Delta-10 vs. Delta-8: Differences, Potency, and More

Discover the key differences between Delta-10 and Delta-8, from their origins and potency to benefits and legal status.

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If you want to learn more about the differences between Delta-8 and Delta-10 THC, we’ve got you covered.

Here’s our overview of Delta-10 and Delta-8, from initial definitions to some of the key differences between each.

In addition, we’ve thrown in some Delta-8 product recommendations from the Mood Shop for good measure.

Head to the Mood Shop to browse our best-selling cannabis products, including Delta-8 and Delta-10 edibles, gummies, and more. Subscribe for recurring orders to save 15%.

Table of Contents

  • An Introduction to Delta-10 THC and Delta-8 THC

  • What Are the Differences Between Delta-8 and Delta-10?

  • FAQs About Delta-10 and Delta-8

  • Where Can I Buy Delta-10 and Delta-8?

An Introduction to Delta-10 THC and Delta-8 THC

Both Delta-10 THC and Delta-8 THC are cannabinoids found in the cannabis sativa plant, also known as the hemp plant.

The cannabis plant contains more than 100 currently known cannabinoids, and all of them have unique properties and effects.

Delta-9 THC is the most common psychoactive cannabinoid, while cannabidiol (CBD) is the most common non-psychoactive cannabinoid. Psychoactive cannabinoids can get you high, while non-psychoactive compounds have other, milder effects.

What Is Delta-8 THC?

Delta-8 Tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta-8 THC) is a close relative of Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta-9 THC).

Delta-8 is produced in smaller quantities by the cannabis plant, but it has become increasingly popular over the past few years. This form of THC is nearly identical to Delta-9 THC in terms of its chemical structure and causes similar psychoactive effects.

The main thing to know about Delta-8 is that it’s considered a milder form of THC than Delta-9, a less intense high.

Grab a 10-count of Chillout 25mg Delta-8 THC Gummies for just $29. Subscribe to save 15%.

What Is Delta-10 THC?

Delta-10 Tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta-10 THC) is another chemical cousin of Delta-9 and Delta-8.

It’s found in even smaller quantities than Delta-8, forming only in trace amounts in the hemp plant. Because of its scarcity, we currently know less about Delta-10 than Delta-8.

This cannabinoid is relatively new to the market, but it can produce many of the same psychoactive effects and potential benefits as its chemical cousins.

Learn more about Delta-10 and other cannabinoids from the Mood Blog.

What Are the Differences Between Delta-8 and Delta-10?

Both of these forms of THC are very similar to Delta-9.

However, there are several key differences between the two psychoactive compounds. Let’s take a look:

Chemical Structure

Delta-10 and Delta-8 are both positional isomers of Delta-9 THC. This means that these two compounds have the same chemical formula but a different arrangement of atoms in their molecular structures.

The big difference is in a double bond in their chains of carbon atoms. Delta-8’s double bond is located on the 8th carbon atom of the chain, Delta-9’s is located on the ninth, and Delta-10’s is located on the tenth.

The placement of these double bonds might seem like a tiny difference, but it has a big impact on potency — which is the next topic we’ll cover.

Potency

Both Delta-8 and Delta-10 interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system to produce unique psychoactive effects. These are the physical and mental sensations that you experience when you get high.

The cannabinoids activate and attach to the same cannabinoid receptors in the brain, but they do so with different levels of intensity.

Delta-9 THC has the strongest binding affinity to these receptors, which gives it the most powerful psychoactive properties.

On the other hand, Delta-8 THC is known to bind less powerfully than Delta-9, mellowing out its effects and creating a milder high. Delta-10 THC is thought to attach even more weakly than Delta-8, making it the least potent of all three forms of THC.

Learn more about how it feels to be high from the Mood Blog.

Side Effects

In spite of these differences in structure and potency, both Delta-10 and Delta-8 have intoxicating effects. Aside from the high that you expect from THC use, they produce some other side effects.

In general, the side effects of Delta-8 and Delta-10 mimic those of classic Delta-9 THC, but to a lesser degree. These can include sensations like dry mouth, red eyes, and droopy eyelids. Because Delta-10 is considered less potent than Delta-8, these side effects may be less pronounced when using Delta-10 vs Delta-8.

Benefits

One of the biggest benefits of Delta-8 THC and Delta-10 THC is a pleasant, less overwhelming high than what’s typically associated with Delta-9 THC. Because of their milder effects, these two cannabinoids can be fantastic options for newcomers to cannabis.

Delta-8, in particular, is known to produce a chill and relaxing high that can help ease tension, while Delta-10 may have energizing effects and even lead to feelings of increased focus and inspiration.

Legality

Both Delta-10 and Delta-8 are legal on the federal level, courtesy of the Farm Bill.

This bill removed hemp from the list of controlled substances, defining hemp products as any cannabis goods that contain 0.3% or less of Delta-9 THC on a dry-weight basis.

Because of the Farm Bill, pure Delta-8 and Delta-10 products comply with federal law, and so do any Delta-10 and Delta-8 products that contain an amount of Delta-9 THC below the legal limit. That means you can order Delta-8 and Delta-10 gummies and other cannabis goods online from Mood in most states.

While Delta-8 and Delta-10 are federally legal, multiple regulations and state laws impact their legality on a state-by-state level. Make sure you check out your state’s specific policies for cannabis products before you order.

In terms of healthcare uses, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has yet to approve Delta-10 and Delta-8 for medical use. More research is needed before we have conclusive info about their potential health benefits.

Learn more about the legal status of cannabis from the Mood Blog.

Products

Although there is a good amount of variety in Delta-8 THC products, you may find that there are fewer options when looking for Delta-10 products.

This is simply because Delta-10 is still a relatively new cannabinoid to the market, and it’s found in smaller amounts in the hemp plant. Thankfully, you can still find innovative Delta-10 products in the Mood Shop — and we’ll cover some of the highlights of our selection below.

FAQs About Delta-10 and Delta-8

Q: Which cannabinoid is right for me?

A: The best way to figure out whether Delta-8, Delta-9, or Delta-10 is right for you is to give each of them a try. Starting out with small amounts of these cannabinoids can be helpful if you’re new to cannabis, especially if you have concerns about feeling overwhelmed or nervous while high.

Q: How are Delta-8 and Delta-10 different from CBD?

A: Cannabidiol (CBD) is a cannabinoid like Delta-8 and Delta-10 THC, but it’s not psychoactive. That means that CBD won’t get you high on its own. However, when combined with any form of THC, CBD can have a calming, mellowing effect that balances out your high and gives you a more well-rounded cannabis experience.

Q: Should I smoke or try edibles to get high?

A: The way you enjoy THC is up to you, and there are pros and cons of both smoking and ingesting cannabis. In general, edibles may be more beginner-friendly, as they’re easier to split into small, precise servings. However, you can start your cannabis journey by smoking and have an amazing time. We recommend trying both and seeing how you feel.

Q: Can I micro-dose THC?

A: Microdosing THC is a popular way to enjoy mild psychoactive effects without getting too high. If you’re interested in the benefits of cannabis but only want a small amount of THC, our Micro-Dose Delta-9 THC Gummies are perfect for you. They contain a balanced combination of Delta-9 and CBD for a mild, mellow high.

Where Can I Buy Delta-10 and Delta-8?

While you’ll likely find plenty of THC products at dispensaries, you can also find Delta-10 and Delta-8 products from other types of retailers.

Some smoke shops, gas stations, and convenience stores carry products containing these cannabinoids, and you can also explore online cannabis shops like Mood — an online dispensary that delivers high-quality cannabis to your door.

Here are some of our top products containing both Delta-10 and Delta-8.

Delta-9 THC Peach Rings

Inspired by the classic candy, each high-potency peach ring contains 25mg of Delta-9 THC, 25mg of Delta-8 THC, 15mg of Delta-10 THC, and 1mg of THCp.

It’s worth noting that this is a particularly potent product, so it’s not recommended for beginners.

Pick up a 10-count of Delta-9 THC Peach Rings for just $60. Subscribe for recurring orders to save 15%.

Delta-9 THC Caramel Popcorn

This crunchy popcorn features a rich caramel coating, along with 40mg of Delta-9 THC and 40mg of CBD for a medium-potency high.

We recommend this edible option if you want to switch things up and enjoy something crunchy as opposed to a gummy.

A bag of Delta-9 THC Caramel Popcorn is just $20. Subscribe to save 15%.

1:1 THC & CBD Tincture (900mg)

For a tincture that features both Delta-8 and Delta-10, give this one a try. One dropper contains 10mg of THC (a combined dose of Delta-8, Delta-9, and Delta-10), and 10mg of CBD for a balanced high and chilled-out feeling.

Get a 1oz bottle of our 1:1 THC and CBD Tincture for just $69. Subscribe to save 15%.

Looking for more variety? Explore Mood’s entire selection of online THC products today.

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