What is Delta-8-THC

Scientist say Delta-8-THC is similar to Delta-9-THC, the famous molecule that gives cannabis its "high," and discovered by Dr. Raphael Mechoulam  in the 1960's, but is different in some key ways.

The change from "Delta-9" to "Delta-8" refers to the double carbon bond moving from the 9th carbon to the 8th. The small change is reported to remove some of the negative side effects of higher doses of Delta-9-THC like anxiety and paranoia in favor of a more "smooth high." Dr. Peter Grinspoon, a doctor at Harvard medical school and Board member of Doctors for Cannabis Regulations, told Inverse, “I’m really excited to see what we come up with when we start breeding up, in evaluating all these different cannabinoids." (From Dr. Peter Grinspoon quote to Inverse)   

       Experts believe the subtle change in the carbon bonds makes Delta-8-THC about two-thirds as potent as Delta-9-THC. However, the change does come with a trade off. Delta-8-THC does not bind to CB1 receptors in the endocannabinoid system as well as Delta-9-THC, doctors report.  This is not stopping Grinspoon and others from speculating about Delta-8's benefits. “What we do see about it are little keys to its vast potential, but we don't really know because there haven't been that many studies,” Grinspoon said. 

      One study from the 1990's did show Delta-8-THC helped children undergoing chemotherapy with vomiting and did not cause symptoms like "irritability" and "euphoria " like Delta-9-THC. Grinspoon says more research is needed into Delta-8-THC before any definite conclusions can be made, but says Delta-8 also appears to have more of an uplifting effect compared to Delta-9's more sedative properties.