In the past few years, there have been many new cannabinoids that are emerging. For most people, it can get confusing trying to keep up with the latest discoveries.
Delta-9 THC is by far the most well known for being the main compound in weed that makes people feel high. Delta-8 THC, a more recently discovered isomer of Delta-9 has gained increasing popularity for it being similar, but less potent as well as being the legal alternative to marijauana.
But wait, there’s more.. Today we are going to dive into everything you need to know about one of the newest cannabinoids to hit the market, also known as Delta-10 THC or Δ10-THC.
Delta-10 THC (Delta-10-Tetrahydrocannabinol) Explained
Delta-10 is one of the newest cannabinoids to be discovered, and can be found in very small amounts in the cannabis plant. Although it is found naturally in the cannabis plant, the amount is so small that it makes it much more difficult to extract which is why it is known to have a higher price than Delta-8.
Delta-10 is classified as an isomer of Delta-9 which means that they share an almost identical chemical formula with just a slight difference on the molecular level. Delta-9, the compound known for its psychoactive effects, has a double bond on the 9th carbon chain whereas Delta-10 has a double bond on the 10th carbon chain and is known to be less potent than both Delta-9 and Delta-8. Because of the slight difference in the chemical structure, Delta-10 THC offers a new and different experience for users who decide to try it out. Similar to other THC compounds, Delta-10 also reacts to the body’s endocannabinoid receptors, but will produce different effects than Delta-8 or Delta-9 because of the difference in where the double bond is.
The Origin of Delta-10 THC and How it’s Made
The discovery of Delta-10 was more so an accident rather than on purpose. During the infamous California bushfires of 2020, aerial firefighters attempted to control the fire by releasing a very large amount of fire retardant over the affected areas. While the fire retardant helped with the assistance of putting out the fires, they also landed on surrounding cannabis farms. Fast forward a little, and a California brand by the name of Fusion Farms had purchased a batch of marijuana to create their own concentrates. Little did they know that there were still remnants of the fire retardant in the flower. During their distillation and extraction process, crystals started to form that at the time they thought resembled cannabichromene (CBC) and cannabicyclol (CBL). After a few months, they discovered that the newly discovered crystals were not CBC or CBL, but actually a new cannabinoid Delta-10 THC.
Delta-10 THC is found in very trace amounts in the cannabis plant, which causes the extraction from the plant naturally to be too time consuming and cost inefficient. Because of this, isomerization is more likely to be used to produce Delta-10. The majority of Delta-10 products are created from a lab extraction process or synthetically manufactured and then refined into different products such as disposables or edibles.
The Differences Between Delta-8 and Delta-10
As stated previously in the article, Delta-10 is an isomer of Delta-9 meaning the double bond for Delta-10 is on the 10th carbon chain. When compared to Delta-8 on a molecular level, the double bond for Delta-8 is found on the 8th carbon chain.
Another difference between Delta-8 THC and Delta-10 THC is that Delta-8 tends to have a higher CBN content while Delta-10 has more CBG, CGC, and THC. This is one of the reasons for Delta-10 being less potent than Delta-8.
Delta-10 THC can be compared to feelings of higher energy, creativity, and a mild euphoria. Users have reported Delta-10 to give off a less psychoactive feeling than Delta-9 and resembles a sativa whereas Delta-8 is more for a sleeping aid and is more of an indica. The reason many people prefer Delta-10 and Delta-8 over Delta-9 THC is because it offers euphoria and focus without the anxiety and paranoia. This information can be slightly backed by a study that was done in the 1980s by Raphael Mechoulam, who was a cannabis research pioneer. The research involved testing Delta-10 and Delta-9 on pigeons. The results of the study showed that Delta-10 has the possibility to produce psychoactive effects, if the effects were present they were much less potent than Delta-9.
The Benefits and Side Effects of Delta-10
Although there isn’t extensive research on how Delta-10 THC affects the body, it is very likely that the cannabinoid interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) similar to other THC isomers. Delta-10 is reported to have a relaxing and uplifting effect without the paranoia that can be produced from other compounds. It is also reported by users that it can be used to help combat anxiety without feeling sedated. While these feelings/side-effects are reported from users, this information is only speculative and should be taken with a grain of salt. What is known though, is that the overuse of any cannabinoid can lead to unwanted effects, and the higher the dosage the more extreme the side-effects.
Delta-10 THC side-effects include:
- Dry/Red Eyes
- Dry Mouth
- Fatigue
- Drowsiness
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Dizziness/Disorientation
- Diarrhea
There have been reported benefits in small to moderate dosages of Delta-10. (10-20mg beginner or 20-50mg moderate)
Benefits of Delta-10 THC
- Increased Energy, Focus, and Concentration
- Heightened Awareness
- Muscle/Joint Support
- Elevated Mood
- Relaxation
- Pain reduction
- Better Sleep
Is Delta-10 Legal and will it Show up on a Drug Test?
Delta-10 THC is a compound found naturally in hemp which means it is considered legal on a federal level thanks to the Farm Bill which was passed by Congress in 2018. For those of you unfamiliar with the 2018 farm bill, it legalized the hemp plant itself and all of its derivatives on a federal level. This is one of the big reasons why Delta-10, Delta-8, and other hemp-derived cannabinoids are so popular. In states where cannabis is still illegal, these other compounds can still be purchased and consumed.
Unfortunately, even though it is passed on a federal level, states still have the right to ban them if they determine Delta-10 to be classified as a controlled substance. As of now, Delta-10 THC is illegal in:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Mississippi
- Montana
- Rhode Island
- Utah
In regards to drug testing and Delta-10, even though it is considered legal.. in the eyes of a standard drug test there isn’t a way to distinguish it from Delta-9. Both cannabinoids get metabolized the same way which means traces are left in the hair, blood, lungs, urine, and saliva. These traces can be found in your system ranging from a couple of days all the way up to months depending on the amount of consumption.
It is important to understand that if you have an upcoming required drug test, it is better to stay on the safe side and not risk putting yourself into an unwanted situation.
Ways to Consume Delta-10
Similar to other cannabinoids, depending on personal preference there are multiple ways to consume Delta-10.
Products available for purchase Include:
- Vape Cartridges
- Disposable Vapes
- Distillates
- Tinctures
- Gummies
- Edibles
- Capsules
- Flower
- Dabs
- Topicals
As seen above, there are many different types of Delta-10 products to choose from. Availability will differ depending on the store or website you choose to purchase from.
Delta-10 THC Key Points
While there is a lot of information that still needs to be studied and better understood about Delta-10, here are some of the key points to take away:
- Delta-10 THC is found naturally in hemp plants, but is typically extracted via isomerization
- Delta-10 THC is federally legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill, but states have the right to ban them
- Delta-10 THC WILL show up on a drug test
- Delta-10 THC is considered less potent than Delta-8 & Delta-9, it produces sativa-like effects without the extreme psychoactive properties of Delta-9