Delta-8 vs. Delta-10 THC: What’s the Difference?
It’s an incredible time to be a cannabis fan in the United States. The 2018 Farm Bill made industrial hemp legal to grow nationwide, just in time to satisfy the burgeoning demand for CBD – and the industry has grown by leaps and bounds since then. So many farmers began growing hemp for CBD extraction, in fact, that the industry suddenly found itself with a surplus of hemp biomass and CBD distillate. That situation helped to pave the way for the introduction of new products based on Delta-8 and Delta-10 THC – two cannabinoids that are very familiar but definitely aren’t the same as the THC that everyone knows.
So, what are Delta-8 and Delta-10 THC – and if you’re trying to decide which one to try first, what should you choose? Don’t just take a CBD advertising expert’s word for it. In this article, we’ll introduce you to America’s favorite cannabinoids of 2022 and provide a brief overview of how they differ. Let’s dive in!
What Are Delta-8 and Delta-10 THC?
When people talk about THC, they’re usually talking about Delta-9 THC. That’s the primary psychoactive component of marijuana, and it’s a federally controlled substance. However, Delta-9 THC is just one of many dozens of cannabinoids in cannabis – many of which are only barely understood.
Delta-8 and Delta-10 THC are two of the minor cannabinoids that occur naturally in cannabis. Unlike Delta-9 THC, though, they aren’t federally controlled substances. That’s both because they aren’t specifically identified on the list of scheduled substances and because the Delta-8 and Delta-10 products that you can buy on websites like Golden Remedy Wellness are extracted from industrial hemp, which is federally legal because it contains less than 0.3 percent Delta-9 THC.
Although Delta-8, Delta-9 and Delta-10 THC aren’t the same molecules, they are composed of the same atoms. The only difference is that each of the three molecules has a double bond in a different section of the carbon chain. All three of the cannabinoids are psychoactive and will produce a “high,” but that doesn’t mean they feel the same.
Confused yet? We’ll explain in greater detail – but first, let’s talk a bit about how Delta-8 and Delta-10 THC are made.
How Are Delta-8 and Delta-10 THC Made?
Although Delta-8 and Delta-10 THC are both naturally found in cannabis, they occur only in very low concentrations. Trying to extract Delta-8 or Delta-10 directly from industrial hemp would be an extremely cost-prohibitive process, so companies don’t even bother trying. Instead, they use a little chemistry to exploit a process that occurs naturally.
As we explained above, Delta-8, Delta-9 and Delta-10 THC are isomers of one another. They’re different molecules, but they have almost the same structure except for the fact that their double bonds are in different locations. As it turns out, Delta-9 THC naturally degrades into Delta-8 THC over time. CBD, meanwhile, is also an isomer of THC. That’s what makes it possible to convert CBD into Delta-8 THC.
In the presence of an acid, CBD undergoes isomerization and converts to Delta-8 THC. The process happens fairly quickly – it’s just a matter of hours. The process of converting CBD to Delta-8 THC works something like this:
- A solvent is added to the CBD distillate, and the two are mixed together.
- An acid is added to the mixture to reduce the pH.
- The mixture is left alone for several hours.
- The acid and solvent are removed from the mixture.
- The Delta-8 THC is distilled out of the mixture.
After the process is complete, a laboratory can test the Delta-8 THC distillate to confirm that it has the expected potency and that no trace solvents remain. The process of producing Delta-10 THC is similar to what’s described above, but Delta-10 is a bit more difficult to obtain and requires further refinement. For that reason, it’s not unusual for Delta-10 products to cost a little more than Delta-8 products.
What Do Delta 8 and Delta 10 THC Feel Like?
If you’ve ever used cannabis before, you’ve experienced the effects of Delta-9 THC – and we’re going to tell you right off the bat that Delta-8 and Delta-10 THC aren’t as strong as Delta-9. You’ll definitely feel the effects – unlike CBD, which has no overt effects for most people – but it’ll be a milder experience overall.
Comparing Delta-8 vs. Delta-10, most people find that Delta-8 THC produces a stronger effect. Some have said that if you take the high that you get from Delta-9 THC and cut it in half, that’s about what Delta-8 feels like – and if you cut it in half again, that’s Delta-10. Those, however, are just subjective reports from users. The only way to know how you’ll feel is by trying Delta-8 and Delta-10 for yourself. Although people report that the effects are mild, we still think it’s wise to start with a low dose and give yourself plenty of time to gauge how you feel.
How exactly do Delta-8 and Delta-10 THC feel? People say that Delta-8 is a bit more like an Indica strain in that it tends to very sedating and relaxing. Because of the couch lock that Delta 8 tends to produce, many people take it around bedtime. Delta-10, on the other hand, is more like a Sativa strain. People find that Delta-10 produces more of a cerebral and uplifting sensation and that it doesn’t leave them feeling sleepy or unable to go about their usual business.
What Types of Delta 8 and Delta 10 Products Are There?
Here at Golden Remedy Wellness, we carry a wide variety of Delta-8 and Delta-10 products to meet your needs. However, two types of products definitely stand out as being the most popular.
- Delta-8 and Delta-10 gummies taste great – and since they’re pre-measured, they make it easy for you to get exactly the same dose every time. Just pop one in your mouth and wait an hour or so for the effects to set in. As with traditional cannabis edibles, Delta-8 and Delta-10 gummies can produce a very long-lasting effect.
- Delta-8 and Delta-10 e-liquids and cartridges allow you to inhale the cannabinoid of your choice in vapor form. Although the effect may not last quite as long as it would with an edible product, it’ll set in much more quickly.
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