Eight Can Be Great! There’s a New THC: But Is Delta-8 Safe?

Nov 30, 2022

Eight Can Be Great! There’s a New THC: But Is Delta-8 Safe?

If you are buying THC gummies online, you’ll want to do your research. One of the types of THC that is currently legally available online is Delta-8 THC, an isomer of the traditional THC that occurs naturally in the cannabis plant. Many users report that Delta-8 has a similar effect to traditional THC. But is Delta-8 safe? 

Is Delta-8 Safe to Consume?

Don’t worry: Delta-8 is safe to consume, you just should keep in mind that the best way to use it is to follow the recommended quantity or your daily dose. The dangers of Delta-8 can stem from the manufacturing process. 

A cannabis leaf is shown to the right of brightly colored gummy bears. Are Delta-8 gummies safe?

Delta-8 occurs naturally in cannabis only in trace amounts. So the Delta-8 you see in products on the market is made in a lab from CBD extract. 

To change CBD to Delta-8, manufacturers use a process called isomerization. During isomerization, the CBD is flooded with a strong acid, which is then neutralized or flushed with a solvent. Finally, the product is disinfected and tested for purity. 

This is NOT a safe process for anyone to conduct in their home. Acids, solvents, and some of the byproducts created during this process are highly toxic.

Because of the volatile process it has to undergo, Delta-8 safety really depends on the integrity of the lab that isomerizes the CBD into Delta-8. When you are shopping for Delta-8 products, make sure to check for evidence of the following:

Sterile lab conditions maintained by experienced organic chemists

  • Pure ingredients
  • Non-toxic solvents
  • 3rd party testing 
  • Batch reporting
  • Certificates of Analysis (COAs)
  • Is Delta-8 Safe to Smoke?

After Delta-8 is isomerized and purified, it can safely be added to a variety of products. One way some people like to consume Delta-8 is by smoking it just like they would smoke weed. But is Delta-8 flower safe to smoke?

Keep in mind that there is no such thing as a Delta-8 cannabis plant. Delta-8 exists in cannabis in trace amounts, but any Delta-8 flower that you can purchase online is actually hemp buds soaked in a Delta-8 solution.

So again, as long as the Delta-8 is manufactured by a reputable company with an emphasis on safety, then yes. Delta-8 flower is safe to smoke. 

Is Delta-8 Safe to Vape?

Delta-8 THC is also available to consume through a vaporizer. Is vaping Delta-8 safe? 

Yes, as long as your Delta-8 comes from a reputable, 3rd-party verified lab, using a vape to inhale it should be safe.

Is Delta-8 carts safe? Are Delta-8 disposables safe? Yes, both D8 vape cartridges and D8 disposable vapes are safe, as long as they come from a safely operated lab with the COAs to prove it. 

Are Delta-8 Gummies Safe?

A common way to consume Delta-8 THC is in gummies or other edibles. Do not purchase or eat unlabeled edibles or any edible product that is not backed by clean third-party batch reports. 

If your gummies or other edibles are clearly labeled with pure ingredients and it is easy to find clear, third-party Certificates of Analysis, then they can be trusted.

Keep edibles locked up and out of reach of children, or cats, dogs, and other pets.

Are Delta-8 Capsules Safe?

Capsules are another way that Delta-8 THC is often packaged for consumption. Both capsules and edibles should be contained in clearly labeled packaging that shows the purity, ingredients, and dosage of each serving. And just like other products, capsules are safe to consume, as long as you buy them from a reputable producer providing third-party lab reports, and do not overdose. 

How to Use Delta-8 THC Products Safely

There are several ways to stay safe when partaking in Delta-8 THC.

Determine the Right Dosage

If it is your first time using Delta-8, start with a low dose – 5 milligrams or lower. Wait an hour or two to see how your body reacts before you take any more. If you take more, wait another hour or two again, noting any side effects. Once you reach your desired result, take note of how much Delta-8 you’ve taken. This is your appropriate dose, and to use Delta 8 THC in a safe manner, stay with it.

White trichomes on flowering green and purple-tinged cannabis plants. Is Delta-8 safe?

Observe Your Tolerance

This is related to finding the correct dosage. Start low and slow and when you have observed  a dosage that feels right for you, stick with it. Do not take an unknown dosage or take much more than you are used to. While a Delta-8 overdose won’t kill you, it can be very uncomfortable. People who have taken too much D8 report effects such as “hallucinations, vomiting, tremor, dizziness, confusion, and loss of consciousness.”

Always Purchase D8 from Reputable Sources

As discussed above, you should only purchase Delta-8 products from reliable, third-party backed companies. Anyone making Delta-8 THC products in a safe, sterile environment is proud to share batch reports and certificates of analysis. If the Delta-8 you’re considering purchasing is unlabeled or does not offer COAs, do not buy!

Avoid Fake and Untested Products

Again, make sure your Delta-8 THC is tested by a third-party company and that batch reports and COAs are easily accessed. If a company is not transparent with this information, they are hiding something and their Delta-8 can be assumed to be contaminated and unsafe.

Never Use Delta-8 Before Driving or Operating Heavy Machinery

As with any intoxicating substance, Delta-8 THC should not be used if you need to drive a car or operate any other dangerous machinery.

How Safe is Delta-8?

So how safe is Delta-8? Only as safe as the company you buy it from. By now it should be clear that to ensure you are using a safe Delta-8, it is essential that you research the company that sells it. 

PharmaCBD is a Delta-8 company you can trust. We are proud of our top-notch, sterile lab facilities, which are operated by highly qualified organic chemists. All of our products are batch-tested by a third party and our COAs for every product are prominently posted on our website, proving that our Delta-8 is free from trace acids and solvents and contains no dangerous byproducts. 

If you want the safest Delta-8 THC on the market, you’re in the right place! Shop PharmaCBD today!