Health Upp The widespread legalization of cannabis has meant more research and knowledge about this controversial plant. People no longer talk about cannabis in hushed tones. To many people, there is little difference between hemp and marijuana, and they think they are just alternate names for the same plant.
There is more to cannabis than just its various confusing strains. It contains cannabinoids that give it its therapeutic and psychoactive properties; Cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). But do you know that what you know as tetrahydrocannabinol is actually Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol?
The term tetrahydrocannabinol refers to more than one compound. It is a different analogue of THC. Recently, you may have come across Delta-8 THC. You’ll mostly find it as delta 8 edibles. Cannabis researchers have discovered another analog of THC called Delta-8 THC, and it boasts of therapeutic benefits, including treating pain, nausea, loss of appetite, and other ailments.
What is Delta-8 THC?
Delta-8 THC is a cannabinoid that occurs naturally in cannabis in traces. Structurally, Delta-8 THC and Delta-9 THC have the same formula with a difference in the location of the double bond in the carbon chain.
In Delta-8, the double bond occurs in the eighth chain, but in Delta-9, it is in the ninth chain. Although this is a subtle difference, it results in significant chemical differences.
Both Delta-9 and Delta-8 THC bind to the CB1 receptors, but the latter has a lower affinity. The difference is that Delta-8-THC also has an affinity for CB2 receptors. This could be the reason Delta-8 THC portrays significant therapeutic potential.
What Can it do for you?
Delta-8 THC users report that it has milder psychoactive effects, and it leaves the user feeling more energetic and focused than Delta-9 THC. Earlier studies found that Delta-8 is only about 2/3 as potent as its analog, Delta-9.
So, when you take Delta-8 THC, you will not feel the strong ‘high’ associated with Delta-9 THC. Instead, you will get a mellow high. It also does not come with paranoia, anxiety, or psychosis, which some users experience with Delta-9. But what does this mean for the cannabis enthusiasts and its potential in medicine?
The challenge with Delta-9 is that its psychoactive elements are too strong, making it unsuitable for any medicinal use. Researchers fear that Delta-9 can trigger psychosis and its side effects are too strong.
Delta-8 THC is a milder form of THC, which makes it possible to exploit the medicinal potential of THC without worrying about its side effects.
The National Cancer Institute has conducted various studies on Delta-8 THC and reports that it is less potent than Delta-9 THC. But this does not mean that it is any less beneficial medicinally. On the contrary, it seems to offer stronger medicinal benefits than its analog.
What Delta-8 Does to Your Body
Appetite Stimulant
Some users report increased appetite after taking Delta-8. The appetite-stimulating effects of cannabis are well known. If you have wanted to use cannabis products for the appetite but afraid of its effects, Delta-8 THC offers a perfect solution. Just make sure that you have food packed in the house because you might end up rummaging through the kitchen in the middle of the night.
The appetite-stimulating effects of Delta 8 have also been tested on children undergoing chemotherapy and found to be effective.
Anti-Cancer
Do you know that Delta-8 THC may also help you fight cancer? This sounds too good to be true, but animal studies show great potential. Researchers testing its anti-cancer potential found that mice treated with Delta-8 for 20 consecutive days had reduced tumor size at the end of the study.
The study also found that treatment with Delta-8 THC had improved survival time. Of course, these are only animal studies and might not necessarily reflect its effects on humans. Nonetheless, further research will reveal the anticancer benefits of Delta-8 THC with time.
Brain Health
Delta-8 THC also exhibits neuroprotective properties. What does this mean? In simple terms, taking Delta-8 THC may improve your brain’s health. Tests done on mice show that Delta-8 THC increases acetylcholine levels in the cortex and hippocampus. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter involved in critical cognitive functions.
The ability to raise acetylcholine levels is of significant interest because it could help treat neurodegenerative diseases. A debilitating disease like Alzheimer’s disease results from declining levels of acetylcholine.
Conclusion
The binding affinity for cannabinoid receptors seems to give Delta-8 THC a therapeutic advantage over its analog. As researchers continue to understand how it works, it could prove useful in developing receptor-based antidepressants. It could also help in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
At the moment, there is limited research to inform an affirmative conclusion. The information available about the potential medicinal effects of Delta-8 THC is mainly from animal studies. Few have been tested on humans.
If you have been using cannabis, you don’t have to wait for clinical evidence to take your favorite herb. You can buy Delta-8 THC products like gummies and enjoy its therapeutic benefits without worrying about any side effects.