Once you learn a little bit about cannabinoids, Delta 8 is a pretty self-explanatory name. Delta 8 products contain Delta 8 — a psychoactive cannabinoid with generally pleasing effects — as their primary ingredient.
The name Delta 8 means that a double bond exists on the eighth carbon molecule in the carbon chain of this chemical. In comparison, Delta 9, the main cannabinoid found in cannabis, has a double bond on the ninth carbon in the chain. It’s certainly technical, but also not too difficult to understand with some basic knowledge of chemistry.
However, Delta 8 isn’t always the only ingredient in these products. Along with blends of cannabinoids (like Delta 8 along with Delta 10, HHC, and many other cannabinoids), it’s also important to keep terpenes in mind.
In short, terpenes are chemicals naturally found within a variety of plants. They have unique flavors and scents. Delta 8 terpenes, along with the terpenes found in other types of cannabinoids, also have certain effects that can enhance and change the user experience.
Let’s take a closer look at what terpenes are in general, along with a quick review of what Delta 8 is. Then, we’ll focus on what terpenes are in Delta 8 and other cannabinoids.
The Basics of Terpenes and Delta 8
What You Should Know About Delta 8
Delta 8 is a naturally occurring cannabinoid – a chemical found in cannabis and hemp plants. It’s found only in small amounts in those plants.
Delta 8 interacts with the body’s natural endocannabinoid system to produce effects like an elevated mood and enhanced sense of creativity. Some users also report practical benefits like pain relief and an easier time falling or staying asleep when using Delta 8.
Most Delta 8 products are sourced from CBD found in hemp plants, which is a crucial fact from a legal perspective. Why? Because hemp plants (meaning plants containing no more than 0.3% Delta 9 THC by dry weight – the legal cutoff between cannabis and hemp) and products made from them are legal under federal law.
While some states and municipalities ban or restrict the sale and possession of Delta 8, it’s legal across a majority of the country.
Key Info on Terpenes
Terpenes are chemicals found in many plants, including but not limited to cannabis and hemp plants. An incredibly wide range of plants produce terpenes.
As Medical News Today explains, the major noticeable effect of terpenes, in general, is how they contribute to the aroma or scent of plants. The functional purpose of terpenes in plants, meanwhile, appears to be protection. Terpenes can discourage animals from eating plants and help to prevent infection by germs.
Terpenes are well known in connection to cannabis and hemp, specifically because there’s a widespread belief that terpenes influence the user experience. Terpenes are not psychoactive themselves. However, they’re thought to interact with cannabinoids and change – and, in many users’ minds, improve – the effects of Delta 8 and other cannabinoids.
Note that there is no conclusive proof, in the form of rigorous, double-blind scientific research, that has established the specific effects of terpenes. In other words, plenty of users and brands believe Delta terpenes lead to the different experiences that people feel when using different strains of cannabinoids, as Healthline points out, but this has not been proven as a fact.
Delta 8 Terpenes: Their Role in Cannabinoids
Terpenes play a key role in the entourage effect. That’s the theory that many chemicals in cannabis and hemp plants work together to produce specific effects in users.
Cannabinoids by themselves also produce obvious effects, of course. We know this because both major types of Delta 8 extract, distillate and live resin, lead to effects for users. Distillates contain minimal or no terpenes, while live resin does contain terpenes.
However, the entourage theory suggests that terpenes and other chemicals change and improve the effects caused by cannabinoids alone.
Despite the lack of consensus on exactly what terpenes do, researchers are actively investigating the role of Delta 8 and Delta 9 terpenes. One example is the work of Dr. John Streicher at Arizona State University, who focuses on the role terpenes may play in pain relief.
With more research, key questions about terpenes – the specifics of how they work and what they can and can’t do in terms of effects – can likely be answered. For now, however, those questions do not have definitive answers.
Finding Delta 8 Terpenes
When it comes to Delta 8 and other hemp-derived cannabinoids, it’s important to understand that terpenes are often but not always removed from finished products. As previously noted, distillates used in products like vape cartridges and disposable vapes don’t include terpenes. However, products with live resin, also commonly included in vapes, do.
If you want to make sure you’re buying and using Delta 8 products that contain terpenes and not just cannabinoids alone, there are a few key terms to look for in product descriptions and on packaging.
For vapes, look for a description that clearly mentions live resin as opposed to distillate, or notes that terpenes are present along with cannabinoids. For other products, like edibles and tinctures, terms like “full spectrum” are often used to indicate the presence of terpenes.
An Incredible Selection of Cannabinoids at Delta 8 Resellers
Delta 8 Resellers brings you the best hemp-derived cannabinoids, including products both with Delta 8 terpenes and without. We only partner with leading industry brands and always share the results of third-party lab testing for our products on their individual pages whenever available.
Looking for products packed with Delta 8 terpenes? Browse our inventory or search for terms like “full spectrum” and “terpenes” in the search bar at the top of each page to find what you’re looking for!
Want to see more? Check out our full range of Delta 8 products!