Kratom vs. Delta 8 THC: How Do They Measure Up Against One Another?

Nowadays, a lot of people are taking an interest in natural, plant-based approaches to wellness. With so many options on the market today, including kratom, hemp derivatives, beneficial mushrooms, and more, it’s easier than ever to come up with a daily regimen that addresses everything from excessive stress to physical discomfort. Today, we want to compare two of the major players on the market: kratom and delta 8 THC. Let’s see what they have in common, but more importantly, how they differ from each other, as that can help you decide which one will give you the results you’re looking for.

Contender #1: Kratom

Kratom is the dried and ground leaves of the evergreen Mitragyna speciosa tree which grows in Southeast Asia and is related to coffee. The leaves of the tree are rich in alkaloids that contain properties which can change how we feel, both mentally and physically. When we take kratom, its alkaloids affect our opioid receptors, which regulate things like pain tolerance, emotional state, and more.

Kratom naturally exists in numerous strains, referring to the specific cultivar of the tree (which varies between different regions). It also comes in three “veins”, referring to the color of the leaf’s vein at the time of harvest. At different periods of maturation, the vein changes color according to its age, and this color tells us how developed specific alkaloids are. This means that the vein of the kratom (the color) informs us of how potent the kratom is, and how strong certain effects are going to be.

Can I Get High off of Kratom?

Kratom can produce intoxicating effects, depending on the dosage, as well as the vein and the strain, but overall, all kratom has the potential to be intoxicating if you consume enough of it. Again, it works on opioid receptors, and one thing we know is that these receptors can initiate a mind-altering response, as we’ve seen with certain opiates.

Is Kratom Legal?

Kratom is a federally legal substance, as it’s never been illegal in the United States. However, a small number of states have prohibited it, and they are:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arkansas
• Hawaii
• Indiana
• Rhode Island
• Tennessee
• Vermont
• Wisconsin

In addition to that, kratom is banned in a handful of municipalities across the United States, despite being legal in the actual state. Because of that, we urge you to check your state laws and local laws periodically to make sure kratom is still legal where you live, as this can change at any time.

Does Kratom Have Benefits?

Because kratom hasn’t been available on the Western market for long, the medical community hasn’t had much time to fully explore its effects, let alone publish any papers. Still, enough scientific papers have been published for us to conclude that kratom has the potential to:

• Enhance energy, focus, and alertness
• Act as an anxiolytic
• Enhance mood
• Offers analgesic properties
• Improve sleep
• Decrease appetite

Does Kratom Have Side Effects?

Like most substances, kratom does come with potential side effects, especially when not taken as it’s supposed to (in other words, if you don’t follow the directions on the label), if you take too much of it, or if your unique physiology simply doesn’t agree with it. Possible side effects include:

• Nausea
• Drowsiness
• Impaired coordination
• Increased heartrate
• Dry mouth/thirst
• Irritability/confusion
• Potential overdose

What Kinds of Kratom Products are There?

You can buy kratom in various product forms, as it’s pretty easy to infuse the water-soluble kratom powder into any formula. Now, let’s cover the most popular types of kratom products on the market:

• Kratom Powder: The dried and ground up leaves, which is the pure form of kratom. It can be added to liquids or any other kind of solution you prefer.
• Kratom Liquid Extracts: These are highly concentrated liquid kratom products that are taken like a shot to offer a fast-acting and very potent experience.
• Bottled Kratom Drinks: Bottled kratom beverages include soft drinks, sparkling water, and any other type of drink infused with kratom powder.
• Kratom Teas: Kratom tea is just kratom powder placed inside of a teabag, for an easy way to extract the alkaloids into hot water.
• Kratom Edibles: Kratom gummies and other kratom-infused edibles promote long-lasting effects that come on more gradually.
• Kratom Capsules: Taking kratom in capsule form can be convenient if you’re already used to taking supplements as part of a routine.
• Kratom Vapes: These are still quite new to the marketplace, but just like any vapes, they’re available in bottle E-Liquids to be used in compatible vape pens, as well as pre-filled cartridges that attach to any 510-threaded pen-style system and AIO (All-In-One) Disposable Vapes. Vaping kratom allows you to feel the effects within minutes, but the effects don’t last as long.
• Kratom Topicals: Kratom topicals are applied to the skin, so that the alkaloids absorb transdermally.

Contender #2: Delta 8 THC

Next up, there’s delta 8 THC (delta 8-tetrahydrocannabinol) – a cannabinoid that has been on the hemp market for quite a while now. Delta 8 THC is a minor cannabinoid in the hemp plant, and it’s a byproduct of oxidization. As delta 9 THC ages in the hemp plant, some of it converts into delta 8 THC, a cannabinoid with its own unique properties.

From what we know about all of the cannabinoids existing within cannabis is that, delta 8 THC can attach to cannabinoid receptors (CB receptors), mainly found within the nervous system, and other bodily systems as well. Cannabinoid receptors require cannabinoids to regulate processes of the body through the endocannabinoid system (ECS). It’s a system that has the job of maintaining the body in homeostasis. Hence, why delta 8 and other cannabinoids can introduce a variety of possible benefits at once.

Can I Get High off of Delta 8 THC?

Yes! Delta 8 THC is a psychoactive cannabinoid, and its recreational value is quite significant. A lot of people take delta 8 strictly to get high, and there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s 30% less intoxicating than delta 9 THC, and so the high is pretty mild by comparison. People say that they stay clear-minded while the psychoactive effects take place.

Most people will tell you that delta 8 THC offers a high that’s particularly relaxing – much like an indica strain – and that accounts for a lot of its popularity. People find that a little delta 8 THC after a long and stressful day does the trick.

Is Delta 8 THC Legal?

In 2018, the Farm Bill passed in the United States, finally legalizing the hemp plant. Under this piece of legislation, all hemp derivatives can be sold legally as long as they contain no more than 0.3% delta 9 THC by dry weight. All cannabinoids except delta 9 THC are therefore legal without restrictions, and that includes delta 8 THC.

Still, states have the right to ban certain cannabis-derived products, and some have banned all intoxicating cannabinoids. These states are:

• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Delaware
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Iowa
• Maryland
• Mississippi
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New York
• North Dakota
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• Utah
• Vermont
• Washington

Does Delta 8 THC Have Benefits?

Delta 8 THC has undergone a surprising amount of research over the years, and a lot of people don’t know that it was, in fact, isolated for the first time several decades ago. In other words, it’s not a new discovery, but a cannabinoid that has been studied by medical researchers for some time. Because of this, we actually have a good idea of what kinds of benefits it may be able to offer. Overall, delta 8 can likely:

• Reduce stress levels
• Improve mood
• Offer analgesic properties
• Offer anti-inflammatory properties
• Reduce nausea
• Increase appetite
• Aid in sleep
• Support digestive and immune function
• Offer neuroprotective properties

Does Delta 8 THC Have Side Effects?

Cannabinoids are strictly nontoxic to the human body, and cannabis has never been shown to cause major adverse events or life-threatening effects. Still, taking too much of a cannabinoid, or taking a cannabinoid for the first time when your tolerance is low, can cause certain side effects. And, there are certain side effects that come with psychoactive cannabinoids, if you get too high. Thankfully, these side effects are generally mild, and include:

• Dry eyes
• Dry mouth
• Reduction in blood pressure
• Fatigue/drowsiness
• Increased appetite
• Paranoia/anxiety
• General impairment
• Forgetfulness/fogginess

What Kinds of Delta 8 Product Types are There?

Delta 8 THC comes in several product types that include the following:

• Vapes (Bottled E-Liquids, Cartridges, and Disposable Vape Pens): Vaping delta 8 THC offers a fast-acting and potent way to get in a nice serving of your favorite cannabinoid, along with a nice selection of strains, all while being convenient, travel-friendly, and discreet.
• Edibles: Edibles like gummies produce long-lasting effects with a gradual onset.
• Concentrates (aka “Dabs”): Concentrates are concentrated cannabis products that are dabbed – that is, flash-vaporized at a high temperature using a special “dabbing” device – for an ultra-powerful and fast-acting experience.
• Flower: Delta 8 flower refers to raw hemp flower buds infused with delta 10 distillate – an isolated extract of the cannabinoid. Flower comes in lots of strain choices and is sold in the forms of loose buds as well as pre-rolls.
• Tinctures: Tinctures are bottled oils that are intended to be taken sublingually (below the tongue) to absorb quickly and offer long-lasting effects. They’re easy to take, and even come in a variety of milligram strengths.
• Beverages: Delta 8-infused beverages offer a faster absorption than edible products, and possibly more potency due to the fact that beverages are water-soluble.
• Capsules: Capsules infused with the cannabinoid are great for those who already take supplements in a capsulated form, and simply want to add cannabinoids to their regimen.
• Topicals: There are applied to the skin, allowing the soothing delta 8 to infuse directly into the deep tissue of the body.

Kratom vs. Delta 8 THC: Which is Right for You?

Clearly, both kratom and delta 8 THC offer loads of potential benefits, all while being holistic and all-natural. Both can offer relief from physical and mental complaints, while delivering a unique psychoactive effect that can get you feeling your best as you go about your day.

And, the reality is that each one achieves positive effects through different mechanisms within the body, and because of that, you really won’t know what each one can offer to you until you try them both. Thankfully, that’s easy to do with our large selection of both kratom and delta 8 THC products available at The Calm Leaf.