Journal of Addiction & Prevention
Review Article
In a World of Rising Deltas, What is the News with Delta 8-, 9- and 10-THC?
Oberbarnscheidt T*
Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC
*Address for Correspondence:Thersilla Oberbarnscheidt, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, UPMC, E-mail Id: Oberbarnscheidtt@upmc.edu
Submission:07 August, 2024
Accepted:28 August, 2024
Published:30 August, 2024
Copyright: © 2024Oberbarnscheidt T. This is an open access article
distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which
permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original work is properly cited.
Abstract
Along with the legalization of marijuana throughout the U.S., there
has been an increase in use of Delta products as well. These Delta-
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are widely available and advertised,
however little information about their effects and possible risks are
broadcasted to the public.
While marijuana is federally a Schedule 1 substance, the Delta drugs are not regulated. According to the Farm Bill from 2018, hemp derivates with less than 0.3% THC can legally be bought, sold, and grown in most states within the U.S. For the user this means that there is no assurance of the contents of a purchased product. In addition, there is a risk of Deltas potentially containing harmful by products.
Delta-9-THC is one of the primary psychoactive cannabinoids of marijuana. Delta-9-THC is hemp derived and binds to the same cannabinoid receptors as marijuana. It can induce the same psychoactive effects such as euphoria, feeling “stoned”, anxiety or paranoia.
Delta-8-THC is commonly called “marijuana lite” or “diet weed”. Marijuana in its natural form contains Delta-8-THC only in a small percentage. The sold Delta-8 product is typically produced by synthetically converting Cannabinol (CBD) to Delta- 9-THC into Delta- 8-THC. Delta-8-THC binds to the same receptors as Delta-9, but Delta- 8-THC is more known to cause visual distortions and difficulties with thinking and speaking. It is also more prone to cause sedation. Little research is available on Delta-8-THC. Concerning are the reports of accidental severe intoxication, resulting in more than 2000 calls to poison control centers between January 2021 and February 2022.
Delta-10-THC, in contrast, is often reported to be more activating and cause more euphoria and energy. Very little research is available regarding its benefits and side effects.
This paper is a systematic review of literature discussing the available data on Delta 8,9,10- THC for psychiatric and medical use. Utilized sources were Pubmed, Ovid, Medline, PsychInfo, EMBASE.
While marijuana is federally a Schedule 1 substance, the Delta drugs are not regulated. According to the Farm Bill from 2018, hemp derivates with less than 0.3% THC can legally be bought, sold, and grown in most states within the U.S. For the user this means that there is no assurance of the contents of a purchased product. In addition, there is a risk of Deltas potentially containing harmful by products.
Delta-9-THC is one of the primary psychoactive cannabinoids of marijuana. Delta-9-THC is hemp derived and binds to the same cannabinoid receptors as marijuana. It can induce the same psychoactive effects such as euphoria, feeling “stoned”, anxiety or paranoia.
Delta-8-THC is commonly called “marijuana lite” or “diet weed”. Marijuana in its natural form contains Delta-8-THC only in a small percentage. The sold Delta-8 product is typically produced by synthetically converting Cannabinol (CBD) to Delta- 9-THC into Delta- 8-THC. Delta-8-THC binds to the same receptors as Delta-9, but Delta- 8-THC is more known to cause visual distortions and difficulties with thinking and speaking. It is also more prone to cause sedation. Little research is available on Delta-8-THC. Concerning are the reports of accidental severe intoxication, resulting in more than 2000 calls to poison control centers between January 2021 and February 2022.
Delta-10-THC, in contrast, is often reported to be more activating and cause more euphoria and energy. Very little research is available regarding its benefits and side effects.
This paper is a systematic review of literature discussing the available data on Delta 8,9,10- THC for psychiatric and medical use. Utilized sources were Pubmed, Ovid, Medline, PsychInfo, EMBASE.