Delta 8 is a popular cannabinoid that provides users with an uplifting and euphoric experience. But how long does Delta 8 last? The quick answer is three to six hours, and several factors affect the duration. Wondering what those factors are? Then keep reading! This article will explain how long Delta 8 lasts and what affects it.
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What Is Delta 8?
Delta 8 is a cannabinoid that comes from the cannabis plant. A “cannabinoid” is a hemp-derived compound, similar to CBD or Delta 9 THC. Delta 8 (D8) provides euphoric, uplifting effects that soothe the body and send your mind into the clouds.
D8 can come from either hemp or marijuana (two forms of cannabis), though it’s only present in small amounts. Because of this, D8 manufacturers turn other cannabinoids into Delta 8!
While you can use either CBD or Delta 9 THC to make D8, we recommend the CBD-derived method. D8 made from D9 is technically federally illegal. D8 made from CBD, on the other hand, is legal! We’ll take a closer look at legality further down in this article.
How Long Does Delta 8 Stay In Your System?
When people ask how long Delta 8 stays in their system, they could be talking about the effects of the compound itself. We’ll talk about the effects in the next section. When it comes to D8 lingering in your body, the answer is between thirty-six hours and ninety days.
Why is there such a disparity between these two times? It all depends on which part of the body we’re talking about. Delta 8 can stay in hair follicles for up to ninety days but may be out of your bloodstream in just thirty-six hours.
The amount of time Delta 8 stays in your system is due to several factors, including weight, age, and metabolism. These are the exact same variables that impact how long the effects of D8 last.
Delta 8 Time of Effects
Delta 8’s effects can last three to eight hours. Bodily factors like the ones I mentioned above can drastically affect the duration of your product’s effects. However, the product’s form has the biggest impact on its effects.
There are three popular ways to consume Delta 8: smoking, vaping, and edibles. Inhaling, swallowing, and even dropping D8 under your tongue all deliver the compound to your body in different ways. How quickly the D8 is delivered and how much it gets broken down can affect how long you’ll feel the effects.
Inhaling Delta 8 vs. Eating Delta 8
Smoking D8 is the quickest way to feel its effects. You’ll start to feel them within minutes, and they’ll peak around thirty minutes after consumption. These effects will begin to wear off after three hours.
Edibles are a great option for those who want long-lasting effects. You may not feel Delta 8 edibles for about thirty minutes to an hour because your body first has to digest them. But once they kick in, you’ll enjoy their benefits for about seven hours.
What About Vaping?
If you’re wondering whether vaping D8 rather than smoking impacts the effects, it doesn’t! Vaped D8 has the same onset and duration times as smoked Delta 8.
The Sublingual Application Method
Sublingual means “under the tongue,” but isn’t that the same as an edible? Not exactly. When you drop Delta 8 oil onto some food or straight on top of your tongue, we still consider this an “edible.” That’s because you’re swallowing and digesting the D8 in the same way you would a brownie or some gummies.
But if you drop that same Delta 8 oil under your tongue, it’s an entirely different story. The membrane under your tongue has a much faster way to get to your bloodstream than your digestive tract. So sublingual D8 kicks in just fifteen minutes later and lasts up to five hours.
Determining Factors
Body mass, metabolism, the strength of the dose, and how often you consume Delta 8 can all affect the onset times and duration:
- Body Mass: Those with a higher body mass have a higher metabolic rate, meaning their body breaks down the Delta 8 more quickly.
- Metabolism: A higher metabolism results in a more rapid breakdown of Delta 8.
- Dose Strength: Higher doses have stronger effects that last longer.
- Frequency of Use: The more frequently you use Delta 8, the quicker your body will recognize it. This may result in shorter duration times and weaker effects.
How Long Will Delta 8 Stay In Your Body?
There is no one straight answer to how long Delta 8 will take to pass out your system, but the best average is about a month. Remember that how long D8 stays in your system depends on your body, the form of your CBD, and other factors like how often you take D8.
It also depends on what you mean by “staying in the body.” If you’re referring to the bloodstream, the Delta 8 could be gone within three days up to a week. But if you’re wondering how long D8 will be detectable in hair follicles, it can take up to ninety days.
Here’s a full breakdown:
- Hair: Ninety days
- Urine: Three days to a month
- Saliva: Forty-eight hours
- Blood: Thirty-six hours
Even though Delta 8 can technically last in your system up to 90 days, we stick with a month as the general guideline. This is because not many people are concerned about trace amounts of cannabinoids. Even if you have an impending drug test, the chances are low that it will be sampling your hair. But if you’re not sure what kind of test it will be, you can always play it safe and stop for ninety days.
Will Delta 8 Show Up on a Drug Test?
Delta 8 THC will most likely show up on a drug test. Wondering how that’s possible if it’s a federally legal product? Well, most drug tests look for Delta 9 THC metabolites. These are essentially the “residue” that Delta 9 leaves behind. So if the testers detect THC metabolites, they can infer that THC was recently in that person’s system.
How Long Before My Drug Test Should I Stop Taking Delta 8?
If you have a drug test planned soon, save your Delta 8 for after it has already passed. Knowing what kind of test it is can help you determine how far out you should stop consuming D8:
- Hair Follicle Test: Ninety days
- Urine Test: A month
- Blood Test: Two days
- Saliva Test: Two days
- Sweat Test: Two weeks
Urine tests are the most common form of drug testing. This is why one month is a good wait time for the average person. Blood tests, saliva tests, and sweat tests are less common.
The sweat and hair follicle tests give some of the most detailed snapshots of what a person puts in their body, but since they’re “cumulative tests,” they aren’t always great at detecting THC in people who don’t use it often.
Benefits and Effects of Delta 8
We’ve been talking a lot about how Delta 8 gets into your system, but what does it do once it gets there? Many people report feeling a sense of calm and euphoria after taking Delta 8. Other benefits include:
- Boosted appetite
- Reduced nervousness
- Soothed discomfort
- Creativity
- Mental tranquility
- Natural energy
You may recognize some of these benefits from CBD and Delta 9 THC. That’s because all these hemp-derived cannabinoids aid our wellness by interacting with receptors in our bodies. These receptors (CB1 and CB2) are connected to the endocannabinoid system (ECS).
The ECS is in just about every mammal, and it helps our internal balance. When everything is working just right, this is called homeostasis.
Delta 8 interacts with our CB1 and CB2 receptors, which gives our ECS a helping hand. This interaction adds to our overall homeostasis, providing benefits like relaxation and relief from discomfort.
There aren’t many reported side effects with Delta 8, but they aren’t unheard of. The best way to avoid side effects is dosage control. Start with a small amount and wait to see how your body reacts before trying more D8.
Some potential side effects are:
- Increased heart rate
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- Headache
The good news is that side effects from Delta 8 are usually mild and temporary. If you experience any adverse effects, simply stop taking Delta 8 until they pass.
Where To Buy Delta 8?
Now that you know all about Delta 8, you’re probably wondering where to buy it. Unfortunately, D8 is still pretty new on the market. This means that it can be hard to find in local dispensaries. However, you can easily find online retailers that sell Delta 8 products.
Hollyweed is one of the best online retailers for D8 products! We have a wide range of products, including gummies, tinctures, and vape cartridges. On top of that, we even offer free shipping and a money-back guarantee if you aren’t completely satisfied.
We also know the importance of natural ingredients. All our products are made with hemp-derived compounds and contain no GMOs. So if you’re looking for high-quality Delta 8 products without all those synthetic chemicals and additives, you’re already in the right place with Hollyweed!
Delta 8 Product Types
Now that you know all about Delta 8, let’s talk about the different ways you can take it. Here are some of the most popular D8 products on the market:
- Flower
- Vapes
- Gummies
- Oil
- Soft Gels
Flower
Delta 8 flower is the traditional way to smoke hemp. You can smoke it in a pipe or rolled into a joint. We even offered pre-rolls and cigarettes for those who want to take their bud on the go.
Pre-rolls are basically joints, but without the hassle! Our pre-rolls are tightly packed so that you get along, slow burn with no air pockets. Cigarettes are the same thing, except they are rolled in thicker paper and resemble a traditional cigarette rather than a joint. There is no tobacco in any of our products.
Vapes
Vaping is one of the fastest-acting ways to take Delta 8. Get some disposables to experiment with different flavors easily, or grab a cart for the best-tasting benefits you’ve ever experienced!
Run out of battery on a disposable vape but still have some juice left? No problem! All our vapes are rechargeable so that you never waste a drop of juice. Speaking of our vape juice, it’s flavored naturally and contains no MCT, PG, PEG, or VG oil.
Gummies
Delta 8 gummies are a tasty way to get your daily dose of cannabinoids. They’re also easy to carry around, discreet, and naturally flavored. At Hollyweed, we don’t use any gelatin (an animal byproduct), so our gummies are also suitable for vegans.
Oil
Delta 8 oil (also called tincture) is a great option for those who want precise dosing. Oil is one of the most popular and versatile forms of D8 as there are multiple ways to enjoy it. You can drop some straight into your mouth or mix it into some food. Want faster effects? Try taking it sublingually to cut the onset time in half.
Soft Gels
Delta 8 soft gels are perfect for those who want an easy, pre-dosed, no-fuss way to take their cannabinoids. Some soft gels contain animal byproducts, but not at Hollyweed. Our soft gels are great for anyone who wants physical and mental relief and loves making animals happy!
Is Delta Legal?
Yes, Delta 8 is federally legal, thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill. That’s the bill that legalized agricultural hemp and hemp-derived products like D8! Though, it’s important to note that companies must make Delta 8 from CBD, not Delta 9 THC, for it to be federally legal.
There’s an easy way to be fairly certain that your D8 is made from CBD and not D9. Simply check if the product is hemp-derived. Hemp has high amounts of CBD and low amounts of D9 THC. In fact, that’s what makes it hemp!
Any cannabis plant with 0.3% or less D9 THC is hemp (legal). Cannabis plants with more than 0.3% D9 THC are marijuana (illegal). So if your D8 is hemp-derived, it should have less than the legal threshold of Delta 9 THC, making it federally legal.
What About State Legality?
You know how certain states have legalized recreational marijuana even though it’s still federally illegal? Well, that works both ways. While Delta 8 is federally legal, states still get to decide for themselves whether they’ll allow it. Because of this, D8 may not be legal in your state.
To determine whether Delta 8 is legal in your state, check your local laws and refer to resources like this legality map.
How Old Must You Be to Purchase Delta 8?
To purchase Delta 8, you must be 21 years of age or older. Some local shops may have a minimum age of 18, but we don’t recommend D8 products for anyone under 21.
Why Buy Delta 8 From Hollyweed?
Hollyweed is the perfect place to buy Delta 8 products because we offer high-quality products made with only the finest ingredients. We follow strict standards and practices to ensure that our products are of the highest quality possible. Plus, we offer special deals and discounts on D8 products so that you can save even more money. Not to mention free shipping on all orders to get the good vibes even faster!
What To Look for When Shopping for Delta 8 Products
When shopping for Delta 8 products, it’s important to keep a few things in mind. Ensure that the product is made from CBD, not Delta 9 THC.
Also, check to see if the product is third-party lab tested. This will ensure that the product is free of contaminants and the highest quality. But how do you know if a product is really lab tested? Ask the manufacturer for their Certificates of Analysis (COAs).
COAs are lab testing results, and a third-party lab should give them to a Delta 8 manufacturer. The best companies have every batch of their products tested. COAs list out each cannabinoid in the product and how much there is.
So if you’re not sure whether to trust that a product has the right about of Delta 9 THC, or you want to be sure it’s packed with Delta 8 THC, ask for a COA! And if you want to check out ours, head over to the “Why Hollyweed?” tab.
Final Thoughts — How Long Does Delta 8 Last?
So now we’ve seen that Delta 8’s time of onset, duration, and intensity of these effects will vary depending on how you consume it. Inhaling D8 typically results in faster onset and shorter duration than eating it. However, both methods produce long-lasting effects.
Many factors determine how long Delta 8 will stay in your system, including age, weight, and frequency of use. But if you come down and need to get back on cloud nine, Hollyweed is here with a wide variety of D8 products to keep the good vibes going!
