does delta-8 help with pain? exploring its effectiveness

As people get more and more curious about the cannabis industry, there are far more questions about what to use and when.

There are so many different strains out there, as well as various cannabinoid and terpene profiles to be extracted. They are all unique and different and many offer their own advantages

Delta-8 THC is a popular choice right now for its potential benefits. The therapeutic benefits are what the majority of people seek from this particular option. Does Delta-8 help with pain is one of the most common questions asked. How does it line up against options like Delta-9 THC? 

In this guide, we will break this down more and let you in on all the details you need to know.

understanding delta-8 THC

It’s always best to start at the beginning for a topic like this, so let’s start by going over what Delta-8 THC is. This is a natural cannabinoid profile that is found in the hemp plant. Delta-8 THC is not found in abundance, it typically is only in small amounts in a single cannabis plant. When you compare Delta-8 THC to Delta-9 THC, the chemical makeup is very similar. 

However, where Delta-9 THC is known for being potent with psychoactive effects, Delta-8 THC is the opposite. While there are still small amounts of psychoactive compounds, it is far less. That means that the results are smoother, less intense of a high, and medicinal. 

Now, you should also know that since Delta-8 THC is found in such limited quantities, there are a lot of synthetic recreations of this cannabinoid out there too. 

Delta-8 THC is most often used for medicinal benefits, including some pain relief options. Delta-9 THC is as well but includes the high feeling. More on that stuff below! 

does Delta-8 help with pain? the science

Science is interesting, right? Even if you don’t care for science, you might find the details of how the cannabinoids of Delta-8 THC react with your body. After all, it is that very science that makes it either effective or not. 

The truth is there is still a lot of research to be done for Delta-8. There is already some research out there, but it’s still early. After all, it wasn’t until this last decade that it really even became a popular thing.

What research has been completed so far suggests that Delta-8 THC does provide some analgesic benefits: 

Endocannabinoid system
Anti-inflammatory
Pain relief
Neuroprotective

Let’s look at these areas more. 

endocannabinoid system 

One of the most astonishing potential benefits of how Delta-8 products interact with our body’s endocannabinoid system, also known as ECS. This system is incredibly complex and ultimately signals cells for different bodily functions. This includes pain sensation and other properties. 

With Delta-8, the cannabinoids bind specifically to CB1 receptors in our endocannabinoid system. The CB1 receptors are in the central nervous system. CB1 stands for cannabinoid receptor 1.

The double bond occurs on GABAergic neurons as well as presynaptic glutamatergic neurons. These receptors are what release glutamate and GABA into the body. 

The CB1 receptors double bond actually helps to mediate the psychoactive effects of using hemp products. That is why Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol really has very little intoxicating effects for most people. However, the interaction can also help to modulate both pain and inflammation. 

anti-inflammatory 

Inflammation can be caused by a lot of things. Sometimes, the food you eat might cause inflammation. However, some chronic illnesses and diseases cause inflammation.

The problem is that inflammation leads to pain and discomfort. No matter what the cause is, the person experiencing inflammation is likely facing difficulties because of it. 

Cannabinoids in particular are well-known for their anti-inflammatory properties. There was a study from 2004 in “Life Sciences” that found Delta-8 THC and CBD both provided anti-inflammatory effects.

This was just at the beginning of using cannabis plants for medical purposes and we’ve only continued to learn since that time. 

Delta-8 THC takes a proactive approach against inflammation and helps to reduce it overall. If the inflammation is causing pain or discomfort, those are typically alleviated because of the positive reduction of inflammation in the body. 

Conditions such as arthritis, high blood pressure, IBD, and other diseases or illnesses related to inflammation are much improved when paired with Delta-8 products. The product fights inflammation at its source, combatting damaged cells, pathogens, harmful chemicals, and other things that cause inflammation. 

pain relief 

Much of the pain relief associated with Delta-8 THC has been correlated to cancer patients. Now, we already talked about how those experiencing pain from inflammation feel relief. But when you consider pain for alternative issues, there is more to be learned. 

The challenge is that these studies are even more limited. However, some studies used Delta-8 THC to treat pain and nausea in cancer patients undergoing treatment. In those studies from the National Cancer Institute, it was found that it did provide pain relief as well as anti-nausea effects. 

While we are not fully sure of the extent of capabilities for pain relief, there is some obvious evidence that Delta-8 products can provide pain management and pain relief to a certain degree. For cancer patients, this contributes to quality of life during treatment. 

neuroprotective

Another potential benefit of Delta-8 THC is the neuroprotective benefits it provides. This occurs because the Delta-8 signals to your receptors for pain signals and helps to improve cognitive function while also protecting your brain cells. This is closely related to the CB1 interactions of Delta-8 THC. 

While protecting the brain cells from harm, the brain can react and respond as it is intended to do. The neuroprotective properties allow for improved cognitive function.

This has been shown to help manage pain as well, providing yet another option for pain relief functionality. In terms of pain, this particular scientific piece is related to neurological elements. 

what do the people say? 

Alright, we’ve looked at science, but now let’s look at real life. Of course, science is helpful because it looks at HOW Delta-8 THC can help with pain relief and other elements.

But it’s also important to hear what people have to say about their own experiences. After all, it gives you real-life expectations should you decide to try Delta-8 THC products for pain relief. 

There is a ton of anecdotal evidence out there. There is also word of mouth. Both of these point to supporting the statement that Delta-8 can help with pain management and pain relief.

The majority of users who try Delta-8 for this purpose have reported positive pain relief and very few adverse side effects from using the marijuana product. 

When you compare pain relief with Delta-8 THC, both are effective at relieving pain. However, with Delta-9 THC, you are more likely to also experience the high from the psychoactive adverse effects of this cannabinoid. 

These are the benefits that users speak of the most: 

Reducing chronic pain for migraines, fibromyalgia, arthritis, and more

Improving sleep patterns often disrupted by pain

Enhancing mood with reduced pain and only mild high effects

The benefits help with pain relief, but they also provide the ability to feel better, sleep better, and be more relaxed. 

choosing delta-8 THC products

In closing, let’s focus a moment on the types of products you can use and how to choose them. What you end up using is really totally up to your preferences. We all want or prefer different things. There isn’t necessarily a wrong way to use Delta-8. 

These are the most common methods:

Vaping

Tinctures or oils

Concentrated amounts

Edibles (Delta-8 gummies, brownies, etc.)

Before you run out and choose Delta-8 THC products, consider the details of that particular product. Quality does matter so inspect the producer for quality and purity of their product.

Remember that there are a lot of synthetic versions of Delta-8 as well as Delta-9 THC out there. If you do use a synthetic option, pay attention to the ingredients and avoid things like heavy metals and harmful chemicals. 

It’s always a good idea to look for third-party testing for purity and potency. Understanding the formulation is also a good idea.

Different products are made with varying formulations. Finally, start with low doses and only increase slowly when you’ve allowed the initial dose to work. 

conclusion

Does Delta-8 help with pain? According to most individuals and the majority of scientific evidence, there are numerous ways that Delta-8 products might help with pain relief.

It provides anti-inflammatory, improved brain receptor effects, and reacts positively with neuroprotective properties. Each of these elements contributes to pain relief in its own way. 

Learn how to use Delta-8 wisely to experience pain relief in positive ways. Know that your body can become dependent on Delta-8 THC so you will want to take steps to avoid that as you go as well.

Overall, it should provide pain relief and more positive benefits for an overall good experience. 

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