Will Delta 8 THC Make You High?

Delta 8 THC is a psychoactive cannabinoid naturally occurring in hemp and considered semi-synthetic when converted from hemp-derived THC.

When it comes to its effects, it’s the middle ground between CBD and Delta 9 THC.

Delta 8 does get you high. The effects include euphoria and relaxation similar to Delta 9 THC, but with a less intense buzz.

The high from Delta 8 THC can help with anxiety, insomnia, lack of appetite, chronic pain, and nausea.

The best part about its effects is that they have a much lower incidence of anxiety and paranoia when consumed in large doses – which is why it has become so popular these days.

In this article, we leave no stone unturned to answer our title question:

Does Delta 8 THC Get You High?

Yes, it does. But not in such an intense way Delta 9 THC can get you high.

Over the last two years, we’ve tested dozens of products from over 30 different brands – ranging between edibles, dabs, vapes, and flower – to measure the strength of its psychoactive effects in comparison with marijuana.

From our own experience, we can tell you that Delta 8 THC can get you seriously high, but the buzz is much smoother and relaxing than Delta 9.

We’ve also searched for online reviews of Delta 8 to see if our experience overlaps with other users.

Is Delta 8 Milder Than Delta 9?

Yes, seeing anecdotal reports from Delta 8 users around the world, and from the Delta 8 products we’ve tried, Delta 8 THC effects are milder than Delta 9 when taken in similar doses.

For example, when you take 50 mg of marijuana edibles as a first-time user, you cannot get pretty damn high – but you’ll also likely experience discomforts such as anxiety, paranoia, cold sweats, and racing heart.

That’s especially true if you’re naturally sensitive to the psychedelic nature of Delta 9 THC.

However, the effects of Delta 8 edibles when you take them in the same dose, are intense but with no anxiety.

Of course, you may experience temporary confusion, drowsiness, a severe boost of appetite, and difficulty concentrating, so it’s always important to use your Delta 8 in moderation.

Long story short, Delta 8 THC is about half as potent as Delta 9, meaning you’d need to take twice as much to experience the same intensity of effects.

Only a small chunk of Delta 8 users claim it’s stronger than Delta 9.

What Does the High from Delta 8 Feel Like?

Similar to Delta 9 THC products, the high from Delta 8 depends on the consumption method, the product potency, and the ratios between Delta 8 and other cannabinoids and terpenes.

Your tolerance is also one of the driving factors behind the strength of a Delta 8 high.

The only way to get an idea of what Delta 8 THC feels like is to try one product, and if you don’t like it, check out other formats or buy from another vendor. Not every Delta 8 company uses the same high-quality standards.

Common Delta 8 THC Effects (What to Expect)

Physical relaxation
Relief from anxiety
Increased focus and motivation
Reduced pain
Enhanced sleep
Calming buzz

If we were to pick out one signature effect of the Delta 8 high, it would be genuine relaxation. If you struggle with anxiety or pain, Delta 8 can provide true relief from everyday discomforts that plague your body and mind – when dosed correctly.

For example, we’ve tested Delta 8 vape carts and gummies from companies like Area 52 and Finest Labs. They both provide mental calm and clarity but also deliver a positive jolt of energy and motivation.

However, we wouldn’t agree that Delta 8 is completely paranoia-free. If you don’t know your tolerance and start out with a hefty dose, it’s easy to experience a bout of anxiety.

What Delta 8 THC Users Are Saying About the High

We’ve spent over 20 hours combing through the Internet to get an in-depth insight into what people are saying about the high from Delta 8 and its therapeutic effects.

Here are some of the most popular opinions:

“It was similar to smoking normal weed.”
“Much lighter but still got me high.”
“Not as anxious and doesn’t make my heart race.”
“Makes me feel more chill.”
“Delta 8 is like diet weed. I use it when I want to get high but not couch locked.”
“Doesn’t even get close to the potency of Delta 9.”
“I didn’t like it. It had an artificial flavor and smell. I’m sure it wasn’t a natural product from cannabis.”
“Delta 8 for me is a gentle high that doesn’t get me stoned. It’s a slow, mellow buzz that mildly steps away over time. It helps throughout the day when you need to do your stuff and don’t feel like getting baked.”
“CBD didn’t reduce my pain, and Delta 9 is too edgy for me. I found Delta 8 THC to be working just fine.”
“Delta 8 helped me improve my sleep quality, and I wake up with more energy the next day. Other than a few mild side effects, it helped me with anxiety and depression. If you’ve never tried it, you’ve been missing out on a good therapeutic.”
“I took it as gummies, and the taste was cleaner than with typical Delta 9 edibles. I didn’t get as high as with weed gummies, but I still had the benefits without the sketchy high.”
“I’m not as high after Delta 8, it eases my pain just perfectly.”
“Pretty much the same as Delta 9 but had to take a larger dose.”
“The high from Delta 8 is much mellower. It’s like getting buzzed on hash but without such intensity. It’s good when I want to get a little high and still be able to do my daily activities.”
“It’s ok, but no fireworks. Nothing can beat the real THC.”
“Gummies always get me energized, no matter the type. Milder high with only a few side effects.”
“It definitely elevates my anxiety and doesn’t provide me with as much pain relief. However, it does make me feel sleepy, so let’s say it helps with insomnia. I also noticed dry mouth and eyes as a result, just like with normal THC.”
“I felt Delta 8 more in my body than my head. It was a very comfortable experience, although it made me lazy that day. I didn’t feel like I was going to do anything productive after a few puffs from the vape pen.”
“I took Delta 8 gummies before going to a movie. It makes the experience much better. I’m more focused on the movie, the visuals are more vivid, and I become more sensitive to the sound of the speakers. One time I ran through the entire bag of gummies, and that was the raddest experience I’ve ever had with cannabinoids. The high lasted even longer than from marijuana edibles.”
“I didn’t have any side effects, everything went so smooth.”

As you can see, the effects of Delta 8 THC vary between individuals. What you’ll read in most articles online is a big generalization of Delta 8’s effects because hardly anyone takes into consideration factors like a person’s physiological makeup, tolerance level, or dosage.

However, one common feature mentioned throughout these reviews is the strong body relaxation and a smoother cerebral high.

How Much Delta 8 Will Get You High?

The optimal amount of Delta 8 THC to get you high largely depends on your tolerance. If you’re a heavy user, your tolerance is much higher than a novice.

High Tolerance: you should be able to get high with doses between 50-100 mg of Delta 8 THC. For smokers, two Delta 8 joints are enough to drive you into euphoria.

Low Tolerance: if you’re a new user, you should start low and go slow. A dose of 10 mg should get you slightly high, but if the buzz is too mild, try a 20 mg dose but no higher than that unless you feel confident about your sensitivity to Delta 8.

How Long Does the High Last?

Again, tolerance is the main factor affecting the duration of a Delta 8 high, but the method of consumption will always play a big role.

Edibles can get you high for about 6 hours, sometimes longer, depending on the dose.

On the other hand, the high from Delta 8 flowers last the shortest amount of time. The effects usually dissipate in under one hour.

Delta 8 cartridges are in the middle of the spectrum and could last up to 2 hours.

What Are Some Possible Side Effects of Delta 8 THC?

We’ve been using Delta 8 for quite some time now and can’t deny there are some negative side effects, but they’re much milder than Delta 9.

The side effects of Delta 8 THC include:

Cognitive impairment
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Dry mouth
Fatigue
Headaches
Memory loss
Red and puffy eyes
Slow or increased heart rate

Some Reddit users claim some delta 8 cartridges can give you migraines that may last for a week. This isn’t the side effect of delta 8 THC alone but rather the result of mixing delta 8 with dangerous additives like vitamin E acetate or MCT oil, both of which should never be inhaled.

High doses of delta 8 THC are known for causing a dry mouth, especially if you wake up the next morning after going through a bag of edibles.

If you go overboard with delta 8 THC, expect anxiety similar to consuming too much delta 9.

How is Delta 8 High Different from Delta 9?

The high that you get from delta 8 THC is similar to the one produced by delta 9 — but less intense.

If your delta 8 flower has more CBD and CBG, you won’t likely feel any anxiety commonly associated with high-THC cannabis.

That’s because CBG and CBD help counteract the psychedelic effects of delta8 by preventing it from fully binding to your CB1 receptors in the brain.

However, the essence of a delta 8 high is pretty much the same as delta 9. You experience similar euphoria with prolonged cognitive change.

How Does Delta 8 THC Compare to CBD?

It’s like comparing apples and oranges. Delta 8 and CBD are completely different compounds.

Delta 8 THC is intoxicating, so it can get you high, while CBD doesn’t have such properties.

Delta 8 and CBD have different molecular structures and interact with different receptors in the body.

CBD is definitely better for the body, while delta 8 can address mental health goals more effectively, in our opinion.

CBD products are also more natural, especially the flowers. CBD flowers are sold in an unadulterated form, whereas delta 8 flower is just CBD flower sprayed with delta 8 THC distillate.

Some companies lack precision when it comes to spraying, so sometimes, you may stumble upon globs of distillate on the nug.

Which Delta 8 Products Produce the Strongest High?

Many users choose vape pens and dabs (concentrates) for a powerful high. However, contrary to this belief, high-potency delta 8 edibles provide the strongest high of all products.

That’s because THC needs to be processed by the liver, and from there, it turns into a more potent metabolite that can increase the permeability of the blood-brain barrier.

In contrast, when you vape delta 8 distillate, the high is less intense because the contents are absorbed through the lungs, and there’s no extra conversion taking place.

Do Delta 8 THC Gummies Get You High?

Yes, delta 8 THC gummies definitely get you high. As mentioned, they offer the most potent and longest-lasting experience. The effects may stay with you for up to 6 hours.

Does Delta 8 THC Flower Get You High?

Yes, but the high is less intense than from gummies or pure distillate. It’s a decent pick for all users, both beginners, and seasoned ones. The high lasts for about an hour and doesn’t leave you drowsy at the end of the duration, unlike gummies.

Best Delta 8 THC Brands for a Potent High

The Delta 8 brands we recommend for the most potent high are Area 52, Finest Labs, and 3Chi.

In our private ranking, Area 52 sits on the throne. The company is slightly more expensive than competitor brands, but when it comes to the purity, potency, and testing integrity, you won’t find a better vendor.

Finest Labs is a great place to start if you’ve never tried delta 8 products. They’re not as potent as Area 52, but they’re crafted to the same high standard. Finest Labs also boasts a broad selection of terpenes, so you can create your own cannabinoid blends with these botanicals.

As for 3Chi, this brand doesn’t need an introduction. It’s one of the pioneering companies on the market that offers the broadest selection of delta 8 THC products, from tinctures to vapes, flowers, moon rocks, edibles, capsules, concentrates, and more.

Is Delta 8 THC Safe?

Delta 8 THC has a good safety profile, but not all products are created equal. Since the industry is unregulated, there are no manufacturing standards in place, which creates room for fly-by-night businesses.

If you want to make sure your product is safe, make sure it comes with a batch-specific certificate of analysis (CoA).

Delta 8 companies can sand samples of their products to third-party laboratories for content analysis. These labs analyze the potency of the sample, and they also look for common contaminants, such as heavy metals, pesticides, solvents, mycotoxins, and bleaches.

When a product passes the test, it receives the CoA. If a company doesn’t publish CoAs on their website or send them to customers upon request, it’s an instant red flag.

Is Delta 8 a Good Pick for Beginners?

Yes, delta 8 THC is a good place to start if you want to experience the signature weed high but without getting over the edge like with delta 9.

The physical and mental sensations from delta 8 THC are less intense and won’t trigger significant adverse reactions.

Delta 8 THC is also more accessible because it’s legal at the federal level. People who have been limited by the legal status of delta 9 can now enjoy a high without worrying about breaking the law.

They also don’t need to “know a guy” who will sell them delta 8 because they can order it online and have it delivered to their doorstep.

When you buy from a reputable source that provides batch-specific certificates of analysis, you’ll be safe and sound.

Final Thoughts on Getting High on Delta 8 THC

If you’ve been wondering, “will delta 8 get me high,” we hope this article has cleared up any confusion.

The answer is “yes, delta 8 will get you high,” but not at the same intensity as delta 9. It’s a much smoother cannabinoid with a better safety profile for beginners.

However, since the delta 8 market is still in its infancy, we don’t believe every company is making their products as they should. Product impurity and the lack of third-party testing are common problems in this space.

Hopefully, the market will mature – as did the CBD space – and more companies will follow the generally agreed quality standards.

If you’re looking for decent companies that offer a broad range of delta 8 products, check out Area 52, Finest Labs, or 3Chi. All three brands have unparalleled quality standards that ensure safe and effective products.