Is Delta 8 or Delta 10 Stronger?
Both delta 8 and delta 10 are getting quite popular online. In fact, the alternative THC market appears to have largely consolidated around these two cannabinoids — outliers like HHC and delta 11 may have some number of fans, but the majority of those who want to buy THC online choose either delta 10 or delta 8.
When you’re in search of the cannabinoid that offers the most potency, should you choose delta 8 or delta 10? Find out which form of hemp-derived THC packs the most punch in this guide.
What is delta 8?
Delta 8 was the first alternative form of THC on the market, and, like delta 10 and delta 11, it is only a single carbon bond different from the conventional form of THC. Though this chemical difference may be slight, it’s enough to considerably impact the experienced effects of delta 8, which are milder than the effects of delta 9 THC.
Since it is chemically distinct from conventional THC, delta 8 is generally considered to be an industrial hemp product. While the FDA has yet to properly regulate delta 8, the DEA has repeatedly confirmed that it does not consider the cannabinoid to be “marijuana.”
What is delta 10?
While still rarer than delta 8, delta 10 has rapidly become the primary rival of delta 8 within the online THC marketplace. Skeptics attribute delta 10’s popularity solely to the unending drive to enter new products into the market, but others point out the genuine ways it might differ from delta 8 and offer unique benefits.
Delta 8 is often described as relaxing, for instance, while delta 10 appears to be more energizing. Anecdotal evidence also suggests that delta 10 might be considerably more potent than delta 8, but experienced potency is highly subjective.
Delta 8 vs. delta 10
Now that we have a basic idea of what delta 8 and delta 10 are, it’s time to compare the two in terms of the effects they offer, the potency of those effects, and how long they last. Then, we’ll take a look at which THC alternative is best for pain, sleep, and anxiety.
By the end, you’ll have a firm grasp of which cannabinoid is the strongest choice for your particular circumstances. Let’s begin:
Effects
The effects of delta 10 and delta 8 are undeniably different, which might partially explain why users often note a potency disparity between these two cannabinoids. While the delta 8 experience is a “toned-down” version of the THC experience you’re used to, delta 10 is a “keyed-up” form of THC. This means that delta 8 makes you feel relaxed and less high than usual while delta 10 can potentially energize you, making you feel more high.
Potency
The actual potency difference between delta 8 and delta 10 is highly debatable. It’s commonly repeated on the internet that “delta 8 is more potent than delta 10,” but there’s no research to back up this reflexive claim.
Based merely on the chemical structure of THC, having the double carbon bond further up the “body” of the THC molecule appears to correspond to an overall increase in potency. For example, delta 9 is more potent than delta 8, so it would follow that delta 10 is more potent than delta 9.
It’s also entirely possible that the increased potency sometimes associated with delta 10 could simply be attributable to the cannabinoid’s uplifting effects. Feeling energized can sometimes make you feel more high even if the potency of the THC you used is lower than usual.
Duration
There doesn’t appear to be any meaningful difference between the duration of effects of delta 8 and delta 10. If you orally ingest either delta 8 or delta 10, the effects will last around 1-2 hours, and if you inhale either cannabinoid, the effects will last around 30-60 minutes. As with all cannabinoids, the duration of effect has more to do with the method of ingestion than it does with slight structural differences between compounds.
Delta 8 vs. delta 10 for pain
Overall, users seem to feel that delta 8 is better for pain than delta 10. This apparent state of affairs could be partially attributable, however, to the fact that delta 8 is so much more popular overall than delta 10. It will obviously be the preferred option for most uses simply due to its increased prevalence. Perhaps, in the end, delta 8 and delta 10 might be equally useful for pain.
Delta 8 vs. delta 10 for sleep
Delta 8 is far and away the preferred option when it comes to alternative forms of THC used for getting to sleep. While delta 10 isn’t known for its relaxing properties, delta 8 is widely believed to be more relaxing than delta 9. Some users go so far as to profess that delta 8 might have unique sleep-promoting properties — though these properties have yet to be backed up by science.
Delta 8 vs. delta 10 for anxiety
Though it hasn’t yet caught on in the same way that delta 8 has, delta 10 may end up being considered the preferred form of THC for anxiety due to its stimulating, mood-uplifting properties. Users who currently use delta 8 for anxiety are strongly encouraged to try delta 10 since it might offer even better benefits.
Is delta 10 or delta 8 stronger? The bottom line
In the end, do either delta 8 or delta 10 come out on top as a clearly “better cannabinoid?” We can’t say that delta 8 is categorically better than delta 10, actually, and we’re just as unconvinced that delta 10 is an overall better option than delta 8.
Why do we withhold judgment? First, both cannabinoids — and especially delta 10 — are too new and untested for comprehensive analysis to be possible. Next, based on what little we do know, it certainly seems the case that there are considerable differences between the effects of delta 8 and delta 10 that might make each cannabinoid desirable in its own right.
Many users who have posted their testimonials on Reddit and elsewhere online, for instance, liken the delta 8 experience to indica cannabis while they consider delta 10 to offer a sativa-leaning high. Lovers of sativa weed, therefore, should definitely give delta 10 a shot while those who prefer indicas might remain happy with delta 8.
Overall, though, it’s well-worth trying both delta 8 and delta 10. You’ll never know which cannabinoid you like best until you’ve tried each, after all.
Delta 10 vs. delta 8 FAQ
Deepen your knowledge of the divide between delta 8 and delta 10 in this informative FAQ section:
1. Is delta 8 or delta 10 better?
You might consider delta 8 to be better if you like indicas, but sativa lovers will probably prefer delta 10. That’s because of the unique effects of these THC alternatives, which appear to have relaxing and uplifting properties respectively. These properties are enhanced when delta 8 and delta 10 are paired with appropriately sativa or indica terpene profiles.
2. Is mixing delta 8 and delta 10 a bad idea?
No, there doesn’t appear to be any particular reason you shouldn’t combine delta 8 and delta 10. In fact, cannabinoids appear to become more potent when used together, an observed form of synergy known as the entourage effect. It’s possible that using delta 8 and delta 10 together will do more than simply offer the individual benefits of each cannabinoid — genuine synergy might take place as well.
3. Does delta 10 get you high like delta 8?
Yes, delta 10 gets you high, just like delta 8 does. The high that delta 10 provides, however, is not exactly the same as the delta 8 high. Users report, for instance, that the delta 10 high is more uplifting while the delta 8 high is on the relaxing side of the spectrum.
4. What kind of high do you get from delta 10?
According to anecdotal testimony, delta 10 provides a more energizing, uplifting high than other forms of THC. It remains unclear, however, whether delta 10 is more or less potent than both conventional THC and delta 8. Some users say that delta 10 is more potent than delta 8, but others contend that it offers reduced potency.
5. How long does it take for delta 8 to kick in?
Like other forms of THC, delta 8 kicks in within around 30 minutes when ingested orally and within 1-5 minutes when inhaled. This cannabinoid doesn’t kick in any faster or slower than other forms of THC.
6. Is delta 10 a psychedelic?
No, delta 10 is not considered to be a psychedelic — much in the same way that other forms of THC are also not considered to be psychedelics. The effects of delta 10 might be slightly more stimulating than the effects of other forms of THC, but to consider this cannabinoid to be a psychedelic would be a stretch.
7. What is the strongest form of THC?
All the available evidence indicates that THCP is the strongest natural form of THC. This naturally occurring THC alternative is believed to be up to 30 times as strong as delta 9 THC.
