Delta 8 Dosage Guide
Average shoppers are used to delta 8 now, but there are still plenty of important questions to ask as you start using this unique alternative to THC. Correct dosage of delta 8 has not been established by any relevant authorities, but it’s still possible to make some educated guesses.
Based on what we know about delta 8 and similar cannabinoids, it’s likely that the average user will enjoy a dose of around 10-50mg every 1-3 hours. Each delta 8 user is different, however, and there are lots of factors to keep in mind. Learn how to take the perfect dose of delta 8, and find out more about this cannabinoid along the way.
Summary: What is the right dosage for delta 8?
Before going any further, let’s summarize our core question in a few bullet points:
- 10mg appears to be the minimum effective dosage of delta 8
- Lower dosages may provide benefits via microdosing
- Most users are content with a maximum of 50mg delta 8 per dose
- Ideal dosing varies depending on the type of product, however
How much delta 8 to use: Full guide
From the definition of delta 8 to instructions for using any type of delta 8 product, scroll through the guide below for answers to any delta 8 dosage-related questions you might be asking:
What is delta 8?
Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 8) is a natural analogue of THC that appears in cannabis and hemp in small concentrations. Using a simple conversion process, it is possible to transform abundant cannabinoids like CBD and CBG into this rare substance, which is increasingly in demand as an alternative to THC.
What are the effects of delta 8?
In comparison to delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 9), delta 8 is believed to offer reduced psychoactivity. In other words, it doesn’t get you as high.
For some users, that’s a plus. Specifically, delta 8 appears to lack the paranoia-inducing side effects that have made delta 9 notorious among those who have experienced bad reactions. If you’re looking for all the comfort and happiness of cannabis but without the random panic, delta 8 is certainly worth a try.
What types of delta 8 products are there?
One of the reasons it’s hard to give an overall best dosage for delta 8 is that there are many different types of delta 8 products — each with their own ideal dosage. Let’s take a look at each popular delta 8 product type in more detail:
— Delta 8 flower dosage
- Popular dosage: 10-30mg per session
- How it’s done: 2-6 hits of delta 8 flower
- How fast it kicks in: 1-3 minutes
- How long it lasts: 45-90 minutes
- Dosage frequency: Every 1-3 hours
It’s easy to smoke delta 8 flower, and many users prefer it as the more natural option. An average puff of delta 8 flower contains around 5-10mg delta 8, so you’ll need to take three or four hits to reach an average dosage. Most users smoke delta 8 flower in a pipe or bong.
— Delta 8 pre-rolls
- Popular dosage: 30-100mg per session
- How it’s done: Smoking 50-100% of a pre-roll
- How fast it kicks in: 1-3 minutes
- How long it lasts: 45-90 minutes
- Dosage frequency: Every 1-3 hours
Delta 8 joints, also known as pre-rolls, can contain between 50 and 100 milligrams of delta 8 total. As a result, most users will be content with smoking either half or a full pre-roll each session. It’s rare to smoke more than one delta 8 pre-roll per session.
— Delta 8 vape dosage
- Popular dosage: 10-50mg per session
- How it’s done: 1-3 hits of delta 8 flower
- How fast it kicks in: 1-3 minutes
- How long it lasts: 45-90 minutes
- Dosage frequency: Every 1-3 hours
Delta 8 vapes take this THC alternative and concentrate it into the form of a high-potency extract. As a result, you don’t need to puff as much with vapes to get just as high as you would with delta 8 flower. A single hit contains 10-20mg delta 8, so most users are satisfied with 1-2 hits per session.
— Delta 8 gummies dosage
- Popular dosage: 25-100mg per session
- How it’s done: 1-3 delta 8 gummies
- How fast it kicks in: 25-50 minutes
- How long it lasts: 2-4 hours
- Dosage frequency: Every 4-6 hours
Taking delta 8 via the oral route is very different from inhaling it. The effects of delta 8 are less intense when orally ingested, for instance, resulting in most users preferring a comparatively high dosage. At the same time, you don’t need to dose as frequently, with users commonly taking delta 8 gummies only 1-3 times per day.
— Delta 8 capsules dosage
- Popular dosage: 25-100mg per session
- How it’s done: 1-3 delta 8 capsules
- How fast it kicks in: 25-50 minutes
- How long it lasts: 2-4 hours
- Dosage frequency: Every 4-6 hours
Delta 8 capsules have similar effects to delta 8 gummies, but they’re simpler and lack the flavorful attributes of their gummy counterparts. An average delta 8 capsule contains between 25-50mg delta 8, so most users take 1-2 capsules at a time.
— Delta 8 oil (tincture) dosage
- Popular dosage: 10-100mg per session
- How it’s done: 1-2 tincture dropperfuls
- How fast it kicks in: 10-30 minutes
- How long it lasts: 2-4 hours
- Dosage frequency: Every 4-6 hours
Using delta 8 oil poses the sharpest learning curve, but it offers unparalleled control over dosage. Consisting of a bottle containing delta 8 extract combined with a carrier oil, delta 8 tincture is designed to be administered under your tongue, allowing it to absorb faster than other orally administered types of delta 8 products.
How do you use delta 8?
As you can see, it’s common to use delta 8 in the form of flower, pre-rolls, vapes, gummies, capsules, and tinctures. Each form of delta 8 is used a different way, so make sure you understand the correct procedure for the specific type of product in your possession.
In most cases, producers of delta 8 products provide detailed directions regarding how to use their products. Try searching a delta 8 manufacturer’s blog for instructions on how to use various products.
How do you use a delta 8 dosage calculator?
When using a delta 8 dosage calculator, you usually provide information such as the potency of the product, the intended purpose, and so on. In general, though, these tools are more gimmicky than they are useful.
The same amount of delta 8 appears to be equally useful for most conditions commonly targeted with the cannabinoid, for instance, based on user reports. Variations between individuals may need to be taken into consideration, but usually, determining an exact milligram amount per dose using an online tool isn’t necessary when using delta 8.
How do you read a delta 8 dosage chart?
Delta 8 dosage charts generally provide information regarding which doses of delta 8 have which effects. A simple two-column delta 8 dosage chart might include, for instance:
- 5-10mg delta 8: Light effects
- 15-25mg: Normal effects
- 30-50mg: Strong effects
- 50-100mg: Very strong effects
These charts generally oversimplify delta 8 dosing, however, not taking into account the differences in ideal dosage between different product types.
Can you take too much delta 8?
While it is possible to experience significant discomfort when taking extremely high doses of delta 8, there does not seem to be any potential of overdose with this substance. In this way, delta 8 appears to be similar to delta 9 — despite both chemicals causing profound feelings of both psychological and physiological discomfort at high doses, there are no documented cases of human THC overdose.
Some individuals, it should be noted, suffer from a condition called cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. This intense allergic reaction to cannabinoids in general should not be conflated with delta 8’s overall ability to cause negative effects.
What happens if you take too much delta 8?
Generally, taking too much delta 8 simply results in becoming extremely high. The effects usually wear off within a few hours with no need for medical intervention.
When taking extremely large amounts of delta 8, it isn’t really the delta 8 you need to be worried about. It’s all the contaminants that are often present in low-quality delta 8 products, which can have a cumulatively disastrous effect.
What are the symptoms of delta 8 overdose?
Though there does not even seem to be any potential to “overdose” on delta 8 in the traditional sense of the word, taking extremely high doses of this THC alternative certainly can have negative effects. Most commonly, side effects of acute delta 8 overadministration include nausea, abdominal pain, tremors, delusions, and elevated temperature.
The bottom line: Delta 8 quality makes all the difference
Like most cannabinoids, delta 8 appears to be a remarkably benign compound given its wide range of benefits. Even so, that’s no guarantee the delta 8 product in your hand is high-quality. To make sure you don’t accidentally consume contaminants in your delta 8, source it from artisanal producers that follow all-organic processes and have been acclaimed for the quality of their products.
