What Is Delta 10 THC?

So, there’s another cannabinoid in the market. And, whether you like it or not, it’s another derivative of THC called Delta 10 THC. 

With new cannabinoids popping in the market frequently, people are more inclined to try everything, and delta 10 THC is no exception.

Delta 10 is already popular, what with people comparing it to THC or delta 9 THC. 

It's common to find gummies, vape juices, capsules, and buds infused with delta 10 THC. 

However, is delta 10 THC as safe as they say? Or are you better off without it?

This article will explore everything you need to know about this new cannabinoid. 

What Is Delta 10 THC?

Like many of the cannabinoids produced by the cannabis plant, delta 10 THC is also a cannabinoid. However, unlike the dominant presence of delta 9 THC or tetrahydrocannabinol — the prominent cannabinoid that produces a psychoactive high — delta 10 THC is found in minuscule amounts in the plant. 

In other words, delta 10 THC is a minor cannabinoid found in such small traces that it would take excessive time to produce a significant quantity using natural strains. As a result, labs often misidentify delta 10 THC with other cannabinoids because of the negligible amount. 

Delta 10 THC is very similar to delta 8 and 9 except for a slight difference in the chemical formula. Or, you could call it an isomer of delta 10 THC, meaning the formula is similar except for a difference in the arrangement of the atoms. For example, Delta 9 THC has its double bond in the 9th position while delta 10 has it in the tenth. 

All these technical terms are bound to make you dizzy, so let me explain in simple terms. For instance, think of an orange. You have Blood orange, Mandarin orange, Seville orange, and so on. Although the names are different, they all belong to one family. Naturally, all these oranges have slightly different flavors, but they are all oranges at the end of the day. 

Similarly, delta 10 THC can be considered as a different flavor from delta 9 THC. Of course, you’ll find other flavors like delta 2, 3, 8, etc., but they are found in such minor amounts that it makes it tough to study them. 

What Are The Effects Of Delta 10 THC?

There are no scientific studies conducted yet to analyze the effects of delta 10 THC. Therefore, there’s no way to tell how it interacts with the body. However, based on reports and personal experience, we can tell you that delta 10 THC is milder than delta 9 THC. 

It imparts a head buzz or a cerebral high, as some users like to call it. Like delta 9 THC, it perhaps interacts with the cannabinoid receptors, considering its stimulating high. Delta 10 THC also increases focus and creativity, and euphoria, similar to Sativas. 

So, does delta 10 make you high?

Yes. It does. However, it’s not as potent as delta 9 THC. You could go as far as to say that it’s half as strong. 

But you can’t translate this to dosages. So, for example, you cannot consume, say, two delta 10 gummies instead of one delta 9 THC gummy just because you read it somewhere. Many people follow this dosage based on the manufacturer’s findings, but it’s up to you to take that leap of faith. 

Why? Because we don’t have conclusive evidence that tells you precisely what this cannabinoid does. 

That said, delta 10 THC is just another cannabinoid like delta 9 THC. If you’ve had experience with delta 9 THC before, you will notice that delta 10 THC produces fewer side effects. However, if you’re a beginner, you must proceed with caution. 

Comparing Delta 8, Delta 9, And Delta 10 THC

Delta 8, 9, and 10 THC are all similar except for minute differences in their chemical structure.  All three isomers get you high. Period. There’s no other way around it. But, of course, delta 9 THC is super potent, and high doses can produce side effects, including dry mouth, nausea, and hallucinations. Delta 8 and delta 10 THC, however, do not impart such extreme results. 

Comparing delta 8, 9, and 10 THC, we can determine a few differences concerning the effects.

Delta 8 THC — Produces a psychoactive high, but the effects are reportedly not as extreme as delta 9 THC. Instead, the results are similar to an Indica strain with a heavy body-high. In short, it has sedative effects and is best used to relax after a long day.

Delta 9 THC — As a major cannabinoid that occurs naturally in the cannabis plant, it produces a narcotic high. Effects depend on the concentrations, and users may experience dry mouth, paranoia, hallucinations, etc.

One doesn't experience such extreme effects with regular buds because they don't contain high concentrations of cannabinoids. For example, there’s a world of difference between using a gram of bud compared to a gram of concentrate like shatter, budder, rosin, etc. 

Even if the bud contains high amounts of THC, you’d need a lot to experience extreme side effects. However, companies extract cannabinoids from large quantities of buds to derive concentrated cannabinoids and then infuse them with several products. In short, it’s like combining rosin with gummies. 

That said, some people may need concentrates containing high amounts of THC or CBD to gain relief from certain conditions. The bottom line here is that you should start slow and increase the doses as your body adjusts. 

Delta 9 THC also comes with medicinal effects. For example, THC acts as a neuroprotectant, and studies suggest that it can protect brain cells. In addition, researchers have conducted many studies on delta 9 THC compared to delta 8 and 10 THC. This means that although you can consume THC as directed by a physician, you should be careful before ingesting isolated cannabinoids that don’t have any evidence yet. 

Delta 10 THC — Produces a high very similar to Sativa strains where the user can experience euphoria. However, side effects aren't as prominent as delta 9 THC.

As you can surmise by now, delta 8, 9, and 10 THC are similar, although delta 8 and 10 THC produce fewer negative side effects. The most important thing to remember is that delta 9 THC occurs naturally and is abundant in the cannabis plant. Therefore, extracting delta 9 THC is an inexpensive process. 

However, the same isn't valid for delta 8 and 10 THC. Since they are minor cannabinoids present in minimal concentrations in the cannabis plant, companies first extract CBD and infuse it with chemical solvents to get to the final product.

While delta 9 THC is extracted from cannabis, delta 8 and 10 THC are synthesized from the CBD produced in hemp.

Is It Legal To Use Delta 10 THC?

As of now, products containing delta 10 THC are considered legal because of the 2018 Farm Bill that made hemp legal across all states in the USA. Any cannabis plant containing less than 0.3% delta 9 THC is considered hemp. 

As mentioned already, manufacturers extract CBD from hemp at first and then derive delta THC,  making it legal. For many users, the fact that they can consume delta 10 THC without legal consequences makes delta 10 THC very attractive. In addition, Delta 10 THC is not explicitly mentioned anywhere in the bill, making it easy for companies to distribute it legally. 

You will find many unscrupulous manufacturers taking advantage of all the mess concerning cannabinoids. For example, although you will find reputed brands selling delta 10 THC with accurate lab tests, there is an equal number of companies selling delta 10 THC products unabashedly without disclosing their source of hemp. 

However, just like some states took up the responsibility to catch legal loopholes and make delta 8 THC illegal, some states have made delta 10 THC illegal. Therefore, it’s best to check your local laws before ordering your favorite delta 10 THC product. 

How Is Delta 10 THC Made?

Like delta 8 THC, delta 10 THC is also made in a lab. Delta 10 THC can be produced by using CBD or delta 9 THC. 

Typically, delta 9 THC is abundant in the cannabis plant. Using the isomerization process that involves transforming a compound into its isomeric form, it’s possible to convert delta 9 THC into delta 10 THC. This is because the cannabis plant rarely produces high amounts of delta 10 THC, and it would be a waste of time and effort to extract it from the plant itself. 

Another method to derive delta 10 THC is to use isolated CBD or its crude form. This process involves using various chemicals to extract pure delta 10 THC. Acids and solvents are mixed with the original extract throughout this process to produce a highly concentrated version of delta 10 THC. 

Is It Safe To Use Delta 10 THC?

Yes, it is safe to use delta 10 THC if you purchase the product from a reputed manufacturer. As mentioned, there are several ways to produce delta 10 THC. Most companies take the route of using chemicals to extract delta 10 THC. So, if you use products from a company explaining the methods they use to manufacture the cannabinoid, you will be at ease. 

Summary

Various cannabinoids, including delta 8 and delta 10 THC, have made an appearance in the market. However, they are appealing to most people because of their hazy legal status. 

Delta 10 THC is very similar to delta 9 THC except for a difference in their molecular structures. However, this slight difference is enough to separate the two cannabinoids in terms of the side effects they produce. Compared to delta 9 THC, delta 10 THC is milder and has fewer adverse effects. 

However, although delta 9 THC is derived naturally from the marijuana plant, delta 10 THC is synthesized from delta 9 THC, or CBD extracted from hemp. This primary difference makes the product legal in many states. 

Coming to safety, sure, delta 10 THC is safe. It’s considered natural; however, the manufacturing process involves using chemicals, including solvents and acids, to produce pure delta 10 THC. Since it falls in a gray area, it’s your responsibility to find manufacturers that follow ethical practices. Look for lap reports that explain everything, including the potency and presence of contaminants such as pesticides, heavy metals, residual solvents, and more.