Last Updated on April 4, 2023
Anxiety can be a serious medical condition that affects many people. In fact, anxiety disorders affect 18% of adults in the United States, age 18 years and older. As many as 1 in 5 people struggle with an anxiety disorder.
People using THC know that it only worsens the symptoms of anxiety. Delta-8-THC, however, is a different cannabinoid from THC.
Delta-8-THC is not psychoactive and does not produce a “high” in people that use it for medicinal purposes. This lack of a “high” makes it a very attractive alternative to medical marijuana patients who suffer from anxiety.
Studies On The Subject:
There have been several studies done on D8, all showing some sort of improvement when using delta 8 THC for various conditions including cancer, Crohn’s disease, nausea, and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, anorexia associated with AIDS/HIV infection, neuropathic pain, stress disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder, etc.
In a nutshell, the studies show promising results in treating anxiety symptoms in both healthy and unhealthy volunteers in a clinical setting.
These studies showed that delta-8 THC is an effective treatment for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) symptoms when compared to placebo or anti-anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines. There were no significant side effects reported.
What Is Delta-8 THC?
Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (otherwise known as delta-8-THC) is a synthetic cannabinoid that binds to the same receptor sites in the brain and body that natural THC does, but with much more potency than regular THC.
The delta-8 form of tetrahydrocannabinol has many benefits when compared to other cannabinoids, including anti-anxiety effects without typical side effects of “getting high” or lethargy.
It is a naturally occurring cannabinoid, but, in order to extract it from the plants, they synthesize it in the lab.
Just because it was produced in a lab does not make it any less effective. From a medical perspective, every single plant ever harvested for medicinal purposes has been harvested from the wild or grown from cuttings of plants that were once harvested from their natural habitats.
But, How Can Something Be Synthesized In A Lab & Still Have Healing Properties?
Pharmacology teaches us that there are no ‘natural’ substances just as there are no ‘natural’ illnesses. Everything we experience occurs inside of our bodies, which requires many chemicals to manage these experiences.
Therefore, we have to take drugs in order to recover from an illness. These chemicals were all made by chemists in laboratories.
Delta-8 THC is much more powerful than regular THC when it comes to treating any medical condition that could benefit from cannabinoids.
People who take this for anxiety, or just about anything else, vastly benefit from it. Some people enjoy the feeling of being able to sit back and relax while still having a good time—so delta 8 THC seems like a perfect choice for them.
With D8, you get a mild high effect, but not the couch lock [feeling] or memory loss side effects. You get relaxed/happy/sleepy & possibly hungry.
A lot of people have been taking delta-8 for one very good reason: it works! Taking delta 8 THC for anxiety can lead to a more relaxed body and mind with clearer thoughts, but the best part is that you won’t have any side effects that most anti-anxiety medications carry. You might just start looking to getting high again if you’re an experienced cannabis user.
This cannabinoid may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but a lot of people swear by its ability to relax them while also giving them clarity and energy (instead of knocking them on their butts).
What Do People Say?
I asked people on Forums if they’d ever used D8 products specifically for anxiety, and many had responses: “Only D8. THC makes me anxious & paranoid and I get too high”
One respondent, in particular, said that “It seems to have worked for me, after smoking it one night & waking up full of anxiety the next day. After taking Delta-8 oil, I started feeling more relaxed. One time when I was very anxious late at night, I took some, THC, and got ‘more’ anxious… But right after smoking some D8, I felt very sleepy and relaxed (without getting high).”
Another guy struggling with insomnia for months, because of his anxiety, took D8 vapes and fell asleep quickly, and woke up relaxed and rested. You can check out some of the best delta 8 edibles available in Tennessee here.
The Benefits Of Using Delta-8 THC
Delta-8-THC works very well for anxiety. Currently, there are no reports of anyone having issues when using this cannabinoid. In fact, many people swear by it saying that it is helpful for general anxiety and ongoing insomnia.
People prone to panic attacks also benefit vastly from D8. People who take anti-anxiety medication prescription drugs find relief from their symptoms, while still being able to get high if they choose to do so at the same time (such as smoking some cannabis). Many CBD products do not get you high, but others do… Delta-8 THC does not.
It is also beneficial for those withdrawing from alcohol or benzodiazepines, as it will help you manage your anxiety symptoms. D8 can also help with PTSD and can be a useful sleeping aid, especially for those waking up in the middle of the night because of their anxious thoughts.
Are There Any Side-Effects?
There are none that we know of. It is completely safe to use, even long term. Some people have reported minor fatigue after using D8 products, but they all state that these minor side effects are worth it because of how well it works for them.
The side effects don’t last very long, so there’s nothing to worry about.
Best Ways To Consume D8
Oral consumption of delta-8 THC is most effective. When most people think of edibles, they imagine brownies or cookies that contain psychoactive cannabinoids like THC and CBD—but that’s not the only way to use cannabis, obviously.
Nutritionists have created delicious ways to ingest D8 extract orally (by eating). Consuming D8 THC orally doesn’t produce mind-altering states because there are no psychoactive cannabinoids involved; you feel better without getting high.
This form of cannabis is typically made by adding heat and pressure to the marijuana plant, which turns Delta-9 into delta-8.
The chemical compounds in cannabis can interact with our bodies in different ways when ingested orally. Because they have a specific [chemical] makeup, these extracts are referred to as cannabinoids.
A cannabinoid is only active on your body when it reaches a certain “activation energy,” meaning that it’s more useful when you eat or drink something containing it rather than smoking it. D8 gummies, for example, are the perfect choice for beginners.
Bottom Line…
Anxiety responds positively to cannabis in different ways, depending on what form of users ingest (smoking or edibles). Although more research is needed, people have reported positive effects from Delta-8 THC and say that it helps them manage their anxious feelings. It’s especially useful during emotional cold snaps and general life stressors.
If you suffer from chronic anxiety, then look into getting some form of cannabis that might help you—after consulting with a doctor first. If you suffer from chronic anxiety, then look into getting some form of cannabis that might help you—after consulting with a doctor first and following all necessary legal steps, such as getting a medical marijuana card. This law varies from state to state, in some, you don’t need one while in others such as West Virginia, you do. It is important to do your research on how to get a medical marijuana card in West Virginia so you are fully prepared.
