Many people enjoy delta 8 THC as a milder alternative to delta 9 THC. Delta 8 is just half as potent, and it tends to be more uplifting. But what should you expect in terms of its effect duration?
The high produced by delta 8 THC typically lasts 2-8 hours. The effect duration of delta 8 is primarily dependent on what type of product you’re using, but your metabolism rate, level of hydration, and the dosage you take also play a role.
In this article, we answer questions related to how long the delta 8 high lasts and how long this cannabinoid stays in your system after consumption.
What is Delta 8?
Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (also called delta 8 THC or delta 8), is a cannabinoid found in the cannabis sativa plant. Hemp is cannabis sativa that contains less than 0.3% THC by dry weight and is federally legal.
Though it naturally occurs in hemp, delta 8 is only found in very small amounts. Therefore, it’s synthetically produced for use in products.
Like delta 9 THC, delta 8 is psychoactive. However, it’s just half as potent, and it’s less likely to cause anxiety and paranoia than its more-powerful counterpart.
How Does Delta 8 Make You Feel?
Delta 8 is psychoactive and will create a euphoric, energetic, and uplifting high effect.
Whereas delta 9 tends to be more relaxing, and even sedative in larger doses, delta 8 is uplifting, making it great for daytime therapeutic and recreational use.
Delta 8 tends to spread its effects fairly evenly across the mind and body, so it’s beneficial for both mental and physical relaxation.
How Long Does Delta 8 Take to Kick In?
After consumption, it takes between 15 minutes and 2 hours for delta 8 to kick in. Inhalable products, like vapes and flower, tend to work sooner, while edibles tend to take longer.
This wide variation in potential onset is also due to factors like metabolism, food intake, hydration level, personal tolerance, and dosage.
How Long Do The Effects of Delta 8 Last?
After kicking in, the high and effects of delta 8 will last for 2-8 hours.
There is a wide variation in potential effect duration because a number of factors influence it:
- Product type: Different types of delta 8 products deliver this cannabinoid to your system with varying intensity, which results in a range of effect durations (see next section). The effects from delta 8 edibles will tend to last longer than the effects from inhalable delta 8 products (e.g. vapes).
- Dosage: If you take a dose of delta 8 that’s too much for your body and tolerance, you might feel the effects for more than 2-8 hours. Delta 8 doesn’t tend to create next-day effects, but it may if you take too much.
- Food intake: Because delta 8 has to bind to fat in order to circulate throughout your body (with the exception of water-soluble delta 8), eating foods high in fat tends to increase the effect duration of delta 8 products.
- Hydration: The better hydrated you are, the more quickly your body will metabolize substances. This means that drinking more water may slightly decrease the effect duration of delta 8. Always stay hydrated after consuming delta 8 so that your body is able to process it in a healthy way.
- Tolerance: If you frequently consume delta 8, you’ll have a higher tolerance to this cannabinoid and therefore may need to take more than most people to feel effects for the same duration.
- Genetics: Everyone’s body is different, and each person may be affected more or less than usual by delta 8 gummies.
Delta 8 High Duration By Product Type
Because each delta 8 delivery method interacts differently with your bodily systems, different types of delta 8 products have unique effect durations.
Gummies
Delta 8 gummies and other edibles will render effects for 6-8 hours after they kick in.
The reason for this longer effect duration is that edibles pass through your digestive system and are metabolized more slowly than other types of products are (e.g. vapes).
Capsules
Delta 8 capsules are processed by your body similarly to edibles, as they also pass through the digestive system. Capsules will work for 6-8 hours after kicking in.
Oil
Delta 8 tincture delivers delta 8 to your body sublingually, bypassing the digestive system. The effect duration of tincture is 4-6 hours – slightly shorter than edibles.
Vapes & Flower
Delta 8 vapes and delta 8 hemp flower deliver delta 8 to your bloodstream via your lungs. The effect duration of inhalable delta 8 is the shortest out of all product types, at 2-4 hours.
How Long Does Delta 8 Stay In Your System?
The amount of time delta 8 stays in your system is primarily dependent on how often you use it.
The half-life of delta 8 THC is much higher if you use it frequently than if you use it once or only use it occasionally.
With this in mind, here are the ranges for how long delta 8 is detectable in different parts of the body. The large variance accounts for frequency of use:
- Saliva: Up to 72 hours after last use.
- Urine: 3-30 days after last use.
- Blood: 3-14 days after last use.
- Hair: 1-3 months.
Keep in mind that these are averages; your chance of failing a drug test goes down after these durations have passed, but it still may happen.
If you need to pass a drug test, we recommend you steer clear of delta 8 THC for more than 3 months to be completely safe.
Side Effects of Delta 8
Delta 8 is generally considered safe and well-tolerated. However, it may create adverse side effects in some people.
Potential side effects of delta 8 include:
- Paranoia
- Vomiting
- Tremors
- Anxiety
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Loss of consciousness
- Tachycardia (raised heart rate)
To minimize your chance of experiencing these side effects, start by taking low doses of delta 8 and slowly working your way up.
For more, see our guide to delta 8 dosage.
Potential Benefits of Delta 8
As of right now, there isn’t a lot of clinical research on delta 8 THC’s therapeutic benefits.
However, in 2022, researchers examined the potential benefits of delta 8 THC by surveying 521 delta 8 users about their experience.
71% of users reported experiencing relaxation, 68% reported euphoria, and 55% reported pain relief after using delta 8 THC products.
Additionally, 74% of participants did not experience anxiety after using delta 8 and 83% didn’t experience paranoia.
Both of these side effects are common with delta 9; this survey lends credibility to the anecdotal claims that delta 8 offers a milder alternative delta 9 and is less likely to cause these effects [1].
Based on this survey, delta 8 THC may be beneficial in the following areas:
- Pain: Delta 8 THC may promote physical comfort. Compared to delta 9, delta 8’s effects tend to be more body-focused.
- Anxiety: Delta 8 is commonly used for anxiety due its euphoric, uplifting effects. And as the survey showed, it’s less likely than delta 9 to cause anxiety or paranoia as side effects.
- Sleep: In addition to supporting a relaxed mental state, delta 8 promotes a healthy, pain-free body, further contributing to restful sleep.
- Energy & Focus: Most people report that delta 8 gives uplifting and energizing feelings. Because of this, many people use delta 8 to boost creativity.
Conclusion: How Long Does the Delta 8 High Last?
The high from delta 8 will last 2-8 hours. One of the benefits of using delta 8 therapeutically is that it won’t tend to create next-day effects.
While the longer effect duration allows for all-day therapeutic support, delta 8 isn’t so potent that you experience a hangover-like effect the morning after.
How Long Do The Effects of Delta 8 Last: Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions our customers frequently ask us about the effect duration of delta 8.
How long does delta 8 take to wear off?
Delta 8’s effects last between 2-8 hours, so all effects should wear off after this duration has passed.
Does delta 8 make you feel weird the next day?
No, delta 8 doesn’t typically create next-day effects, although this is a possibility if you’ve taken an especially large dose.
How long before delta 8 kicks in?
Delta 8 will kick in within 5 minutes to 2 hours. This wide variation is attributable to the different onset times between product types, as well as to other factors such as metabolism and digestion.
How do you calm the effects of delta 8?
Exercising and staying hydrated can calm the effects of delta 8, as both of these measures will speed up the rate at which you metabolize it.
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
