If you’re struggling with pain and not excited about taking a bunch of opioids, you may be exploring hemp-derived CBD and delta 8 as natural wellness options.
You’re not alone: millions of people have turned to hemp and cannabinoids to promote the quality of life that prescriptions just can’t – and often, pain medications make things worse, not better.
CBD and delta 8 THC are two cannabinoids found in hemp. CBD isn’t psychoactive, while delta 8 THC renders a high that’s about half as strong as delta 9 THC. CBD is commonly used for pain due to its physically supportive properties, while delta 8 is used for its physically relaxing, mentally uplifting effects.
In this article, we’ll discuss what CBD and delta 8 are, the differences between them, and their benefit to you as you deal with pain.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a naturally occurring cannabinoid in the hemp plant. Cannabinoids are beneficial compounds found in cannabis (hemp is cannabis with less than 0.3% THC by dry weight).
CBD is one of more than 100 cannabinoids, but you might not have heard of many others because of how much CBD is hyped.
CBD has become very popular for two reasons: it has a wide variety of therapeutic benefits, and it won’t get users high, making it ideal for therapeutic users.
What is Delta 8?
Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 8 THC or delta 8) is also a cannabinoid that naturally occurs in hemp. However, it only occurs in very small amounts, so the delta 8 used in products is made in a lab.
Unlike CBD, delta 8 will get you high. However, many people prefer it to delta 9 THC (the THC in weed) because it’s only about half as strong, and is less likely to cause anxiety and paranoia as side effects.
As a result, delta 8 is popular among both recreational and therapeutic users.
CBD vs. Delta 8: Key Differences Explained
In this section, we’ll explore the critical differences between CBD and delta 8. We’ve also summarized everything into a chart:
Origin
As we mentioned before, CBD is naturally occurring and can be extracted directly from hemp for use in products.
Delta 8, while also naturally occurring, is found in such small amounts that it’s too expensive to extract enough to make potent, effective products. Instead, it’s synthesized from CBD.
Effects
CBD renders mild mental and physical relaxation, but most of its benefits aren’t felt.
Instead, it offers a very subtle experience: most users report that CBD makes the discomfort – in this case, pain – feel more “distant” and “not as important.”
Delta 8, on the other hand, will produce a euphoric, relaxing high effect that’s about half as strong as that of delta 9 THC.
Drug Testing Impact
Broad-spectrum CBD and CBD isolate, neither of which contain THC, will not cause you to fail a drug test.
Full-spectrum CBD, which contains small amounts of THC, will show up on a drug test.
Delta 8 will also show up on a drug test, as it’s an analog of delta 9 THC, the target substance on most standard tests.
Additionally, note that topical products, which are applied to the skin, will not deliver THC to the bloodstream.
Legality
Both CBD and delta 8 are federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized all cannabinoids derived from hemp.
However, some states have restricted CBD, and some states have restricted delta 8 or made it illegal. Be sure to check your state’s laws before purchasing either cannabinoid.
Research Behind Them
CBD has preliminary research, as well as a bit of clinical research, backing it. Research suggests CBD may have therapeutic potential for pain, inflammation, anxiety, sleep, and neurodegenerative disorders, among other things.
Delta 8, on the other hand, has very little formal research behind it. One survey, however, found that many delta 8 users reported that it was effective for both mental and physical discomfort.
Delta 9 THC has been researched for sleep, pain, and nausea, with many studies supporting its use for these conditions. As delta 8 is just a less potent version of delta 9, it may have many of the same benefits.
Benefits of CBD for Pain
Research suggests CBD has anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain-relieving) effects, with one review even suggesting that CBD may provide an alternative to opioids for chronic pain.
People commonly use CBD for many types of pain, including nerve pain, joint pain, tendonitis, menopausal pain, and even tooth pain.
Anecdotally, CBD’s effects aren’t very noticeable, and it won’t get you high. Instead, most people report that CBD can make the discomfort easier to ignore – you may not feel it working actively, but it works.
CBD’s benefits and effects make it the ideal cannabinoid for therapeutic users who aren’t looking for the “experience,” and instead just need something that helps with the discomfort.
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Benefits of Delta 8 for Pain
Research on the use of delta 8 for pain is limited. However, one survey found that, compared to delta 9, delta 8 may provide relaxation without as high a risk of side effects like anxiety and paranoia.
Since delta 8 will get you high, it’s ideal for stronger forms of discomfort – sometimes, being able to mentally escape is important, in addition to directly addressing the pain.
Delta 8 also has another advantage over stronger psychoactive cannabinoids, such as delta 9 or THC-O: it spreads its effects evenly across the mind and body, rather than giving a strong head effect but very little physical relaxation.
All of this is to say that, as psychoactive cannabinoids go, delta 8 is often the best choice for pain.
However, more research will need to be done on delta 8’s therapeutic benefits before we fully understand its benefits and limitations.
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CBD vs. Delta 8 for Pain: How They Work
CBD and delta 8 work by interacting with your body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a receptor system in your body that regulates most vital functions, including sleep, immune response, pain response, inflammatory response, and more.
The ECS normally functions fine on its own. It produces its own cannabinoids, called endocannabinoids, and keeps your body balanced.
However, during times of physical or mental distress, your ECS can become slightly compromised as it works to re-balance everything. In this situation, outside cannabinoids can help your ECS perform its job better.
There are two main types of cannabinoid receptors within the ECS:
- CB1 receptors — Located in the central nervous system and throughout the body
- CB2 receptors – Located all throughout the body, except for in the nervous system
Delta 8 interacts primarily with the CB1 receptors. Through this interaction, it affects the way your body processes pain signals, and, anecdotally, may help with the feelings of discomfort you experience.
This explains why cannabinoids, generally, can be used for most types of pain – they target the core bodily processes involved in pain signaling.
This may come as a surprise, given that it has so many benefits, but CBD doesn’t bind significantly to either type of receptor.
Instead, CBD works by supporting the overall function of your ECS – some research suggests CBD may prevent the breakdown of your natural endocannabinoids.
Related to this, research also suggests that CBD may slightly increase the levels of serotonin in your brain, similar (and yet in a less potent manner) to how many anxiety prescriptions do.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that’s associated with both mental and physical well-being and balance. While it’s commonly a therapeutic target for anxiety, it may also influence how you feel some types of discomfort, such as neuropathic pain or fibromyalgia.
While delta 8 and CBD act differently in the body, they both work by supporting natural bodily systems, in contrast to many opioids, which offer relief by hijacking bodily systems.
Conclusion: Which One Should You Choose?
CBD is non-psychoactive and may promote full-body relaxation. It has therapeutic potential for both the pain and inflammation itself, as well as the mental distress that may result.
Delta 8 offers a more powerful alternative to CBD. While it’s better for tougher forms of pain, it’s not preferable if you don’t want to get high. While delta 8’s high is largely euphoric, and not tiredness-inducing, it may reduce your ability to function during the workday.
Ultimately, it’s a tradeoff. But both cannabinoids offer natural ways to live a better-quality life in the face of discomfort!
CBD vs. Delta 8 for Pain: Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions customers frequently ask us about choosing between CBD and delta 8 for pain.
Is delta 8 good for pain relief?
While there isn’t much scientific research on the use of delta 8 for pain, anecdotal evidence suggests it may promote mental and physical relaxation, and many people find it helpful for various forms of pain.
What is stronger CBD or delta 8?
Delta 8 is much stronger than CBD. Whereas CBD promotes mild physical and mental relaxation, delta 8 renders a euphoric head-high effect that’s about half as strong as regular delta 9 THC.
Should I get delta 8 or CBD?
It all depends on your situation and wellness goals. If you’re dealing with strong discomfort and either want the head high or don’t mind it, delta 8 is the way to go. On the other hand, if you’re strictly looking for therapeutic support and don’t want to get high, CBD is the better option.
Does delta 8 affect pain?
Although clinical evidence is lacking, preliminary research and anecdotal evidence suggest delta 8 may promote physical comfort, and may be beneficial for pain and inflammation. However, more research is needed before we know if delta 8 is a viable pain treatment.
