Delta 8 THC Vapes, both cartridges and disposable pens, have taken the market by storm due to their mild psychoactive effects. Most people are trying to figure out what makes one Delta 8 cartridge different from another. Can Delta 8 THC cartridges be euphoric, and also made in a healthy way? How is it different from Delta 9 (traditional) THC and CBD? And how is it legal? In this post, we will break down those answers for you in a moment, but first lets review the basics...
Delta 9 THC is the traditional THC we are all intimately familiar with :) It is highly regulated, gets you high and comes from marijuana plants. “Delta” refers to the double bond in the compound’s molecular structure. The structural difference between Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC is where the double bond is located on the chain of carbon atoms -- as per their names, Delta-8 has a double bond on the 8th carbon chain, and Delta-9 has a double bond on the 9th carbon chain. This may seem like a small difference, but that's why chemistry is fascinating - it's significant enough to produce different cognitive and physical effects. Delta-8-THC communicates with CB1 and CB2 receptors to help balance several functions including pain, appetite, mood, hormones, inflammation, and blood pressure.
So what are the cognitive effects? Delta 8 THC -- unlike CBD -- IS psychoactive. Similar to D9, it binds to CB1 receptors in brain and nervous system. However, UNLIKE Delta-9, which can produce a hazy or sedative effect, Delta-8 can make you clear headed and energized. This his huge news for consumers who want to feel buzzed and desire the healing effects of cannabis, but don't want to feel out of it / need to function or maintain energy and clarity - especially during the day. (Writer's note: the first time I tried D8 I vaped it before bed, as I typically consume cannabis to help me sleep. To my surprise, I was up until 2AM reading on my phone! They are definitely not the same...). Delta-8 THC also exhibits “lower psychotropic potency” than Delta 9 - in laymen's terms, it's like "THC Lite."
Delta 8 THC was discovered in 1965 by cannabis researcher Dr. Raphael Mechoulam. Since then, studies in Israel have shown very promising results for Delta 8 in reducing chemotherapy side effects. Studies also suggest that Delta 8 could help the body produce a neurotransmitter that aids in things like cognition, memory, arousal, and neuroplasticity. Research is still in its infancy, and will hopefully proliferate with the recent popularity of the molecule.
You may notice that a lot of Delta 8 vape carts on the market have a wide range of colors (clear, rose, or golden like traditional cannabis vape oil). Pure D8 extract starts off clear, but on a standalone basis is extremely sensitive to light, heat or oxygen exposure and may start to turn slightly pink. Full spectrum D8 distillate, which also has CBD, CBG and trace amounts of the other cannabinoids such as CBN, CBC and D9 THC, stabilizes the vape oil. This is the full spectrum extract we use at TribeTokes in our vapes, which results in the slightly gold color. Therefore, color can indicate a more sophisticated and cannabinoid rich product.
The best and healthiest vapes have essentially two ingredients. Delta 8 distillate and real plant terpenes. Many vapes are made with botanical terpenes, such as extracts from hemp, or a lemon or orange. Some manufactures use synthetic terpenes as well. REAL cannabis and hemp terpenes are much better because they achieve superior flavor and have a wide variety of health benefits depending on the terpene profile. It's also important to note that not all terpenes are created equal. Expert growers and extractors work together to offer terpenes that taste better and hit smoother. These terpene blends are at the core of strain specific therapeutic benefits, and are an often under-appreciated component of the vaping experience.
The biggest problem that has plagued the vape products market is the use of cutting agents, fillers, or otherwise known as carrier oils - often found in "vape juice." Companies use fillers because vapes are hard to make without them. They cut corners and try to save money by using cheap additives that make their products appear gold, to prevent crystallization, prevent discoloration, and dilute their oil - which can be very dangerous for consumers' lungs. This is a problem across all vaping categories; THC vapes, CBD Vapes, Nicotine Vapes, and Delta 8 THC vapes.
The best vapes have only two ingredients: distillate and terpenes for flavor and additional therapeutic benefits. The CBD or Delta 8 distillate provides the cannabinoids and the terpenes help provide fruity or earthier flavor profiles and additional support with mood, sleep, anxiety, pain and the overall vaping experience. Its critical to stick with CLEAN vapes with no fillers. At TribeTokes we are primarily known as one of the healthiest vape companies on the market because we were one of the first and few companies who created CBD vapes with no fillers.
READ MORE: What's In Your Vape?
Most people forget that they smoke oil inside a cartridge and that cartridge hardware is not necessarily safe. In fact, regulators have pulled vapes off of dispensary shelves around the country where heavy metals were found to be leaking into the vape oil. At TribeTokes, we have worked with hardware engineers to offer vape hardware with stainless steal components to make it impossible to leak heavy metals. Our cartridges are also designed so the airflow does not pass through the battery to make sure no harmful particles are inhaled from the battery device.
The good news is that high quality feels amazing. The vaping experience can be incredibly enjoyable and therapeutic when smoking a high quality delta 8 vape with pure oil, fantastic terpenes, no fillers or cutting agents, full spectrum cannabinoids, and all the attention to detail needed to make a powerful smooth healthy product. Brands and manufacturers have a responsibility to educate their customers on what makes a product healthy or harmful. So the next time you take a puff a a Delta 8 cart, you will know you are in good hands.
