Delta 8: A Natural Alternative

Delta 8 THC is an all new cannabis product. It’s making a lot of noise as the industry surrounding it grows and public awareness increases steadily. Delta 8 is very similar to its counterpart⸺delta 9 THC⸺but it has a lesser psychedelic effect. Many people see this lowered potency as a massive benefit, and thus the demand for delta 8 increases every day. But amid all the growing popularity, a single question comes up time and time again: Is delta 8 natural? 

The science of extracts

In order to fully understand the characteristics of delta 8 you must first understand how it is made. Delta 8 is a naturally occurring cannabinoid found within the cannabis plant. Other common cannabinoids include standard THC (delta 9) and CBD. It all started once people realized that it wasn't necessarily the marijuana plant itself that made you high; it was the THC that formed little crystal-like trichomes on the buds. People eventually realized that this THC could be pulled from the plant and turned into a distillate or an isolate. 

This gave way to the discovery of CBD. CBD is another naturally occurring substance found within the cannabis plant. However, CBD contains no psychoactive properties. Consumers have grown to love CBD because it doesn't make you high but does provide a mild relaxation in the body that is great for pain relief. 

Eventually, delta 8 was discovered as a second ingredient in cannabis containing psychoactive properties. Delta 8 is quickly becoming a popular alternative because it creates a milder high. You can ingest delta 8 products and feel a buzz without being overwhelmed or "couch-locked." It is also fully legal due to the FARM bill as long as the extracts are derived from hemp. 

Delta 8 THC is found within hemp in concentrations of about 1%. That is extremely low. Thus, pulling out enough delta 8 to make wholesale products would require vast quantities of hemp. While this certainly is an option, there's another more efficient method. This method is achieved by chemically converting CBD into Delta 8 THC. Due to its cost-effectiveness, this is the most popular method for obtaining large quantities of Delta 8. 

Delta 8 stigmatization

As we can see, the process of cultivating delta 8 THC involves a lot of steps that must be done in a laboratory setting. With this in mind, it's easy to see how some people have come to view delta 8 as an artificial substance. 

Delta 8 naturally exists in nature. It exists within the cannabis plant. Synthetic materials are defined as substances that cannot be found in nature. In other words, they only exist because of humans. So by definition, delta 8 is indeed natural.

Despite this, there is semi-negative stigmatization that has been developing in regards to delta 8. There are people out there referring to it as synthetic weed. Some have even been reported comparing delta 8 with spice. 

Spice, commonly referred to as K2 or synthetic cannabinoids, is a human-made chemical that is manufactured to mimic the effects of marijuana. These chemicals do this by binding to the same receptors in the brain as cannabinoids. But spice is very dangerous and has even been known to cause death in some cases. Delta 8 THC is in no way, shape, or form connected to K2 spice. Delta 8 is an organic compound that binds to the endocannabinoid system in the body.

CBD and THC distillates are also made in a lab, but these two substances face nowhere near the same level of scrutiny as delta 8. The reason for this being the fact that delta 8 is so new. 

Is delta 8 safe?

Delta 8 is entirely safe. In fact, Delta 8 has many unique health benefits. It is a great stress reliever. Users have reported feeling very calm and worry-free after taking delta 8. Additionally, delta 8 does not carry the same anxiety-inducing elements as delta 9 THC. Some studies show that delta 8 may have a reductive effect on cortisol levels in the brain. Cortisol is the body's stress hormone. 

Delta 8 is also an excellent pain reliever. All cannabinoids bind to the CB1 receptor in the endocannabinoid system, which regulates pain. This is why delta 8 is so effective when it comes to pain relief. The endocannabinoid system also regulates other things such as appetite and sleep. For this reason, delta 8 is excellent for helping people sleep and assisting people who don't have hunger. 

In addition to being an appetite stimulant, delta 8 is an extraordinary antiemetic as well. An antiemetic is a term given to the class of drugs that prevent nausea. While typical over-the-counter antiemetics are pretty adept at halting nausea, nearly all of them come with some nasty side effects. Antiemetics are known to cause trouble urinating, defecation difficulties, and significant fatigue and drowsiness. If you are looking to curb your nausea without suffering from any side effects, then delta 8 products are a great choice. The best option would be a tincture such as Elyxr's relax or relief blend.

The combination of its appetite-inducing and nausea-reducing properties makes delta 8 a perfect aid for cancer patients. Chemotherapy is very tough on the central nervous system. It creates horrific nausea that often causes violent bouts of vomiting. With their already compromised immune systems, cancer patients must eat food to give them the nutrients they need to remain healthy. Delta 8 can both prevent nausea and get you to eat food. 

When it comes to the safety of delta 8 there is one issue to be wary of. The internet is filled with fake retailers claiming to sell delta 8 products. Since the products they sell are not verified by any outside party, it's tough to ascertain what exactly are in these "fake delta 8" goods. But one thing is for sure: they contain little to no delta 8. 

To stay safe and ensure that you are buying quality delta 8, look for the company's lab reports on their website and make sure these reports contain a COA. If a company has no lab reports to show you, do not buy their products. 

There's no reason to go through a sketchy company you know nothing about when there are so many great, trusted companies out there on the market like Elyxr. 

The magic of hemp

Hemp is an incredible plant that human beings have cultivated for centuries. It has remarkable industrial properties. It's used to make clothing and sturdy material for anything from baskets to shoes. As we've seen, the cannabinoids derived from hemp have some incredible health benefits. But the hemp plant itself has some medical benefits as well. Hemp oil is used to treat skin conditions such as eczema. Hemp even has some essential spiritual elements for many cultures throughout human history. 

At Elyxr, we believe in the magic of hemp. And that's why we derive all of our products from hemp grown in California, Colorado, and Oregon. We do our best to maintain the integrity of the plant throughout all stages of distillation and extraction.

At Elyxr we pride ourselves on making clean and pure delta 8 that our trusted consumers can enjoy. Quality and safety are our top priorities. You can view the COA verified lab reports on our website for all of the products that we sell.