Today, 12% of American adults say they smoke marijuana. There’s also a decent population that uses CBD products.

This shouldn’t come as too big a shock, as many people are turning away from more harmful pharmaceutical drugs and looking to cannabis (and its products) as a better solution. Because of this, there’s the emergence of several types of products, such as those derived from delta-8.

What is delta-8 and why is it so popular? Plus, how can you benefit from it? Read on to find out more!

What Is Delta-8?

Delta-8 is a type of THC. But first, what exactly is THC?

“THC” stands for “tetrahydrocannabinol” and it’s the main active compound you’ll find in marijuana. It’s one of the cannabinoids you’ll find in cannabis plants. In fact, there are over 100 discovered cannabinoids!

When you smoke marijuana, you’re actually smoking delta-9 THC. This is the psychoactive compound that makes you feel high. It also gives you other benefits, such as relief from pain and inflammation, a better appetite, relief from nausea, and better sleep quality.

What’s the Difference Between Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC?

You now know that delta-8 and delta-9 THC are very close cousins. So what are the differences between them?

For one, delta-9 is only extracted from cannabis plants. However, delta-8 can be extracted from both cannabis and hemp plants.

The latter involves extracting CBD and using it as a precursor to delta-8 THC. This makes delta-8 less risky to consume since all hemp products are legal, thanks to the 2018 US Farm Bill.

Also, delta-8 offers also all the same benefits (such as elevated mood, relaxation, and pain relief), but in a less intense way. More importantly, it doesn’t make you feel as stoned as you would with delta-9 THC. This means you can feel euphoric without being couch-locked or feeling paranoid and/or anxious.

As you can see, it’s now very popular and being marketed as a “light” version of marijuana. However, do note that there are states passing legislation against delta-8, so be careful. The best way to get your hands on delta-8 is to buy it from a licensed store in a state that’s legalized marijuana.

How to Take Delta-8

There are several ways to take delta-8, just like with delta-9 THC and CBD. You can smoke and vape it, as well as put the oil into your foods. You can also buy edibles, such as gummies from airehemp.com.

Make sure that no matter which method you choose, you take it slow. While you can’t overdose on THC, you can certainly experience unpleasant side effects if you consume too much at once.

Enjoy the Benefits of Delta-8

Now you know the answer to the question, “what is delta-8?” It’s a specific cannabinoid that’s a close cousin to delta-9 THC, which you can consider the “mainstream” cannabis compound.

Delta-8 isn’t as intense as delta-9 THC. So if you’ve had issues with regular marijuana in the past but want to still reap the benefits, give delta-8 a try!

Want to learn more about the cannabis plant? Then check out our other blog articles!