Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta-8 THC for short) is one of the many cannabinoids found in the cannabis sativa plant.
While it does occur naturally, humans can speed up the process and make much larger quantities by instigating a chemical reaction in hemp plants that naturally converts cannabidiol (usually referred to as CBD for short) into Delta-8 THC. The resulting product is a potent cannabinoid with a unique atomic structure that differs from Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta-9 THC), the primary psychoactive compound in weed.
That deep-down scientific difference between Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC is the reason why Delta-8 is typically considered to be less potent than Delta-9 THC: Delta-8 interacts a bit less strongly with cannabinoid receptors in the body and leads to a milder euphoric effect compared to Delta-9 THC.
To learn more about this cannabinoid's effects, legality, and safety, please read the complete guide to Delta-8, Delta 8: What Is It, Potency, & Legality FAQs, on our blog.