Delta 8 THC Dosage: How Much Should You Take?

Delta 8 THC is a rapidly evolving market within the hemp industry, with lots of D8 brands showing out of nowhere and pushing different formats of this cannabinoid to cater to curious consumers.

After years of research, we have better understood the mechanisms of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other molecules from cannabis. Today, delta 8 THC can be found in various products, including vape cartridges, gummies, tinctures, capsules, and more.

If there’s one question that every beginner asks themselves after buying delta 8 THC, it’s “how much delta 8 THC should I take?”

Before we give you the answer to this question, know one thing — there is no such thing as the best delta 8 THC dosage for everyone.

Each person is different, and what works for you or your friend may not necessarily produce satisfying results for another user.

Today we’ve put together all useful tips for successful delta 8 THC dosage. You’ll know exactly how much Delta 8 you should take, what are the common product formats, and how to dose each type to get the best results.

Delta 8 Dosage: Is It the Same As CBD Dosage?

Since both delta 8 THC and CBD come from cannabis, one would assume that you can translate the CBD dosage into delta 8 THC dosage.

It’s not that you can’t, but the question is: will it make sense?

Although no study has found direct toxic effects of delta 8 THC in humans, the standard used by CBD doesn’t apply to THC and its analogs. Delta 8 THC is mildly intoxicating, meaning it can change your sensory perception, and in high doses, it can lead to a slight cognitive impairment.

Unlike CBD, which is completely non-intoxicating.

Long story short, delta 8 THC uses different targets to produce its effects than CBD, so its action on the brain is also different.

As mentioned, delta 8 THC can get you high; it’s about half as strong as delta 9, but it can still induce that psychoactive buzz.

If you’re very reactive to the effects of delta 9 THC, you may want to start with a low dose and gradually increase it to find the amount that gives you the most benefit with no side effects.

Can You Overdose on Delta 8 THC?

Cannabinoids don’t interact with the brain stem area that is responsible for respiratory functions, meaning you can’t lethally overdose on them. In order to trigger liver toxicity, you would have to inject  50 grams of pure THC — which isn’t what people generally do with cannabis. Actually, you don’t inject weed at all.

That being said, you can take too much delta 8 THC and feel uncomfortable. Sedation and deep relaxation are very likely; you may also feel dizzy and confused, but not to such an extent as with delta 9 THC. In fact, anxiety and paranoia are very rare among delta 8 THC users.

You can also expect some typical side effects of cannabis, such as dry mouth, red eyes, and a strong case of munchies.

According to various assessments, the high induced by delta 8 THC is up to 70% of the high created by delta 8 THC. Most users describe the feeling after delta 8 as body-focused, with an elevated mood and relief from physical discomforts, such as pain, nausea, and vomiting.

The specific effects of delta 8 THC are dose-dependent. Lower doses can increase your energy levels, while higher doses are considered sedating and can get you couch-locked.

Delta 8 THC Dosage: How Potency Works

There are two key factors that affect your optimal delta 8 THC dosage: the potency of your product and the amount of delta 8 THC per milligram.

Different reputable delta 8 THC companies provide different strengths and sizes of their products. For example, some companies sell delta 8 THC tinctures in 30 ml bottles, while others use 60 ml bottles. The same goes for vapes, gummies, and other forms of this cannabinoid.

If you want to determine the number of milligrams of active delta 8 THC in a single serving, you’ll need to divide the total amount of milligrams by the size of your product.

For example, if you have a 1200 mg delta 8 THC tincture that comes in a 30 ml bottle, you simply divide 1200 by 30, which leaves you with 40 mg of delta 8 in 1 ml. This is enough to produce a moderate cognitive change even in seasoned cannabis users. Therefore, if you have such a tincture at home but never tried delta 8 THC in your life, make sure to use it with caution.

Solid products, such as gummies or capsules, contain a fixed dose of delta 8 THC per serving, so you don’t need to measure anything. You take as many pieces as you need to meet your dosage needs, and you’re good to go.

Delta 8 THC Dosage Chart (3 Tiers)

• 1st Delta 8 THC Dosage Tier (for new users with low tolerance): 5–15 mg per serving
• 2nd Delta 8 THC Dosage Tier (occasional users with medium tolerance): 15–45 mg per serving
• 3rd Delta 8 THC Dosage Tier (daily users with high tolerance): 45–150 mg per serving

This chart refers to the delta 8 THC dosage that people use with tinctures, but you may just as well use them for other consumption methods. Delta 8 THC is around half as strong as delta 9 THC. It’s not a heavy-hitter, but it’s also not something to approach with a no-risk attitude. 

There have been cases of people who took too much delta 8 THC and felt bad after it — lethargic and not in full control of their cognitive abilities.

The best way to find the best delta 8 THC dosage for yourself is to pick a low dose and keep increasing it until you hit the sweet spot.

How Long Do I Need to Wait for the Effects of Delta 8 THC?

The effects of delta 8 THC usually take hold within 10–20 minutes when vaporized; 1–1.5 hours if you take a delta 8 THC tincture; and 2–3 hours when you take oral forms such as capsules or gummies.

Delta 8 THC works similarly to any other cannabinoid-based product. Again, you need to carefully dose your extracts, as some products like capsules or gummies may cause you to think that you need one or two more due to their delayed onset. 

Wrapping it up, we recommend waiting around 2 hours before applying another dose of delta 8 THC.

Delta 8 THC Dosing Guide: How Much Should I Take?

We’ve prepared a delta 8 THC dosage chart based on our experience and interviews with delta 8 THC users. You can take it as a good starting point to find the right amount for your needs without going too far.

The way you consume delta 8 THC is another driving factor because it affects the product’s bioavailability aside from its onset and duration of effects.

Bioavailability refers to the leftover amount of delta 8 THC that your body can use once the compound has been metabolized by the liver.

The reason why we need to elaborate on each product format is simple; each of these consumption methods has a different way of interacting with your body. For example, one method may need less time to absorb, whereas others may hit you with a delay. 

Other factors that may play a role in the metabolism of delta 8 THC include:

• Bodyweight – larger people will need higher doses than smaller people.

• Delta 8 THC tolerance – you can build a tolerance to delta 8 THC over time, meaning you’ll need a higher dose to experience the same effects as before. Some people have a naturally higher tolerance to THC, while others are very reactive.

• Expected results – think of the purpose of taking delta 8 THC. Do you want to increase your energy levels? Jump into a euphoric mood? Or deeply relax on the sofa? Knowing your preferences helps a lot in finding the right dose.

1. Delta 8 THC Tincture Dosage

When you take a delta 8 THC tincture, it is absorbed by the mucous membrane in your mouth. A standard dose is 20–40 mg of CBD/ml. As with any other product that you measure, you need to divide the total amount of delta 8 THC by the size of the bottle, and you’ll always know how much delta 8 THC sits in a single serving.

That’s because most manufacturers use a single dropper (1 ml.) as the standard serving size. With delta 8 THC oil tinctures, you have full control over the amount of your active ingredient.

2. Delta 8 THC Vape Dosage

Delta 8 THC vapes are among the most popular formats for this cannabinoid. 

There are three types of delta 8 vapes on the market:

• Disposable vape pens
• Bottled e-liquids
• Vape cartridges

Dosing these products is the same regardless of the type, so let’s elaborate on it.

An average single dose of vaped d8 is one or three puffs depending on the aforementioned individual factors. Depth of your inhalation and how much vapor you can draw into your lungs per hit also matter when it comes to the intensity of your effects.

To put it in numbers, you can take between 1 and 5 mg of delta 8 THC per serving. But how do you measure that?

It’s actually quite easy. One milliliter of e-liquid contains approximately 100 puffs. Using that information, you can divide the total amount of delta 8 in the product by the size of its container.

For example, if your vape gives you about 4 mg of delta 8 THC in each puff, the standard dose is anywhere between 1–5 draws. Users with higher tolerance can take up to 10 puffs on the pen at a time for intense effects.

3. Delta 8 THC Gummies Dosage

Delta 8 THC edible gummies offer a premeasured amount of delta 8 THC — usually between 10–40 mg per gummy. 10 mg is considered a good dose for lightweight users and beginners, while the 40 mg dose is more suitable for heavyweight users and those with higher tolerance to delta 8 THC.

When you take one gummy, we recommend waiting about 2 hours so that the effects can develop, and once you know you feel comfortable with that amount, you can get slightly up the dosage by taking, say, an extra half of the gummy.

4. Delta 8 THC Capsules Dosage

Similar to gummies, delta 8 THC capsules are easy to dose due to containing a fixed dose per serving. The bottle provides precise information about the total amount of delta 8 THC and the dose in each capsule. Usually, one capsule translates into a single serving; that’s the standard adopted by most manufacturers. Most capsules contain 10 or 25 mg of delta 8 THC.

5. Delta 8 THC Hemp Flower Dosage

Unlike the name suggests, the delta 8 THC flower is just a CBD hemp bud sprayed with delta 8 THC distillate. Similar to vapes, you should take 1–5 milligrams or 1–3 puffs as a good starting dose. However, delta 8 THC flowers may be more difficult to dose because the distillate may not be distributed evenly throughout the flower.

When you smoke delta 8 THC flowers, it’s best to wait 20 minutes after taking the first two hits to assess the strength of the effects.

Key Takeaways on Delta 8 THC Dosage

Although finding the right delta 8 THC dosage can seem difficult at first contact, understanding how it works within your body and how different formats affect its bioavailability, duration, and intensity of effects can help you to buy delta 8 products suitable for you. 

If you’re looking for the best dosage precision, tinctures are a good pick. On the other hand, if your goal is to feel elevated faster and with more delta 8 THC in your bloodstream, you may want to reconsider your choice and go for vapes. Oral products like gummies and capsules are best for people who value consistency and ease of dosing.

Feel free to use the calculations and dosage patterns that we’ve provided in this guide to help yourself find the best delta 8 THC dosage for your needs — and let us know how you like the effects of delta 8!