Delta 8 THC Gummies vs. CBD Gummies: What’s the Difference?

There has never been a better time to be a consumer of hemp-based herbal supplements – and since you’ve found your way to this site, you’re probably well aware of that fact. The one problem with buying products like CBD, though, is that the buying process can be a bit overwhelming for newcomers. That’s especially the case with the recent emergence of Delta 8 THC products. Now, you’ve got a range of products featuring two entirely different cannabinoids that people use for largely different purposes. If you’re trying to decide between Delta 8 gummies vs CBD gummies, for instance, where do you even begin?

We’re here to help you get started. If you’re on the hunt for some great hemp edibles and want to understand the difference between Delta 8 THC vs CBD, this is the article for you. Let’s get started!

What Are the Ingredients of Delta 8 THC and CBD Gummies?

When comparing CBD vs Delta 8 gummies, you’ll find that they have essentially the same ingredients, with the only difference being the cannabinoid that’s used as the main active ingredient. Whether you’re buying Delta 8 THC or CBD gummies, the three primary ingredients will be sugar or corn syrup, flavors and a gelling agent such as agar or gelatin. In addition, some gummies may include extra ingredients selected for supporting a specific health goal or purpose. For instance, some CBD gummies may include melatonin to help support restful sleep. 

What Are the Differences Between Delta 8 vs. CBD Gummies?

When you compare the ingredients of Delta 8 vs CBD gummies, you’ll see that the only difference is the core cannabinoid that’s included as an active ingredient. In Delta 8 THC gummies, the active ingredient is Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). In CBD gummies, the active ingredient is cannabidiol (CBD). Both of those ingredients are cannabinoids, and they both interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system. However, they produce different effects.

Wait – Did You Just Say that Delta 8 Gummies Contain THC?

Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol is a form of THC. However, it isn’t the same as Delta-9 THC, which is a controlled substance. The federal limit for Delta-9 THC in Delta-8 and CBD products is 0.3 percent. All of the products at Golden Remedy Wellness contain no more than 0.3 percent Delta-9 THC.

Why Are Delta 8 THC Gummies and CBD Gummies So Expensive?

Before we answer that question, here’s the good news: There are so many hemp growers in the United States these days that the country’s hemp processors have more than enough plant material to meet the demand for CBD and Delta 8 products. Until fairly recently, that wasn’t the case – and CBD gummies used to be much more expensive than they are now. When you’re comparing the prices of Delta 8 gummies vs CBD gummies, you’ll find that Delta 8 THC gummies tend to be more expensive. That’s because of the extra processing required to create Delta 8 THC, and you’ll learn more about that shortly.

What Is CBD, and How Is It Made?

CBD is derived from hemp flowers. It’s one of the most plentiful cannabinoids in the hemp plant, and research suggests that it can potentially provide a number of benefits. For instance, the prescription drug Epidiolex reduces seizures for people with certain types of rare seizure disorders, and CBD is its active ingredient. Fortunately for us, CBD is also available as a supplement for anyone who wants it. 

As we mentioned above, to be federally legal for over-the-counter sale, a hemp product must contain no more than 0.3 percent Delta 9 THC by weight. To ensure that the products will meet that requirement, CBD is extracted only from industrial hemp plants containing almost no Delta 9 THC. The plants’ flowers are collected and dried, and then they’re put through an extraction process that uses carbon dioxide to remove the essential oil. Industrial hemp distillate is the source of all CBD and Delta 8 products.

Why Do People Use CBD?

People use CBD for a wide variety of different reasons. In 2018, the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research published the results of a survey in which over 2,400 people were asked why they used CBD. In order, the most common reasons given were:

• Chronic Pain
• Arthritis
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Insomnia
• Migraines
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Nausea

There are also a great many people who use CBD simply as part of an overall plan for general wellness or to aid in relaxation. There are millions of happy CBD users around the world who do not use CBD for any specific health issue.

What Is Delta 8 THC, and How Is It Made?

Delta 8 THC is one of the minor cannabinoids found in the hemp plant, and it isn’t plentiful enough in hemp that it can be obtained by direct extraction like CBD. The only way to obtain Delta 8 economically is by synthesizing it from a more common cannabinoid – and in this case, that cannabinoid is CBD.

To obtain Delta 8, hemp processors must first create CBD isolate. After the raw extract is obtained from the hemp plant, it’s put through a lengthy process of filtering, winterization and refinement until CBD isolate – which is nearly pure CBD – is all that’s left. CBD isolate is the main ingredient in many types of CBD products, including most CBD gummies.

To create Delta 8 THC, hemp processors take CBD isolate and process it with a mixture including a solvent and a strong acid. That triggers a chemical reaction that converts the CBD to Delta 8. From there, the residual solvents and acids must be removed to create a product that’s safe to consume. The process of converting CBD to Delta 8 is complex and costly, and it’s something that only the world’s best hemp processors are capable of doing. That’s why Delta 8 gummies are so much more expensive than CBD gummies. 

Why Do People Use Delta 8 THC?

Delta 8 THC has a molecular structure that’s very similar to the more well-known Delta 9 THC. The only difference is that the two molecules have double carbon bonds in different locations. A small difference in molecular structure can make a big difference in what the molecule does to your body, though, and most people find that Delta 8 feels like a much milder version of Delta 9. People have commented that using Delta 8 feels like consuming a small amount of cannabis and that it produces a slightly uplifting or intoxicating sensation without causing the anxiety or paranoia that sometimes occurs with use of Delta 9 THC. 

Are Delta 8 Gummies and CBD Gummies Legal?

The 2018 Farm Bill made it legal throughout the United States to grow industrial hemp with a dry Delta 9 THC content of below 0.3 percent. With that in mind, Delta 8 gummies and CBD gummies are both federally legal because their Delta 9 THC content falls below the legal limit. At the time of writing, the U.S. government has not enacted any law to ban Delta 8 or CBD or to schedule them as controlled substances. 

State laws can change more rapidly than federal laws, though, and some states have enacted legislation restricting the sale of certain hemp-based products. We recommend checking your local laws before buying Delta 8 gummies or CBD gummies.

Will CBD Gummies or Delta 8 Gummies Make Me Test Positive for Marijuana?

Drug testing is an inexact science, and there’s no way to guarantee that you’ll pass a drug test if you use any product derived from cannabis. Some CBD products are derived from full-spectrum hemp extracts, and a full-spectrum hemp extract can contain a trace amount of Delta 9 THC and still be legal. It is theoretically possible – though not likely – for even trace levels of THC to show up in a drug test. Taking CBD gummies based on CBD isolate – which is generally over 99 percent pure – should not cause you to fail a drug test. However, that is impossible to guarantee.

Delta 8 THC gummies, on the other hand, do contain THC even if it’s not the same type of THC that drug tests are designed to detect. If you are required to undergo drug screenings, you should avoid using Delta 8 THC products because they may cause a positive result in a drug test.

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