Delta 8 THC is one of the most highly sought-after types of THC. More people continue to warm up to it as an alternative to Delta 9 THC but aren’t sure what to expect on their first Delta 8 experience.
Key Takeaways:
- How quickly Delta 8 kicks in depends on various factors, such as potency, metabolism, age, and diet.
- The product type you choose will also determine how quickly you experience the effects of Delta 8.
- Oral Delta 8 products have the longest onset of effects, while inhaled products have the shortest.
How Long Does it Take to Feel the Effects of Delta 8?
The onset of Delta 8 effects will vary depending on the type of Delta 8 product you consume and various other biological factors. The timeline for the onset of effects can be anywhere from one minute to about an hour.
Factors Affecting the Activation Time of Delta 8
Many factors affect how fast Delta 8 will kick in after you take it. Each factor is unique, and understanding how it impacts the process can help you understand how to maximize your D8 experience.
Product Type
Different types of Delta 8 products have different activation rates. Orally ingested Delta 8 products like capsules and gummies take about 30 minutes or longer to take effect. They start absorbing through the lining of the mouth, but a majority of the active compounds are absorbed in the small intestines.
Some products like gummies and tinctures can also be held in the mouth longer to encourage absorption sublingually. These might produce faster effects because the cannabinoids and other active compounds don’t have to go through the digestion process to be absorbed.
Why not also read: Is Delta 8 Safe To Use?
Inhaled Delta 8 products have the fastest onset of effects. They bypass the digestive system and absorb directly through the lungs. They kick in within 1-2 minutes.
Delta 8 topicals don’t produce uplifting effects, but you should feel wellness around the application area within 10 minutes. These provide localized effects, so they are not ideal for generalized effects like relaxation.
Potency
The potency of the Delta 8 product you choose will also affect its activation time. Low-potency Delta 8 products often fail to yield the desired results with the first dose. You might need multiple servings to experience the uplifting effects, especially if you have experience with Delta 9 and are taking Delta 8 for the first time.
High-potency products kick in sooner but within the limits of the particular method of ingestion. If the Delta 8 product has a high concentration, you can adjust your intake downwards and still feel the effects.
Dose
The amount of Delta 8 you take can also influence the activation times. If you take a less-than-necessary serving of Delta 8, it will take longer to feel the desired effects, or you might not even feel them.
Flooding your system with a large serving of Delta 8 could help you feel the elevating effects of these cannabinoids faster than it would take if you took a medium-sized serving.
Metabolism
This is one of the factors that you have no control over. However, you could try to influence it to some extent.
If you have a fast and efficient metabolism, you might feel the effects of Delta 8 faster than a person with a slow metabolism. A faster metabolism moves Delta 8 through the system faster, leading to a more rapid onset of effects. Slow metabolisms take longer to deliver the effects of Delta 8, especially when consumed orally. The upside to a slow metabolism is that the effects last longer once they kick in.
Diet
What you eat before taking Delta 8 can influence the uptake of the active compounds and, hence, how fast you feel the effects. THC and other cannabinoids are fat-soluble, which means they are more easily absorbed into the bloodstream with a fatty meal.
For this reason, some Delta 8 products, like Delta 8 oils, have a carrier oil that easily absorbs the Delta 8 molecules.
Age
Age is another determining factor in how fast you can experience the effects of Delta 8. As you age, the body becomes less efficient. Older people need more time to start feeling the effects of D8 and might also be required to take more. Younger people have more efficient organs and could feel the effects of D8 sooner.
These factors make it hard to say conclusively how fast Delta 8's effects will kick in. We recommend timing how long it takes to feel the effects once you take Delta 8 to get a more accurate idea of how long you should wait to feel them. Remember, the type of D8 product greatly influences the onset of effects.
Delta 8 Activation by Product Type
Each Delta 8 product type has a different activation period depending on metabolism and age.
How Long Does It Take For Delta 8 Gummies To Kick In?
You might start to feel the effects of Delta 8 gummies a few minutes after taking them. Some small amounts of the Delta 8 are absorbed through the mouth lining while chewing and go to the bloodstream. However, most of the effects will kick in after 30-45 minutes when the Delta 8 has passed through the digestive system.
How Long Does It Take For Delta 8 Capsules To Kick In?
You won't feel the effects of Delta 8 capsules until they have dissolved in your stomach, releasing their content. The capsules dissolve within 5-10 minutes of ingestion. From there, it takes around 30 minutes for the Delta 8 to make it through your gut lining and into the bloodstream.
How Long Does It Take For Delta 8 Tincture To Kick In?
Holding your Delta 8 tincture under your tongue for a minute before swallowing leads to a faster onset of effects. You can start to feel the effects almost immediately. Even when swallowed, tinctures activate relatively quickly because of their high potency. On average, when taken orally, you should expect to feel the full effects of your Delta 8 tincture within 25-30 minutes.
How Long Does It Take Delta 8 Carts To Kick In?
Delta 8 carts have the shortest activation period. You should start feeling the effects within 1-2 minutes. Carts have a shorter onset of effects because they have a high Delta 8 concentration, bypass digestion, and go directly into the bloodstream.
How Long Does It Take Delta 8 Flower to Kick In?
Delta 8 flower kicks in almost instantly. The cannabinoids are quickly absorbed through the alveoli connected to the lungs and bloodstream, and you can feel the full effects in under two minutes.
What is Delta 8?
Delta 8 THC (D8) is a cannabinoid found in very low levels in the hemp plant. It has uplifting effects and is closely related to Delta 9 THC. In fact, sometimes, D8 is synthesized from Delta 9 or CBD.
Delta 8 is thought to have numerous wellness and therapeutic benefits, including helping with relaxation and sleep quality. However, it has milder uplifting effects, best described as more calming than Delta 9. It’s turning out to be a great entry-level uplifting cannabinoid for new fans who want to give elevating cannabinoids a try.
Delta 8 is present in many forms, such as Delta 8 edibles, tinctures, vapables, and capsules. As you will see, each form of D8 has a different onset of effects.
What Are the Effects of Delta 8 THC
THC is the active compound in Delta 8. However, because of differences in its molecular structure, the effects of the THC in Delta 8 are milder than in Delta 9, but they are relatively the same. The THC molecules in Delta 8 bind to receptors in your body that control various bodily functions, such as discomfort, appetite, mood, and others.
Delta 8 can also improve mood, soothe aches and pains, and support sleep. Its uplifting effects may also help improve focus and concentration. However, Delta 8 experiences are personal, and the effects vary from person to person. The range of effects you feel might differ even when you take the same amount of Delta 8 as another person. That’s why you should take time to find a serving that delivers the proper effects for you.
Final Remarks
When taking Delta 8 for the first time, it’s best to take it orally. This method has a longer onset of effects but also has the advantage of gradually ramping up the effects, allowing you to keep track of the experience. If you’re looking for quick and short-lived effects, inhalation is the best method.
