Categories: Minor Cannabinoids

delta 8 and alcohol

Delta 8 and Alcohol – What to Know

Are you mixing alcohol with delta 8 and wondering if there could be unwanted side effects?

People are trying new ways to bring delta 8 THC into parties and social events, but should you be drinking alcohol as well?

Maybe you have a hangover from consuming alcohol the night before, and are looking to take the edge off with delta 8 but not sure what the potential health risks are.

Article Highlights

  • Delta-8 does not cause alcohol poisoning, but may decrease the likelihood of vomiting in cases of excess consumed alcohol.
  • Alcohol does not change THC absorption, but the mixture of the two may enhance the sedative effects.
  • Some consumers report benefits when using delta-8 to help treat hangover symptoms.
  • Delta-8 THC is similar to delta-9 THC, but has a lower psychoactive effect at the same dose.

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What happens when you take Delta-8 THC and alcohol together?

Mixing alcohol with THC is not uncommon, and is termed “crossfading” when taken together. Combining THC and alcohol in small doses can have synergistic effects, where adding two substances together creates a new experience. Typically, users get a mellow and slightly stimulating experience when the two substances are taken in moderate amounts.

However, consuming THC, delta 8 or otherwise, with alcohol affects everyone differently, just as different substances due to varying biochemistry. Various factors may influence that mix: whats your tolerance for alcohol use and are you a regular THC user? Before combining alcohol and delta 8, it may be best to know your limits for both substances and their adverse effects.

Medical professionals are now saying that alcohol’s effects on health may still be negative even at a low dose of 1 drink a day. However, combining delta 8 and alcohol may be better if less alcohol is consumed.

What is Delta-8 THC?

Delta-8 THC is a natural psychoactive compound that can be found in Cannabis sativa. While Delta-8 THC is only found in very small amounts naturally in the hemp plant, it constitute one of the over 100 different cannabinoids present. It is very similar to Delta-9 THC, and carries a similar psychoactive property, although it is accepted to have lower psychoactive effects. Many people refer to Delta-8 THC as “dietweed” as the drug contains half of its intoxicating characteristics as Delta-9 THC.

Is Delta-8 legal?

Some states have made Delta-8 illegal recently, but many other states have not done that. With the passing of the 2018 Federal Farm Bill, hemp and hemp associated cannabinoids gained legal status, and this included Delta-9 THC, as long as it was under 0.3% by weight. This is why you see so many different THC types on the market, they are all technically derived from hemp and are not “Delta-9 THC”.

Check your local laws to see if your state has banned the sale of Delta 8.

 

What is the difference between Delta-8-THC and Delta-9-THC?

Delta-8 THC is very similar to delta-9 THC, both in chemical structure, absorption pattern, and affect of cognitive process. Delta-8 THC is known is the double bond isomer of delta-9 THC, making it an almost identical compound. Both compounds still have significant interactions with the endocannabinoid system.

An important difference is that delta 8 THC has a lower psychoactive effect than delta 9 THC. Research focused on the interactions between various cannabis plant cannabinoids, like delta-8 and delta-9 THC, found that delta-8 THC bound the CB1 receptor to a weaker degree than delta-9 THC.

Because of this lower psychoactive effect, you can often see delta 8 THC edibles that have a very high dose (over 20mg). Although the lower psychoactive effects of delta-8 have led to it being termed the “diet weed”, a large amount will still get you very high for anyone not experienced with this cannabinoid.

Can Delta-8 cause alcohol poisoning?

Delta8-THC does not cause alcohol poisoning, though there are reasons for this possibility associated with vomiting.

THC does not change the absorption rate of alcohol, nor does alcohol increase THC absorption or change the concentration of blood and plasma cannabinoids.

Can delta-8 prevent vomiting?

Cannabis plants have been used medically for a while to prevent vomiting in chemotherapy patients, and in many states medical marijuana attenuates this problem. There some studies that suggest that Delta-8 THC may be able to decrease vomiting as well.

Vomiting is a natural bodily response to heavy drinking, and when blood alcohol levels get too high, the response is to remove any alcohol from the body to prevent alcohol poisoning. It is possible that mixing marijuana may be stopping vomiting, and thus increase alcohol’s effects.

 

Caution when mixing Delta 8 and alcohol

Because both alcohol and delta-8 can be sedatives at a high dose, it would be wise to bring a sober friend if you need a ride.

Sleep quality

Alcohol induced sleep yields poor sleep quality, and the same can be said of excess THC consumption. Important sleep cycles are interrupted, even if you get a full 8 hours of sleep.

Consume less alcohol than you normally do

While there is no conclusive evidence of a toxic load amount when you mix THC and alcohol, combining the two will enhance some effects. Small quantities of both should is advised to prevent any adverse effects for those who are new to the combination.

Know your personal tolerance

If you are normally drinking alcohol, you will know what your limits are and the risks involved. Assume if you are going to be mixing alcohol with delta-8 THC that you should be decreasing the normal amount you take to prevent a bad reaction.

Consume responsibly

 

Can Delta-8 help with a hangover?

Many people have found that delta-8-THC helps relieve post-alcohol symptoms, such as hangxiety. Although there is no scientific study to date to test delta-8 effectiveness as an anti hangover drug, the effects THC products on mood are consistent. A small dose of delta-8 THC may be effective in combatting nausea and vomiting, relieving headaches, and fatigue.

Other cannabinoids, like CBDA (cannabidiolic acid), may also be helpful in preventing hangover effects like headaches and nausea if you do not want the psychoactive effects of THC.

Check out Natural Dos CBDA plus delta-8 gummies, which provide the synergistic effects of Natural Spectrum CBD oil and the relaxing effects of delta-8 THC.

Delta-8 THC calms your mood after a big party and can help with your nausea or anxiety symptoms.

 

Delta 8 benefits

Many people are turning to cannabis related products for a range of symptoms. In a recent consumer study, the researchers found that consumers were using delta-8 to help with a number of health related conditions:

  • Anxiety and panic attacks
  • Depression or bipolar disorders
  • Chronic pain

Most people (78%) reported that they did not inform their healthcare provider about the use of delta-8, which could affect the potential for substance abuse. However, when taken in a low dose, it may not be a significant problem.

 

Team Dos

Colin Reily PhD

Article scientifically and medically reviewed for accuracy. Colin Reily is a Professor of Medicine and scientific consultant.

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Colin Reily PhD

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