Delta 8 THC products are storming the market thanks to their milder cognitive effects and legal status. As a result, cannabis aficionados who haven’t been able to enjoy legal weed can finally hop on something most people call “cannabis light” or “diet weed.”
Hemp companies are feverishly making new products to meet the high demand for delta 8 THC.
With so many different forms of delta 8 THC available locally and online, new users may find it challenging to find the right product type and formulation for their needs.
The best way to dip your toes in the delta 8 THC space is to choose a product that is also common among other cannabinoids — such as tinctures.
So, where do you find the best delta 8 THC tinctures, and how to separate high-quality vendors from sketchy companies?
We’re here to help you out.
Best Delta 8 THC Tinctures: Top Brands for 2022
Honesty and transparency are paramount in a dynamic space like the delta 8 THC market. Unfortunately, there are no regulations regarding the manufacturing and labeling standards, making many companies stretch the reality and use false claims about their products.
Most products sold locally are either mislabeled or contain dangerous contaminants, such as residual solvents that result from improper purging after converting the major cannabinoids into delta 8 THC.
According to an article posted on Observer.com, the following steps should help you avoid sketchy companies:
- Looking for third-party lab reports. Certificates of Analysis (COA) from an independent laboratory can tell you everything about the product, from potency to purity and safety.
- Reading through user testimonies and reviews on third-party websites and on social media to learn about the real-life experiences with different delta 8 THC products.
- Checking anything else could make or break the customer experience, including refund policies, reward programs, bulk pricing, subscription discounts, etc.
Following the above criteria, we’ve picked out the top 3 delta 8 THC vendors that you can trust when buying delta 8 THC online.
1. Area52 (Most Potent Delta 8 THC Tincture)
You can check the certificates of analysis for each product batch; Area52 sends them via email or with the product.
2. Finest Labs (Runner Up)
3. 3Chi
3Chi is a veteran company on the delta 8 THC market. Its tinctures are known for their high efficacy, thanks to using a broad-spectrum hemp extract besides the delta 8 THC distillate. Since delta 8 is one of many cannabinoids in hemp, it works synergistically with other compounds.
These tinctures come in various concentrations, from 300 mg to 1200 mg of delta 8 THC per bottle. This helps you achieve greater control over your cognitive experience.
There are no flavored versions of this oil, which can be a decisive factor for those who dislike the natural taste of hemp extracts. The company also doesn’t accept the returns of products that have been opened.
What Is Delta 8 THC?
Delta 8 THC stands for delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol – a milder isomer of delta 9 THC from marijuana. Both compounds are each other’s analogs; in simple words, they are built very similarly, but with a minor difference between the arrangement of their atomic bonds.
Delta 8 THC has a double bond at the 8th carbon chain, while for delta 9 THC, this bond is located at the 9th chain. This slight difference makes delta 8 THC about half as strong as delta 9.
If you want to achieve the same intensity of psychoactive effects, you need to consume twice the amount of delta8 THC.
Since cannabis plants only produce a trace amount of delta 8 THC naturally, the compound has remained off-limits for hemp manufacturers for a long time. However, recent scientific breakthroughs have flipped the coin in favor of these companies, allowing them to obtain significant quantities of delta 8 THC from hemp.
Delta 8 THC can be extracted using a multi-faceted conversion process from CBD. However, the procedure requires high-tech laboratory equipment and a lot of skill on the lab workers’ part. In addition, if conducted improperly, it can leave behind harsh chemicals that are toxic to your body (zinc chloride and zinc bromide).
Does Delta 8 THC Get You High?
Yes, but not in the same way as delta 9 THC.
While it’s possible to experience a cognitive change after taking delta 8 THC, the high is much milder than the one induced by marijuana.
High doses of delta 9 THC can be trippy, and for some users, its relaxing properties may backfire at them, triggering feelings of anxiety and paranoia. The effects from delta 8 THC are more clear-headed, body-centered, and less psychotropic.
That’s the reason why some people call delta 8 THC “cannabis light.”
What Are Delta 8 THC Tinctures?
In essence, delta 8 THC tinctures are similar to CBD tinctures, except for the main active ingredient. A delta 8 tincture is made with a delta 8 THC distillate suspended in a food-grade carrier oil (usually MCT or hemp seed oil). It can also contain cannabis-derived terpenes or other trace cannabinoids to leverage the synergy from whole-plant extracts.
Delta 8 THC tinctures are usually produced using supercritical CO2, which acts as a solvent that strips the beneficial compounds from the plant material. Of course, they can be produced with ethanol too, but this extraction method is less efficient for broad-scale manufacturing.
How to Use Delta 8 THC Tinctures
Delta 8 THC tinctures are administered under the tongue. You can find them in dark-tinted glass bottles with a dropper attached to them for precise dosing. You need to measure out the desired amount of delta 8 into the dropper, transfer it beneath the tongue, and hold it there for up to 60 seconds.
This method of administration helps you avoid the first-pass metabolism in the liver so that the effects of delta 8 THC can take hold faster than from capsules or gummies. It also delivers more delta 8 THC to your system than the aforementioned products.
How Long Does It Take for the Effects to Take Hold?
The effects of delta 8 THC tinctures kick in with a slight delay. While CBD tinctures need about 15-30 minutes to produce their effects, delta 8 THC tinctures usually kick in after 1-1.5 hours. Researchers have yet to find out what mechanism causes this delay, but an interesting fact about delta 8 is that its effects last longer than delta 9 from marijuana. Some of these effects, such as appetite stimulation, are also more pronounced.
What to Know Before Taking Delta 8 THC Tinctures
- Delta 8 THC can get you high, even though it’s about half as strong as delta 9 THC. Do not operate heavy machinery or drive a vehicle after taking delta 8 THC tinctures.
- Delta 8 THC can interact with many pharmaceutical medications. Be sure to talk to your doctor about your plans to use delta 8 THC if you take any medications. Doing so will help you avoid negative interactions.
- You can legally buy delta 8 THC as long as it comes from hemp and contains less than 0.3% delta 9 THC. However, it’s always a good idea to check with the local law, as 12 states have already banned the sale of delta 8 THC.
- The striking similarities in the molecular structure of delta 8 and delta 9 THC can produce a false-positive result on a drug test. Therefore, if you know of an upcoming drug test at work, it’s better to abstain from using delta 8 and save it for celebrating a successful screening.
- Keep your delta 8 THC tinctures away from humidity and direct heat sources. A humid environment may promote the growth of bacteria and fungi, while exposure to heat and light will cause delta 8 THC to degrade and lose potency over time.
Delta 8 THC Dosage
The standard dosage range of delta 8 THC is between 10 – 60 mg. For most people, doses like 10 mg produce a cognitive change that keeps them on the verge of getting high. However, dosages upwards of 30 mg of delta 8 THC can induce mild intoxication.
The best delta 8 THC dosage for your situation will depend on various factors, such as your weight, metabolism, tolerance to delta 8 THC, and previous experience with high-THC products. If you’re a regular weed user, you can expect your tolerance to delta 8 to be higher than the tolerance of people who have never used cannabis.
Start with a very low dose and wait for about 1.5 hours to assess how you feel. Then, if you’re confident that you can take more, go ahead and increase the dose by 10 mg. Such increments will help you figure out your optimal THC dosage without overdoing it.
Remember that you can always take more delta 8 THC, but you can’t take any away.
Can You Build a Tolerance to Delta 8 THC?
Tolerance begins to build up when your body gets used to certain doses of a substance. Over time, you need to increase the dosage to experience the same intensity of effects.
A sad fact about delta 8 THC is that tolerance builds up much faster than delta 9 from marijuana. So if you take delta 8 THC tinctures daily for a month, you may notice an increase in your tolerance.
The good news is that you can quickly bring it back to a previous level. A week of abstinence should do the trick.
You can prevent building tolerance to delta 8 THC by keeping your use in moderation. For example, take smaller doses or use delta 8 every other day.
Is Delta 8 THC Safe?
Delta 8 THC has a decent safety profile. To date, no study has found direct toxic effects caused by delta 8 THC in human subjects. It’s also impossible to fatally overdose on delta 8 because there are no cannabinoid receptors in the brain stem area that controls respiratory function.
Delta 8 THC is also less likely to trigger anxiety and paranoia.
The biggest pitfall of buying delta 8 THC products isn’t the compound itself but rather contaminants and synthetic additives that some companies use in their extracts.
Many manufacturers use low-quality solvents and cheap extraction methods to reduce the costs of production. In addition, some companies use bleaches in their tinctures to make an impression of a cleaner product. Still, pure delta 8 THC distillate has a slightly pink color, so adding bleaches is unnecessary and dangerous for the consumer.
What Are the Side Effects of Delta 8 THC?
Delta 8 THC shares some common side effects with other analogs of THC. Its interaction with the endocannabinoid system may cause you to experience dry eyes, dry mouth, and an increase in appetite.
Taking too much delta 8 THC at a time can result in the following side effects:
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Short-term memory impairment
- Compromised motor functions
Is Delta 8 THC Legal?
Its source drives the legality of delta 8 THC.
Cannabis companies can obtain delta 8 THC from both hemp and marijuana.
Marijuana is still a schedule 1 substance on a federal level, so you can only buy it in the states that have legalized weed for recreational use.
Hemp-derived delta 8 THC is federally legal because such products contain less than 0.3% delta 8 THC.
However, 13 states have banned the sale of delta 8 THC, considering it a legal grey area. The list includes Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Montana, New York, Rhode Island, and Utah.
Can Delta 8 THC Make You Fail a Drug Test?
Yes, delta 8 THC can show up on a drug test and trigger a false-positive result for the THC-COOH metabolite. That’s because workplace drug tests aren’t designed to distinguish between different analogs of the THC molecule.
If you use delta 8 THC tinctures, we suggest taking a T-break from delta 8 THC if you want to pass the drug test. But, of course, a little T-break won’t hurt — unlike being fired from the job you like.
How to Choose the Best Delta 8 THC Tinctures
As mentioned earlier in the article, the delta 8 THC market is evolving and lacks regulations regarding manufacturing and labeling standards. Many great companies make high-quality delta 8 THC tinctures, but there’s also an equal number of fly-by-night businesses that have just seen an opportunity for cashing in on a booming space.
Check the following parameters to ensure a well thought out purchase decision:
Hemp Source
Hemp plants are dynamic bio-accumulators, meaning they can absorb everything from their environment — both the good and the bad substances. As a result, the best delta 8 THC tinctures are made from organic hemp plants cultivated without pesticides, growth boosters, and other synthetic additives. Such plants make for perfect sourcing material for extracting delta 8 THC. In contrast, mass-produced hemp may contain impurities from the soil, such as fungi, heavy metals, and other toxins — compromising the chemical profile of the end product.
Purity
Converting CBD into delta 8 THC calls for several harsh chemicals, such as zinc bromide and zinc chloride. These chemicals should be purged before the end product is made available for sale. Otherwise, they can pass into your tincture and pose a threat to your health. It would be best if you also avoid companies that use bleaches to make their distillates look cleaner. Instead, always buy delta 8 THC tinctures from experienced companies that know how to make such extracts.
Color
The color of your tincture can be a telltale sign of its quality. As we said, the distillate can have a pinkish color, but it will be mostly transparent. If there are any impurities or strange-looking colors in your tincture, it could indicate poor filtration.
Ingredients
Delta 8 THC tinctures are very simple products. The list of ingredients includes a delta 8 THC distillate and carrier oil. Optionally, the manufacturer can infuse the tincture with other cannabinoids and terpenes to maximize the benefits stemming from the entourage effect. However, artificial colorings and flavorings, and preservatives are a big no-no for the product.
Lab Testing
A certificate of analysis (COA) from an independent laboratory is the best proof of your tincture’s quality. A laboratory is considered independent when it has no affiliation with the producer. The certificate of analysis should list the potency of delta 8 THC, the entire cannabinoid and terpene profile, as well as the results for common contaminants such as pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, microbial contaminants, and residual solvents.
Brand’s Reputation
There are already some great companies with experience in making cannabis extracts. Many CBD manufacturers are now shifting their focus to delta 8 THC tinctures to provide their customers with more product options. Such companies are much more reliable than beginners, although this is not always a rule. Just be sure to do meticulous research on any brand offering delta 8 THC out there. The best way to look for honest opinions is to search through social media channels and read user reviews on third-party websites.
Price
Making high-quality delta 8 THC tinctures requires more time, effort, and money than making CBD tinctures — which aren’t cheap either, by the way.
The extraction process calls for using high-tech laboratory equipment and employing skilled lab workers who will purify the end product from the chemicals used during conversion from CBD to delta 8 THC.
That’s why delta 8 THC tinctures are more expensive than other hemp products. But, as the market matures and more competition enters the market, the prices of delta 8 THC extracts will go down sooner or later.
Final Thoughts on the Best Delta 8 THC Tinctures
Delta 8 THC has taken cannabis aficionados by the throat thanks to its milder psychoactive profile, lower risk of anxiety, and legal status. As a result, Delta 8 THC tinctures are becoming an appealing alternative to regular weed — especially for individuals with particularly sensitive cannabinoid receptors in the brain.
Studies show that delta 8 THC provides similar benefits to delta 9 THC to relieve inflammation, pain, stress, nausea, and vomiting. It also has strong appetite-stimulating and neuroprotective properties.
Many brands claim to offer premium delta 8 THC tinctures, but only a few manufacturers can ensure the desired standards for their products.
If you’re looking for trustworthy delta 8 brands but don’t have the time to do your own research, we recommend checking brands like Area52 and Finest Labs. Both companies make delta 8 THC tinctures from organic hemp and test them for potency and purity in third-party laboratories. As a result, you can safely use them to improve your cognitive performance and bolster your stress response on top of reaping a few other benefits from delta 8 THC.