If you’re a fan of hemp-derived products, the practice of mixing cannabinoids to enhance their potency likely sounds familiar to you. After all, a lot of brands develop and promote a wide variety of products with different blends of CBD (cannabidiol), THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), and minor cannabinoids, including Delta 8 THC.
While the combination of the non-psychoactive compounds—such as CBD, CBG (cannabigerol), and CBN (cannabinol)—does not usually set off any alarm bells, the thought of pairing CBD with Delta 8 does because of the latter’s mind-altering properties.
Do the benefits outweigh the potential drawbacks? Will there be a risk of overdosing? Is there a way to minimize the possible adverse side effects?
If you’re interested in trying CBD Delta 8, but these gray areas keep you from doing so, read through this article to find out why and how CBD and Delta 8 should be combined to get the best possible outcome.
Why Do People Mix CBD and Delta 8?
In general, brands and cannabis users blend different cannabinoids to unlock the so-called “entourage effect.”
Dr. Raphael Mechoulam—an Israeli chemist and professor famous for being the “Father of Cannabis Research—coined the term to describe how cannabinoids influence the potency of one another. CBD, on its own, provides several benefits to the body and mind. For example:
- Reduces pain and inflammations
- Treats certain types of epilepsy
- Lowers anxiety and stress levels
- Regulates the natural sleep-wake cycle
- Offers protection from neurogenerative disorders
Similarly, Delta 8 THC has gained popularity in recent years as an excellent alternative to Delta 9 THC, which remains polarizing because of its ability to get people “stoned” albeit its numerous positive health impacts. Some of the best-known benefits of taking Delta 8 include:
- Helps with the relaxation of the body and mind
- Provides pain relief
- Addresses mood-related disorders
- Reduces nausea and vomiting
- Boosts the metabolism and appetite
Mixing two different medicines isn’t recommended because of the probable adverse effects of drug interactions. This does not apply to CBD and Delta 8, though. Instead, the combined presence of these cannabinoids in your system may lead to:
Enhanced Therapeutic Benefits
Because of the entourage effect, the positive impacts of CBD and Delta 8 would become more substantial. That means, if you typically use either cannabinoid for chronic pain management, you can expect CBD Delta 8 to help you with more severe pain.
Reduced Adverse Side Effects
According to research, cannabidiol can prevent THC from binding with the CB1 receptors of the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This lowers the chances of getting high and becoming overstimulated due to Delta 8 THC.
Given these potential health and wellness rewards, it’s no wonder that several people are willing to try new cannabinoid pairings. We can activate the entourage effect through CBD and another non-psychoactive hemp compound, but as evidenced by anecdotes and product reviews, the CBD + THC combo still produces the strongest impacts.
Is It Possible to Overdose on CBD Delta 8?
To this day, there is no official medical report on overdosing from CBD, Delta 8, or the combination of the two. The most significant health risks involved when taking products with these cannabinoids stem from the presence of harmful contaminants, such as pesticides, mycotoxins, and heavy metals. That’s why we always encourage our readers to choose brands that have proven the potency and purity of their products through COAs (certificates of analysis) from third-party labs.
We aren’t saying that you won’t experience any negative side effects if you take too much CBD Delta 8. According to accounts from cannabis users, getting too high on THC can trigger the following issues:
- Dry eyes and mouth
- Hallucinations
- Inability to concentrate
- Panic attacks
- Paranoia
- Uncoordinated body movements
These conditions are not inherently lethal, but they can put you at a higher risk of getting into accidents or other dangerous situations. However, the great thing about Delta 8 is that it isn’t as psychoactive as Delta 9 THC. To lose control over your thoughts, movements, and senses, you’d have to consume an obscene amount of Delta 8 products.
Fortunately, CBD has a modulating influence on Delta 8. This further lowers the possibility of being adversely affected by THC, even if you begin taking them regularly with other hemp-derived wellness solutions.
The Best Way to Combine CBD and Delta 8
If you’re keen to experience the enhanced therapeutic benefits of taking CBD Delta 8, here are the key elements that you need to get right:
Delivery Method
The different hemp-derived products offer various means of delivering cannabinoids to our system. They vary in terms of speed and bioavailability. For example, vaping works faster than eating edibles. We also tend to absorb more CBD and Delta 8 if they pass through our lungs rather than the digestive system.
Given these, you must figure out your ideal delivery methods for each cannabinoid. Most people aim to make both products peak simultaneously so that you can maximize the entourage effect and minimize the potential adverse side effects.
Read through the brand descriptions and reviews of CBD and Delta 8 products. Then, select the ones with similar pacing if you prefer to take them at the same time. You may also opt for products that already contain both cannabinoids. However, not all brands offer such blends, so be patient while exploring the current options in the market.
Timing
In relation to the delivery method, the timing of your CBD Delta 8 consumption determines the kind of experience you’d receive. As mentioned earlier, several users mix cannabinoids for the chance to enjoy the entourage effect. You don’t have to do the same, though.
Since CBD and Delta 8 provide distinct therapeutic benefits, some cannabis fans prefer to time their consumption in a way that will allow the cannabinoids to meet their different needs throughout the day.
For example, we sometimes like to start our day with a cup of CBD-infused tea. Doing so allows us to remain calm and relaxed while working. By the afternoon, however, we typically need an energy booster.
That’s where vaping Delta 8 comes in. Taking a few puffs of this product can help us recharge and be ready to take on the rest of the day.
Again, the optimal timing for CBD and Delta 8 largely depends on your desired results. You will likely have to experiment for a few weeks or even months to find the best regimen for your health and lifestyle.
Dosage
If you haven’t used CBD or Delta 8 before, we suggest starting with a low dosage. Even when taken separately, this advice applies to everyone because we respond differently to cannabinoids.
On the other hand, experienced cannabis users may try to go with their usual dosage for CBD and Delta 8 at a 1:1 ratio. You don’t have to worry about getting too high because CBD is not psychoactive.
Still, some people try a lower dosage of Delta 8 than CBD—or vice versa—because they have specific needs that will be best fulfilled by one cannabinoid or the other.
Objective studies and clinical trials about combining CBD and Delta are few at the moment. However, based on the experiences of those who have already tried mixing cannabinoids, we know that the practice has a great potential to improve our overall quality of life.
The lack of research leaves a lot of gray areas, though. So, it’s primarily up to consumers to experiment with different products, timing, and dosage to reach the best outcome.
Final Takeaway
Mixing CBD and Delta 8 allows us to enjoy the best of both worlds while also keeping us away from the probable adverse side effects of THC, including the probability of overdosing. Nonetheless, we recommend everyone to take precautionary measures in taking CBD Delta 8 products due to the limited research about these cannabinoids and their combined effects.
Remember to seek the opinion of your doctor before trying any hemp-derived products. Though we have been assured by the WHO (World Health Organization) that CBD is safe to use, they haven’t said the same for Delta 8. You also have to keep an eye out for probable drug interactions between these cannabinoids and your other medications.
Consumers must stay vigilant when shopping for CBD and Delta 8 products, too. The leading brands are transparent about the quality of their products. Take the time to compare the promised effects and the reviews from actual customers. Only by doing these measures can you safeguard your health and avoid spending money on inferior goods.
