Most people prefer delta- 8 gummies over tinctures since they mask the earthy taste linked to cannabis extracts. Delta- 8 gummies are milder in action than delta- 9, but they are also intoxicating and psychoactive. Although research suggests that they might help with pain and quality of life, more studies are needed to prove this.
CBD and delta 8 are becoming increasingly popular, and both feature various deliverable methods. Delta- 8 THC comes in gummies, tinctures, hemp flowers, and topicals. Most consumers are inclined to try the delta- 8 gummies since they feature various shapes, sizes, strengths, colors, and compositions. In addition, they are claimed to help with pain, quality of life, sleep, and focus. Still, it is essential to have facts right before opting for delta- 8 gummies. This article reviews delta- 8 gummies, helping you decide whether to go for them.
Delta- 8 Gummies Are Psychoactive and Intoxicating
Many THC enthusiasts opt for delta- 8 and not delta- 9 because the former has a milder action than delta- 9. While it has the ‘high’ effect, it is not as concentrated as delta- 9. However, this does not mean you can take delta- 8 indiscriminately. On the contrary, you should control your consumption of delta- 8, including the gummies. According to Akpunonu et al. (2021), delta- 8 has intoxicating and psychoactive effects, which might be mild but not insignificant. You can expect some uplifting effects after taking delta- 8 gummies, which is normal.
How Can Delta- 8 Gummies Help You?
Cannabis studies are limited, and much remains unknown about the extracts. If anything, what is unknown about delta- 8 gummies outweigh what we know. However, early research shows potential in delta- 8, including its gummies, admitting that it may help with many conditions. For instance, Tius & Kannangara (1990) commented that delta- 8 might help with pain because of its analgesic properties. Besides, according to Kruger & Kruger (2018), delta- 8 might help people with focus, pain, and sleep issues. McCoy et al. (2018) also noted the ability of delta- 8 to improve people’s quality of life, and most people claim to experience an uplift effect after using them. While these studies promise much about the potential of delta- 8 gummies, there is a need for more research to prove these claims.
How Do delta- 8 Gummies Work?
Users should know how cannabinoids like CBD and the delta- 8 THC work. Do delta- 8 products, including gummies, work to help with appetite, as Avraham et al. (2004) reported? Generally, much is yet to be understood about delta- 8, and what studies reveal is subject to further questioning. According to Mechoulam & Parker (2013), cannabinoids like CBD and delta- 8 THC interact with the signaling system, called the endocannabinoid system (ECS), to exert the claimed effects. The ECS comprises enzymes, internal cannabinoids, and receptors. However, in the event of an imbalance, like sickness or immunity problems, the system is affected and cannot produce the cannabinoids as it should. This is when external cannabinoids like delta- 8 THC come in handy and fill the void. A slight imbalance affects many processes and functions in the body since the ECS is connected to sleep, appetite, satiety, and pain receptors, interfering with them during the imbalance. The study shows that as the ECS interacts with the receptors affecting these functions and in the presence of delta- 8 THC or any other cannabinoid, the processes are straightened. However, more research is needed to prove the existence of an endocannabinoid system and that it indeed interacts with delta- 8 to express the claimed effects.
Do Delta- 8 Gummies Work?
While some delta- 8 THC users may want to take the cannabinoid for fun, most users take it to find a solution for pain, sleep, or focus problems. Even so, you may want to know if delta- 8 THC gummies work and how effective they are for the claims linked to them. As mentioned earlier, cannabis studies are limited. Therefore, it is difficult to determine the efficacy of delta- 8 gummies for most health benefits people relate them to.
Are Delta- 8 Gummies Safe?
If you anticipate joining the delta- 8 bandwagon and want gummies to be your main delivery method, you should determine their safety. Unfortunately, the safety of delta- 8 gummies is a matter of concern. First, the FDA has not approved it for treating or curing anything. Therefore, although some studies claim that the cannabinoid can help with many conditions, there is insufficient evidence to back the claims. The FDA does not control delta- 8 THC production, meaning that the industry is largely unregulated, leaving loopholes for substandard products featuring in the market. It is common to come across products that do not meet the standards. It is also worth noting that cannabis studies are limited, and even the existing research has its fair share of limitations. While it is one’s choice to buy delta- 8 gummies, it is worth noting that there are risks involved. If you have to consume the gummies, getting a CoA as proof of 3rd party tests increases your chances of landing high-quality products.
Conclusion
Delta- 8 gummies are delta- 8- infused sweets that deliver the cannabinoid to the body. They are great for masking the earthy taste of the cannabinoid. Since they feature various flavors and tastes, they are great for exploring delta- 8 THC. People believe that they may improve their quality of life or reduce pain, among other therapeutic effects. Still, there is not enough research to back up these claims and prove the efficacy of the cannabinoid. It is worth noting that there are many risks linked to delta- 8 THC gummies, especially because of the lack of regulation and information in the field.
References
Akpunonu, P., Baum, R. A., Reckers, A., Davidson, B., Ellison, R., Riley, M., … & Gerona, R. (2021). Sedation and Acute Encephalopathy in a Pediatric Patient Following Ingestion of Delta-8-Tetrahydrocannabinol Gummies. The American Journal of Case Reports, 22, e933488-1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmc8594112/
Avraham, Y., Ben-Shushan, D., Breuer, A., Zolotarev, O., Okon, A., Fink, N., Katz, V., & Berry, E. M. (2004). Very low doses of delta 8-THC increase food consumption and alter neurotransmitter levels following weight loss. Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior, 77(4), 675–684. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pbb.2004.01.015
Kruger, J. S., & Kruger, D. J. (2022). Delta-8-THC: Delta-9-THC’s nicer younger sibling?. Journal of cannabis research, 4(1), 1-8. https://jcannabisresearch.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s42238-021-00115-8
Mechoulam, R., & Parker, L. A. (2013). The endocannabinoid system and the brain. Annual review of psychology, 64, 21-47. https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-psych-113011-143739
McCoy, B., Wang, L., Zak, M., Al‐Mehmadi, S., Kabir, N., Alhadid, K., … & Snead III, O. C. (2018). A prospective open‐label trial of a CBD/THC cannabis oil in dravet syndrome. Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology, 5(9), 1077-1088. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/acn3.621
Tius, M. A., & Kannangara, G. K. (1990). Synthesis of 11-nor-. DELTA. 8-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid methyl ester. The Journal of Organic Chemistry, 55(22), 5711-5714. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jo00309a014
Anastasia Filipenko is a health and wellness psychologist, dermatolist and a freelance writer. She frequently covers beauty and skincare, food trends and nutrition, health and fitness and relationships. When she’s not trying out new skincare products, you’ll find her taking a cycling class, doing yoga, reading in the park, or trying a new recipe.
