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Delta 8 Side Effects: What They’re Not Telling You

Chris Dorcey
Inheal Editor
Post date
December 21, 2023
Time to read
10 mins 11 secs

Key Takeaways

  • People can experience Delta 8 side effects when they exceed the recommended dose based on their individual tolerance.
  • It’s very rare to experience side effects after consuming D8 and, when it happens, it tends to be mild.
  • Some of the most common side effects of Delta 8 are dyspnea, vomiting, nausea, hallucinations, anxiety, increased heart rate, and decreased blood pressure.
  • Smoking or vaping D8 is one of the less harmful methods of consuming this substance and it won’t likely produce adverse reactions.
  • In general, consuming Delta-8 is safe and can provide numerous benefits such as relaxation and pain relief.

What Are The Side Effects of Delta 8?

Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol is a powerful substance used by many people, either for recreational or medical purposes. Since it’s derived from hemp, it has many benefits and properties that can relieve various symptoms.

The cannabis plant and its derivatives are known for having several therapeutic properties. In the case of D8, it has psychoactive and intoxicating effects that can be very potent if you’re not careful about the dosage that you use.

In this regard, it’s advisable to know the potential side effects and potential benefits of delta-8 THC so that you know what to expect when you use it. Nonetheless, since every person is different, not everyone will experience the same side effects or feel them to the same extent when using delta-8 THC.

Moreover, some effects may be stronger than others, but, in general, the effects will vary depending on the dosage. The lower dosages of delta-8 THC products produce the least effects and also have a slower onset time [1].

These are the most common side effects of THC D8:

Respiratory effects

In general, consuming products that contain delta-8 is safe, but, in some cases, it may cause respiratory side effects, with dyspnea and respiratory disorder, as well as coughing and chest pain being some to look out for [2].

Vomiting and nausea

In addition to its psychoactive effects, this substance, in some cases, may produce vomiting and nausea [3], which is paradoxical because Delta-8 is known for being an antiemetic [7]. However, it has been proven that it can be hyperemetic when consumed at higher doses [7].

Hallucinations

Another adverse effect that some users may experience is hallucinations [4], but this is in the case of exceeding the recommended amount of delta-8 based on individual tolerance.

Anxiety and panic attacks

Psychiatric effects such as paranoia, anxiety, and panic attacks have also been reported by users who have consumed this substance [5]. However, these risks of delta-8 THC are only encountered when the person has exceeded the recommended dose, thus experiencing an acute intoxication.

Increased heart rate

Contrary to what many may believe since it causes relaxation, it doesn’t cause a slow heart rate, but instead produces a “highly significant increase” [8].

Decreased blood pressure

THC can produce a hypotensive effect (low blood pressure) since it produces vasodilation [9]. Nonetheless, this can be caused by intoxication, which is why it’s advisable to not exceed the recommended dosage, particularly if you’re a non-frequent user.

Incoordination and excessive sleepiness

When it comes to the safety of delta-8 THC, it’s important to test your tolerance before consuming it. This is because in excessive doses it may produce incoordination, fatigue, and excessive sleepiness [10]

Delta 8 Gummy side effects

If you are wondering how is delta 8 made you must know that this substance may be synthesized from other cannabinoids, like delta-9 THC and CBD. It follows a process using chemicals to make delta-8 THC.

Given that the farm bill allowed the production and distribution of D8 products, we can find a variety of them in the market. Among them, delta 8 gummies stand out due to their varied ingredients and doses, as well as for their convenience and ease of use.

However, when consuming these gummies, you’re more likely to face a side effect [3] if you’re not careful about the dosage.

Consider that, even though the government has made delta-8 THC legal, it can still lead to serious side effects if you ingest more than 300 mg, such as altered mental status or respiratory failure [13].

This is because gummies come in various sizes, and, although controlling the dosage may seem easy, you can still consume too much if you’re not careful and thus experience side effects.

For this reason, you have to check the D8 content in your gummies before taking one. People often face adverse reactions due to misuse, since people cannot feel the effects immediately and they take another gummy believing they will speed up the “high”.

What happens is that the “high” takes longer to be felt when taking gummies, since they have to be digested first. Therefore, it’s important to follow the proper dosage and be patient, waiting to let the feelings kick in before taking another one.

Vape side effects

When smoking the substance known as delta-8, either by delta 8 disposables or any other method, you can feel high faster and, generally, the adverse reaction is more tolerable, thus they produce milder effects.

In fact, vaping is considered to be less harmful than with other cannabis products containing delta-8 [16]. Thus, delta-8 THC is considered a safe option when it comes to vaping.

Similarly, with delta 8 buds you likely won’t face side effects and if you do experience any, which is rare, it could be those related to the respiratory system, such as coughing, headaches, red eyes [1], or an increase in heart rate [8].

Thus, you can check our online store and vape shops to find our Inheal vapes that are perfect for you.

Keep in mind that products with delta-8 THC are typically manufactured from CBD or D9, so they are completely legal under the Agriculture Improvement Act.

How Long Do Delta-8 Side Effects Last?

It’s essential to note that it’s not the rule that delta-8 can cause adverse effects, but an exception. If you consume delta 8 dabs or any other product you won’t face any side effects, as long as you don’t indulge in substance abuse and follow the proper dosage.

In fact, even though it has effects similar to delta-9 THC, the undesirable symptoms and side effects of this compound are considered to be lower in comparison to D9 [15]. Given that D8’s effect lasts less than 12 hours, with a peak being 6 hours for higher doses, it’s expected for side effects to last the same length of time [12].

Also, the severity and duration of potential side effects varies depending on the person’s weight, metabolism, health, and frequency of consumption.

You have nothing to worry about since the amount of THC included in Inheal’s D8 product won’t pose a risk or trigger any side effects whatsoever in almost any case.

Are There Any Side Effects Long Term?

The side effects of D8 are an exception to the rule, and, if they occur, they tend to be mild. Therefore, they don’t pose serious health risks.

Also, the side effects of this cannabinoid don’t last long. In the case of higher doses by oral ingestion, such as 40 mg or more, clear residual symptoms may still be present 5 hours after its use [1].

It’s also important to make the distinction between occasional or non-frequent users and chronic users. If a person consumes delta-8 and delta-9 THC frequently or excessively, with very high doses, he or she may experience long-term effects.

According to research, the typical period of detoxification is 24 hours [5], thus, non-frequent users won’t face these long-term effects.

But, in the case of chronic users, they can face withdrawal symptoms 24–48 hours after their last consumption and peak at days 2 to 6 [5]. It has also been proven that long-term use can lead to neuropsychological impairment, including troubles with memory and concentration [6].

In this regard, excessive and continuous use of concentrated amounts of delta-8 THC in higher doses can affect a person’s mental health [4].

But why does this happen? This is because D8 contains THC, which is the main psychoactive ingredient that causes the “high” effect. Thus, these effects correspond to the amount of THC in the product. Compared to cannabis, the amount of THC in Delta-8 is much less.

To sum up, these long-term effects (if they occur) are associated with THC, not D8, so you can go for these products and enjoy them without fear, as long as you follow the proper dosage.

Is It Beneficial to Consume Delta 8 Even Though There May Be Side Effects?

What are cannabinoids? Are they legal? There are many questions surrounding these substances. Since the 2018 farm bill removed hemp and its derivatives and allowed their distribution, D8 products can be considered federally legal.

This is why more and more people are opting for consuming D8, as, according to research, they have experienced that this substance is characterized more by its benefits, including its potential health benefits,than by its adverse effects, which are low compared to other substances like cannabis [15].

In fact, current research suggests that consuming Delta-8, in any of its forms of consumption, is less harmful than smoking cannabis and provides therapeutic benefits [16].

Most users experience euphoria, relaxation, and pain relief [15] as well as level headedness and an overall “body high” [17]. As long as you’re consuming it safely, you can avoid the adverse reactions to delta-8 and enjoy all of its benefits.

Thus, you can start trying D8 without worrying about side effects. You can opt for microdosing delta 8, and experience the benefits by yourself. Keep in mind to follow the rules by the FDA for safe use of delta-8, and don’t consume an excessive dosage.

What Are the Next Day Delta-8 Side Effects?

As we have mentioned before, and as it happens with any other cannabis product, the duration of the side effects is clearly related to the dose you take, and thus the peak time of effects gets longer as the dose increases [1].

After you consume this substance, you will feel the effects almost immediately, followed by a stable period and then it will start decreasing [1].

Even in higher doses, the effects peaked at 4 to 6 hours after consumption [12]. Adverse reactions and other potentially harmful effects can only occur if you consume too much D8, and even in this case they won’t last until the next day.

In the case of a highly excessive dose, more than 500mg, it can cause severe side effects, but they can disappear in 24 hours or less [13]. Delta-8 THC may also cause intoxication and this can lead to experiencing adverse effects.

How to Minimize the Side Effects of Delta-8-THC

If by any chance you exceeded the proper dose and you’re experiencing delta 8 THC side effects, you need to take measures to feel better.

In the case of intoxication by delta-8 products, the main recommendation is hydration, either by intravenous fluids or drinking a lot of water, whereas benzodiazepines are recommended in the case of anxiety or agitation [14].

In cases of serious side effects of this compound, or if you have any health condition and you have been exposed to delta-8 in excessive doses, the best you can do is to go to a doctor

How to Avoid the Potential Side Effects of Delta 8 THC?

There’s no way to minimize the potential risks and side effects of delta-8 THC, instead, you should try to avoid them.

You can do this by following the delta 8 dosage chart and taking the substance according to your tolerance level, weight, and frequency of use.

One of the things to know about delta-8 is that although you cannot overdose, you can still consume it in excess and thus cause adverse reactions.

If this is your first time-consuming it, using the products may confuse you. In the case of smoking Delta-8, it’s best to take a first puff and wait a few minutes to feel its effects.

As long as you avoid mixing it with dehydrating drinks like alcohol or caffeine you’ll be fine, and you won’t have to worry about any long-term effects.

Lastly, many users aren’t concerned about D8’s side effects as they know they’re not a common occurrence. Instead, they’re more concerned about its legal status and approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since they want to continue enjoying the substance [15].

Are There Permanent Side Effects From Delta 8?

Currently, there are no studies about the permanent side effects of this substance or cannabis products containing delta-8 THC.

However, considering the few studies performed on patients who consumed D8 or THC in excessive doses and for a long time, it may lead to the development of permanent side effects, particularly for chronic users who consume a very high dose.

Clearing delta 8 from the system is not hard to do, but if the person continues using the substance irrationally and excessively, it may produce mild side effects that will later become long-term effects and then permanent effects.

For this reason, it’s best to consume D8 in moderation. If you test positive for THC, and you want to remove the substance from your body, then abstain from consuming it for a while so that you can clear your system. 

References

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[2] Simon TA, Simon JH, Heaning EG, Gomez-Caminero A, Marcu JP. Delta-8, a Cannabis-Derived Tetrahydrocannabinol Isomer: Evaluating Case Report Data in the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) Database. Drug Healthc Patient Saf. 2023;15:25-38. Published 2023 Jan 29. doi:10.2147/DHPS.S391857.
[3] Food and Drug Administration. 5 Things to Know About Delta-8 Tetrahydrocannabinol: Delta-8 THC. Mo Med. 2022;119(1):21-22.
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[11] Kruger JS, Kruger DJ. Delta-8-THC: Delta-9-THC’s nicer younger sibling? J Cannabis Res. 2022;4(1):4. Published 2022 Jan 4. doi:10.1186/s42238-021-00115-8.
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[13] Akpunonu P, Baum RA, Reckers A, et al. Sedation and Acute Encephalopathy in a Pediatric Patient Following Ingestion of Delta-8-Tetrahydrocannabinol Gummies. Am J Case Rep. 2021;22:e933488. Published 2021 Nov 11. doi:10.12659/AJCR.933488.
[14] Lapoint JM. Cannabinoids. In: Nelson LS, Howland MA, Lewin NA, et al., editors. Goldfrank’s Toxicologic Emergencies. 11e. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education; 2019.
[15] Kruger DJ, Kruger JS. Consumer Experiences with Delta-8-THC: Medical Use, Pharmaceutical Substitution, and Comparisons with Delta-9-THC. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res. 2023;8(1):166-173. doi:10.1089/can.2021.0124.
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[17] Szczypka, G., Pepper, J. K., & Kim, A. (2022). Weed light: An exploratory study of Delta-8 THC conversations on Reddit. RTI Press.  RTI Press Research Brief No. RB-0030-2206 https://doi.org/10.3768/rtipress.2022.rb.0030.2206.
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