When most people think about cannabis, they think about THC – or as it’s more specifically known, delta 9 THC. This powerful psychoactive cannabinoid is responsible for the plant’s signature high effect.
But when it comes to anxiety and stress, many people are finding that delta 8 THC, a milder variant of delta 9, is a more effective therapeutic option.
Anecdotal evidence suggests delta 8 is less likely to cause paranoia and anxiety as side effects, and that it tends to be more mentally uplifting. While delta 8 isn’t a treatment for anxiety or stress, this suggests that it might be better than delta 9 at promoting daytime mental balance.
Still, there are situations where the classic THC might be the way to go. In this article, we’re breaking down the differences between delta 8 and delta 9 for anxiety and exploring which is more beneficial, depending on your situation.
What is Delta 8?
Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 8) is a cannabinoid that naturally occurs in the hemp plant.
But while it is naturally occurring, it’s only found in very small amounts. As a result, it’s typically produced synthetically from CBD for use in products.
Like regular THC, delta 8 creates psychoactive effects and will get you high. But since it’s not as overpowering, it’s become popular for therapeutic uses where people don’t necessarily want an ultra-strong head high.
What is Delta 9?
Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 9) is also a naturally occurring cannabinoid in hemp. Delta 9 is one of the major cannabinoids, meaning it’s naturally very abundant in the hemp plant.
When most people think or say “THC,” delta 9 is what they have in mind – it’s the cannabinoid that provides the signature high people get when they smoke cannabis or consume cannabis edibles.
Since delta 9 is more abundant, it’s been the subject of more scientific research for therapeutic use cases than delta 8 has.
But anecdotal evidence suggests that sometimes, isomers with different effects are more effective for people with specific needs.
Delta 8 vs. Delta 9 for Anxiety: Key Differences
There are a few key differences between delta 8 and delta 9 that are relevant to their potential therapeutic benefits for anxiety:
Effects
The effects of delta 8 and delta 9 differ in several important ways:
- Potency: Delta 8 is just half as potent as delta 9.
- Spread: Delta 9 provides a powerful head effect, while delta 8 provides a milder head effect and stronger physically relaxing properties.
- General feeling: Delta 8 tends to be uplifting and somewhat energizing, while delta 9 is deeply relaxing.
You might be able to determine whether delta 8 or delta 9 is better for you on the basis of effects alone.
If you’re looking for a milder option, delta 8 is the best choice, but if you need or want a stronger high, sticking with the classic delta 9 is the way to go.
Side effects
For the most part, delta 8 and delta 9 have very similar side effects. As psychoactive cannabinoids, they have the potential to create adverse effects like cognitive impairment, dizziness, changes in heart rate, and nausea.
But one key difference in their side effects is that delta 9 is much more likely than delta 8 to create feelings of anxiety and paranoia, especially in larger doses.
Because of this, many people prefer delta 8 for anxiety, as delta 9’s side effects might be counterintuitive for this use.
Legality
Delta 8 and delta 9 are both federally legal in the US as long as they are derived from hemp, a variant of cannabis sativa containing less than 0.3% THC by dry weight.
However, some states have imposed restrictions on one or both of these cannabinoids. Given that they are separate substances, it’s important that you research your state’s laws before purchasing either delta 8 or delta 9 online.
On drug tests
Because delta 8 and delta 9 are both variants of THC, which is targeted by most drug tests due to its presence in marijuana (federally-illegal cannabis sativa containing more than 0.3% THC by dry weight), they will both cause you to fail a drug test.
There is no difference between delta 8 and delta 9 in this respect, but it is important to know that both cannabinoids come with this downside.
If drug testing is something you’re concerned about, you may consider opting for cannabidiol (CBD) to provide natural therapeutic support for anxiety.
Potential Benefits of Delta 8 for Anxiety
Learn more: Delta 8 for Anxiety
Research and anecdotal evidence suggests delta 8 may provide therapeutic support for anxiety in a number of ways:
Direct effect on anxiety
Anecdotal evidence suggests that delta 8 promotes feelings of relaxation and euphoria, which may be beneficial if you deal with anxiety.
Although many people have given testimonials on how delta 8 helped them, researchers from the University of Buffalo decided to conduct a formal survey of over 500 delta 8 users to assess people’s opinions on it.
Survey participants reported that they felt relaxation (71%), euphoria (68%), and pain relief (55%) after using delta 8 products [1].
While clinical evidence about the efficacy of delta 8 for anxiety is lacking, this research, as well as anecdotal evidence from people who use it, indicates that delta 8 may have therapeutic potential in this area.
Sleep
A lack of sleep can cause anxiety, just as anxiety can make falling asleep more difficult. Due to its calming effects, delta 8 may help to break this cycle.
While delta 8 hasn’t been researched for its therapeutic benefits for sleep, anecdotal evidence suggests it may have sleep-supportive properties due to its physically relaxing effects.
Pain
Experiencing pain can cause anxiety, and it can make getting good quality rest extraordinarily difficult, which also contributes to anxiety.
Delta 8 may have some benefits here. Anecdotal evidence suggests that delta 8 may provide therapeutic potential for pain by promoting physical relaxation.
Additionally, the survey above found pain relief to be one of the most common sensations people experienced after taking delta 8.
And unlike delta 9, delta 8 is able to provide physical relaxation without causing an extremely powerful head high, which many people prefer (especially for daytime use).
No more weak, ineffective, and potentially dangerous products. It's time for high-strength, American-made delta-8 THC products that have been 3rd-party lab tested.
Potential Benefits of Delta 9 for Anxiety
Research suggests delta 9 may provide therapeutic support for anxiety in a number of ways:
Direct effect on anxiety
Research suggests delta 9 may both directly decrease and increase anxiety.
In one study of 42 volunteers, participants who took a 7.5mg dosage of delta 9 THC reported a reduction in distress after engaging in a stress test. However, some of the volunteers who were given 12.5mg of delta 9 THC saw an increase in negative emotions [2].
There are other studies that indicate delta 9 may increase, rather than decrease, anxiety [3].
Based on this research, we can conclude that delta 9 may be therapeutically beneficial for anxiety, but that it tends to be more useful in smaller doses. However, delta 9 affects every person differently.
Sleep
There is a direct connection between sleep and anxiety; when you sleep well, you feel less anxious, and when you’re less anxious, the quality of your sleep improves.
Many people find that delta 9 renders therapeutic support for sleep, and there is some research to back this up.
One study, which looked at 29 people who self-reported as having clinical insomnia, found that those who used medical cannabis experienced up to an 80% increase in the quality of their sleep as compared to those who were given a placebo [4].
Another research review found that delta 9 THC may improve sleep in those with sleep disorders such as insomnia [5].
While delta 9 isn’t a treatment for sleep conditions, its supportive effects in this area suggest another way it can promote mental relaxation indirectly.
Pain
As with sleep, there is a connection between pain and anxiety. A reduction in pain may lead to a reduction in anxiety.
Research has found that delta 9 THC may provide therapeutic relief for pain, especially when in combination with CBD [6].
Many people find that delta 9 helps with physical discomfort because it’s able to create such powerful head and body effects.
However, delta 9 isn’t a proven treatment for pain conditions. It should be used to supplement, not replace, traditional methods of treatment.
No weak, ineffective, or potentially dangerous products here. Only high-strength, American-made delta 9 products that have been 3rd-party lab tested.
Delta 8 vs. Delta 9: How They Work In Your Body
Delta 8 and delta 9 THC work by interacting with your endocannabinoid system (ECS), a receptor system in your body responsible for regulating your vital functions, including mood, sleep, inflammatory response, and others.
By regulating your vital functions, your ECS keeps your body in a state of homeostasis, or balance.
Normally, the ECS functions fine on its own. But during times of mental or physical imbalance – such as when you’re dealing with anxiety – introducing outside cannabinoids like delta 8 and delta 9 can help to reestablish homeostasis.
To understand how these cannabinoids work with your ECS, it’s important to know the two main types of cannabinoid receptors:
- CB1 receptors — Located in the central nervous system and throughout the body. These receptors are responsible for regulating the effects cannabinoids have on your mind.
- CB2 receptors – Located all throughout the body, except for in the nervous system. These receptors are responsible for regulating the effects cannabinoids have on your body.
Both delta 8 and delta 9 are able to interact with the CB1 and CB2 receptor types, thereby rendering mental and physical effects. This multi-receptor interaction is the reason why these cannabinoids have such a diverse range of benefits and uses.
The difference in potency is likely due to the fact that delta 8 doesn’t bind as strongly to the CB1 receptors as delta 9 does, so it therefore has a milder mental effect.
More research still needs to be done on how, exactly, cannabinoids work in the body to create therapeutic benefits. But so far, we have a general idea of how delta 8 and delta 9 may help people with anxiety.
Conclusion: Is Delta 8 or Delta 9 Better for Anxiety?
Delta 8 and delta 9 are two psychoactive cannabinoids that have therapeutic potential for people with anxiety.
Delta 8 provides a milder experience. Its effects are half as strong as those of delta 9, and delta 8 is less likely to cause paranoia and anxiety as side effects compared to delta 9. Delta 9, however, provides stronger mental relaxation, which means it may be more beneficial depending on the level of anxiety you’re experiencing.
The cannabinoid you choose ultimately comes down to the strength you’re looking for — your wellness needs are unique, so the best cannabinoid for your situation will be, too.
Delta 8 vs. Delta 9 for Anxiety: Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions customers frequently ask us about using delta 8 vs. delta 9 for anxiety.
What’s better for anxiety, delta 8 or 9?
Delta 8 is often better for anxiety due to its milder psychoactive effects, which can provide relaxation without the intense high that delta 9 may cause.
Which delta is best for anxiety?
Delta 8 is generally considered better for anxiety because it delivers calming effects with less intensity and fewer chances of paranoia compared to delta 9.
Is delta 9 good for anxiety?
Delta 9 may be therapeutically beneficial for anxiety in low doses, but higher doses may increase feelings of paranoia and anxiety, so it should be used cautiously.
Will delta 8 give you anxiety?
Delta 8 is less likely to induce anxiety than delta 9, but individual reactions vary, and taking too much may still lead to discomfort or mild anxiety for some people.
Sources
[1] Kruger, Jessica S, and Daniel J Kruger. “Delta-8-THC: Delta-9-THC’s nicer younger sibling?.” Journal of cannabis research vol. 4,1 4. 4 Jan. 2022, doi:10.1186/s42238-021-00115-8
[2] Childs, Emma et al. “Dose-related effects of delta-9-THC on emotional responses to acute psychosocial stress.” Drug and alcohol dependence vol. 177 (2017): 136-144. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.03.030
[3] Koppel, Barbara S et al. “Systematic review: efficacy and safety of medical marijuana in selected neurologic disorders: report of the Guideline Development Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology.” Neurology vol. 82,17 (2014): 1556-63. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000000363
[4] 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
[5] Vaillancourt, Régis et al. “Cannabis use in patients with insomnia and sleep disorders: Retrospective chart review.” Canadian pharmacists journal : CPJ = Revue des pharmaciens du Canada : RPC vol. 155,3 175-180. 15 Apr. 2022, doi:10.1177/17151635221089617
[6] Bains S, Mukhdomi T. Medicinal Cannabis for Treatment of Chronic Pain. [Updated 2022 Dec 12]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK574562/
