What Are The Next-Day Side Effects Of Delta 8?

Wondering whether your Delta 8 gummies are going to cause you headaches the day after taking them? No fear. Delta 8 can sometimes cause side effects, but they're often mild — and we offer a few tips to help you mitigate them.

Key Takeaways:

• Delta 8 is very similar to Delta 9, the more popular form of THC, and therefore has similar effects and side effects.
• Potential side effects of Delta 8 include dizziness, drowsiness, increased appetite, anxiety, and heart rate changes.
• Some users might consider certain side effects, like drowsiness or increased appetite, as health benefits.
• Other possible health benefits from Delta 8 include pain relief, mental clarity, and a reduction in nausea. 
• Potential side effects the day after taking Delta 8 include still feeling impaired or still feeling some of the side effects listed above.
• You can reduce the likelihood of experiencing side effects by drinking water, taking only the recommended dose, and purchasing high-quality products from reputable manufacturers.

See Related: Are Psychedelic Mushrooms Addictive?

What Is Delta 8 THC?

THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the primary psychoactive compound found in the Cannabis sativa plant. When people say "THC," they are normally referring to Delta 9 THC. It's the most abundant form of THC in cannabis.

Less well known is Delta 8, one of many other forms of THC also found in cannabis. As you might have guessed from the name, Delta 8 THC is very similar to Delta 9 THC — but not quite the same.

Like Delta 9 THC, Delta 8 THC interacts with your body's endocannabinoid system. This complex system of receptors influences many crucial bodily functions, including mood, pain, sleep, and more.

However, because Delta 8 THC is slightly different from Delta 9 THC, it interacts with the endocannabinoid system in slightly different ways. That means different effects and different potential side effects the next day.

To understand those potential effects, we need to explore what makes Delta 8 THC unique.

Delta 8 THC vs. Delta 9 THC

At first glance, Delta 8 THC and Delta 9 might seem identical. For example, they share the exact same chemical formula: C21H30O2. Their molecular weight is also the same, at 314.46g/mol. 

So what's different? To see that, you have to examine the exact chemical structure of both compounds. 

Even then, the two look almost identical. They each have three rings of carbon and a long carbon chain. But on closer inspection, you might notice the crucial, if tiny, difference: The placement of a single double bond between two of the carbon atoms.

That's it. The location of this double bond is the only difference between Delta 8 THC and Delta 9 THC. 

You can see, then, why each compound has such similar effects. 

Can Delta 8 Make You High?

Like Delta 9 THC, Delta 8 THC can cause psychoactive effects. These effects are often similar to the iconic "high" caused by Delta 9 THC.

So what's the difference?

Well, Delta 8 THC is generally thought to be a little less potent than Delta 9. In other words, it might not have quite as strong psychoactive effects as Delta 9 THC.

That's why some users call it "diet weed" or "marijuana lite." 

The Legal Status of Delta 8

As you likely know, Delta 9 THC is still illegal at the federal level. While some states have legalized it (like Ohio, where hemp-derived Delta 9 THC is legal), and others permit it for medical use, the federal US government still considers it a controlled substance.

The same is not true of Delta 8. But how?

Well, in 2018, the U.S. legalized hemp at the federal level. Hemp refers to cannabis plants with less than 0.3% THC.

Delta 8 THC is present in tiny quantities in these hemp plants. In effect, then, Delta 8 THC is legal at the federal level. 

But at these tiny quantities, you likely wouldn't even notice the Delta 8 present in hemp. So, how do manufacturers refine it?

How Delta 8 Products Are Created

The secret lies in chemistry. There are a few different methods for creating Delta 8 products.

One of these methods involves converting Delta 9 THC into Delta 8 THC. Another similar method instead converts CBD into Delta 8 THC.

Ultimately, any product containing Delta 8 THC relies on some process like these. The cannabinoid simply doesn't appear in high enough quantities naturally to be effective.

Can Delta 8 THC Cause a Positive Drug Test?

The short answer is yes. That's why the National Drug Court Institute advises people to avoid products with Delta 8 THC if they are going to be tested for drugs. 

Delta 8 THC can usually be detected for similar periods of time as Delta 9 THC. Urine tests, which are the most common type of drug test, can usually detect THC three days after a single use. But if you were using Delta 8 THC multiple times a day, it could be detected by a urine test up to a month after stopping use.

Additionally, low-quality products might contain Delta 9 THC.

The Regulatory Status of Delta 8

While the FDA has approved some products containing CBD and Delta 9 THC, it has not approved any Delta 8 THC products — at least, not yet. 

Therefore, it's crucial to purchase products from a reputable manufacturer. Avoid suspiciously cheap products offered at gas stations or convenience stores. We'll get into why these can be bad later.

Instead, look for producers that get third-party testing and accreditation.

Every single one of our products has to pass a third-party lab test before being purchased. You can check the Certificate of Analysis for your product by scanning the provided QR code or entering the characters in brackets into our search bar here.

Effects of Delta 8

As you might have guessed, Delta 8 has similar effects to Delta 9, albeit a little less intense. 

Commonly reported effects include the following:

• Relaxation
• Euphoria
• Appetite increase

Unlike Delta 9, which can cause a rather intense high, users of Delta 8 THC often report a more smooth and balanced high. Of course, that assumes you're taking the right dose. At higher doses, Delta 8 may have intense effects like Delta 9.

Potential Health Benefits

Some of the reported benefits of Delta 8 THC are:

• Reduced nausea
• Pain relief
• Clear mental fog

Bonus: Is THCa Legal in Ohio? Navigating Cannabis Laws In 2024

Delta 8 Dosage

What dose to take depends on your consumption method and goal. 

Other factors to consider include your body composition, how often you take Delta 8, and other products you might be taking, especially prescription medications. These can sometimes interact with Delta 8, so make sure to double-check.

Your product should have a recommended dose provided. For example, our Delta 8 THC Gummies each contain 10mg of Delta 8 THC. 

Start with one and allow up to an hour to feel the full effects. If you haven't reached your desired effect by then, take another. 

Taking your Delta 8 THC products with a meal can produce better results. 

Common Side Effects of Delta 8

Like Delta 9, Delta 8 THC might cause side effects. These might appear immediately, while others can take a day to manifest.

First, let's cover some of the immediate side effects reported by Delta 8 users:

• Dizziness
• Changes to heart rate (some people might experience a faster heart rate, while others might find their heart rate slows down)
• Confusion
• Stress
• Drowsiness
• Numbness

While Delta 8 is generally considered safe, it does have the potential to cause more serious side effects. Of course, the same is true of Delta 9.

Delta 8 Next-Day Side Effects

In general, the side effects you might feel the next day fall into two categories. 

The first includes many of the immediate side effects listed above. These effects can linger or only manifest the day after taking Delta 8 THC. They include the following:

• Anxiety
• Dizziness
• Vomiting

Additionally, you might find that you're still impaired the day after taking Delta 8.

The second set of potential next-day effects includes anything caused by your activities while under the influence of Delta 8. 

For example, if you took Delta 8 THC to boost your appetite and ate a bunch, you might feel the effects of that the day after. If you took Delta 8 before an early night and slept far longer than usual, you might feel a little disoriented in the morning.

Rarer Possible Next-Day Effects

Like with Delta 9, Delta 8 THC has the potential to cause some more serious next-day side effects. Again, these are generally the same as the serious side effects that might manifest immediately after taking Delta 8.

How to Avoid Next-Day Side Effects

Sometimes side effects are inescapable. You might find that your body simply disagrees with Delta 8 and doesn't tolerate it well.

No matter. There are plenty of other products that can bring similar potential health benefits, from CBD Gummies to Delta 9 THC products.

That said, there are a few steps you can take to minimize the risk of side effects, both immediate and the following day. 

Start Low, Go Slow

In general, it's always best to take the minimum recommended dose. This is especially true if you're new to Delta 8 or THC products as a whole.

If your product doesn't provide a recommended dose, start with a low dose and see how you react. For example, we recommend taking one of our Delta 8 Gummies and waiting up to an hour before taking another.

Stay Hydrated

Make sure to drink water, especially if you're eating lots of sugary or salty snacks. Drinking plenty of water can help you avoid some of the possible side effects. Even small amounts of water can help you feel much better the day after taking Delta 8. 

Plus, staying hydrated is just plain healthy, whether you're taking Delta 8 or not!

One at a Time

Be cautious when mixing Delta 8 with other products. Alcohol, for example, can interact with Delta 8, potentially increasing the impact of its effects, including potential side effects.

Generally, we recommend only taking Delta 8 and not mixing it with anything else.

Check Quality

Always make sure you're taking high-quality products. That's always good advice, but it's really important for Delta 8 products.

Why? Remember, Delta 8 is naturally produced in tiny quantities. Therefore, it has to be artificially concentrated.

Less scrupulous manufacturers sometimes use subpar methods to achieve this. These production methods can result in harmful chemicals in the products. 

Plus, you might not be getting all the other cannabinoids found in hemp. So not only are you losing out on potential benefits, you're ingesting potentially harmful chemicals, too.

Not ideal.

Instead, always purchase from reputable sources. A great way to check that your product is high quality is to look for evidence of third-party testing. That shows you a manufacturer has sent their products to an independent organization, which tests them to ensure they are safe and of high quality.

All of our products are tested by a third-party lab. You can check this by scanning the QR code provided on your product.

Conclusion

Delta 8 THC has similar effects to Delta 9, and that includes side effects. In general, Delta 8 has milder side effects to the more popular Delta 9.

Still, these side effects can be a drag. That's why you should always purchase high-quality products from reputable manufacturers, take the recommended dose, and practice responsible consumption.

With all that in mind, you can safely enjoy your Delta 8!

Disclaimer:

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before using any new substance, including Delta-8 THC.

The legal status of Delta-8 varies by jurisdiction, so check the laws in your area.

Keep Reading: 10 Natural Pain Relievers

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