With so many new – and legal – Delta 9 products hitting the market these days, more and more people are starting to look at Delta 9 THC in a new light. And it’s only natural to have questions when you’re trying something new – especially if that something is a federally regulated controlled substance. If you’re new to Delta 9, or simply want to learn more about THC, we’ve compiled answers to some of your most commonly asked questions, such as:
- What is Delta 9 THC?
- What’s the difference between Delta 8, Delta 9, and CBD?
- Do you need to worry about drug testing?
- What is a half life?
- What is microdosing?
- Does microdosing Delta 9 change THC’s half life?
- How long does Delta 9 stay in your system if you’re microdosing?
- How can you start microdosing Delta 9?
What Is Delta 9 THC?
Delta 9 is just one of over 100 cannabinoids found in the Cannabis sativa plant – and it might have blended into the background were it not for THC’s psychoactive effects. Although most cannabinoids were discovered around the same time, Delta 9 THC was one of the first to rise in popularity. And infamy soon after.
Thanks to its psychoactive effects, it wasn’t long before THC was federally outlawed. Specifically, Delta 9 THC. This led to extensive regulations and numerous studies – something Delta 8 hasn’t experienced.
Delta 8 vs Delta 9 THC
Delta 8 and Delta 9 are two forms of THC derived from the hemp plant, both of which produce psychoactive effects. And even though all that chemically separates them is the location of a single double carbon bond, they couldn’t be more different.
For starters, Delta 9 THC is federally regulated and, when purchased from a trustworthy company, it’s also third-party tested by an ISO-certified lab. This means you can trust that the product contains exactly what the label says and nothing else.
Delta 8 supposedly produces a less powerful reaction than Delta 9, and some even believe it to be a safer alternative since there are fewer negative reports. But that also might be because while there are many studies on the effects of Delta 9 THC, there are very few reports on Delta 8. So, do people prefer Delta 8 or Delta 9?
Preference between the two is a personal choice, but when it comes down to which is safer, Delta 9 THC is the clear winner. Why? Delta 8 products are:
- Unnatural: As the hemp plant ages, Delta 8 breaks down into other cannabinoids. A mature hemp plant therefore has little to no Delta 8 at extraction. In order to produce Delta 8 products, it is synthetically manufactured by chemically converting other cannabinoids into Delta 8 THC.
- Unregulated: Since there is little to no natural Delta 8 extracted from the mature hemp plant, there isn’t enough to run all the tests needed to regulate it. Extracting enough Delta 8 to test it is extremely expensive, and since there is plenty of Delta 9 THC at extraction, there was no need to test another form.
- Untested: Without regulation, there’s no need or federal requirement to test Delta 8 products. Since Delta 8 products are synthetically produced and untested, there’s no way to know what chemicals and chemical byproducts might be included.
Delta 9 THC vs CBD
Delta 9 THC and CBD are more closely related than you might think. They produce a lot of the same benefits: promoting a sense of calm and relaxation, improving your mood, and regulating your sleep cycle. The only difference being that THC is tightly regulated because it produces a psychoactive high. And as of the 2018 Farm Bill, CBD derived from hemp strains containing less than 0.3 percent THC is completely legal.
CBD and Delta 9 interact with both of your cannabinoid receptors, and when used together, CBD and THC can balance each other out. Which means that our Delta 9 gummies just might be the perfect way to enjoy the benefits of CBD without the more annoying aftereffects of THC.
Our gummies contain 10 mg of THC and 90 mg of CBD, in addition to a handful of other cannabinoids and terpenes. And because our Delta 9 gummies contain less than the federally legal amount of THC by dry weight (0.3 percent), you can get the same amount of THC you might find elsewhere in one single, delicious, and federally legal bite.
Delta 9 THC and Drug Testing
Despite the fact that our Delta 9 gummies are federally legal, you should still be careful if you’re concerned about drug testing. Delta 9 can get you high, and depending on how much and how often you ingest it, Delta 9 can show up on a drug test.
Whether or not Delta 9 will appear on a drug test depends on a number of factors, including:
- When you last ingested THC
- How much THC you ingested
- How often you use THC
- Body composition
- Metabolism
Delta 9 THC builds up in your system over time, so if you use a small amount for the first time before being drug tested, it is unlikely to show up on the report. But if you consistently use THC, it will likely appear on a drug test even if you haven’t taken THC in a while. With all of that taken into consideration, drug testing results may come down to Delta 9 THC’s half life.
What Is Delta 9 THC’s Half Life?
If you really want to know how long Delta 9 stays in your system, then you need to know its half life. The term “half life” refers to how long it takes a particular substance to reduce to half of its original strength. For example, if you originally ingest 10 mg of THC, then half life refers to the average time it takes for the amount of THC in your system to reduce to 5 mg.
Delta 9 THC’s half life varies depending on how often you typically consume THC and how much THC you regularly consume. If you have never ingested Delta 9 THC before, it won’t stick around in your system for too long. If you use THC regularly, then you have likely built up THC levels in your system over time. Which means you’ll probably test higher than someone who’s never taken THC, even if you consume the same amount.
All in all, THC can have a half life of anywhere from one to 57 hours.
What Is Microdosing?
Microdosing Delta 9 is easier than you might think, especially if you use Delta 9 microdose capsules. With just 1 mg of THC per softgel, Delta 9 microdose capsules allow you to gradually introduce THC into your system throughout the day. While you could also cut Delta 9 gummies in half, using microdose capsules is a simpler and more exact way to try out microdosing.
So how long does Delta 9 stay in your system with microdosing? Is it any different than taking a regular amount of Delta 9 THC?
Does Microdosing Delta 9 Change THC’s Half Life?
THC’s half life only changes based on whether or not you regularly consume THC, not on how much Delta 9 THC you ingest. Like we mentioned above, the more THC you consume the more it builds up in your system over time. If you’re just beginning to use Delta 9 microdose capsules, THC’s half life will be shorter. But on the flipside, even if you’re only microdosing, if you do it regularly, THC can still build up in your system and increase Delta 9’s half life.
That being said, Delta 9 THC’s half life only really matters if you’re expecting to take a drug test in the near future. Even though small amounts of THC can still build up in your system, the total amount in your body will still be less than if you ingest larger quantities of Delta 9 THC. And the less THC is in your system, the faster it will dissipate.
How to Start Microdosing Delta 9
If you’re curious about trying THC for the first time but nervous about how your body might react, microdosing is definitely the way to go. Start by taking one capsule every four to six hours. You can increase the amount as needed, but we recommend against taking more than eight capsules every 24 hours.
Using microdose capsules can also be a great way to boost the benefits of THC throughout the day in addition to your regular CBD or Delta 9 supplements. Especially if you’re feeling extra tired or unmotivated some days but not others. This allows you to supplement your normal routine without completely throwing off your regular CBD schedule.
However, if you’re hoping to experience the same “high” typically associated with THC, microdosing will not get you there – 1 mg of THC is not enough to create a psychoactive high. But when done regularly, microdosing can still build up THC in your system.
For more information on Delta 9 THC, microdosing Delta 9, and our upcoming products, keep an eye on our frequently updated blog. Interested in staying up to date on the latest supplement news and cbdMD’s upcoming special offers? Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, or chat with someone live today!