Is Delta 8 Indica or Sativa?

Delta-8 strains tend to be classified as sativa, indica, or hybrid.
The best delta-8 THC strain for any one person depends on desired effects, preference, and whatever you might be treating, if anything.
Trial and error is one of the easiest ways to choose the delta-8 THC strains you like most, but it’s also a safe bet to start with popular strains like Pineapple Express or Gorilla Glue.
In states where delta-8 is legal, buy delta-8 THC in stores, but online shopping gives a much better variety of delta-8 strains.

How Does Delta 8 Affect the Endocannabinoid System?

All mammals have an endocannabinoid system, a complex biological cell-signaling system with receptors that bind with endocannabinoids or cannabinoids to produce effects in the nervous system. Delta 8 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), one of those cannabinoids, occurs in nature, yet even full-spectrum cannabis strains do not produce over 1% delta 8 by weight. Full spectrum products contain a complete profile of terpenes and cannabinoids. Together these compounds interact to produce the entourage effect. When they are hemp-derived they contain less than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight—but it is still present, like other cannabinoids in small concentrations such as delta 7, delta 10 THC, or HHC.

What is Delta 8 Flower?

Delta 8 flower is usually made by adding delta 8 THC distillate to cannabis flower. (This is the same product found in delta 8 THC vape cartridges.) This is how you achieve popular strains and high delta 8 content in delta 8 pre-rolls and similar products. You can even find delta 8 THC moon rocks—D8 distillate coated in delta 8 THC kief—in some places.

How is Delta 8 Used?

Because delta 8 THC isn’t abundant in nature, it’s usually extracted from legal hemp plants using an isomerization process. When Delta 8 is extracted from the hemp plant it’s a sticky liquid that then goes through a purification process to remove unwanted contaminants while preserving the cannabinoids.The result is delta 8 THC distillate: almost totally pure delta 8 THC for various products, such as delta 8 gummies, delta 8 carts, softgels, tinctures, etc. Delta 8 distillate can also be vaped by consumers at home or even used in baking and cooking, and you can make it just like you use distillate to make CBD gummies and similar edibles. There are many ways to use delta 8 concentrate once you get it home from the dispensary or get that package in the mail.

Is Delta 8 THC Flower Legal?

Delta 8, because hemp-derived, is legal at the federal level based on the 2018 Farm Bill. This law defined hemp and hemp products with less than 0.3% of their dry weight as delta-9 THC as legal. However, you should always check the local legality of delta 8 before you buy anything. Also, be aware that delta-8 products are not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This just makes label reading extra important—as it is with all cannabis products!

How Does Delta 8 THC Compare With Delta 9 THC?

Delta 8 THC is an analog of the world’s most famous cannabinoid, delta 9 THC. Although they are similar in many ways, they are structurally and chemically different and therefore produce slightly different effects.The effects of Delta 8 are much less psychoactive, for example, which is driving its popularity in the CBD product space. Delta 8 THC also occurs much more rarely in nature than Delta 9 THC, and regardless of the cannabis strain, its concentrations reach only 1 percent.

Indica, Sativa, or Hybrid: How to Choose the Right Strains

People often think, what’s better, sativa vs indica, but in reality strains differ most based on things like terpene profile. Still, starting with whether a strain is a sativa, indica, or hybrid gives you an understanding of the basics of what other people get from it. In other words, users of cannabis and its cannabinoids have a general sense of indica effects and sativa effects, and rate and characterize strains based on those ideas.

Indica Delta 8 THC Strains

Cannabis indica strains are classically associated with relaxing effects and a body high. This species of cannabis plant is also usually higher in cannabidiol (CBD), which can offset the negative side effects of THC and help with pain relief. For the Netflix and chill group, these indica strains are perfect (but if you’re worried about being couch-locked, steer clear).

Sativa Delta 8 THC Strains

Cannabis sativa strains of hemp flower are more uplifting and energizing. Most sativa strains have higher concentrations of THC and may enhance productivity and creativity, and make social settings easier.

Hybrid Delta 8 THC Strains

For many people, hybrid strains are the best of all worlds, crossing sativa Delta-8 and indica strains to get the specific traits and more balanced effects users seem to like most. Some people have a more healthcare focused take on the benefits, others have a more recreational set of goals—and hybrids offer plenty of chances for you to achieve all of them.These interesting strains often combine one each sativa plant and indica plant parent, although a true 50/50 indica to sativa is rare. Almost all hybrids are either indica-dominant or sativa-dominant. Choose an indica-leaning hybrid if you’re more into mellow, relaxing effects but you don’t want to feel sedated to couch-locked. Choose a sativa-leaning hybrid if you want to feel awake and alert—but not too anxious.

Third-Party Lab Testing

Look for lab test results as you shop for delta 8 THC of any strain. These results should be clearly displayed; make sure there’s nothing you don’t want in that product, from additives to contaminants.

Does Delta 8 Show Up on a Drug Test?

Yes, any kind of THC from THC-O to delta 8 will be positive on a drug test in most cases.

Final Thoughts on Delta-8 Strains

So, is delta-8 THC indica or sativa? In a sense, it’s whatever the originating plant was, or whatever it’s added to! Or, more precisely, it may produce either indica effects or sativa effects depending on the kind. Find out more about our delta-8 THC strains here.Written by Diet Smoke Staff WritersThe staff writers for Diet Smoke have been researching and writing about premium hemp-derived THC and CBD products for more than 3 years. The team has a keen understanding of the topic, remain current on all FDA and industry news, and use their expertise to generate engaging and informative content to help educate consumers on Diet Smoke's products. Each article is fact-checked and includes sources to scientific data to ensure readers receive the most up-to-date and accurate information possible.Find out more about Diet Smoke, our history and our commitment to creating the highest quality products.Reviewed By Colby WohllebColby Wohlleb, editor of Diet Smoke, reviews and approves all content before releasing it for posting on the Diet Smoke website. As a tireless advocate for the benefits of premium hemp-derived THC and CBD products, Colby ensures that all content is accurate, engaging, and informative. He also works directly with a trusted source to ensure the purity of the products we sell and performs rigorous lab testing to ensure that Diet Smoke's products are of the highest quality and safety standards.