Delta 9 Benefits & Side Effects: A Complete Guide

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 9 THC) is the most abundant cannabinoid in the cannabis plant, and the compound largely responsible for many of its signature effects. 

But thanks to federally legal hemp-derived delta 9 products, more people than ever are now using this cannabinoid therapeutically for sleep support, physical discomfort, and general relaxation. 

In this article, we’re going to explore the benefits of delta 9. We’ll also discuss how delta 9’s benefits compare to those of delta 8. 

What is Delta 9?

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 9 THC or delta 9) is a naturally occurring cannabinoid in the cannabis sativa plant. Hemp is federally legal cannabis sativa that contains less than 0.3% THC by dry weight; this is purely a legal distinction, as the two plants are otherwise genetically identical.

Delta 9 is the cannabinoid most people are referring to when they say “THC.” It’s the most abundant cannabinoid in hemp and the one responsible for its signature euphoric, relaxing high effect.

Recreational cannabis use, which is only legal in about half of US states, is what originally made delta 9 popular. 

However, federally legal hemp products containing delta 9 extract, such as delta 9 gummies, oils, and vapes, have introduced this cannabinoid to many more people who can benefit from its therapeutic properties.

Delta 9’s therapeutic benefits are in no short supply: it’s been researched for pain, anxiety, sleep, and nausea, among other things.

Delta 9 Effects: How Does It Make You Feel?

Delta 9’s effects are well-known to cannabis consumers, and they’re the same whether the delta 9 is extracted from cannabis or hemp. Delta 9 creates a euphoric, relaxing head high. It’s associated with feelings of calmness, and in some cases, mild drowsiness. 

Delta 9 tends to concentrate its effects in the head, rather than spreading them across the mind and body, making it best for situations where you want a strong mental effect.

Potential Benefits of Delta 9

Research suggests delta 9 has a variety of potential therapeutic benefits:

Delta 9 may help with stress and anxiety

Research on delta 9 for anxiety shows that it may either be beneficial or detrimental, depending on how much you take. 

In a 2022 study, researchers observed anxiolytic, or anxiety-reducing, effects at smaller THC doses, whereas they found that larger doses of delta 9 may be anxiogenic, or anxiety-causing [1]. 

This reflects anecdotal evidence: many people use delta 9 for everyday relaxation, but they find that it may create anxiety when taken in overly large doses. 

Delta 9 may promote a healthy pain & inflammatory response

Several studies suggest delta 9 has analgesic (pain-reducing) and anti-inflammatory properties.

One study of 124 people found that delta 9 allowed patients with neuropathic pain to reduce their doses of opioids [2].

Another study of 15 patients found that delta 9 was more effective than a placebo at addressing chronic neuropathic pain [3]. 

A research review found that delta 9 has therapeutic potential for addressing abdominal pain caused by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) [4]. 

While these studies indicate clear therapeutic potential, more research is needed on delta 9 for pain.

Delta 9 may support restful sleep

Several studies have looked at the use of delta 9 for sleep and investigated its potential benefits. 

Research has found that delta 9 creates sedative effects in moderate doses, indicating it may have benefits for sleep [5]. 

In one study, medical cannabis (the effects of which are largely attributable to delta 9 THC) improved both the duration and quality of sleep in insomnia patients [6].

Another study found that delta 9 may help to stabilize the circadian rhythm, thereby leading to better sleep [7]. 

However, just as delta 9 might help with sleep, some research shows it may have the opposite effect. 

A research review of studies that looked at delta 9 for sleep found that cannabis, in general, created better sleep (21% of studies), worsened sleep (48%), rendered mixed results (14%), or had no impact at all (17%) [8]. 

Due to the mixed results, it seems that delta 9 may help some people with sleep, whereas for others it does the opposite or does nothing.

Delta 9 may promote appetite

Research suggests delta 9 may have appetite-stimulating properties. 

A research review looked at five studies on medical cannabis for nausea in cancer patients dealing with anorexia, or a loss of appetite. 

Of the five studies, delta 9 was only shown to increase appetite in one, indicating that its efficacy as an appetite stimulant may vary [9].

However, another study concluded that “THC is an effective appetite stimulant in patients with advanced cancer” [10].

Clearly, more research is needed to determine the extent of delta 9’s appetite-boosting benefits for medical patients.

Delta 9 may help with nausea and vomiting

Research suggests delta 9 may have antiemetic – anti-nausea – properties. 

One study used an app to analyze the outcomes of cannabis self-administration of nausea. Of the 886 people analyzed, 96.4% experienced nausea relief within 1 hour of cannabis consumption [11]. 

Another review, which looked at various applications of delta 9, noted that chemotherapy-induced nausea was one of its most promising use cases [12]. 

However, as with its other medical applications, delta 9 needs to be researched more to confirm its antiemetic benefits.

Side Effects & Risks of Delta 9

While delta 9 has many potential therapeutic benefits, it also has some side effects and potential risks to be aware of.

Side effects

Potential side effects of delta 9 include:

• Difficulty thinking and speaking
• Anxiety
• Dry mouth
• Increased appetite
• Rapid heart rate
• Memory loss
• Red eyes
• Slowed reaction time

Contraindications

If you’re taking any prescription medications, we recommend caution around consuming delta 9. 

Many cannabinoids are contraindicated with prescriptions, and if you take them together, they may create potentially dangerous side effects.

Addictiveness

Delta 9 doesn’t tend to be addictive. But, as with anything that creates a head high and pleasurable effects, delta 9 may create psychological dependency in people who use it too often. 

If this is something you’re concerned about, we recommend you avoid using delta 9 every day. This will give your mind and body a break from feeling the effects and will help you ensure you’re capable of functioning normally, whether or not you’re taking delta 9.

Delta 9 vs. Delta 8 Benefits: How Do They Compare?

Like delta 9, delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 8 THC or delta 8) is a naturally-occurring cannabinoid in the cannabis sativa plant. However, it’s only found in very small amounts, so it’s manufactured synthetically to be added to products. 

Delta 8 is psychoactive and creates a head high like delta 9 does, but it’s just half as potent and tends to be more energizing and uplifting, whereas delta 9 is relaxing and often somewhat sedating. 

Whereas delta 9 concentrates its effects in the head, delta 8 tends to spread its effects evenly across the mind and body. 

Based on their effects, delta 9 tends to be best for sleep and nighttime physical discomfort, while delta 8 is best for anxiety and daytime physical discomfort. 

How to Shop for Delta 9 Products

Hemp-derived delta 9 products can be hugely beneficial from a therapeutic standpoint. But in order to get the best results from them, you need to make sure you buy a high-quality product. 

Here are a few buying tips:

• Buy from a reputable brand: Buying your delta 9 products from an established brand with happy customers greatly increases the chance of your product being high-quality.
• Read reviews: Reading reviews for the product you’re going to buy will help you find a product that meets your needs, while helping you avoid delta 9 products that have issues with potency or freshness.
• Check lab reports: Reputable brands have their products third party lab-tested to verify their safety and potency. Before you buy a product, check its lab report to ensure it passes tests for pesticides, molds, and heavy metals.

Conclusion: What is Delta 9’s Therapeutic Potential?

Delta 9 will get you high, but it can do so much more. As the science shows, delta 9 has tremendous therapeutic potential for physical discomfort and sleep, and additional studies indicate it has benefits for nausea and anxiety. 

And on top of all this, delta 9, and the cannabis plant in general, are being researched every day for their therapeutic benefits and uses. 

To get the best results from delta 9, buy a high-quality product and start with a low dose, gradually increasing each time. To learn more, read our delta 9 dosage guide.

Delta 9 Benefits: Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some questions our customers frequently ask us about the benefits of delta 9.

Is delta 9 legal?

Yes, hemp-derived delta 9 is federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill, which made hemp (cannabis with less than 0.3% THC) and hemp extracts legal on the federal level.

What does delta 9 do to you?

After consumption, delta 9 creates a euphoric, relaxing head high. 

Is delta 9 anti-inflammatory?

Research suggests that delta 9 may have anti-inflammatory properties, however, delta 9 isn’t a proven treatment for inflammatory conditions and more research is needed.

Is delta 9 good for the liver?

Early research suggests delta 9 may have therapeutic potential for people struggling with liver damage. However, delta 9 isn’t a treatment for liver damage and further study is needed.

What kind of high is delta 9?

Delta 9 creates a euphoric, relaxing head high that tends to be more sedative than energizing.

Sources

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[2] Weber, Janet et al. “Tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta 9-THC) Treatment in Chronic Central Neuropathic Pain and Fibromyalgia Patients: Results of a Multicenter Survey.” Anesthesiology research and practice vol. 2009 (2009): 827290. doi:10.1155/2009/827290

[3] Weber, Janet et al. “Tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta 9-THC) Treatment in Chronic Central Neuropathic Pain and Fibromyalgia Patients: Results of a Multicenter Survey.” Anesthesiology research and practice vol. 2009 (2009): 827290. doi:10.1155/2009/827290

[4] Weber, Janet et al. “Tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta 9-THC) Treatment in Chronic Central Neuropathic Pain and Fibromyalgia Patients: Results of a Multicenter Survey.” Anesthesiology research and practice vol. 2009 (2009): 827290. doi:10.1155/2009/827290

[5] Nicholson, Anthony N et al. “Effect of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol on nocturnal sleep and early-morning behavior in young adults.” Journal of clinical psychopharmacology vol. 24,3 (2004): 305-13. doi:10.1097/01.jcp.0000125688.05091.8f

[6] Ried, Karin et al. “Medicinal cannabis improves sleep in adults with insomnia: a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study.” Journal of sleep research vol. 32,3 (2023): e13793. doi:10.1111/jsr.13793

[7] Hodges, Erik L, and Nicole M Ashpole. “Aging circadian rhythms and cannabinoids.” Neurobiology of aging vol. 79 (2019): 110-118. doi:10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2019.03.008

[8] Amaral, Caio et al. “Cannabis and sleep disorders: not ready for prime time? A qualitative scoping review.” Journal of clinical sleep medicine : JCSM : official publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine vol. 19,5 (2023): 975-990. doi:10.5664/jcsm.10428

[9] Razmovski-Naumovski, Valentina et al. “Efficacy of medicinal cannabis for appetite-related symptoms in people with cancer: A systematic review.” Palliative medicine vol. 36,6 (2022): 912-927. doi:10.1177/02692163221083437

[10] Nelson, K et al. “A phase II study of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol for appetite stimulation in cancer-associated anorexia.” Journal of palliative care vol. 10,1 (1994): 14-8.

[11] Stith, Sarah S et al. “The Effectiveness of Common Cannabis Products for Treatment of Nausea.” Journal of clinical gastroenterology vol. 56,4 (2022): 331-338. doi:10.1097/MCG.0000000000001534

[12] Voth, E A, and R H Schwartz. “Medicinal applications of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and marijuana.” Annals of internal medicine vol. 126,10 (1997): 791-8. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-126-10-199705150-00008