What is D10? A Comprehensive Guide

by Kat Austin May 30, 2023 9 min read

What is D10? A Comprehensive Guide - VO Inc

D10, or Delta-10 THC, is a cannabinoid found in cannabis, similar to Delta-9 THC, but with a milder psychoactive effect. In fact, this mellow THC isomer comes with a mild, energizing euphoria and energy-boosting effects that may appease new THC consumers and enthusiasts alike

Before you buy some for yourself, let's take a deep dive into the question: What is D10? 

Table of Contents

What’s D10 THC?
How is D10 THC Made?
What are Delta-10’s Effects?
Does D10 THC Get You High?
Where Does Delta-10 Come From?
Is D10 THC Legal?
Will D10 THC Make You Fail a Drug Test?
Types of D10 THC Products
Is Delta-10 Safe?
Where to Buy D10 THC

Key Takeaways

  • D10 THC is a natural, psychoactive cannabinoid that can be derived from legal hemp material.
  • It’s not synthetic, but it is usually made from CBD through a unique process called “isomerization.”
  • Delta-10 is still being researched, but it may have far reaching benefits that are similar to the benefits of traditional THC products.
  • You can buy Delta-10-THC online from any state where D10 is legal, so it’s far more accessible than Delta-9 products.

What is D10 THC?

Natural hemp flower that is grown outdoors and can be used to make Delta-10-THC via the isomerization process.

D10 is short for Delta-10-Tetrahydrocannabinol, a THC molecule where the double bond falls at the tenth chain position. For comparison, the Delta-9-THC molecule is almost exactly the same, but the double bond falls at the 9th chain position.

Delta-9 is the “traditional THC'' found in marijuana products. Although Delta-10 is only different by a single chain placement for one double bond, its effects are entirely different, opening the market up to new therapeutic and recreational potential.

To help you understand the difference, let’s talk about D10’s effects, legality, how it’s made, and more:

How is Delta-10-THC Made?

Delta-10-THC is a hemp derived cannabinoid that usually exists (in today's hemp market) as a "hemp isomer."

What's that mean?

Well, Delta-10-THC is a naturally occurring cannabinoid just like CBD and Delta-9-THC, but it's usually found in concentrations of less than 1%. That makes it difficult to source.

So, the hemp industry took a different route—isomerization.

Delta-10-THC exists naturally as an isomer to CBD, meaning the two compounds have all of the same components, just arranged in a different order.

The isomerization process simply rearranges the molecule into its isomer. It doesn't add anything synthetic. It simply rearranges one molecule into another.

Through this method (which was originally patented by the Father of Cannabis himself) is used to convert CBD extract to Delta-10-THC material, which is then refined and used as a concentrate in various D10 THC products, like edibles and vaporizers.

Then, consumers seek out these products to experience Delta-10's unique effects

What are D10’s Effects?

It's true that Delta-10 is psychoactive much like traditional THC products, but most researchers agree that Delta-10’s effects are slightly less potent, maybe even less so than Delta-8. It's hard to say exactly how much less potent Delta-10 may be compared to traditional THC products, but some sources say it may have about half the affinity for the CB1 receptor, or the neuroreceptor that induces a psychoactive high.

In general, though, Delta-10’s effects are just a bit different than what you may expect from traditional THC products. Some people describe the experience as uplifting and energizing, comparing Delta-10 to the effects you can expect from a sativa-dominant strain.

There's not any research to support this or help us understand why Delta-10 may have this effect, but the general consensus is that Delta-10 produces a mild, stimulating euphoria that boosts creativity and improves focus.

Does D10 THC Get You High?

The primary question people have about D-10-THC is “Will it get you high?” and the answer may be what you want to hear.

Yes, Delta-10-THC is psychoactive, meaning it will get you high similarly to Delta-9. That’s because it interacts with the CB1 receptor in the brain. However, its affinity for CB1 receptors is lower than many other THC products, meaning it has milder effects.

A joint rolled from D10 hemp flower and the supplies used to roll it.

For many people, that makes Delta-10 a better option than heavy hitting Delta-9-THC. Overall, the effects are different, too. Delta-10 is often associated with uplifting, energizing effects that are more body-centric and less foggy than other types of THC products. That makes it a great option for boosting your mood and energy levels without disrupting your functionality.

Of course, it’s important to note that Delta-10 is still a psychoactive substance, and it is not safe nor legal to drive while under the influence of Delta-10-THC.

The effects you experience from Delta-10-THC will depend on various factors, like your THC tolerance and the way that the D10 THC product is made. 

Where Does Delta-10 Come From?

Not all Delta-10 is made the same, and Delta-10-THC products can be naturally derived from two main sources: hemp or high-THC cannabis strains, also known as “marijuana.” Here’s the difference:

Marijuana-derived D10 THC

Delta-10-THC is naturally found in some cannabis strains that may not have a Delta-9-THC content below 0.3%, which is the federal limit for hemp products. However, this type of cannabis is classified as a Controlled Substance in the U.SDelta-10-THC products made from high-THC cannabis are also Controlled Substances.

In areas where cannabis is legal, you may be able to find these Delta-10 products in local dispensaries, but there’s one prominent drawback: they’re usually more expensive. That’s because legal cannabis products are usually subject to expensive regulations and increased taxes that all trickle down to the final price.

Hemp-derived D10 THC

Alternatively, D10 THC can be made from legal hemp-derived CBD, which is legal in the U.S. according to federal law. This kind of Delta-10-THC can be made legally in most states and purchased online from any legal area.

At the core, both types of Delta-10-THC work the same, but hemp-derived D10 THC is much more accessible across the nation thanks to updated hemp laws.

Does D10-THC Have Any Health Benefits?

Delta-10 research is extremely limited, but researchers speculate on Delta-10’s benefits based on its similarities to Delta-8-THC. We mentioned that Delta-10 interacts with the Endocannabinoid System, a regulatory system known to impact functions like appetite, pain signaling, mood, and more.

Like Delta-8, Delta-10 activates both the CB-1 and CB-2 receptors, which means it likely replicated many of Delta-8’s benefits. More research is needed, but some possible benefits of Delta-10 may include:

  • Relief from pain
  • Energy boost
  • Lifted mood
  • Increased appetite
  • Nausea reduction
  • Stress relief
  • Overall euphoria

Is D10 THC Legal?

As we previously mentioned, Delta-10-THC is federally legal ONLY if it is derived from federally legal hemp material.

According to the Hemp Farming Act of 2018, hemp material that contains less than 0.3% Delta-9-THC is legal. The bill carves out a legal space for all hemp derivatives, including cannabinoids, isomers, and other extracts provided they also contain less than 0.3% Delta-9-THC.

The new laws also make an exception for “hemp derived tetrahydrocannabinols” in the Controlled Substances Act. That means that any Delta-10-THC product made from legal hemp is not a controlled substance in the U.S. according to federal law.

As always, state laws vary. To find out if Delta-10-THC is legal in your home state, read “Where is Delta-8-THC Legal?

Will D10 Make You Fail a Drug Test?

As we mentioned, Delta-10-THC is thought to convert to 11-hydroxy-THC in the body, which is the primaryTHC metabolite that drug tests look for. That means that Delta-10 will show up on a drug test the same way that traditional THC products will, and a urine test will not be able to differentiate between legal and non-legal THC.

Delta-10 is not a safe alternative to THC if you are subject to drug testing. To understand more about how this works, read about how Delta-8 shows up on drug tests.

Types of D10 Products

Delta-10 is still far less common than traditional THC products, but it's becoming increasingly popular among hemp consumers because of its federal legal status. Because Delta-10 is incredibly similar to traditional THC and even Delta-8 products, many of the dosing styles you'll find are the same. Some of the most popular ways that Delta 10 is used include:

Edibles

Edible D10 products come in a few and different forms, ranging from gummies to baked goods to hard candies and more. Different edibles absorb in different ways, and therefore provide different effects.

For instance, Delta-10 gummies are chewed and swallowed and therefore need to be digested before they reach the bloodstream, which means they can take over an hour to take effect but may provide effects that last longer than some other dosing methods.

Some edibles, like hard candies, are meant to dissolve in the mouth which gives Delta-10 an opportunity to be absorbed sublingually. This method allows Delta-10 to be absorbed into the bloodstream almost immediately, which means the effects can kick in and around 30 minutes and may last a couple of hours.

Read our THC Edibles Buyer’s Guide to learn more.

Vida Optima Elev8 Vaporizer

Vaporizers

Vaporizers are a popular dosing method for all cannabis and hemp products because they take effect almost instantly and make it easy to stack small doses until you reach your desired effects. Vaporizers are the top choice for people looking for fast acting therapeutic benefits, but they also make a portable dosing option for when you're on the go. Often, vaporizers use a technique called strain profiling to create Delta-10 products modeled after different sativa indica and hybrid strains.

To learn more, read our THC Carts Buyer’s Guide.

Flower

Usually, Delta-10 flower is just low-THC hemp flower with a Delta-10 distillate added on top. It's meant to be smoked just like traditional cannabis flower and provides instant effects that lasts a couple of hours. Many people enjoy Delta-10 flower because it simulates a traditional cannabis experience with its potent effects and aromatic terpenes.

Dabs

Dabs are a form of concentrate that are generally vaporized using a dab rig. This is the least popular form of Delta-10, typically because Delta-10 is difficult to produce and a concentrated version would be pricey. Plus, many people use Delta-10 for its mild, functional effects, and extremely potent, concentrated doses are not always preferable.

Is Delta-10 Safe?

With all the different formulations and hemp regulations out there, it's important to ask—Is D10 THC safe? Unfortunately, the answer isn’t a straightforward yes or no. Actually, Delta-10-THC safety is relative.

That means that the safety of a particular product depends on various factors, like how it’s made or where it comes from. Other safety complications may come from combining Delta-10 with other substances, like medications or alcohol.

In general, Delta-10-THC is thought to be as safe as traditional THC products when it is made from high-quality industrial hemp and free of contaminants and solvents.

That means you have to be careful when you buy D10 THC products online or in stores. Thoroughly evaluate the products and the hemp brand to check their hemp source and look for third-party test results. These results will help you determine if the product label is accurate, which is important when determining the best starting dose for your new products.

Where to Buy Hemp THC?

If you live in a legal area, you can likely find Delta-10-THC products in stores near you, but there may be some benefits to buying Delta-10 online. When you buy D10 THC online, you can more thoroughly assess the brand’s background, the product’s ingredients, and the third-party test results needed to prove label accuracy.

At Vida Optima, all of our products are 100% Farm Bill compliant. We use only high-quality U.S. grown hemp and GMP compliant manufacturing practices to provide pure, potent Delta-10 gummies, vaporizers, and more. Check out our full hemp THC collection (and look for third-party test results on every product page!)

Vida Optima Cloud9 Hemp Derived Delta-9-THC Gummies

 

FAQ: Understanding Delta-10 THC

Does delta-10 actually get you high?

Yes, but the high from delta-10 THC is milder and more uplifting compared to delta-8 THC, with users often reporting increased focus and energy.

Which is stronger, delta-9 or delta-10?

Delta-9 THC is stronger than delta-10 THC, offering more intense psychoactive effects. Delta-10 is milder by comparison.

Is delta-8 or delta-10 stronger?

Delta-8 THC is stronger than delta-10 THC, producing deeper relaxation and sedation. Delta-10, however, is more energizing and stimulating, with less euphoria and anxiety than delta-9 THC.

What are delta-10 gummies used for?

Delta-10 gummies are used for mild psychoactive effects that are energizing and uplifting. They are chosen by those seeking mood enhancement without significant impairment.

Is delta-10 like sativa or indica?

Delta-10 THC is more like sativa, offering stimulating effects such as increased energy, focus, and concentration.

How bad is delta-10 for you?

Though less potent than delta-9 THC, delta-10 has risks and can produce nearly double the psychotropic potency of delta-8. It can be just as dangerous as delta-9 THC.

Which Delta is best for anxiety?

Delta-8 THC is often preferred for anxiety relief due to its calming effects without the intense high typically associated with delta-9 THC.

Which Delta is strongest?

Delta-9 THC is traditionally the strongest among the delta variants, providing the most intense psychoactive effects.

What is delta-10 best for?

Delta-10 THC is best for its energizing properties and mood-enhancing effects. It can boost energy and improve mental clarity without causing significant impairment.


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