CBD and Delta-8 have had their time to shine, but now there's a new hemp THC product stealing the spotlight. Delta-11-THC is marketed as a highly potent THC alternative that provides euphoric bliss–and it does just that, with psychoactive effects strong enough to blow other hemp THC products out of the water.
We're sure you have questions: What is D11? Is it synthetic? Is it legal? And where do you get it? Below, we'll cover everything you need to know about D11, including how it’s made, how it's used, and where to find it.
Let’s go:
Table of Contents
What’s D11 THC?
What Does Delta-11 Do?
Does D11 THC Get You High?
Where Does Delta-11 Come From?
Is D11 THC Legal?
Types of D11 THC Products
Is Delta-11 Safe?
Where to Buy D11 THC
Delta-11-THC is a hemp derived cannabinoid that usually exists (in today's hemp market) as a "hemp isomer."
What's that mean?
Isomers are compounds that 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 into other cannabinoids, and then the extract is refined and used as a concentrate in various THC products, like edibles and vaporizers. In this case, CBD is converted, through a series of techniques, into Delta-11-THC.
Why did the market go this route? Because many THC isomers, like D11, D10, THC-O, and others, are only available in small concentrations in natural hemp material. So, manufacturers extract CBD, which is available in abundance, and use one or multiple isomerization techniques to transform it into other highly-sought after cannabinoids.
Then, consumers seek out these products to experience Delta-11's unique effects.
Similarly to Delta-9-THC and other cannabinoids, Delta-11-THC interacts with the body via the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). Currently, we're lacking evidence to help us understand how Delta-11 works, but it's believed to have an affinity for CB-1 receptors that's up to three times stronger than traditional Delta-9-THC. That means that it binds with CB-1 receptors at a higher rate. These receptors are responsible for the heady, psychoactive effects of traditional THC products.
In other words, 10 milligrams of Delta-11 is roughly equivalent to 30 milligrams of Delta-9.
But that's not all–the effects are also different. Delta-11 is described as highly euphoric, relaxing, and possibly sedating at high doses.
A delta-11 high is great for unwinding and soothing discomfort, though we don’t have enough evidence to determine its therapeutic potential. If it behaves similarly to Delta-9, it may have similar therapeutic potential. In general, traditional THC products are medicinally used for managing:
In states where cannabis is approved for medical uses, some approved uses include:
Keep in mind that Delta-11, while highly potent, is not approved for medicinal use. Instead, many people choose it for recreational purposes and enjoy the therapeutic benefits that follow.
The primary question people have about D-11-THC is “Will it get you high?” and the answer is an astounding yes! Delta-11-THC is highly psychoactive, meaning it will get you high similarly to Delta-9. Expect to feel intense euphoria with body-centric effects. Many people describe the feeling as tingling or floating and enjoy the discomfort-relieving, sleep-enhancing effects of Delta-11-THC.
Like all THC products, the effects are dose dependent. Because Delta-11 is highly potent, you may find that small doses are still intensely psychoactive. The effects you experience from Delta-11-THC will depend on various factors, like your THC tolerance and the way that the D11 THC product is made.
(As a side note, if you're looking for a highly potent THC dose with more uplifting effects, you may consider checking out THC-O.)
Not all Delta-11 is made the same, and Delta-11-THC products can be naturally derived from two main sources: hemp or high-THC cannabis strains, also known as “marijuana.” Here’s the difference:
Delta-11 may be naturally occurring in some cannabis strains, and you may be able to find Delta-11 products in local dispensaries. However, this type of cannabis is classified as a Controlled Substance in the U.S., meaning Delta-8-THC products made from high-THC cannabis are also Controlled Substances.
These products are usually more regulated, 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.
Alternatively, D11 THC can be made from legal hemp-derived CBD, which is legal in the U.S. according to federal law. This kind of Delta-11-THC can be made legally in most states and purchased online from any legal area.
At the core, both types of Delta-11-THC work the same, but hemp-derived D11 THC is much more accessible across the nation thanks to updated hemp laws.
As we previously mentioned, Delta-11-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-11-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-11-THC is legal in your home state, read “Where is Delta-11-THC Legal?”
In areas where Delta-11 is legal, manufacturers are taking advantage of the versatility of Delta-11 extracts. There’s a huge variety of products currently available, and new, innovative Delta-11 dosing styles are hitting the shelves every day.
There are, of course, some tried and true products that you’ll find wherever you look. Some of the most popular D11 THC product types include:
D11 THC gummies are exactly what they sound like—chewy treats that are strategically dosed with a pre-measured amount of Delta-11. Gummies take a while to kick in (about 1.5 hours) but they pack a punch and offer long lasting effects.
Some doses, like hard candies and other edibles that are designed to melt in your mouth may offer the benefits of sublingual dosing. That means they are absorbed through the mouth in order to bypass digestion and may take effect more quickly than traditional edibles.
D11 THC vaporizers are the most popular dosing method available. They offer the benefits of incremental dosing and immediate effects. Delta-8 vapes take effect in about 5 minutes and you can slowly stack doses until you reach the desired effects.
Dabbing Delta-11 isn’t uncommon, and it’s an efficient way to use D11 at high doses. You’ll need special equipment to use Delta-11 concentrates, so many people opt for vaporizers instead.
Delta-11 flower is hemp flower that is sprayed with Delta-11 concentrate. It smokes similarly to traditional cannabis flower and offers the benefits of its full-spectrum cannabinoid profile, which will include CBD and other minor cannabinoids, like CBG or CBN. Like vapes, it kicks in fast, though it can be more difficult to meter your dosage. Plus, Delta-11 flower is not always readily available, so it may be more difficult to find high-quality products.
With all the different formulations and hemp regulations out there, it's important to ask—Is D11 THC safe? Unfortunately, the answer isn’t a straightforward yes or no. Actually, Delta-11-THC safety is relative to the way that it is made and used.
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-11 with other substances, like medications or alcohol. Delta-11 may have some drug interactions and it may alter the effects of alcohol.
In general, Delta-11-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 D11 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.
To learn more, read “How Much Delta-11-THC Should I Take?”
If you live in a legal area, you can likely find Delta-11-THC products in stores near you, but there may be some benefits to buying Delta-11 online. When you buy D11 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-8 gummies, vaporizers, and more. Check out our full hemp collection (and look for third-party test results on every product page!)
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