What’s the Difference Between Delta 8 and Delta 9?

If you’re at all involved in the world of CBD, you’ve likely heard the buzz around delta-8. Its newfound popularity is raising questions: what is delta-8, really? And what makes it different from delta-9?

As with any product involving CBD or THC, it’s important to be well-informed before buying, so we’ll be addressing the differences between these two compounds below.

What is Delta 9?

Simply put, delta-9 refers to the THC compound found in cannabis: delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. This compound is the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis and is credited with causing the euphoric high associated with marijuana.

Knowing what we know about the potential effects of other compounds in cannabis, the full picture is a bit more complicated. Delta-9 is not the only psychoactive compound in cannabis. Just know that when people say “THC,” they’re most likely talking about delta-9.

What is Delta 8?

Delta-8 is another cannabinoid produced by cannabis, though it doesn’t naturally occur in high amounts. Delta-8 is slightly psychoactive but less so than delta-9.

Delta-8 and delta-9 are isomers, meaning that while they have the same number and kind of atoms, they differ in arrangement. This difference makes the effects of delta-8 much milder. Both compounds will produce a high, though the effects from a delta-8 product will be weaker.

However, it’s important to know that delta-8 may have additional risks because it’s synthetically made and harder to extract. It’s an unfortunate side effect of the growing popularity of CBD and THC: the booming market and still-developing regulations have allowed less-than-trustworthy companies to produce their delta-8 through potentially harmful means. It’s incredibly important to ensure you’re buying your cannabis-related products from a trustworthy seller.

If you’re not sure if delta-8 products are right for you, CBD may be the answer. CBD products allow you to enjoy much of the same relaxing, pain-relieving benefits of delta-8 and delta-9—without the high. To learn more about the potential benefits of CBD, visit the Biotanica blog.