We’ve got another psychoactive cannabinoid that’s primed to be incredibly popular with hemp enthusiasts in the coming months called delta 11 THC. Not to be confused with delta 8 THC, delta 9 THC, or delta 10 THC, delta 11 is a one-of-a-kind hemp derivative with its own distinctive high that separates itself from its predecessors. Now, if you’re interested in exploring yet another satisfying high that comes out of hemp, buckle up because we’re going to break down everything you need to know about this new, highly anticipated addition to the hemp market.
What Exactly is Delta 11 THC?
Delta 11 THC is a very minor, naturally occurring cannabinoid in the hemp plant, rather than a synthesized one. While it’s considered new to us, it was in fact referenced for the first time in the 1970s, although practically no research exists that gives us meaningful information about it. Besides the fact that we know it’s psychoactive, we barely have any research to reference to get a clearer picture of its properties.
What we do know is that delta 11 THC can be made through a process of isomerization, just like all cannabinoids, because of the fact that its molecular makeup matches all other cannabinoids in hemp, including cannabidiol (CBD). This comes from the knowledge that every cannabinoid is ultimately derived from cannabigerol (CBG), the “mother cannabinoid” that eventually splits off into 100+ individual cannabinoids once the hemp plant matures.
It's important to make one distinction, as delta 11 THC is commonly confused with 11-hydroxy THC. The latter is a metabolite that THC converts into once it reaches the liver, to get broken down and become THC-COOH, the metabolite notorious for causing a positive drug test result. Delta 11 THC is not 11-hydroxy THC, but you may come across some confusion while researching the cannabinoid.
What’s the High Like with Delta 11 THC?
We’re still learning about delta 11, like we said earlier. What we do know is that its high has been suggested to be 3x as intoxicating as delta 9 THC, so it’s safe to assume that at the very least, delta 11 is more potent than delta 9, although not as potent as THC-P (the most potent cannabinoid in hemp that’s 10 times as intoxicating as delta 9). The high is considered to be euphoric, which is something that would appeal to just about anyone.
What Else Can Delta 11 THC Do?
So, this is where things get a little tricky. Without any research to access, it’s hard to know what the properties of delta 11 THC are beyond its psychoactive nature. In other words, we can’t say for certain whether it helps with things like pain, mood, sleep and so on, because we have no studies to refer to. And, because delta 11 is so new to the market, even anecdotal evidence is currently limited.
What we do know is that delta 11 is a naturally occurring cannabinoid, and so it, like all cannabinoids, works with the body’s endocannabinoid system to play a role in our homeostasis, by regulating processes of the body through its attachment to cannabinoid receptors.
What Kinds of Delta 11 Products are Available?
As delta 11 products are being introduced to the market, you can expect to find the cannabinoid available in the same product types that you’re used to. Let’s go over the most popular types of delta 11 products that you’ll be able to explore.
- Vape Carts: Vape cartridges are pre-filled cartridges that attach to reusable vape pens, containing delta 11 distillate blended with terpenes, in many strain options
- Disposable Vapes: Disposable vapes are all-in-one vaping systems that require no charging or refilling, and also come in many strain choices
- Tinctures: Tinctures are bottled oils that are administered below the tongue, absorbing sublingually, with effects that can last for 4-6 hours
- Edibles: Delta 11 gummies and other edibles offer a tasty way to consume the cannabinoid for up to 8 hours of effects
Is Delta 11 THC Considered to Be Safe?
We completely understand that cannabinoid enthusiasts always want to be sure that they’re consuming something that’s not only effective, but also safe. And, remember that delta 11 is a naturally occurring cannabinoid, and all naturally occurring cannabinoids are considered nontoxic to the human body. As is the case with any cannabinoid, side effects tend to be mild and short-lived, and are not cause for serious concern.
There has not yet been a side effect profile produced for delta 11, but we can compare its potential side effects with those of every other THC cannabinoid, as they include:
- Dry mouth
- Dry eyes
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Drowsiness
- Paranoia/anxiety
- Low blood pressure
Delta 11 THC: Treat Yourself to Another Legal, Hemp-Derived High
Delta 11 THC is destined to make a big splash on the hemp market, offering another uniquely potent psychoactive experience that happens to be fully compliant with federal law. Stay tuned at The Calm Leaf while we build up our catalog of lab-tested, fully compliant delta 11 products in a variety of product types, strains and more, to guarantee something for everyone.