With the cannabinoid market in full bloom following the passing of the Farm Bill in 2018, more and more compounds are being researched and becoming popular. Two of the most talked about cannabinoids in the current cannabinoid sphere are delta 8 and CBD. While they both have their own sets of perks, they’re both mainly favored in their gummy forms.
But CBD gummies and delta 8 gummies can be beneficial for different ailments and situations, so let’s dive a little deeper into what exactly these compounds are, what their benefits are, and which one best suits your needs.
Known also as delta 8 or delta 8 THC, delta 8-tetrahydrocannabinol is a naturally occurring psychoactive compound found in cannabis. Its chemical composition is very similar to that of its closest relative, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. THC is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis. The molecular structures of delta 9 and delta 8 are strikingly similar, with the exception that delta 9 has a double bond on its ninth carbon atom, while delta 8 has a double bond on its eighth carbon atom.
Although delta 8 and delta 9 are analogous, their atomic bond arrangements cause them to act differently. Some studies suggest that delta 8 is less likely to cause the adverse effects associated with delta 9 such as anxiety and paranoia. In addition, the compound is estimated to be half as powerful as delta 9.
With Delta 8, you still get the same psychoactive experience as delta 9, but you're less likely to experience negative side effects like paranoia or anxiety due to the lessened psychoactive potency. Despite the moderately low and manageable high of delta 8, users are able to catch a buzz without becoming completely lethargic as regular THC often does.
Even though delta 8 is commonly referred to as 'diet weed,' it is still associated with many of the same effects as delta 9. These effects include:
The relaxation and pain-relieving effects of delta 8 are the same as those of delta 9, but your mind will remain calm and clear-headed while you use it. When taken in low doses, delta 8 can help you focus, while when used in higher doses, it can calm your mind down.
While cannabidiol, or CBD, is not psychoactive like THC, it is known for having multiple wellness benefits, and has been used for medical purposes for thousands of years. The compound is often regarded as the most popular cannabinoid ever found in the plant, and evidence of its usage dates back millennia.
While THC is most popular among younger stoner circles, CBD has incredibly beneficial properties that can help people of all ages cope with issues of all types. Despite today’s advancements in medicine, millions of people still swear by CBD’s ability to combat chronic pain, neurological disorders, and more.
Among the many benefits of CBD are anxiety and depression management, pain relief, insomnia relief, and anti-inflammation. Let's take a closer look at some of these undeniable benefits.
A 2019 study that tested CBD’s effects on brain excitation and inhibition systems in adults with and without autism spectrum disorder found that the compound acts on the GABA receptors to turn down our inner volume when we get aroused, resulting in a feeling of calmness and relaxation. As well as decreasing anxiety, CBD modulates several neurotransmitters associated with anxiety, including serotonin, epinephrine, dopamine, and norepinephrine.
The use of CBD oil can also reduce the frequency and severity of seizures without causing the adverse side effects associated with more commonly prescribed treatments. A 2012 animal study found that CBD significantly decreased the number of animals experiencing the most severe seizures and also significantly reduced mortality caused by seizures. In a 2016 study, children with Dravet Syndrome, a rare form of epilepsy, experienced significant improvements in seizures when using CBD. As a treatment for rare and severe forms of epilepsy, Epidiolex was approved by the FDA in 2018.
A study from 2006 examined the role of the cannabinoid system in pain control and management. Researchers studied both, CBD and THC, and found that “cannabinoids have antinociceptive mechanisms different from that of other drugs currently in use, which thus opens a new line of promising treatment to mitigate pain that fails to respond to the pharmacologic treatments available, especially for neuropathic and inflammatory pains.” Chronic inflammation can be hard to deal with and may often lead to a number of autoimmune diseases. In many other studies, CBD has been shown to provide potent anti-inflammatory effects, including positive effects on inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmune conditions, vascular inflammation, and neuroinflammation.
The neuroprotective properties of CBD have also been well-known for many years. In 2007, researchers found that CBD could improve the growth of myelin, a protective layer around nerve cells, when used regularly. Neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, dementia, and multiple sclerosis (MS) may develop without this function. In a research study conducted on animals in 2016, CBD was found to shrink tumors and stop them from spreading. As well as promoting apoptosis in cancer cells, it also prevents the spread of cancer between organs.
Due to its ability to inhibit the breakdown of anandamide in the brain, CBD has also been shown to reduce nausea and vomiting, including those induced by chemotherapy. People who suffer from opioid or smoking addiction withdrawal symptoms may also benefit from higher anandamide levels. Additionally, studies suggest that CBD may reduce anxiety and cravings, resulting in a more successful treatment and rehabilitation.
Overall, CBD is a compound that is incredibly beneficial to our health and well-being. We could keep going about the lengthy studies that have been conducted on the compound so far, but here are a few of the cannabinoid’s potential benefits that you can research further on your own time if you’re interested:
CBD is available in three main forms: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate. The three types of CBD are predominantly if not completely made of CBD, but they are extracted using different methods and are tailored to meet different needs. All three types of CBD are not psychoactive, but the type you choose can influence your experience with it. So, let's see how they differ and how they're similar.
Despite the fact that all three of these CBD formulas are available in a variety of forms, gummies are perhaps the best way to consume them. As CBD gummies are digested and processed in the liver, their effects are longer lasting and more potent. The elongated effects of CBD gummies are attractive to anyone who wishes to benefit from CBD, especially its pain and inflammation-relieving properties. This would apply whether the user opts for isolate, broad spectrum, or full spectrum CBD.
The question isn't really which compound is best, but rather which compound would best work for you. Some people appreciate CBD for its many wellness effects, but they also prefer it because it causes no psychoactive effects. Similarly, many users like delta 8 because of the mild and fun high it provides while simultaneously offering stress and pain relief properties.
When choosing whether you want delta 8 or CBD gummies, you need to consider which one of the two compounds best fits your needs and lifestyle. And, hey, if you can’t pick, why not go for a gummy product that contains both?
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