The Differences BetweenDelta 8, Delta 9, & Delta 10
The amount of new cannabis products coming out each year is mind-blowing. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, sometimes you hear the name of a new product you know nothing about.
Something that confuses a lot of consumers is Delta 8, Delta 9, and Delta 10 and the differences between them.
What are each of these cannabinoids? How do they affect your body? Are they legal according to the 2018 Farm Bill? What’s THC-P? How does it differ from these Delta THCs?
These are some of the questions we’ll answer today as we look closer at Delta 8, Delta 9, and Delta 10. Stay with us to learn more about them and make your next purchase an informed one.
What’s Delta 8?
Delta 8 THC (Δ-8-tetrahydrocannabinol) is an isomer of Delta 9, meaning its atoms are arranged differently. This distinct molecular arrangement is one of the main differences between Delta 8, Delta 9, and Delta 10 cannabinoids.
Unlike Delta 9, Delta 8 is found in small amounts in cannabis. So, the Delta 8 in commercial products is usually made in the lab by altering CBD or Delta 9 THC.
What’s Delta 9?
Delta 9 THC (Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is the most abundant and recognized form of THC. If you’re wondering what THC-P is, you must know that it comes from this cannabinoid. When you hear a product has THC, it’s referring to this cannabinoid.
Delta 9 is the most well-studied compound among the three. Research shows that it binds to different receptors in your endocannabinoid system to produce that famous high and induce its beneficial effects.
What’s Delta 10?
Last but not least is Delta 10 THC (Δ-10-tetrahydrocannabinol). This newer form of THC is a minor cannabinoid in hemp that is most commonly produced in the lab by altering CBD.
An important difference between Delta 8, Delta 9, and Delta 10 THCs is that Delta 10 has much less powerful effects than the others.
Delta 8 vs. Delta 9 vs. Delta 10
While these three isomers of THC share many similarities, they also have notable differences that users should be aware of. Here is a quick look at how Delta 8, Delta 9, and Delta 10 differ.
Abundance
The first difference between these cannabinoids is their abundance. Delta 9 THC is the most abundant cannabinoid found in cannabis, and the main one talked about in the 2018 Farm Bill.
Delta 8 exists in the plant but in smaller amounts compared to Delta 9. Delta 10 is present in even smaller amounts and is considered a minor cannabinoid. This lower abundance of Delta 8 and Delta 10 and other compounds like THC-P is what makes them harder to study.
Molecular Structure
The second difference between Delta 8, Delta 9, and Delta 10 THCs is their molecular structure. These cannabinoids are isomers of each other, meaning they have similar chemical formulas with slightly different arrangements.
They all have a double-carbon bond. However, this bond falls on the eighth atom ring in Delta 8, the ninth ring in Delta 9, and the tenth ring in Delta 10.
This may not seem like a big difference, but it can drastically impact the effects of each of these compounds.
Effects
All three Delta THCs offer similar potential benefits, including pain relief, appetite stimulation, anxiety reduction, sleep regulation, and more.
The difference between Delta 8, Delta 9, and Delta 10 THCs is in the intensity of their effects. For instance, Delta 9 products create more intense effects due to the position of the THC double bond and its stronger binding affinity to cannabinoid receptors.
On the other hand, Delta 8 THC has noticeably milder effects compared to Delta 9 due to its lower binding affinity to the brain’s CB1 receptors.
Users liken the effects of Delta 8 to indica strains. Delta 10 is the least potent of the three and gives users a sativa-like experience.
Side Effects
Another difference between Delta 8, Delta 9, and Delta 10 THCs is the intensity of their side effects. Surveys show that people who use Delta 8 products instead of Delta 9 experience less severe side effects. Similarly, Delta-10 may cause less paranoia than its stronger siblings.
The side effect profile of cannabinoids like Delta 8, Delta 10, or even THC-P is what draws many users to these Delta 9 alternatives. So it’s a good idea to consider this aspect when deciding which product to buy.
Legality
The last difference between Delta 8, Delta 9, and Delta 10 THCs is their legality. Since the 2018 Farm Bill addresses Delta 9 specifically, the legality of the other two is a gray area.
At the federal level, all Delta products are legal if they come from hemp with less than 0.3% THC. However, some states have banned synthetic cannabinoids, and this rule can apply to commercial Delta 8 and Delta 10 products.
One thing is for sure: cannabis laws are constantly changing. More states are becoming aware of the medicinal benefits of this plant and easing their limitations. So stay updated on the latest regulatory changes to ensure you’re on the right side of the law.
What’s THC-P?
Now that you know the differences between Delta 8, Delta 9, and Delta 10, you can learn more about other cannabinoids and how they differ from these compounds. Another cannabinoid you might hear a lot about is THC-P (tetrahydrocannabiphorol).
Although rare, this THC analog has turned a few heads due to its effects. Users report that THC-P is 30 times more potent than Delta 9 THC! Some even have a psychedelic-like experience with THC-P products.
THC-P has a similar structure to the other three. However, instead of a five-atom side chain, it has a seven-atom one, which might explain its higher potency.
Similar to some Delta 8 and Delta 10 products, THC-P is created in the lab through a chemical reaction. Therefore, its legality is also in a gray area, and not all stores offer products containing this cannabinoid.
