There is no doubt that interest in delta 8 THC has grown beyond our wildest expectations since it first appeared on the market about a couple of years ago. This extremely unique cannabinoid is known for its psychoactive buzz and potential that have made it almost as popular as CBD (cannabidiol), the cannabinoid that started the entire hemp craze a decade ago. It’s also a which is why you can simply visit a website like and order it with no hassle whatsoever.
But, just because delta 8 THC is legal, does that mean that it’s also safe? Naturally, safety should be the number one priority whenever we introduce something new into our routine. The good news is that the safety profile of delta 8 looks pretty good, with no real indications of harm resulting from its consumption.
Delta 8: A Nontoxic and All-Natural Plant Compound
Delta 8 THC is a naturally occurring cannabinoid found in hemp, making up only about 0.1% of the plant’s chemical composition. Like all cannabinoids, delta 8 is considered to be nontoxic to the human body, and this is because of its relationship to the body’s endocannabinoid system. This system uses cannabinoids to regulate individual processes of the body in order to achieve homeostasis, and a little known fact is that the body is quite capable of making its own cannabinoids.
Because of this, it’s generally accepted that the body tolerates cannabinoids just fine. We know that the body can tolerate even high amounts of CBD, as it efficiently stores excessive levels for later use. The same almost certainly applies to delta 8 THC.
Have There Been Reports of Serious Side Effects Caused by Taking Delta 8 THC?
As of now, there have been no known reports of major side effects caused by taking delta 8 THC. Because the cannabinoid is nontoxic, the user generally does not have to worry about toxic overdose in the body. One exception is consuming delta 8 that has been tainted in some way or contains an ingredient that a person happens to be allergic to. Also, in extremely rare cases, a person can be allergic to hemp itself.
While delta 8 is not associated with any major side effects, it can cause generally non-serious, short-lived side effects especially at high doses, which are the same side effects associated with marijuana:
Dry mouth
Dry, red eyes
Lightheadedness
Drop in blood pressure
Increased heartrate
Headache
Dizziness
Grogginess
Anxiety and paranoia (in particularly sensitive individuals)
Note: These side effects typically last for the duration of the high itself, and many people develop a tolerance to these side effects after repeated use.
What Should Everyone Be Careful of After Taking Delta 8 THC?
One thing that you should be mindful of is the fact that delta 8 THC is psychoactive, and so while the cannabinoid itself may not be harmful, it can be dangerous to engage in certain tasks when under the influence of a mind-altering substance.
Overall, delta 8 THC is about 70% as intoxicating as delta 9 THC. This means that the high is milder than that which is associated with marijuana. In fact, delta 9 is the predecessor of delta 8, as delta-9 oxidizes in the plant and converts into delta-8.
People generally find delta 8 THC to be less mind-altering and impairing than delta 9 THC. Why? Because this cannabinoid does take on a milder type of effect when converted into delta 8. Still, each person’s body reacts to psychoactive substances differently, and those who either have a low tolerance to its effects due to a lack of experience, or are simply sensitive to cannabinoids overall, may find that certain effects are stronger than they are in most people.
That being said, it is important to avoid doing certain tasks when high on delta 8 THC. This includes driving, as any intoxicating substance can impair one’s ability to drive. Keep in mind that even though delta 8 is legal, driving while high from this compound may lead to criminal charges under the blanket of impaired driving laws in your state.
You may also find that using delta 8 THC interferes with your ability to operate heavy machinery or complete more intense physical tasks such as exercise. Therefore, in general, it’s best to simply relax at home when taking delta 8 and avoid any tasks that either require a lot of concentration or physical effort. Best CBD Vape Pen UK