived cannabinoids, Delta-10 THC offers consumers a unique mind-and-body experience while still being federally legal. Below, we explore Delta-10's origins, effects, and what makes it worth trying.

There are over 100 naturally occurring cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, all with their own chemical arrangement. Unlike the others, Delta-10 THC was discovered not once but twice.

To give you some background, Delta-10 was first discovered in 1984 by Israeli chemist Raphael Mechoulam. Yet, the synthesis of this molecule required chemicals that would taint the final result. Because of this, Delta-10 was placed on the back burner and not sought out again.

Nearly 40 years later, Delta-10 was rediscovered, except this time by accident. According to Film Daily News, Delta-10 was resurfaced due to a forest fire. In 2020, California was suffering from wildfires throughout the state, so to contain it, firefighters sprayed mass amounts of fire retardants that inadvertently affected a large number of cannabis plants.

A hemp company out in this state, Fusion Farms, ordered the cannabis biomass, completely unaware of the contamination. As their team began to process the hemp, they noticed strange crystals forming—something they had never seen before.

Like any responsible company, they sent it to the lab to be tested. After the results returned, the tests suggested it was similar to cannabichromene (CBC) and cannabicyclol (CBL)—but slightly different.

Still, it took months to identify the compound, when finally it was revealed that it was Delta-10 THC. It turns out that the exposure of fire retardant along with the company's extraction process led to the creation of this cannabinoid.

Don't worry- you aren't ingesting flame-retardant-contaminated cannabis when you buy Delta-10 products. Still, this fascinating incident brought the cannabinoid back to scientific attention. From there, chemists have learned how to properly derive Delta-10.

Now that you know the history of Delta-10, you may be asking, “Well, what is it, exactly?” 

Delta-10-tetrahydrocannabinol is a minor cannabinoid, meaning it only occurs naturally in extremely small quantities. Instead of using mass amounts of hemp to extract Delta-10, manufacturers have begun to synthetically produce it from CBD or Delta-9. This makes it semi-synthetic.

Delta-10 THC is an isomer of Delta-9 THC, meaning they have the same chemical formula with a slight difference in their molecular arrangement. The same is true for Delta-8 THC. All three compounds are just slight chemical variants of one another.

To summarize the difference between Delta-10, Delta-8, and Delta-9, they are distinguished by the location of the double-bond. 

Hence, their names. This minor chemical difference is the reason behind the distinct effects that each cannabinoid uniquely incites. Beyond that, there are also some differences in legality.

Delta-10, and every other cannabinoid extracted from hemp, are federally legal according to the 2018 Farm Bill. As long as the hemp product doesn’t exceed the limit of 0.3% of hemp-derived Delta-9 THC, it can be produced, distributed, and legally consumed.

However, while Delta-10 is legal on a federal level, state laws override federal regulations. In other words, before buying Delta-10, make sure that it is legal in your state. Today, hemp-derived Delta-10, Delta-9, and Delta-8 are available in most states for those who are 21 years or older.

According to federal law, all hemp products are permitted to cross state lines, allowing you to order your products online.

As an isomer of THC, the effects of Delta-10 are somewhat similar to those of Delta-9 and Delta-8. Consumers have found Delta-10 to offer a mild yet energizing head high. The less intense physical effects have led some to liken their experience with Delta-10 to that of an uplifting Sativa strain. These effects may be best suited for creative endeavors and daytime relaxation.

How does Delta-10 produce such effects, you may ask? Cannabinoids like Delta-10 THC interact with your body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), which, for context, is a vast network of chemical receptors and messengers that regulate various bodily functions.

After consumption, Delta-10 will bind to the cannabinoid receptors (CB1 receptors and CB2 receptors) located throughout your body. Delta-10’s interaction with CB1 causes a range of psychoactive effects like calmness and euphoria, to a lesser degree than Delta-9. It also has a moderate binding affinity to CB2 leading to some bodily effects.

Delta-10 THC, along with any other cannabinoid, should not be taken until you have approval from your healthcare provider. Once you receive the go-ahead, remember to only purchase your hemp products from a reputable manufacturer that has had them tested by a DEA-certified lab for potency, compliance, and safety.

Products that adhere to such guidelines will come with a Certificate of Analysis (COA). Within the certificate, it will showcase the potency, heavy metals, residual solvents, etc. To learn more about reading COAs, we have an in-depth article that will break down everything you need to know about reading and understanding your product’s lab results.

Lastly, to keep yourself and others safe, it is illegal to drive or operate heavy machinery after consuming Delta-10 THC. If you have a busy day ahead of you, you may want to consider consuming THC after all your errands are complete.

It is difficult to estimate how long any form of THC will stay in your system. Some estimates are as little as 12 hours, others as long as 3 months! This time frame will ultimately be determined by various factors such as how often you consume Delta-10, how much Delta-10 you consume, and how you consume it (i.e., inhalation versus edibles). Then, there are physiological considerations like weight, gender, and age. 

As mentioned above, many factors play a role in whether a form of THC, like Delta-8, will show up on a drug test. However, the honest answer is: most likely. Drug tests were designed to detect metabolites of certain substances like Delta-9 THC. Metabolites are just the byproducts of breaking down these substances and linger in your hair, urine, and saliva. Even though hemp-derived cannabinoids are legal on a federal level, they are scientifically the same compounds as marijuana-derived cannabinoids. The only difference is the source. 

So a drug test looking for metabolites of Delta-9 THC (the main psychoactive compound of marijuana) will very likely detect it if you consumed Delta-10 THC since the two are so similar.

Unfortunately, you won’t find many places that sell Delta-10 products, but that does not mean they aren’t available. The first place to look will be at your local CBD store. If you find yourself empty-handed, you can continue your search at different stores, or you can save some time and order online.

Buying Delta-10 THC online is a great way to get your products without ever having to leave your home. Searching for high-quality hemp products online can feel like entering uncharted territory, especially the challenge of finding Delta-10. If you are struggling with locating safe hemp products, we can offer you lab-certified products that are manufactured right here in Texas.

Although we don’t offer Delta-10 gummies specifically, we carry two zingy flavors (Strawberry Shock and Blueberry Burst) of potent Sour Belt edibles with a blend of THCV, THCP, Delta-9 THC, Delta-8 THC, and Delta-10. This combination offers an exciting synergy for an edible experience unlike any other.

Delta-10 has been on an unusual journey. Despite it being forgotten at one point in time, it is finally here to stay. Although there is still a lot to be learned, we can imagine it making a bang in the hemp industry with further research and development. In the meantime, make sure to buy your products from reputable retailers and try them for yourself.

Until next time, happy exploring, and Mind Your Mind.