Does Delta-8 Make You High? Explained By BudPop

Delta-9’s chemical cousin, delta-8, is taking the world by storm. As a preference for anyone looking to relieve stress and anxiety, this substance is said to produce a milder high than the usual delta-9 THC. So, whether you are just getting started or are a seasoned THC user, you may be wondering, does delta-8 get you high?

The short answer is yes. However, it is not a euphoria that will get you stoned, as is the case with smoking weed or marijuana products with regular THC. Instead, the high you get with delta-8 THC products is a different kind of experience. It is not as intense as delta-9 THC because it is not potent enough to make you feel anxious and delusional.

Nevertheless, we believe your curiosity has brought you here. For anyone who wants to know how high you can get, how long it takes to get high, and how long the effects will last, we will answer those and more questions in this guide.

How High Can You Get with Delta-8 THC?

Delta-8 THC is a psychoactive compound that will give you a pleasant and uplifting experience.

Most people describe feeling relaxed, calm, and energized. Some have said that after using delta-8, they felt deeply relieved and peaceful, while others reported feeling creative and clear-headed. A few also stated they felt a floating sensation, as if some weight had been lifted off of them.

The consensus is that delta-8 did not make them feel anxious, paranoid, nervous, or jittery. The secret to those good vibes is in the way delta-8 interacts with a vital part of our bodies, known as the ECS (endocannabinoid system). The ECS is an intricate network of receptors that play an important role in psychological functions, such as sleep, mood, immune functions, and pain perception.

This system interacts with all cannabinoids, including delta-8 THC, delta-9 THC, CBD, CBN, CBG, etc. Now, delta-8 mobilizes the CB1 receptors to create psychotropic effects but with less potency than delta-9 THC. When it interacts with the CB2 receptors, it does not lead to psychoactive effects, which is believed to be one of the reasons its experience is different from that of delta-9 THC.

Nonetheless, the effects of cannabinoids are not similar for everyone. So, to answer the question of whether delta-8 makes you high, we would have to say your experience depends on how the substance interacts with your unique physiology. It also depends on the amount of THC in the product.

In short, it will vary from person to person. And remember, every individual has their favorite delta-8 THC product and consumption method. In any case, delta-8 should provide a smooth, gentle high as long as it contains less than 0.3% delta-9 THC, the federally legal limit.

How Long Does It Take for Delta-8 to Take Effect?

The onset time for delta-8 depends on the delivery method and your tolerance level. For example, delta-8 cookies need to be broken down by your digestive system. This process is slow, as it can take two to three hours for delta-8 to metabolize and enter the bloodstream. Many people agree the effects of edibles peak in three to four hours.

Although delta-8 gummies are edibles, they tend to produce effects much faster, in only one to two hours. However, delta-8 edibles take longer to kick in if consumed after a meal. Alternatively, when taken sublingually through oil, the delta-8 tincture is held under the tongue for 30-45 seconds before swallowing, and the effects tend to peak in one and a half hours. Therefore, this method is preferred as a faster delivery method than edibles.

However, vaping delta-8 via delta 8 carts will hit faster than when taking it orally, and you can expect the high to peak in only ten minutes. This is the same for smoking, since the substance is absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the lungs.

What Are The Effects Of Delta 8?

It is now clear that the effects of delta-8 vary widely between users. Moreover, these effects depend on a few factors, including age, gender, body type and size, tolerance, history of use, method of consumption, and product type.

An individual’s endocannabinoid system also plays a crucial role in the way they experience delta-8. For example, younger people may find it more enjoyable than elderly ones, who may say they cannot tolerate the cannabinoid. In the same way, the effects vary according to the frequency of use, how long you have been using THC, and your body’s chemistry. 

Therefore, you should keep these factors in mind while buying delta-8, especially if you are doing it with friends, who may have different tolerances. This way, you can decide the correct dosage that will give you the desired results, whether it is getting high, relieving stress, providing medical benefits, or enhancing creativity. 

Typical Experience of a New User

By a new user, we refer to someone who has never used THC of any kind but may have used non-intoxicating cannabinoids like CBD.

A first-time user will have a more substantial experience with delta-8 THC than those who use THC products or smoke marijuana regularly. The euphoric high and hunger may be more perceptible, but this is not the case for someone who has used THC before. The intense effects are because it is a new substance in the body, and you have nothing to compare it to.

That is why we say delta-8 is a marathon rather than a sprint. It helps to take it slow for first-time users, and it is better to be in a comfortable place, like a social setting, rather than in the office. Furthermore, you should not drive or operate any machinery while under the influence. It calls for a relaxed setting to enjoy the delta-8 THC’s relaxing results.

Effects of Delta-8 THC on an Experienced User

If you have been using cannabis-related products, more so THC, you have an idea of what to expect with delta-8 THC. One, the effects will not hit you as hard as they will on a new user. Moreover, the euphoric high is milder and may not last as long, depending on the frequency of use.

The reason is that you have built up a tolerance to THC. Also, delta-8 does not come from marijuana. Instead, it comes from legal hemp. As such, it does not have the same affinity for CB1 receptors as THC. This is why you will not get stoned or experience a clouded mind, and it will not intoxicate you the way delta-9 does.

You can expect a chilled relaxation that gives you a calmness only possible with delta-8. What is more, it may make you feel mellow, enhance your focus, and increase your energy levels as well. That is why it is preferred by those looking for an energized high, rather than the extreme sedation that typically accompanies THC. 

How Long Will Delta 8 Keep Your High?

As we said, the effects of delta-8 depend on various factors, such as the method and tolerance. These factors also affect how long the high usually lasts. Edibles, like cookies, tend to stay in the body the longest due to their slow process of metabolization, and they can take up to eight hours longer than other methods.

However, gummies are digested immediately. The mouth partially absorbs the compound into the body, while the rest goes through the digestive system. Their effects begin to wear off one to two hours after the high peaks. On the other hand, a tincture high can last for as long as three to five hours. 

As for vaping and smoking delta-8, the high peaks in 30 minutes. However, it can stick around for up to five hours. Typically, a delta-8 high lasts three to eight hours, depending on your unique physiology and dosing method.

Delta 8 VS Delta 9

Delta-8 and delta-9 are both THC, meaning they interact with the cannabinoid system to produce psychotropic effects. Although both cannabinoids engage the CB1 and CB2 receptors, research shows delta-9 THC tends to have a firmer bond with the CB1 receptors than delta-8 does.

Delta-8 is said to bond less successfully with the CB1 receptors, resulting in a less intense high. However, delta-8 THC has a greater affinity for CB2 receptors than delta-9 THC. Regardless, researchers have yet to find out the effects of delta-8’s affinity for CB2 receptors on the body’s peripheral nervous system, where these receptors are found. Moreover, stimulating the CB2 receptors does not lead to psychoactive effects, which is why the delta-8 high will never match the delta-9 high.

Delta-8 and delta-9 share a similar molecular structure. The only difference is in the location of the double bond on the chain of carbon atoms. With delta-8, the double bond is on the eighth carbon atom, while with delta-9, the double bond is on the ninth carbon atom. This chemical distinction leads to cognitive changes and physical effects of the two cannabinoids on the body and mind.

Since delta-9 binds strongly with the CB1 receptors, it produces an intense high that may lead to talkativeness, laughter, thrills, and relaxation. This is the type of high that marijuana users typically look for. But on the negative side, delta-9 can also produce anxiety and paranoia.

With delta-8, users report feeling euphoric but are still able to carry on with their routine tasks. Delta-8 and delta-9 also have medicinal benefits, which is why some states have allowed the use of medical marijuana to counter the effects of drugs that cause dependency.

However, both delta-8 and delta-9 will show up on a urine drug test as THC. This is because they turn into 11-hydroxy-THC in the liver. Because drug tests look for THC, they cannot distinguish delta-8 THC from delta-9 THC.

Conclusion – What Is Delta 8 High Like?

As a result of the body’s interaction with the endocannabinoid system, delta-8’s effects differ from person to person. So, whether you are a seasoned THC user who wants to test the waters with delta-8 or are entirely new to this cannabinoid, this guide aims to increase your knowledge of what you can expect.

There are different forms of delta-8 THC, and these methods greatly influence the effects. So, it is up to you to find one that appeals to your style. As things stand, there are lots of advantages associated with BudPop’s delta-8 THC. So, go on and experience its therapeutic benefits.