What Is Delta 9 THC? Guide to Delta 9 THC
Delta-9 is one of our favorite cannabinoids here at Think Apollo.
Why? Maybe it’s the reliable stress reduction…maybe it’s the fun delivery options…maybe it’s the exciting effects. Or maybe it’s a blend of all these things!
But let’s say you’re brand new to delta-9 — so much so that this is all news to you.
If that’s the case, don’t panic. This delta-9 101 guide has been written specifically for beginners. (Though we’ll be throwing in a few gems for all you psychonauts out there, too.) Keep reading to learn more about what makes delta-9 THC so special.
- What is delta-9 THC?
- Delta-9 THC’s top benefits
- Is delta-9 THC even legal?
- Where can I find premium delta-9 THC?
What is delta-9 THC?
Delta-9 THC is a cannabinoid. That just means it’s naturally produced by the cannabis plant. (The female cannabis plant in particular.)
But delta-9 THC isn’t just any cannabinoid. Often going by “THC,” it’s probably the very most famous cannabinoid of all. While delta-9 THC is structurally similar to hundreds of other cannabinoids, its powerful high sets it apart from the rest.
Today’s cannabis uber-strains can contain up to 30% of delta-9 THC by dry weight, though it’s likely that traditionally-bred cannabis contained much less THC than that. THC is such a potent compound that just a few milligrams of it are often all that’s needed to experience mind-altering effects.
Just as important as its ability to introduce upliftment and inspiration, however, is what THC is able to take away: stress. Many people find THC products (or high-THC cannabis) a perfect replacement for alcohol, cigarettes, and other side-effect-laden habits. For something as powerful as it is, delta-9 THC is surprisingly side-effect-free. A growing body of experts even claims it’s healthy — but more on that next.
Delta-9 THC’s top benefits
“The biggest killer on the planet is stress and I still think the best medicine is and always has been cannabis.”
– Willie Nelson
For someone who’s not a biochemist, the “Roll Me Up and Smoke Me” country star gets surprisingly close to the heart of what THC can do. THC’s ability to reduce stress — hormonal stress, physical stress, and mental stress — is the singular source of many of its benefits.
Why is stress reduction so important? Because, as Willy said, stress is a major driver of aches, pains, sleep problems, and disease. One study rightly points out the existence of a stress-disease pathway: [1]
“Chronic stress [related] failures of homeostasis […] lead to various diseases such as atherosclerosis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and depression. […] 75%-90% of human diseases are related to the activation of stress system […].”
Did you catch that? 75-90% of all human disease is related to activation of your body’s stress system. By reducing your stress levels, you may be able to reduce your chance of developing chronic diseases…on the most fundamental level possible.
Conceptual stuff aside, here’s a closer look at delta-9 THC’s top hormonal, physical, and mental benefits.
THC’s top hormonal benefits
- May reduce levels of cortisol and other stress hormones [2]
- May stimulate the release of oxytocin, improving emotional intelligence [3]
- May increase ghrelin and normalize hunger (esp. in those who are underweight) [4]
THC’s top physical benefits
- May be associated with improved BMI/body composition [5]
- May improve muscular coordination/proprioception
- May help your body tap into ‘fat burning mode’ [6]
- May improve sleep quality and regularity [7]
- May improve neurotransmission
- May modulate inflammation [8]
THC’s top mental benefits
- May improve sociability
- May stimulate creativity
- May provide deep relaxation
- May improve emotional wellbeing
Delta-9 and your endocannabinoid system
What makes THC able to reduce stress, foster social connections, ward off inflammation, and do 101 other things?
Your body’s endocannabinoid system, of course! If you’re reading this right now, your body’s built-in endocannabinoid system (or ECS, for short) is working away as we speak.
If you hadn’t realized that…you wouldn’t be alone. This very important system works behind the scenes to synchronize cellular messages. The more closely everything stays synced up, the healthier, happier, and calmer you’ll likely be.
Even the ECS can get run down from time to time — especially given how much stress and pollution we face as modern humans. But that’s exactly where THC comes in. Cannabinoids like THC work by providing your ECS with a much-needed boost. The cannabinoid begins absorbing into specialized endocannabinoid receptors the very moment you inhale the smoke from a joint or bite into a D9 gummy.
This absorption, which neuroscientists call “binding affinity,” allows THC to assist with cellular messaging and stabilize hormone levels. Leading cannabis experts attest that THC’s activation of the ECS can help its users “eat, sleep, relax, and forget.” [9]
How will delta-9 make me feel?
In one word? Amazing.
In a few more words, the type of experience delta-9 THC provides is unlike virtually anything else nature has to offer. It’s simultaneously uplifting and calming…euphoric and introspective…relaxing and energizing. Some products provide a ‘body high’…others provide more of a ‘head high.’ And depending on the time of the day, the source of the delta-9 you’re using, and a plethora of other factors, delta-9 THC can be either sedating or invigorating.
Regardless of the type of product you’re using, delta-9 THC’s ability to promote rest and relaxation is one of its best. Consider using delta-9 to cut down on alcohol/nicotine/prescription drug use if you haven’t already. (Always make medical changes with the assistance of your doctor, of course.)
Is delta-9 THC even legal?
This all sounds great, you may be thinking, but is delta-9 even legal? I’m a law-abiding citizen — I don’t want to break the law!
We’ve got good news: it is indeed. Just as long as one critical condition is met, delta-9 THC products can be enjoyed nationwide. The condition? That this delta-9 is derived from industrial hemp, not from conventional cannabis. Legal delta-9 THC products should also contain 0.3% THC by product weight. Thanks to THC’s potency, however, even this trace percentage is sufficient to fuel a pretty fun experience. [10]
Where can I find premium delta-9 THC?
We’ll be honest with you: you can buy delta-9 THC from your local dispensary, health food store, or sketchy gas station.
But only if you live in states where some type of cannabis is legal…and/or only if you like living on the wild side.
A far better choice is buying online — from yours truly. Think Apollo’s Delta-9 THC Gummies check all the important boxes. They’re all-natural, vegan-friendly, derived from organic hemp, triple-lab tested, and appropriately dosed.
We think you’ll find them the best-tasting delta-9 gummies on today’s market, too. And unlike cheap gummy products, ours are manufactured in a cGMP facility and won’t melt during transit. Suffice to say they’re award-winning for a reason! Buy them from the link above, or feel free to check out their certificates of analysis here.
Each gummy provides 10mg of pure delta-9 — enough to power you through 4-8 hours of insight and upliftment. Be sure to start out with one gummy until you’ve got a feel for how that dose will affect you. (And be sure not to let the amazing flavors tempt you into taking too many.) Brand new users can start off even slowly by dividing their gummies into halves or quarters. Take a quarter, wait about an hour, then take the other quarter if you can handle a little more intensity.
- Brand new dose: 2.5-5 mg ¼-½ gummy
- Beginner’s dose: 5-10 mg ½-1 gummy
- Intermediate dose: 10-20 mg 1-2 full gummies
- Heavyweight’s dose: 30-50 mg 3-5 full gummies
- Psychonaut’s dose: 100+ mg 10+ gummies
Summing things up
Delta-9 THC is a pretty fascinating substance. It can improve your physical health, improve your fitness levels, and even improve the way you perceive the world around you. Try it out if you haven’t already…just be sure to start with a quality product and conservative dosing.
