In recent months, popular wellness influencers and local dispensaries have heavily promoted Delta 8 as an alternative to the popular delta-9-THC. What is delta-8, and does it aid in sleeping?
Delta-8 is a form of THC, the psychoactive chemical in cannabis. When people talk about THC, they refer to Delta-9, the most common and one of the most abundant forms. Delta-8 is much rarer than Delta-9. Delta-8 THC is less psychoactive than Delta-9 THC, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI). According to NCI, anxiety, nausea, pain, and appetite stimulation are all properties of Delta-8. Most Delta-8 comes from hemp. According to Oleinik (2021), Hemp cultivation and hemp-derived products are legal under the 2018 Farm Bill. Hemp-derived products are legal because they contain less than 0.3% THC, making them non-psychoactive. However, some states still ban Delta-8 products.
What Are Delta-8 Gummies?
Gummies are a form of candy made from gelatin and different types of flavors as desired. Delta-8-THC gummies are made by infusing delta-8 into its recipe in measured proportions to induce the desired effect. This can alleviate pain or help induce sleep for individuals with sleeping disorders.
How Delta-8 Gummies Aid with Sleep
Delta-8, like any other cannabis compound, has the potential to influence the mind’s and body’s natural rhythms via the endocannabinoid system. Our circadian rhythm is included in this, so some people believe Delta-8 can influence your sleep. Is it, however, effective to use Delta-8 for rest? The answer is yes. Many Delta-8 users report a sense of relaxation, which may help them get a better night’s sleep. CBD is non-psychoactive and is thought to produce calming effects in the user, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night. According to Murillo-Rodríguez (2008), interaction with the endocannabinoid system may be able to influence your circadian rhythm significantly. CBD is known to have many similarities with Delta-9 THC and other cannabinoids found in hemp, including Delta-8. So, does this imply that Delta-8 can help you sleep? Delta-8 THC, according to the National Cancer Institute, may bind with twice the power to the nervous system’s endocannabinoid receptors. This may aid in the relaxation of processes such as frantic mental activity, rapid heart rate, or unsteady breathing. As a result, Bellazzini et al. (2014) mentioned that Delta-8 has the potential to be used for rest — or, at the very least, relaxation. With this in mind, it stands to reason that Delta-8 can promote sleep and regulate your circadian rhythm. Medical practitioners hope that there will be easier access to important research on this subject soon. More clinical trials with human participants are required as most preliminary studies are done on animals.
Using Delta-8 Gummies for Sleep Effectively
Whatever the reasons are for using Delta-8, it’s important to understand how to maximize desired results. Always consult a doctor before changing your daily routine, especially if you take prescription medications. Delta-8 has made a name in the hemp-based product market. Users say that this compound has the potential to improve many aspects of life, including sleep. But there are a few tricks to getting the most out of Delta-8, and below are a few:
Finding the Optimal Dosage and Potency
As with any cannabis product, it’s critical to find the Delta-8 strength right for you. Delta-8 products are available in various milligram strengths because everyone processes cannabinoids differently. Some products may be effective for your partner but ineffective for you, while others may be too intense to handle right away. Before embarking on a Delta-8 THC regimen, it is critical to determine the best strength for you and your needs. The best advice for determining your ideal serving size is to start small and gradually. One of the most dependable and consistent ways to use Delta-8 THC is gradually increasing your tolerance. Over a few weeks, this will assist you in determining your ideal potency level.
Administration
It’s just as important when you take Delta-8 as how much you take. Kuhathasan et al (2019) suggested that if you’re interested in Delta-8’s potential for rest, you’ll want to take it at the right time. You’ll want the effects to be strongest around the time you want to go to bed, so try to enjoy it in the evening or at night. This will take some practice, especially since you’ll need to figure out how long it takes you to feel the effects of Delta-8 THC. Delta-8 gummies should be taken at least two hours and no more than four hours before feeling the effects. It is advised to experiment with it for the first few weeks so that you can truly optimize when you feel the climax of Delta-8’s effects.
Combining Delta-8 With Other Cannabinoids
It is believed that cannabis (in general) may have the potential to aid in sleep. Other cannabinoids, such as CBD, have been studied for their ability to produce calming effects and have a reputation for stimulating relaxation, reducing worry, and various other benefits. When Delta-8 is combined with these other cannabinoids, it has the potential to produce a synergistic effect. This synergy, also known as the entourage effect, can affect how cannabinoids act in your body. It can be a great way to maximize Delta-8’s potential for relaxation because you’ll be combining the potential benefits of all the cannabinoids, you’re using rather than just one or two.
Conclusion
To summarize, Delta-8 THC has the potential to help some users sleep, but it’s more about finding the right routine than anything else. With enough time and patience, you may reap all of the benefits that Delta-8 for a good night’s sleep has to offer. Delta-8 may be the new “it” thing in the cannabis world, but it behaves similarly to CBD, Delta-9 THC, and other well-known cannabinoids. Check with your doctor first, choose a high-quality formula, and time the dosage correctly to see if it will provide the key to a good night’s sleep.
References
Bellazzini, B., Csáki, C., Hubisz, J., Serra, J., & Terning, J. (2014). A naturally light
dilaton and a small cosmological constant. The European Physical Journal C, 74(3), 1-16.
Kuhathasan, N., Dufort, A., Mackillop, J., Gottschalk, R., Minuzzi, L., & Frey, B. N.
(2019). The Use Of Cannabinoids For Sleep: A Critical Review On Clinical Trials. Experimental And Clinical Psychopharmacology, 27(4), 383.
Murillo-Rodríguez, E. (2008). The Role Of The CB1 Receptor In The Regulation Of
Sleep. Progress In Neuro-Psychopharmacology And Biological Psychiatry, 32(6), 1420-1427.
Oleinik, G. Best Delta 8 THC For Depression (June 2021).
