With so much talk these days about new cannabinoids, it’s important to be properly informed when it comes to what we’re putting in our bodies. Recently, the cannabinoid D8 has been making waves in the legal cannabis market, and for good reason. Whether you’re already aware of D8, or you’re just now hearing about it — not to worry — our team at Lazy River Products is here to make sure you avoid any confusion the next time you’re looking for fresh cannabis-based wellness solutions at our dispensary and beyond.
In our previous blog, we touched on minor cannabinoids and how they figure into the scheme of hemp and cannabis. So, what is D8 and how is it different from D9, THC, and other major cannabinoids such as CBD? Read on as we discuss the basics of what makes D8 such an incredible compound and great partner to these other cannabinoids, while also highlighting some new products that will be hitting our shelves this week!
What is THC?
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is one of 113 currently-recognized cannabinoids, and is referred to as the main psychoactive component that exists within the cannabis plant. But, what many people don’t know is that THC actually contains isomers – which are compounds with the same chemical formula but different structures. Depending on how they’re derived, THC can exist in two predominant isomeric forms – known as D8 and D9.
What is D9?
Simply put, D9 (or Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is the more common form of THC that you may already be familiar with. It is the main plant-derived isomer of THC, and historically it has been used for its psychoactive effects, however most recently it has been studied for its potential in providing even greater benefits to the endocannabinoid system (ECS) – which is a complex cell-signaling system that exists within all humans and is responsible for regulating a wide range of functions.
What is D8?
Now that we’ve covered D9, we can now move on to one of its notable relatives, D8. While D8 (or Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol) does exist naturally in small amounts within the cannabis plant, it is mostly a synthetically-derived, more stable isomer of THC. Both possessing chains of carbon atoms, the main difference in structure between the two is that D9 has the double bond on the 9th carbon, while D8 has the double bond on the 8th carbon. D8 is therefore recognized as also being psychoactive but less potent than D9, which tends to result in a less anxiety-inducing, more calming cannabis experience.
Comparing D8, D9, & CBD
So, what about the cannabinoid CBD? CBD (or cannabidiol) has undoubtedly become a very popular choice worldwide for folks searching for alternative sources of self-care and wellness. From tinctures, salves, edibles and vapes, this compound exists in many forms and has various studied benefits, however perhaps the biggest difference between CBD, D8 & D9 is that unlike these cannabinoids, CBD does not exhibit any psychoactive properties, making it an ideal addition to the intended entourage effect of cannabis/hemp-based products.
- Tags: Cannabinoids, CBD, Delta 8, Education, THCA
