Delta-9 vs. Delta-8 THC: What's the Difference?

So you've just found out that there's more than one type of THC. Now you're asking, "What is the difference between Delta-9 and Delta-8 THC?"

Well, you've come to the right place. Don't worry, we're not going to drone on and on about chemistry. Instead, we'll put everything in plain, simple, easy-to-understand terms. Below, we explore cannabinoids, the endocannabinoid system, and the differences between Delta-8 THC vs. Delta-9 THC you need to know. 

THC, short for tetrahydrocannabinol, is a type of cannabinoid, a compound that can be naturally found in cannabis plants. You've likely heard of THC in the context of marijuana, or "weed." People typically use the term THC when referring to the most abundant psychoactive compound in marijuana, Delta-9 THC.

But what you should know is that Delta-9 is not the only type of THC out there. There are actually several variants, including but not limited to Delta-8 THC.

Why are people raving about THC? Well, the significance of any cannabinoid, in general, is that it interacts with the cannabinoid receptors of your endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a vast network of receptors and chemical messengers in the human body that help regulate vital functions like sleep, hunger, pain perception, and memory. 

Normally, the substances naturally produced in your body, called endocannabinoids, activate the receptors in this system. But phytocannabinoids like THC also happen to activate these receptors when you inhale a vape, consume an edible, et cetera.

Because of their unique chemical structures, cannabinoids such as Delta-8 vs. Delta-9 bind to the receptors differently, explaining their distinct effects. 

Delta-9 THC is one of the most prominent cannabinoids in cannabis plants, including hemp and marijuana. This compound is so important that its concentration in a cannabis plant was used to distinguish hemp (legal on a federal level) and marijuana (illegal on a federal level) in U.S. law. Marijuana is defined as any plant containing a concentration of Delta-9 greater than 0.3%. Hemp plants, on the other hand, contain less than 0.3% Delta-9. Notably, however, Delta-9 THC can be derived from both plants. 

Delta-9's name comes from the fact that it has a chemical bond on its 9th carbon chain. This compound is structurally quite similar to the endocannabinoid anandamide, often called the "bliss molecule."

Delta-9 essentially mimics the effects of anandamide by binding strongly to CB1 receptors, which are located primarily in the central nervous system. Compared to Delta-8, Delta-9 has a stronger binding affinity for CB1. This interaction explains Delta-9's more acute psychoactive properties. Its interactions with the CB2 receptors explain its bodily effects.

The effects of Delta-9 THC can include:

• Euphoria
• Increased sensory awareness
  
• Changes in perception
• Deep relaxation
• Increased appetite
• Laughter

Like all cannabinoids, Delta-9's effects can vary from person to person. But generally speaking, compared to other cannabinoids, Delta-9 can feel noticeably "intense." 

As previously mentioned, Delta-9 is found in both hemp and marijuana plants. When this compound is extracted from hemp and makes up no more than 0.3% of a product's dry weight, it is legal on a federal level. This doesn't mean you can only have a certain milligram count of Delta-9 in a product. At least on a federal level, there's no "cap" on the milligrams of Delta-9 in an edible. 

That being said, be sure to check with your state laws and your physician before trying Delta-9 THC.

Delta-8 THC is also a psychoactive compound. While naturally occurring, it is not as abundant in the cannabis plant as Delta-9. It appears only in small amounts and is therefore referred to as a minor cannabinoid.

Similar to Delta-9, Delta-8's name comes from the fact that it has a chemical bond on its 8th carbon chain. While seemingly insignificant, this structural difference means that Delta-8 has a weaker binding affinity for the CB1 receptors in the endocannabinoid system. However, its binding affinity to CB2 is similar. As a result, the psychoactive effects of Delta-8 are less intense than those of Delta-9. 

Delta-8 is known to have several pleasant effects, which include:

Delta-8 is federally legal, according to the 2018 Farm Bill, but it is not legal in several states. Unlike Delta-9, there's no federally established dry-weight concentration limit on Delta-8. So you can enjoy this compound in more form factors like vapes and tinctures- where it's legal.

We've covered the main differences in the structures of Delta-9 vs Delta-8, such as chemical structure, legality, and effects, but truthfully there's no "better" cannabinoid. There are some qualities of Delta-8 THC that you may find favorable to Delta-9, and vice versa.

If you're wondering which one is stronger, the objective answer is Delta-9. According to the National Cancer Institute, Delta-8 exhibits lower potency than Delta-9. So if you're looking for a more intense experience, choose hemp-derived Delta-9 THC. Alternatively, people with a lower tolerance may find an experience with Delta-8 more pleasant than one with Delta-9. Even with that considered, we encourage you to take care in your approach to trying Delta-8 THC. After all, it's still psychoactive.

Another critical consideration with Delta-8 vs. Delta-9 is legality. Materials containing Delta-9 THC levels greater than 0.3% (even if hemp-derived) are considered Schedule I controlled substances. You can usually only find legal hemp-derived Delta-9 in edibles and drinks. 

Delta-8, on the other hand, is legal on a federal level but not in all states. With no dry-weight limit, you can buy Delta-8 in inhalable forms like vapes or concentrated forms like tinctures.

Laws regarding Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC vary from state to state. It is best to take time to do your research to make sure that whichever form of THC you desire to consume complies with your local laws.

You can mix Delta-9 and Delta-8 THC. However, there are a lot of things you need to consider before doing so.

Here are just a few of them:

Make sure you consult medical experts and comply with local laws.

Delta-9 is going to offer a more familiar experience for cannabis enthusiasts since it's the main psychoactive constituent in marijuana. But when it comes to whether or not Delta 9 is better than Delta 8, or vice versa, the answer will depend on each person. Some will enjoy one, while others will prefer the other. Either way, it is up to you to determine which one is more appealing.

Each compound offers different effects with a unique experience, so by trying them individually, you’ll be able to find your favorite and give feedback to others confidently.

What is the difference between Delta-9 and Delta-8 THC? They’re both forms of THC, but in a different chemical arrangement with varying effects.

Here's a review of everything we covered:

Until next time, happy exploring, and mind your mind!