If you’ve ever stumbled onto discussions about Delta 8 carts, whether at your local dispensary or online, chances are you’re curious about delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol. As public familiarity with the cannabis plant increases, so does consumer knowledge of its extracts.
More people than ever before can distinguish between cannabinoids like cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG) — even currently underappreciated compounds, such as mono- and sesquiterpenes.
However, not nearly enough cannabis consumers are aware that there’s more than one type of THC, or that cannabis contains more than one psychoactive component. This brings us to the topic of today’s post: delta 8 THC.
What is Delta 8 THC?
Like its world-famous sibling delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, known far and wide simply as “THC,” delta 8 THC is a cannabinoid found in cannabis sativa, albeit in much smaller amounts.
Delta 8 THC’s chemical structure differs from that of delta 9 by only a few atomic bonds, but the difference is enough to give the former a distinctive psychoactivity all its own.
What distinguishes delta 8 from delta 9 THC, and how is it used by casual vapers?
In this post, we explore everything there is to know about the contents of delta 8 THC carts — from their potential therapeutic benefits to whether or not they could show up on your next drug test.
Psychoactivity & Health-Positive Properties of Delta 8 THC
Unlike the mellow and languid psychoactivity typically attributed to delta 9, delta 8 THC is reported to produce stimulatory effects including clear-headedness and increased focus.
This non-sedative effect is complemented by its anxiolytic properties that eliminate feelings of anxiety or paranoia, both of which are commonly observed side effects of delta 9 THC.
Consumers also reported a marked difference in the effect on coordination. Unlike delta 9, delta 8 THC users report little to no decline in motor skills, with the feeling of intoxication being minimal to nonexistent.
This may help to explain how quickly delta 8 THC cartridges are catching on — particularly among individuals who like to vape on the go and during the day.
Commonly Available Forms of Delta 8 THC
As of this writing, delta 8 THC is most commonly available in distillate form and retails in either cartridges or syringes. These can be consumed using either a vape pen or a dab rig.
Delta 8 THC distillate can also be used directly on flower, bud, or nuggets to dial up the stimulatory aspects of the high from consumption, effectively tailoring the nature of psychoactivity to any user’s liking.
To sum up, Delta 8 is just about as versatile in availability and application as Delta 9 THC; it can be dabbed, vaped, or mixed in with flower or edibles directly.
Does Delta 8 THC Show Up on a Drug Test?
While Delta 8 THC produces no damping effects on motor skills, perception of time, or energy levels, it still is a psychoactive compound — which fits the criteria for a red flag on just about any employer’s drug test. This is because THC is classified as a Schedule I substance under federal law, and employers are bound by state regulations to maintain federally compliant conditions in the workplace.
If you’ve got a drug test coming up, you’ll probably want to stick to hemp oil instead.
While individual consumers may differ in terms of tolerance to psychoactivity, THC potency will vary on a product-by-product basis.
For this reason, it’s always best to avoid THC altogether in the run-up to a drug test or workweek.
