Contrary to what you may have heard, delta-8 is not a harmless substance. The potential dangers of using it include a risk of addiction and the possibility of experiencing delta-8 withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop.
Cannabis products, like delta-8 and marijuana, are addictive. Peachtree Recovery Solutions offers addiction treatment for substance use disorders. Visit our admissions page today to get started.
What Is Delta-8?
Delta-8 is a naturally occurring compound in the cannabis sativa and cannabis indica plants, which are the sources of marijuana.
To understand why delta-8 withdrawal symptoms occur, it can help to take a step back and review a few fundamentals about cannabis:
- Cannabis plants contain hundreds of cannabinoids, which interact with receptors in a part of the central nervous system (CNS) called the endocannabinoid system (ECS).
- Two of the most well-known cannabinoids are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).
- The category of THC can be further broken down into several subtypes, including delta-8, delta-9, delta-10, THCA, and THCV.
- Delta-9 THC is the most abundant cannabinoid in cannabis. It is also the primary source of the psychoactive effects that a person experiences when they use marijuana.
- Delta-8 THC occurs in much smaller amounts than delta-9. It also causes much milder effects than delta-9 does.
Where Does Delta-8 Come From? (And Is Delta-8 Legal?)
Delta-8 has become increasingly well known in the United States thanks in part to how cannabis is regulated in this country:
- When the 2018 Farm Bill became law, the definition of marijuana was changed to remove hemp (which also comes from the cannabis plant).
- As established in that bill, cannabis and cannabis derivatives that contain less than 0.3% delta-9 THC are classified as hemp, and are not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
- Cannabidiol (CBD) can be extracted from hemp and converted into delta-8.
- Since the Farm Bill effectively eliminated federal control over hemp and CBD, some organizations started delta-8 products in parts of the nation where marijuana (containing delta-9 THC) is still prohibited.
At the moment, delta-8 exists in somewhat of a legal gray area in the U.S.:
- Delta-8 no longer falls under the purview of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). So those who sell, possess, and use products that contain it can do so without risk of being arrested by federal agents.
- However, no delta-8 products have been evaluated and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). So there is no guarantee that these products meet any federally established safety standards.
- Though the FDA cannot prevent delta-8 from being sold, it has issued warnings to inform the public of the potential risks of using products that contain this form of THC.
- Since the passage of the Farm Bill, many states have enacted laws to either ban delta-8 entirely or limit who can possess it, such as by establishing minimum age requirements.
One effect of delta-8’s current legal status in the U.S. is that many people believe that it must be safe (or at least safer than “regular” marijuana that is rich in delta-9). Of course, this is not accurate.
Can you become addicted to delta-8? Yes, you can.
If you develop an addiction and then try to quit, could you experience delta-8 withdrawal symptoms? As we will discuss in greater detail in the next section, yes, you can.
Are Cannabis Products (Delta-8, Marijuana, etc.) Dangerous?
The long debate over the possible benefits and potential dangers of marijuana has included questionable information from both sides. For example:
- Some marijuana opponents have claimed that it is a “gateway drug” that can put users on the path to heroin abuse and other life-threatening outcomes.
- Some proponents of marijuana use have claimed that, unlike alcohol, opioids, and other substances, you cannot become addicted to marijuana.
Research has proved that the gateway theory is little more than fear-mongering. Studies have also documented that cannabis use disorder (which is the clinical term for marijuana addiction) is real.
Cannabis that contains delta-9 THC does not present the same level of addiction risk that alcohol, opioids, and certain other substances do. Since delta-8 is weaker than delta-9, this has led to the myth that delta-8 must not be addictive at all.
What Are Delta-8 Withdrawal Symptoms?
As we noted in the previous section, a person can become dependent on delta-8. And when a person develops an addiction to delta-8 or any other substance, they will experience some type of distress when they try to stop using the drug, or when they are prevented from doing so. This distress is called withdrawal.
Delta-8 withdrawal symptoms can include:
- Drug cravings
- Headaches
- Increase in body temperature
- Excessive sweating
- Upset stomach and appetite loss
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Depression
Delta-8 withdrawal symptoms typically start to occur within the first 48 hours after a person stops using the substance. Usually, they subside within about a week, but it’s possible to continue experiencing some lingering effects for several weeks. Drug detox programs can help to alleviate symptoms and ensure successful outcomes to quitting Delta-8.
Get Help for Delta-8 Addiction in Atlanta
Getting through delta-8 withdrawal is a significant milestone on your journey toward long-term recovery. But if you don’t address the root causes of your struggles with addiction, and if you don’t develop essential relapse-prevention skills, your risk of returning to active substance abuse may remain dangerously high.
Peachtree Recovery Solutions can help you build a solid foundation for a healthier, drug-free future. At our addiction treatment center in Atlanta, Georgia, you can receive customized outpatient care and close personal support from a team of highly skilled professionals.
To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.