Delta-8 is often an overlooked cannabinoid in the world of cannabis. With delta-9 and its high amounts of THC as the primary focus for most medical marijuana patients, delta-8 has been left by the wayside. However, if you are using cannabis to manage your chronic pain, this may not be a bad thing.
Specifically, Delta-8 is actually identical to natural anandamide – one of our bodies’ own naturally occurring cannabinoids. The compound itself is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, which have shown particular efficacy in treating neuropathic pain conditions such as sciatica or diabetic neuropathy.
This substance can also bind with CB1 receptors that have been found to mediate gastrointestinal tract function, including many forms of bowel inflammation.
One study conducted in 2004 found that delta-8 is an effective analgesic, but it is not psychoactive. The study further showed that delta-8 does not present the same health risks associated with traditional smoking, including carcinogenesis.
Further evidence suggests that THC and CBD can actually work synergistically to provide relief. When used together with THC, CBD has been shown to increase its effectiveness by 3-4 times, which means you are getting more pain relief without needing as much of whatever cannabinoid you are using.
Best Ways To Use It
The best way to use delta-8 is through vaping with a vape oil cartridge or orally through edibles made from coconut oil infused with cannabis. If you find yourself wondering whether these products will work for you, ask your doctor or local budtender for more information. Mr. Hemp Flower has a great guide on how you can use delta 8 vapes to manage pain. But here’s the mandatory disclaimer – you should always consult your doctor before taking or replacing any medication.
For those who are new to using cannabis medicinally, it is important to remember that the effects of delta-8 and THC can take a while longer before you feel them than traditional forms of ingestion, such as smoking. If you’re in significant pain every day, however, your average wait time between ingestion and effect maybe just a few minutes or could be up to several hours.
Make sure you use the lowest possible dose that gives you the best effect, working your way up if necessary. You can’t use too little, but you can definitely use too much.
Delta-8 isn’t for everyone. However, it has shown some promising results over the years for those who are looking to try something different or want to avoid more intense THC products.
Possible Side Effects Include:
Delta-8 is non-psychoactive and free of the adverse effects associated with other cannabinoids, such as panic, anxiety, memory issues, and delusions. There are no psychoactive or euphoric effects associated with this cannabinoid.
This can often encourage use by people who would otherwise be turned off from CBD because of its associations with weed culture. For that reason, it is often considered “mild” in comparison.
Delta 8 does not cause a racing heart or a sense of heightened energy like THC can in some people, which makes it appropriate for all ages, (above 21) and lifestyles.
A potential side effect is, drowsiness. There have been a few reported cases of this, though it is rare and usually due to people taking too high of doses for their body’s tolerance levels.
Benefits Of Using Delta-8 Vapes
Delta 8 is primarily used as an anti-inflammatory supplement as it can reduce swelling, which makes it a good pain reliever. Besides being effective for reducing chronic pain and inflammation, delta 8 has also been successful in treating mental health disorders such as depression and PTSD.
Delta 8 binds with CB1 receptors and activates them, causing the release of dopamine (pleasure/reward), acetylcholine (learning/memory), and GABA (inhibitory neurotransmitter) in the brain.
The result is that users experience significant relief from anxiety and stress without feeling high or intoxicated because delta 8 does not bind well enough to CB2 receptors throughout the body.
Delta-8 does not cause intoxication like other cannabinoids do, since it does not bind with CB1 receptors in the brain, which are responsible for psychoactive effects.
How To Use Delta-8 Vapes
Delta 8 can be used as an oil or food additive for increasing appetite, losing weight, and treating epilepsy. It can also be inhaled through a personal vaporizer (PV) to reduce pain.
A delta-8 vape pen can either come built into a PV or work as a standalone that is paired with an atomizer tank. For D8 to work effectively, it should be heated to 175°Celsius (350°Fahrenheit). Do ensure you are familiar with battery safety guidelines before taking this route of administration because having your vape pen burst in your pocket because of overheating is not fun and can cause serious harm.
Can Delta-8 Be Used As Alternative Medicine?
Delta-8 can be used as an alternative medicine for many conditions. Some of the most common uses are for minor aches and pains, chronic pain, back pain, fibromyalgia, inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, depression, insomnia, and anxiety.
The people who would benefit most from using Delta-8 are people who have problems with sleep or restfulness. Anyone who has chronic pain can also use Delta-8 to provide some relief.
As always, consult with your doctor before changing your treatment plan and let them know what new things you’re trying so they can monitor your health, carefully throughout the process.
Delta-8 Dosing
When you administer the right doses of delta 8, it has the capacity to boost your body’s natural pain-killing properties, which is what makes it an excellent way to manage chronic pain.
Vape pens are ideal for users who want to experience, fast and full effects, of D8 cannabinoids because, unlike capsules, these oil vape pens contain large amounts of D8 in only a few hits.
10 mg of D8 is plenty for most users, so start by using about 1/5 of a gram of oil. And once your body gets adjusted to this dose limit, gradually increase your intake by increasing only a few mg per week.
Takeaway…
Vaping is an efficient and fast way to feel the effects of D8 oil, especially since this method enables you to ingest it directly into the bloodstream through your lungs. Since you do not need to inhale smoke, vaping is a healthful alternative that can help avoid causing damage or irritation to any part of your airways.
It’s also easy to control how much resin you vape at one time because there are no carcinogens involved in vaping as there are with smoking.