Do you have anxiety or an anxiety disorder that affects your life in significant ways? Are you looking for a solution that can ease your anxieties during the lockdown? If you’re open to trying it, Delta 8 THC is a good solution to reduce your anxiety levels and help you relax more.
In the early months, half of Americans said that the pandemic harmed their mental health. Add to that mental stress the national and political chaos that surged the nation at the time. It’s not surprising that the US is experiencing a mental health crisis like never before.
Traveling to relaxing places and escaping reality became risky. Meditation and other forms of self-discipline weren’t enough. For many, a good alternative to these forms of stress and anxiety management came in the form of Delta 8 THC.
Below, we’ll discuss Delta 8 THC and how it reduces anxiety in lockdown.
What Is Delta 8 THC?
Let’s begin by defining Delta 8 THC first. Delta 8 THC is a minor cannabinoid compound in the cannabis plant. It’s only one among over 60 other cannabinoids. You likely know of Delta 8’s more popular cousins, Delta 9 THC and CBD.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are both compounds found in the hemp or cannabis plant. Delta 9 THC is the element in cannabis that has psychoactive properties. In other words, it’s the compound that gives users the feeling of being “high.” When referring to this psychoactive THC, we’re talking about Delta 9 THC.
Delta 8 THC is different from Delta 9 THC. As we mentioned, it’s only a minor cannabinoid. This means the cannabis plant’s cannabinoid-synthesizing enzymes don’t produce it much. Rather, Delta 8 is THC stored for a long time, which degraded into Delta 8.
Since it’s only a by-product, cannabis plants contain very little amounts of Delta 8. Today, commercial growers select certain breeds of cannabis to extract more Delta 8. Commercial extractors also use molecular isolation to access more Delta 8 THC.
Delta 8 vs. Delta 9 THC
Are you wary about using psychoactive products? Unlike Delta 9 THC, Delta 8 is not psychoactive. It is also less potent than Delta 9 THC. Their key differences lie in the chemical composition of their bonds.
Delta 8 THC has a double bond on the eighth carbon chain. Meanwhile, Delta 9 has a double bond on the ninth carbon chain. This atomic variation makes all the difference in potency.
Our bodies have two types of cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2. They determine the behavioral effects of cannabis when consumed. Most of our CB1 receptors are in the brain, while CB2 receptors are in the immune and digestive systems.
Because of its chemical makeup, Delta 8 THC binds with CB2 receptors in the body. Delta 8 doesn’t affect the brain much. In contrast, Delta 9 THC binds with CB1 receptors. This is strong binding potential with CB1 receptors causes the feeling of being high.
Delta 8 Gives a Different Kind of High
Delta 8 is only half as effective as Delta 9 THC when it comes to giving you a high. Plus, the high you get from Delta 8 isn’t the type that will make you giggle or sensitive to stimulus. It won’t cause the addictive sense of euphoria that Delta 9 is infamous for.
Rather, Delta 8 users will feel more clear-headed. It will keep you on your feet and able to take on tasks. Some users also say they get a feeling of contentment and relaxation when they take Delta 8 products.
While it doesn’t have strong psychoactive effects, Delta 8 has many other benefits, too. It’s an antiemetic, analgesic, and appetite stimulator. Later, we’ll discuss further the other benefits of using Delta 8 THC. First, let’s focus on how Delta 8 can help you with your anxiety.
How Does Delta 8 Ease Anxiety?
Now, you know how Delta 8 affects your body. Let’s talk about how it can help ease extreme and constant anxiety in people.
Delta 8 Can Help You Focus and Be More Productive
Do you often feel stress from work, deadlines, or a lack of focus to get things done? We understand that it’s difficult to get things done, especially when you have to shift to remote work. The remote or home environment isn’t always the most productive one.
Sometimes, it’s easier to get distracted when you’re at home, especially when the kids are around. Some people don’t have enough space in their homes to transform into a home office. Others have pets, housemates, or neighbors who can also distract them from focusing.
This improved focus can help boost your productivity. You can place a drop of Delta 8 tincture under your tongue and then get into full-on work mode after a few minutes. You can get more done and you won’t have to worry about chasing deadlines.
However, remember that too much of Delta 8 can have the opposite effect.
It’s Good for Taking the Edge Off Before Socializing With Others
Another big advantage of Delta 8 is that it can help you relax more in social engagements. You don’t need to be an introvert to understand the struggle of having to mingle with others. This is also useful if you’ve gotten used to isolation and social distancing.
If you’re the type of person who feels uneasy in groups, you can turn to Delta 8 to feel more comfortable in them. Delta 8 can take the edge off and get you to relax before you join your friend group on Zoom. This way, you won’t feel too nervous about talking to other people and getting criticized by them.
Indirect Benefits of Delta 8 That Help Ease Anxiety
The items listed below are some benefits that don’t have direct impacts on your anxiety. Yet, without solutions like Delta 8, they still affect your mental health and wellness. With that said, let’s talk about how Delta 8 helps you out indirectly.
It Reduces Pain and Inflammation
One way that Delta 8 is reducing your anxiety levels is that it keeps pain and inflammation away. Humans are not familiar with the constant feeling of pain. Thanks to modern medicine and technology, we don’t need to endure unneeded pain.
However, certain conditions and illnesses can cause unnecessary and constant pain. Delta 8 interacts with your CB1 and CB2 receptors, which are part of the endocannabinoid system. This system regulates vital functions like chronic pain and inflammation.
Extensive research shows that CB1 receptors play an important role in regulating pain. When it binds with CB1 receptors, Delta 8 can ease pain and inflammation. It alleviates pain by producing a unique non-psychoactive, mind-altering effect.
Delta 8 Doesn’t Cause Paranoia
A key difference between Delta 8 and Delta 9 THC is the paranoia effect. Marijuana users who go after the high also feel heightened paranoia after using it. You can remove any worries about feeling the same thing when you take Delta 8. Other than anxiety, Delta 8 can also reduce paranoia and unease.
It Helps Insomniacs Sleep Better
Like Delta 9 THC, Delta 8 is another potential solution for those who find it difficult to sleep at night. It helps slow their brain activity by easing their anxieties. This lack of paranoia and anxiety can help give them a better and easier sleep.
Delta 8 Improves Mood
In the US, an estimated 16.2 million, or 6.7%, of American adults have had one depressive episode. While munching on a THC gummy won’t fix depression, you can improve your mood by using Delta 8. Some studies found that Delta 8 can affect your energy levels and mood.
The feeling of chill relaxation that washes over you can make you feel a little more positive. It won’t always put you in your “happy place.” However, it can at least pull you out from a deep metaphorical pit.
Other Benefits of Delta 8 THC
As we mentioned, Delta 8 won’t only improve your mental health by reducing your anxiety levels. It also has other health benefits that can help the user out on other fronts. For example, Delta 8 has neuroprotective properties.
Some studies suggest that Delta 8 THC supports your brain health. It can help you produce Acetylcholine. This is a neurotransmitter responsible for sending messages through your neurons or brain cells. It plays a role in improving:
- Memory
- Cognition
- Neuroplasticity, and even
- Arousal
These are some brain and body functions that Delta 8 helps keep functional.
Delta 8 Will Not Give You the Same Side Effects of Delta 9 THC
Delta 8 is ideal for those who want to reduce their anxieties and get the other benefits of THC with no side effects. Rather, Delta 8 will not cause paranoia or extreme anxiety. It also won’t give you the negative short-term and long-term effects of Delta 9 THC, like:
- Panic
- Hallucinations
- Coordination problems
- Risk of stroke
- Psychosis or strange behavior
- Impaired thinking
- Decline in IQ
While Delta 8 is less potent than Delta 9, some people can still get addicted to it. To avoid this, check your Delta 8 product consumption. Always make sure you’re taking the right dosage at the right intervals and frequency.
It Reduces Nausea and Vomiting
Delta 8 can also act as an antiemetic. This means that it can reduce nausea and vomiting. In 1995, researchers 1995 studied children who underwent chemotherapy for their cancer. They administered Delta 8 and found that it removed nausea and vomiting.
Delta 8 Can Stimulate Your Appetite
Do you often feel like you’re losing your appetite for no reason? Taking Delta 8 can stimulate your appetite and encourage you to eat more. Scientific studies found that even a low dose of Delta 8 can urge you to increase your food intake.
This makes it ideal for those with eating disorders like anorexia nervosa. People who take medication or undergo treatments like chemotherapy also have decreased appetite. You can boost your appetite by taking a small dosage of Delta 8.
Delta 8 Products Help You Avoid Judgment
Did you know that in 2019, 12% of US adults said they smoke marijuana? While it’s legal in some states, many people still have a negative view of marijuana use. If you don’t want the people you work with, live with, or interact with to judge you, Delta 8 is a safe alternative.
Different Products and Ways to Take Delta 8
You can find a variety of Delta 8 THC products in the offline and online market.
The easiest to consume are disposable Delta 8 THC vapes. Vapes and disposable vaporizers are also easy to access and find. Plus, different brands offer varieties of flavors and potencies.
If you prefer smoking, you can find hemp flowers mixed with Delta 8 THC. You can also get Delta 8 pre-rolled joints online. If you want to dab, there are also Delta 8 THC waxes.
Edibles like Delta 8 gummies, chocolates, and candies are also available. These edible types will take effect at a slower pace but can last longer in your body. If you only need Delta 8 for pain and inflammation relief, use topicals like lotions and oils.
Is Delta 8 THC Legal?
In short, Delta 8 is legal in the country. The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp farming and distribution. It gave producers and distributors a vague green light to sell and distribute Delta 8 products.
This bill made it allowed the regulated production of hemp and hemp products. Click the link to learn more about and discover the legality of Delta 8 THC products in the states. Before you get too excited, remember that some states have local laws that ban THC products. Check the legality of Delta 8 THC in your state before you buy.
Manage Your Anxiety Better When You Try Delta 8 THC
Severe anxiety can be crippling, especially to those who don’t know how to manage it. With Delta 8 THC, you can feel more at ease with yourself and the environment. However, remember that there are also some positives to having anxiety.
It acts as your built-in warning system, motivational driver, and more. Positive anxiety can also make you friendlier, sensitive, and skilled in leadership roles. Having a healthy amount of anxiety is good, so don’t try the total anxiety wipe out from your system.
Do you want to read more content that features topics like this? Check out our other guides now for more educational info on Delta 8 and related matters.
