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Is Delta 8 a Synthetic Cannabinoid?

Published May 30, 2021
Is Delta 8 a Synthetic Cannabinoid? - Secret Nature

You’re right to be concerned about synthetic cannabinoids. The nation’s foremost drug abuse authorities have identified synthetic cannabinoid-mimicking chemicals present in “fake weed” products as extremely dangerous or even fatal.

Is delta 8 a synthetic cannabinoid, though? Maybe technically, but not in the sense that the active substances in spice and K2 are.

What’s important to know right at the outset is that delta 8 is either a natural cannabinoid or a copy made using another cannabinoid. It might seem subtle now, but this distinction between delta 8 and dangerous synthetic substances makes all the difference.

What are synthetic cannabinoids?

Traditionally, the term “synthetic cannabinoid” has been used to refer to man-made substances designed to mimic the chemical structures of cannabinoids. Starting with Nabilone and Marinol in the latter decades of the 20th century, synthetic forms of THC have been gradually entering the market for a while.

It’s only recently, however, that manufacturers in China and elsewhere have taken the rudimentary research used to make Nabilone to reverse-engineer an entirely new class of untested, unregulated, and profoundly harmful cannabinoid-mimicking substances.

“Spice” and “K2” are trade names — they don’t refer to the substances they contain. There’s a good reason for that — the highly processed chemicals present in these knock-off cannabis products have names like:

  • HU-210
  • CP 47,497 and homologues
  • JWH-018
  • JWH-073
  • JWH-398
  • JWH-250
  • Oleamide

Good old, comfortable cannabidiol, cannabinol, and cannabigerol are nowhere to be found. Instead, we have names that would be more fitting for Stormtroopers in Star Wars than substances you allow into your body.

Is delta 8 synthetic?

In some cases, but not in the way that Spice or K2 are synthetic. Allow us to explain:

— Synthesis: a definition —

In pharmacology, the term “synthesis” simply refers to the use of two or more substances to make a new substance. Combining hydrogen and oxygen to make water, therefore, is a type of extremely rudimentary natural synthesis.

— So anything man-made is synthesized? —

That’s right — even if it comes from completely natural components. As a result, the distinction between highly and lightly processed synthetic substances can be tricky to elucidate.

— A wide world of synthetic substances —

Synthetic substances run the gamut from the almost-natural to the out-of-this-universe unusual. Highly processed synthetic substances are usually more dangerous while lightly processed substances are safer.

Is delta 8 always synthetic?

No, delta 8 can also be derived entirely naturally. Let’s take a look at both methods:

— How is delta 8 naturally derived? —

Delta 8 THC is inherently a natural cannabinoid. It’s just only found naturally in cannabis in extremely tiny concentrations.

Using selective breeding, however, it’s possible to bring out higher concentrations of delta 8. The process has already begun — Secret Nature Super Spectrum is the first smokable CBD product to also contain naturally high concentrations of both delta 8 and THCV.

— How is delta 8 synthesized? —

We’ll be 100% honest with you — right now, it’s only possible to breed Cannabis sativa to contain around 1% delta 8 THC. Compared to the 20-25% that’s standard for both CBD and THC nowadays, delta 8 has a long way to go.

So, it’s understandable that some eager beavers jumped the gun and started synthesizing delta 8 from CBD. While we originally disapproved, we disapproved more of what a mess other brands were making of things.

Secret Nature Delta 8 is our answer to the uncontainable ∆8 phenomenon. We use proprietary, in-house processes to gently convert CBD into delta 8 without any harmful chemicals, and then we spray this isolated ∆8 on our CBD and CBG flowers. We also offer delta 8 vape cartridges.

Is synthesized delta 8 bad for you?

Not necessarily. We’re the same as you in that when we hear the word “synthetic,” we jump in panic, but it’s not always a bad thing.

Secret Nature synthesized delta 8 is just CBD with a few tweaks. We don’t do anything crazy to it, and no solvents or harmful substances are introduced during the process.

The end result is delta 8 that’s just as pure as our CBD or CBG. The overall safety of delta 8 hasn’t been established yet, but you at least know you aren’t putting yourself at undue risk when you choose Secret Nature.

Is delta 8 the same as Spice?

Absolutely not. “Spice” contains close to 10 different synthetic compounds that each loosely approximate THC in some way. None of the substances in Spice, however, actually replicate cannabinoids. If they did, this extremely dangerous drug wouldn’t have such a high chance of landing you in the hospital.

Is delta 8 the same as K2?

Nope, K2 and delta 8 are very different. In fact, delta 8 isn’t like any synthetic cannabinoid even though some delta 8 products are synthesized. It all comes down to the production methods and source materials — as long as you start with Cannabis sativa, it’s pretty hard to go wrong.

Will delta 8 hurt you?

We don’t know yet. Sorry, but it’s the truth. Based on what we know about delta 9 THC, it’s likely that using delta 8 has some risks, but it’s even more likely that they’re small and easily mitigated.

Delta 8 products, however, are more likely to hurt you than help you. That’s because the average delta 8 dealer is the scummiest, least trustworthy person you’ve ever come across.

You already trust Secret Nature, though. If we’re taking the delta 8 bull by the horns, you can rest assured that we’re doing it the right way.

What is the best delta 8 online?

Secret Nature offers the best hemp quality anywhere on the internet. Why should delta 8 be any different?

Just as a refresher, here’s how Secret Nature is different:

  • We grow our hemp indoors
  • It’s organic
  • It's always 100% bud — even our pre-rolls
  • We offer fast, free shipping
  • Our products have over 9,000 customer reviews

And that’s only the beginning. We’ve developed a proprietary method for producing safe, high-purity delta 8 using only the CBD we already use in our other products.

We’ll get into more details later. Suffice to say that we’re already in the space age when it comes to delta 8 while the competition is still in caves. 

Can you buy delta 8 online?

You bet you can. Even the shadiest delta 8 dealer on Instagram will tell you that — and we have the gravitas to back it up.

It’s unclear exactly how the federal government will end up coming down on modified delta 8, but natural delta 8 is considered to be industrial hemp according to the 2018 Farm Bill. So, it’s in the same class as CBD, CBG, and other cannabinoids that aren’t ∆9 tetrahydrocannabinol.

Why Secret Nature delta 8 is better

To make an omelette, you need to break a few eggs. Demand for high concentrations of delta 8 is skyrocketing right now, and we couldn’t bear to see our valued customers stuck in the muck with inferior brands.

Secret Nature delta 8 is more pure, more potent, and more high-tech than any other delta 8 on the market. The best part is that we’ll instantly comply with any regulations the moment they come up — we’d never put you in jeopardy.

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