Delta-8-THC gummies are becoming popular in large part due to their taste and relaxing effects. They are also quite different from Delta-9-THC products in many ways.

Inside your average cannabis plant, there are hundreds of cannabinoid compounds. The most common cannabinoids are often THC and CBD. However, Delta-8-THC is chemically different from what most of us know as THC, which is officially referred to as Delta-9-THC.

Some people react poorly to Delta-9-THC, experiencing paranoia, anxiety, and dizziness if they consume too much of this compound. These effects are less likely to be felt from Delta-8-THC. Instead, you may feel more relaxed and clearheaded after consuming Delta-8-THC. You are also likely to experience a "high" feeling, but one quite distinct and not as intense as the high produced from Delta-9-THC.

Delta-8-THC can be naturally derived from any Cannabis sativa plant. But first, the Delta-8-THC must be extracted from the CBD compound. Once it is extracted, it can be put in edibles or other types of products.

What Are Delta-8-THC Edibles?

In order to make these edibles, Delta-8-THC is extracted, concentrated, and mixed with other minor cannabinoids. A precise amount is then put in an edible, such as a gummy. The amount of Delta-8-THC in a gummy can range from 5 mg to 25 mg. 

You can learn more here regarding the benefits of Delta-8-THC gummies that are currently on the market.

How To Choose High-Quality Delta-8-THC Edibles

Choosing the right Delta-8-THC product can be a bit tricky. Since these items have become quite popular, many brands are using sales strategies where they confuse buyers with vague details on both their website and packaging.

To make sure you are choosing the right brand, you need to consider the following factors:

1. The Ingredients Used

Although some companies state that their products are organic, those claims can sometimes be deceptive. This is why you need to make sure the gummies you purchase have the right ingredients.

If you are vegan, you need to ensure the product does not have gelatin, since it is extracted from animal bones. Check that your Delta-8-THC gummies do not have any preservatives, additives, synthetic ingredients, and allergens.

Some compounds, like the varinolic cannabinoids, p-cymene terpene, and acidic precursors, are indications that low-grade hemp cultivars were used in the distillation process. 

As for the common ingredients, you should find glucose syrup, distilled water, sugar, sucralose, natural and artificial flavors, colors, sodium citrate, and Delta-8-THC.

2. The Lab Test Results

No matter what type of hemp product you try, ensure it has a certificate of authenticity (COA) and a lab test done by a third party. Many companies only show their product's distillation percentage. But there is more to it than just that.

For starters, the best raw material for Delta-8-THC is CBD isolate. The CBD isolate is melted, and an acid reagent is used to cause a reaction. The substance is then neutralized using an alkaline material and then distilled. The final distillation should be about 70%.

Companies that solely make Delta-8-THC products tend to use more extensive methods to extract the Delta-9-THC from the mix and ensure that component is below 0.3%.

According to ACS laboratory, HPLC, or High-Performance Liquid Chromatography, is used to measure the potency of Delta-8-THC. There are several other methods, but liquid chromatography seems to be the most common.

If done properly, the final distillation can be 80-90%, but some companies may just blatantly label their product as 99% Delta-8-THC. It is still uncertain whether such a high percentage can be reached, so it may be best to be skeptical and do more background research on those brands.

When you check the COA, notice if the lab results are blurry and not readable; that is a red flag. Companies should also mention how much Delta-8-THC is used in each of their gummies.

The final thing you can do to evaluate a company's gummies is ask them questions about their extraction process. If a representative does not answer you, that is also a red flag.

3. The Reputation Of The Company

There are hundreds of companies that sell hemp-derived products. One way to screen out the good ones is to check their social proof. Review their websites and see what people have to say in forums such as Quora, Reddit, and other social media platforms.

Sometimes large commercial companies may try to compete on price by using low-quality materials. Without huge budgets, small companies tend to differentiate by attempting to provide better quality products to their customers. But whether a company is large or small, you still ought to check their lab results, processes, and list of ingredients.

How Many Delta-8-THC Gummies Should I Consume?

The National Cancer Institute states that Delta-8-THC has nausea, anxiety, and pain-reducing components. It also works as an appetite stimulant. The source page is given here. It follows that Delta-8-THC gummies have similar effects.

These gummies are great for people:

• Who want something less psychoactive than THC, but more psychoactive than CBD.
• Who want to relax by consuming an organic product.
• Who want to receive the benefits of Delta-9-THC, but do not want a stoned or intense high feeling.

As for the recommended amount to consume, that depends on several factors, such as previous experience with similar products and tolerance levels. But it is safe to assume that if you are completely new to Delta-8-THC gummies, then you should start slow and see how your body and mind react. Goldleaf's Patient Journal is an effective way to help track your reactions and adjust accordingly.

If you want the strongest Delta-8-THC gummies, then look for ones that contain 25 mg of Delta-8-THC (and remember to always check the product mark). If you want more balanced edibles, look for gummies that contain 5 mg of Delta-8-THC and 5 mg of CBD.

Remember, if your gummies have Delta-8-THC with a blend of other cannabinoids, they will be more potent than ones infused with just CBD. In other words, you're likely get a higher buzz. 

The recommended dosage is one full gummy, or half a gummy if you are a complete beginner. The taste of these gummies will often be sweet and scrumptious, and it might be tempting to try out more than one. For most people though, one gummy is enough, especially if it contains 20-25 mg of Delta-8-THC.

How Long Does It Take To Feel the Effects?

Edibles usually take time to kick in since they need to pass through the liver and be metabolized. Some edibles can even take hours to kick in. Surprisingly, Delta-8-THC gummies often work faster than other edibles.

Still, there are some differences based on the amount of Delta-8-THC in the gummy. For instance, if you try gummies with 5 mg of Delta-8-THC, then the effects may take more than two hours to kick in. But if you eat a 25 mg gummy, you will probably feel the effects after an hour. And depending on your tolerance level, that feeling can remain for about two to three hours.

It's also important to note that if you eat a 25 mg gummy on an empty stomach, then the buzz is more likely to hit you harder and faster because it will be metabolized quicker. But if you had a light snack or consumed a gummy on a full stomach, then the effects are probably going to kick in after an hour or more.

Are Delta-8-THC Gummies Legal?

According to most interpretations, Delta-8-THC meets the definition of hemp and adheres to U.S. marijuana laws. That means it is legal in states that allow hemp or marijuana to be distributed.

However, the legality of these gummies is still a bit unclear for other states, since Delta-8-THC is extracted from CBD and not directly from the plant. This makes it a controlled substance under law. While states that have legalized the use of hemp also authorize the use of Delta-8-THC, the legality of these gummies is still in question in several states.

Final Thoughts

Delta-8-THC gummies are generally effective and give you a relaxed feeling, with many people finding them to have fewer drawbacks than Delta-9-THC. Since the product is also legal in many states, it is safe to assume that these gummies are worth a try.

However, remember to crosscheck all products and their COAs before making your purchase.