The Science Behind Delta 8

 

For more than half a century, Delta-9-THC was known to be the main psychoactive compound of cannabis. It is only one of the hundreds of cannabinoids found in the plant, and scientists have discovered yet another compound that can challenge Delta 9 THC’s supremacy given its physical and psychoactive effects.

It is not CBD this time. |The compound is a positional isomer of THC itself, called Delta-8-THC.

 

What are positional Isomers? 

Positional isomers are molecules with the same substituents, which are the number of Carbon molecules, and the functional group attached to the carbon chain. The only difference is the position of the functional group and where they attach along the Carbon skeleton. 

The difference between these two cannabinoids is pretty much like moving a charm around the bracelet. If the double bond is between carbon 8 and 9, it is called delta-8-THC. When the double bond occurs between carbons 9 and 10, the molecule is delta-9-THC. And although they have similar chemical properties, there is an actual difference in physical effects. And this is what the hype is all about surrounding Delta-8 THC.

https://www.alevelh2chemistry.com/organic-chemistry-constitutional-structural-isomerism/ 

 

 

 

Is Delta 8-THC natural or synthetic?

Delta-8 THC is produced naturally by the cannabis plant, but does not occur in significant amounts. To be commercially available in concentrated quantities, Delta-8 THC are typically manufactured from hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD). 

In the lab, a solvent which is  typically an acid like glacial acetic acid or toluene  is added to CBD to accelerate intramolecular cyclization. This chemical process first converts some of the CBD to Delta-9-THC, but after 72 hours, majority of the original CBD substrate will become Delta-8-THC.

Once the chemical reaction is complete, the solution is washed and neutralized to remove toxic residues and by-products.

Conversion never reaches 100 percent so it is critical that the Delta 8 THC produced is tested throughout the process to confirm purity. 

 

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jnatprod.0c00436 

 

Interest has snowballed around Delta-8-THC because hemp users are experiencing what they can only describe as a “smooth high” when using the novel compound. The psychoactive effects are milder, but also without the associated anxiety, psychosis, or paranoia commonly linked to delta 9 THC.

One of the reasons, as research studies have found, is the higher potency of delta-9-THC when attaching to CB1 receptors compared to delta-8. The CB1 receptor is implied in generating the typical cannabis high, mood alterations, and cognitive changes that are hallmarks of THC use.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2882293/ 

 

Many personal anecdotes claim that delta-8 delivers relaxation in the body and calmness in the mind often experienced with indica strains, but with the addition of a milder euphoric state compared to delta 9. 

But we have to bear in mind that individual experiences can vary with any shining new cannabinoid you end up trying. It is always wise to start low and go slow, once you can have a good estimate of how your body and mind responds.