How To Use Delta-8 Gummies

Do you know how to use Delta-8 gummies? It might seem like a silly question at first—but it’s important to use Delta-8 THC gummies correctly to get the most out of them. How you consume them can affect the onset, duration, and intensity of the effects. Keep reading for the inside edge on the Delta-8 THC gummy game.

What is Delta-8 THC?

Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a cannabinoid, which means it is a substance from the cannabis plant. There are hundreds of cannabinoids. So far, some have been found to produce mood-altering effects and others have not.

The endocannabinoid system

There are hundreds of identified cannabinoids in the plant, and when consumed, they interact with the human endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS involves the cannabinoids as neurotransmitters that affect the cannabinoid receptors throughout the human body. ​​

Research on the ECS is still actively underway, but it appears to be quite involved in human biology. Areas of influence include regulating physiological and cognitive processes, immune system activities, appetite, pain-sensation, mood, and memory, and in mediating the pharmacological effects of cannabis [1].

What’s the difference between Delta-8 THC, Delta-9 THC, Delta-10 THC?

Delta-8 THC, Delta-9 THC, and Delta-10 THC occur naturally in cannabis, and all three are isomers of the same molecule, tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. THC is one of hundreds of identified compounds from the cannabis plant, and is the main mood-altering substance in cannabis. An isomer is one of two or more compounds that contain the same number of atoms of the same elements, but differ in structural arrangement and properties.

In other words, chemically speaking, the molecule that makes these three types of THC is very similar. The only difference is where a double-bond occurs. For Delta-8 it is on the eighth carbon chain, Delta-9 on the ninth carbon chain, and Delta-10 on the tenth. Delta-8 and Delta-10 share some of the effects of Delta-9, though unique effects are typically at lower levels.

Does Delta-8 get you high?

People may feel “high” after using THC products. Products with THC, even at low dosages, have the potential to produce mood-enhancing effects. The strength of the euphoric effects of Delta-8 THC on a particular person will differ depending on a few things: dosage level, body weight, food or other substances in the system, and experience/tolerance level of THC, and personal body chemistry.

What does “hemp-derived” mean?

Hemp-derived means made from hemp, sometimes called industrial hemp. The 2018 Farm Bill (see next section) established new federal legal definitions and rules for hemp. The definition includes that the hemp plant and “and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis” may be used for production, sales, transport, and use.

Hemp plant derivatives include cannabinoids like cannabidiol (CBD), Delta-8 THC, Delta-9 THC, and Delta-10 THC. These and other cannabinoids are federally-compliant for use in a myriad of products, including gummies.

Are Delta 8 THC Gummies federally legal?

For many years in the U.S., cannabis was illegal according to federal law whether or not it contained Delta-9 THC, the main psychoactive chemical that occurs naturally in the plant. In the 2010s, the United States Congress enacted two groundbreaking pieces of legislation, called “Agricultural Acts” and commonly known as the Farm Bills.

These Bills recognized that hemp with very low Delta-9 THC concentration is distinct from higher-THC cannabis. In addition to the hemp plant, hemp extracts and hemp products, including THC isomers, are also allowed by the Farm Bills.

Thank a hemp farmer!

The 2014 Farm Bill removed hemp from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) list of Schedule 1 substances, and this was the seed of hemp’s recent legally produced resurgence. The Bill made hemp federally legal and allowed long-forbidden research into hemp-derived cannabinoids to begin in earnest.

The 2018 Farm Bill expanded on this, allowing people to produce, sell, and consume hemp-derived products, making it clear to legal experts that all other plant materials and substances derived from legally-defined hemp are also federally-compliant [2].

The federal legislation defines cannabis plants with less than 0.3% of Delta-9 THC per dry weight as hemp plants, and allows hemp in all 50 states. A plant with more than 0.3% Delta-9 THC per dry weight is defined as marijuana, and federal law still treats those products as controlled substances on the DEA’s Schedule 1 list.

This is despite the fact that many states do allow medical use and/or adult recreational use of marijuana containing much more than 0.3% Delta-9 THC.

Hemp is not a controlled substance

The Farm Bill, from the federal government, uses this definition:

Hemp.–The term `hemp’ means the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.

Most states passed similar laws in the year or years following the Farm Bill’s enactment and most of them adopted the same definition, and legalized such products. So they are no longer DEA controlled substances at the federal level.

To learn more about all 50 states, read Is Delta-8 THC Legal in Your State?

When to Consume Delta-8 THC Gummies

Delta-8 THC gummies can be taken any time of day, and even multiple times a day, depending on personal preferences. Each person’s desired dosage and maintenance level is unique to their own system. Most users will have success by trying smaller doses at first and moving on to higher doses until they reach their desired effect range of desirable effects.

Maintaining Delta-8 levels

Many people prefer to have a gummy at the same time each day to maintain a consistent level of Delta-8 THC. Amounts and frequency will again be different for different folks.

Earthy Select crafts our Delta-8 gummies in four different potency levels: 10mg, 20mg, 50mg, and 100mg. So we have beginners and advanced users covered, and it’s super easy to move up or down in dosage with the same high quality Delta-8.

Consumption methods & unique effects

Which consumption method is best for a federally compliant cannabis product? There’s no single answer of course since it depends on the person, the product, the time and place. There are many different consumable forms of Delta-8 on the market, including smokeable flower, vaping devices, oils and edibles.

Many users prefer the fun convenience of gummies. Gummies are already an edible form of Delta-8, and believe it or not there are different ways to consume gummies and other edibles.

How to Consume Delta-8 THC Gummies: the most bioavailable consumption method

The secret? For the best effects and benefits, the gummy should be fully dissolved in your mouth, rather than swallowing undissolved pieces. Let’s look at why that is.

Sublingual and buccal administration

Sublingual and buccal are two ways of administration by mouth. Sublingual administration involves placing a substance under the tongue to dissolve and absorb into the blood through the tissue there. Buccal administration involves putting a substance between your gums and cheek, where it dissolves and absorbs into the blood [3].

Faster, stronger, better

In contrast to normal oral intake and swallowing, if a given product is administered with one of these methods, it is absorbed more quickly and can result in higher drug levels in the bloodstream by avoiding first-pass metabolism by the liver [4].

That doesn’t mean you have to put a gummy under your tongue. Just let it dissolve fully in your mouth. The area under the tongue and the cheeks can absorb various active substances into the bloodstream. So when you let it dissolve in this way, the Delta-8 can enter your bloodstream and metabolize faster than if it is going through the digestive system. It is perfectly OK to swallow pieces of gummy too, but the timing and Delta-8 effects may be more variable.

How many gummies?  

While products generally have a suggested dosage listed on each package, the strength of final product and the effects on a particular person will be different depending on a few things: the dosage level, body weight, food or other substances in the system, and personal body chemistry. Generally speaking, it is recommended that you start with the lowest dose and gradually increase it until you reach satisfactory results.

Newer users can easily have a lighter dose by cutting gummies in half or quarters. More experienced users can take multiple gummies for stronger results. Personal preference is the key.

Where can I buy Delta-8 gummies?

You can find Delta-8 gummies in shops and dispensaries all over. For pure and potent Delta-8 gummies with the highest quality ingredients, check out Earthy Select’s shop and order online. We provide COAs for every product and we ship nationwide.

For the love of gummies

Gummies are deliciously easy, and they work better when used correctly. In most states that don’t yet allow adult use of marijuana, folks can indulge in Delta-8. Use the tips in this article to maximize your experience on Delta-8 gummies and to get the most out of your purchase.

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Medical Disclaimer / Legal Disclaimer – Information is provided for educational purposes. It does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice or medical advice. We attempt to be accurate and up to date but the legality of cannabinoids and the science of cannabis is evolving. The author is neither a legal professional nor a medical expert. You should check with your local authorities and medical providers before buying or using any products.

References

1. Wikipedia: Endocannabinoid System
2. HIA: Position Statement on Delta 8 and Hemp Cannabinoids
3. Sublingual and Buccal Medication Administration
4. Pharmacokinetics

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