Delta 9 can do so much more than just get you high: it may have therapeutic potential for various forms of pain — even in its legal, hemp-derived form.
In this article, we’ll explore whether delta 9 can help with pain, how it works in your body, and how to use it for the best results. We’ll also discuss how to find high-quality delta 9 products.
What is Delta 9?
Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 9 THC or delta 9) is a cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. Though it’s most commonly known as the psychoactive ingredient in the marijuana plant, it’s legal when derived from hemp. Hemp is defined as cannabis that contains less than 0.3% THC.
Can Delta 9 Help With Pain? What Research Says
Research suggests delta 9 THC may have analgesic, or pain-reducing properties, although more studies are needed. Many people with chronic pain use delta 9 THC because of its ability to promote physical comfort and mobility.
Here are the benefits of delta 9 for pain, according to research:
Delta 9 for Neuropathic Pain
One study on neuropathic pain (nerve pain) found that using delta 9 enabled patients to reduce their doses of opioids. Patients reported that delta 9 was effective and that it had tolerable side effects. The study concluded that delta 9 may be most effective as part of a broader nerve pain management plan.
Another study found that delta 9 significantly reduced pain in men who had chronic radicular neuropathic pain (pain radiating from the back, through the spine, and into the legs). Compared to the placebo, delta 9 was far more effective at regulating the patients’ pain processing mechanisms.
Delta 9 for Cancer Pain
A preliminary trial found that orally ingesting delta 9 rendered analgesic (pain-reducing) effects for patients experiencing cancer pain. Compared to a placebo, 15mg and 20mg doses of delta 9 rendered significant pain relief.
Delta 9 for Back Pain
The study on neuropathic pain that we cited above generally indicates delta 9 may be beneficial for various forms of back pain, especially that which originates in the spine.
Delta 9 for Stomach Pain
A research review indicated that delta 9 may have therapeutic potential for addressing abdominal pain caused by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Other research suggests cannabinoids such as delta 9 may reduce nausea, another stomach-based pain.
Anecdotally, many people find delta 9 helpful for various forms of stomach discomfort, so it likely has some benefit — more research is needed before we know if it’s a reliable treatment, however.
Other Benefits of Delta 9 For Pain
In addition to the specific chronic pain uses scientists have investigated, the properties of delta 9 may generally be beneficial if you’re experiencing discomfort.
The most commonly reported effects of using delta 9 are euphoria, relaxation, and yes, a high feeling. Many people report that these effects provide a “distraction” from the discomfort — this is likely the basis for how delta 9 has been shown in various studies to be beneficial for pain.
No weak, ineffective, or potentially dangerous products here. Only high-strength, American-made delta 9 products that have been 3rd-party lab tested.
How Delta 9 Works in the Body
In addition to knowing how delta 9 can help with pain, it’s also worth understanding how it works in your body to produce its benefits.
Delta 9 works by interacting with your Endocannabinoid system (ECS), a transmitter system in your body responsible for regulating most vital functions.
The ECS regulates sleep, immune response, inflammatory response, metabolism, and more. The ultimate purpose of the ECS is to keep your body in a state of homeostasis, or balance.
The ECS normally functions well by itself, producing its own endocannabinoids and regulating your body’s vital functions.
However, during times of physical or mental distress, supplementing with outside cannabinoids, such as delta 9, can support your ECS.
To understand how delta 9 works, you need to know that there are two receptor types in the ECS:
- CB1 receptors — Located in the central nervous system and throughout the body. Responsible for regulating the effects cannabinoids have on your mind.
- CB2 receptors – Located all throughout the body, except for in the nervous system. Responsible for regulating the effects cannabinoids have on your body.
Delta 9 primarily interacts with the CB1 receptor. As a result, it mainly renders benefits by altering the way your brain processes pain signals.
Scientific and anecdotal evidence suggests this interaction is the mechanism by which delta 9 may reduce the amount of pain you feel. However, more research is needed before we understand how delta 9 helps with pain and if it’s a reliable treatment.
But in essence, delta 9 is made for your body’s systems — so it’s no wonder that so many people espouse its benefits.
Best Types of Delta 9 Products for Pain
If you’re going to start taking delta 9 for pain, the first step is to decide which type of product to use.
No product is necessarily better, but there are some differences worth noting.
For reference:
- Onset time is the amount of time it takes for a certain type of delta 9 product to begin having an effect on your mind and body
- Bioavailability is the percentage of delta 9 in a certain product that your body can use (your body naturally will discard a significant portion of any substance you consume).
Edibles
Onset Time: About 1 hour
Bioavailability: 10-20%
Delta 9 edibles, such as gummies, candy, and brownies, offer a great-tasting way to get your dose. Depending on the type of edible, dosing can be straightforward (gummies) or a bit complicated (brownies).
Capsules
Onset Time: About 1 hour
Bioavailability: 10-20%
Swallowable capsules offer a quick, tasteless, easy-to-dose form of delta 9.
Vapes & Flower
Onset Time: 10-20 minutes
Bioavailability: 30-50%
Vapes and flower provide two high-potency delta 9 delivery methods. This is because the delta 9 bypasses your digestive system and is delivered straight to your lungs.
However, dosing is difficult — it can be hard to measure how many milligrams of delta 8 each puff contains.
Oil
Onset Time: 20-30 minutes
Bioavailability: 20-30%
Delta 9 oils, like vapes, are a potent delivery method. Oils are taken under the tongue and absorbed through the blood vessels in your mouth, therefore bypassing the digestive system.
Topicals
Onset Time: 20-30 minutes
Bioavailability: Unknown, but is higher than that of oil
Delta 9 topical products are used externally on the area(s) of your body that you want to target. They absorb into the skin but do not enter the bloodstream.
Because of this, topicals won’t cause a head high. This also means you won’t experience mental euphoria and relaxation. However, they’re very effective if all you need is external application.
Delta 9 Dosage for Pain
For pain, we address delta 9 dosage using formulas, rather than recommending set amounts. This ensures you take an amount of delta 9 that’s right for your body.
Starting out, we recommend a medium-strength dosage of delta 9 for pain, which you can calculate using this formula:
(0.1) x (your body weight in lbs.) = your daily delta 9 dosage in mg.
Once you take your dose a few times, you can adjust it up or down depending on how it’s working for you.
For a dosage calculator, chart, and more info, check out our delta 9 dosage guide.
Delta 9 vs. Delta 8 for Pain
Learn More: Delta 8 vs. Delta 9 for Pain
Delta 8 THC, or delta 8, is another cannabinoid in the hemp plant commonly used for pain.
It’s roughly half as strong as delta 9, and renders similar effects of euphoria and relaxation.
However, anecdotal evidence suggests that delta 8’s effects are more evenly spread throughout the mind and body, whereas delta 9 provides a strong head high but weaker physical effects.
Because of this, many people find delta 8 more effective than delta 9 for pain. Others prefer it because it doesn’t render as strong of a head high.
If you’re looking for just physical relaxation, you might find that delta 8 is the best fit for you.
Delta 9 vs. CBD for Pain
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the most popular cannabinoids for therapeutic use because it has a wide range of science-backed benefits.
As with delta 9, research suggests CBD may have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. However, unlike delta 9, CBD may directly address the physical discomfort, rather than rendering head effects that make the discomfort feel less pronounced.
Additionally, CBD will not create a head high. It all comes down to what you’re looking for — delta 9 and CBD both have therapeutic potential for pain, but they work differently. Neither is an approved pain treatment.
Anecdotal evidence suggests you may be best off using both cannabinoids together. We often recommend that our customers use both THC and CBD.
Delta 9 can help with how you feel, while CBD can render support for the underlying cause of the pain.
This is an extension of the entourage effect — the idea that cannabinoids render the most benefits and the least side effects when used together.
Is Delta 9 Legal?
The 2018 Farm Bill made delta 9 THC and other hemp-derived cannabinoids legal on the Federal level, but that doesn’t mean delta 9 is legal in every state (or that you should fly with it).
Some states have passed laws restricting our outlawing the sale and use of delta 9. Check out this resource from CBD Oracle to learn whether delta 9 is legal in your state or not.
The Best Delta 9 Gummies for Pain
If you want to buy delta 9, there are a few questions you should ask to ensure a product is top quality. If you find yourself saying no to any of these questions, you probably shouldn’t buy the product:
- Is this product 3rd-party lab tested? Reputable cannabinoid companies have their products tested by a lab to ensure they contain the correct amounts of delta 9, and that they don’t contain any harmful materials from the production process.
- Does this product contain the optimal blend of cannabinoids for pain? For most types of pain, a combination of delta 9 and CBD is the best. Not only will these cannabinoids strengthen each others benefits, but they work together to render mental and physical support. This ensures your condition actually improves, instead of just seeming to improve.
- Is this product well-reviewed? It really goes without saying, but if real people aren’t finding a product useful, you can’t trust that it will help you.
So, which delta 9 gummies are the very best for pain?
Obvious we’re a bit biased, but our delta 9 gummies check all three boxes. They’re 3rd-party lab tested to verify potency and safety, they contain both delta 9 and CBD, and they’re used and loved by thousands of people (with over 400 reviews on Google).
Our gummies contain delta 9 and CBD in a 1:10 ratio. Each piece has 7.5mg of delta 9 and 75mg of CBD. At first, the disparity might seem odd — until you know how it works.
The moderate dose of delta 9 renders a smooth, relaxing head high (without being overwhelming), while the potent dose of CBD renders deep physical relaxation and directly addresses the discomfort. Together, these two cannabinoids bring full-body relaxation.
This formula is based directly on feedback from our customers. In addition to selling online, we have six brick-and-mortar stores where we serve 100s of customers daily — this allows us to get realtime feedback and constantly improve our products based on what’s working.
The result? Our customers, whether in our local area of Houston, TX, or throughout the USA, get premium products that actually work.
Interested? Shop our Delta 9 CBD Gummies.
Conclusion: Delta 9, Beneficial for Pain or Not?
Scientific and anecdotal evidence suggests that delta 9 THC may have therapeutic benefits in both its hemp-derived and marijuana forms.
Depending on your situation, it may be right for you. Just be sure to ask your doctor if you’re already on prescription medications to ensure delta 9 is a safe and effective option.
Delta 9 for Pain: Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions customer frequently ask us about using delta 9 for pain.
Does delta 9 help with pain?
Research and anecdotal evidence suggests delta 9 may have therapeutic benefits for several forms of pain, including neuropathic pain, back pain, and cancer pain. Additionally,
Is delta 9 anti-inflammatory?
Through research suggests delta 9 may be beneficial for pain, there’s little research that indicates delta 9 reduces inflammation. Rather, delta 9’s is beneficial because it creates mental relaxation that helps to distract you from the discomfort.
Does delta 8 or delta 9 help with pain?
Delta 8 is roughly half as strong as delta 9, and renders similar effects of euphoria and relaxation.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that delta 8’s effects are more evenly spread throughout the mind and body, whereas delta 9 provides a strong head high but weaker physical effects.
Both cannabinoids may be beneficial for pain, but you might find one is better for your situation depending on your needs.
Which delta is the best for pain?
Though cannabinoids like delta 9 or THC-O create the strongest head high, delta 8, a weaker cannabinoid, renders an even balance of mental and physical effects. Ultimately, the cannabinoid you choose depends on what you need.
