Will Delta 8 THC get you high? We don’t want to stretch out the answer to a simple question. Yes, Delta 8 works for the overwhelming majority of people who take it! Smoking, vaping, or eating Delta 8 edibles will almost certainly make you feel high.
Knowing that Delta 8 works is just part of the equation. If you’ve never tried it before, or have only sampled it occasionally, you’re probably wondering what a Delta 8 high feels like, if it’s legal, and how long a high can last, among other things.
Understanding how Delta 8 works and what it feels like can help you make a more informed decision. Let’s take a deeper dive into Delta 8.
What is Delta 8?
Where Does Delta 8 Come From? How is it Made?
Delta 8 THC (also called D8 THC and frequently just D8) is a cannabinoid. That means Delta 8 is found naturally in hemp and cannabis plants. It causes users to feel certain effects when they smoke, vape, eat, or otherwise consume Delta 8 products.
Delta 8 can be extracted directly from hemp plants. However, it is often produced from CBD derived from hemp plants.
Why do brands and manufacturers take this extra step? Delta 8 only occurs in small amounts naturally. With a relatively simple process, it’s easy to convert the much more abundant CBD into Delta 8.
Is Delta 8 Psychoactive?
Yes, Delta 8 is psychoactive — it causes users to experience a high when they take it. Along with the general sense of an altered state of mind (a pleasant feeling for the vast majority of users), there are some more specific benefits.
A peer-reviewed article published in the Journal of Cannabis Research highlights three distinct benefits of Delta 8, found through user surveys:
- Relaxation (reported by 71% of users)
- Euphoria (68%)
- Pain relief (55%)
Is Delta 8 Legal?
On the federal level, yes, Delta 8 is legal. This is a byproduct of legislative changes introduced in the federal 2018 Farm Bill. That law legalized hemp with a Delta 9 THC content at or below 0.3%.
State law and local ordinances can make Delta 8 illegal in certain areas, however. Make sure you can legally purchase and possess Delta 8 before ordering it.
What Does a Delta 8 High Feel Like?
Intended Effects and Side Effects of Delta 8
Delta 8 is sometimes described as a happy medium. It fits in somewhere between the more intense Delta 9 and CBD, which doesn’t produce a noticeable high in users (despite its other positive effects).
As noted previously, the most common effects of Delta 8 products include pain relief, relaxation, and euphoria. Some users also note benefits like more restful sleep. Along with the sense of elevated mood that comes with a high, these are the main reasons why people take Delta 8.
In terms of side effects, issues with short-term memory and difficulty concentrating are possible. So are red eyes, dry mouth, and increased reaction times.
The experience of these intended effects and side effects can be very different from one person to the next. For that reason, we recommend that new users take small, modest doses at first so they can better understand how Delta 8 affects them.
How Long Does Delta 8 THC Get You High For?
There are two general timelines you can refer to for the length of a Delta 8 high, depending on the type of Delta 8 product you consume:
- Delta 8 Flower and Vapes. You can expect a fast onset, with effects starting in just minutes for many users. The high generally starts to wear off after a few hours.
- Delta 8 Gummies and other edibles. Edibles take longer to kick in, anywhere from 30 minutes to 90 minutes. The high also persists longer than smoking or vaping, lasting for several hours.
Keep in mind that metabolism, height, weight, and many other factors can affect these timelines. There isn’t a guarantee of how long it takes a Delta 8 high to kick in, or how long it will last.
How Much Delta 8 THC Will Get You High?
An effective dose of Delta 8 can vary from person to person, although not dramatically. It’s similar to how many things affect the amount of time needed for a Delta 9 high to kick in. Size, metabolism, and many other internal and external factors can all influence the experience.
The one guiding principle to keep in mind is that it’s easy to increase your dose at any time, but almost impossible to reduce it after smoking, vaping, or eating edibles. That means it’s usually a good idea to start small, then build up.
In terms of smoking and vaping, try starting with just a few puffs, then waiting a few minutes to feel the effects. Because the onset of the high is so fast, it’s easy to smoke or vape a little more if you feel underwhelmed.
For gummies and other edibles, a first dose of 5-10 milligrams is a good starting point. If you don’t feel much after 90 minutes, you can always up your dosage if you want more effects. Most importantly, you’ll know how much to take next time.
Consistently High-Quality Delta 8 From Delta 8 Resellers
At Delta 8 Resellers, we’re dedicated to bringing you the very best federally legal, hemp-derived products. By working with only trusted and proven brands in the industry and sharing the lab reports for their products, we connect you with high-quality Delta 8.