How Do Delta-10 THC and CBD Differ and What Do They Do?

You’ve probably heard about CBD or cannabidiol by now. For a while, CBD has been gaining the attention of the health-conscious and medical communities alike due to its promising properties and non-psychoactivity. Now, dozens of other cannabis-derived compounds like Delta-10 are slowly emerging. Today, we explore the nature of CBD and Delta-10 while detailing their differences and similarities, what each cannabinoid does, and more. 

Comparing Delta-10 and CBD

While Delta-10 and CBD are both found in cannabis, they have glaring differences when it comes to features. Because of these contrasts, they evoke distinct experiences as well. 

Below is a breakdown of the differences between Delta-10 and CBD.

  • CBD is found in higher concentrations compared to Delta-10.

Cannabis contains over 100 cannabinoids. Not all of these cannabinoids are equal in concentration, and some are more dominant than others. In cannabis, CBD and THC are the primary compounds, while Delta-9 is only a minor cannabinoid making it available in small traces only. 

  • CBD has an extensive library of scientific literature. 

As an only recently isolated compound, Delta-10’s collection of scientific research is still in progress. Research on the properties of the compound and how we can take advantage of its features are still in the process of getting discovered. 

Contrastingly, CBD has hundreds of scientific papers, from clinical studies, peer discussions, and reviews. 

  • The CBD industry started earlier.

Unlike Delta-10, CBD has been in the market for years now. CBD products have evolved from simple tinctures to several products like CBD Juul pods, CBD hemp cigarettes, CBD honey sticks, and more. CBD’s massive industry is thanks to its dominant concentration in cannabis plants and its properties.

Why People Are Combining Delta-10 & CBD Together

People are starting to discover the effects of combining Delta-10 and CBD. 

According to consumers, the Delta-10 experience tends to be more uplifting and cerebral. It has a milder psychoactive effect compared to delta 9 and delta 8. 

The contrasting experience between CBD and Delta-10 is an attractive combination for its patrons. They believe that CBD and Delta-10, together, balance each other out.

Research suggests that the combination of cannabinoids along with smaller compounds in cannabis, such as terpenes, is better compared to one cannabinoid alone. The interaction between cannabis compounds is called “the entourage effect.”

Delta-10 and CBD have unique properties, each providing different experiences. When combined, the behavior of the cannabinoids’ metabolites may change in behavior. By then, the phenomenon exudes an even more unique experience. Research suggests the other cannabinoid magnifies the experience of another cannabinoid. 

With such diversity, your head would spin at the different synergistic possibilities the combination of Delta-10 and CBD can offer. 

What is Delta-10 THC?

Delta-10 THC is one of the over 100 cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. Most industries get this cannabinoid from hemp, making it a legal compound in some states of America. As one of the many forms of THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, Delta-10 THC appears in small amounts only. For this reason, it’s a challenge for manufacturers to extract large quantities of pure Delta-10. 

Accidentally discovered by a California cannabis-based company, the compound formed crystals previously exhibited by delta 8 and delta 9. As the isolation process moved along, thanks to advanced technology, the compound was identified as Delta-10. 

What Are the Effects of Delta-10 THC?

Delta-10 THC has milder effects compared to Delta-9 and Delta-8 THC. Delta-10 THC’s effects are well-liked by people who still need to be productive while using, rather than being couch-locked. Some consumers describe the experience to be uplifting, and some say they feel more creative. 

What Is CBD?

CBD is another cannabinoid that’s abundantly present in varieties of the cannabis plant. It’s the second most prevalent compound in hemp and is widely utilized by the cannabis industry. CBD has a similar molecular structure to THC but has a different atom arrangement, which sets it apart from other cannabinoids. 

Sold in different forms, from oils to the best CBD joint and muscle gel, CBD binds with the cannabinoid receptors naturally present in the human body. The 2018 Farm Bill legalizes CBD as long as it satisfies the guidelines — one of which is the requirement that it should only be derived from hemp. However, check with your local state laws on what they have drafted for the commercial utilization of CBD.

What Are the Effects of CBD?

Pure CBD, without the infusion of other psychoactive cannabinoids, cannot cause a high. Anecdotal reports described the experience with CBD to be subtle and easy. 

Even with full spectrum types of extracts in which CBD might contain a bit of THC, you shouldn’t feel any mind-altering effects. How? Legal CBD products can only contain less than 0.3% THC. 

Delta-10 Vs. CBD: How Does It Work?

Cannabinoids such as Delta-10 and CBD interact with the human ECS (endocannabinoid system). Most of these cannabinoids bind with the ECS’s receptors. 

How CBD works in the body has grown in interest among scientists and physicians in recent years. However, in the big picture, CBD specifically interacts with the body at a molecular level is not yet uncovered except in the part where it binds with certain receptors. 

Research tells us that CBD goes through multiple molecular pathways. There are more than 69 molecular targets that CBD can interact with. For example, CBD can delay the reuptake of neurotransmitters – anandamide and adenosine. CBD also inhibits the binding actions of G-proteins. 

However, CBD loosely binds with two of the ECS receptors (CB1 and CB2). Some receptors don’t even bind with CBD. The main difference in how CBD and Delta-10 work is how they interact with the ECS receptors. Delta-10 activates while CBD merely modulates. 

Delta-10 & The ECS

The ECS maintains several physiological processes, such as the body’s homeostasis, which encompasses several processes, including the brain, endocrine system, immune system, and more. 

The ECS has two primary receptors – CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptors are widely present in different parts of the body, such as the central nervous system, liver, lungs, kidneys, etc. Meanwhile, CB2 receptors are only present in hematopoietic cells, and some exist in parts of the brain. Delta 9 and 8 bind well with CB1 receptors located in the nervous system, but Delta-10 has a low binding affinity in comparison. 

What does this binding effect look like up close? Think of the lock and key system. Imagine the lock as the receptor and the key as the cannabinoids found in cannabis plants. The key floats around until it latches on a perfectly matched lock. Once bound, a change happens in the cell which enables cannabinoids to elicit their unique effects. 

CBD and The ECS

CBD doesn’t bind with the endocannabinoid receptors the way Delta-10 binds with the receptors. CBD has a weak affinity to CB1 and CB2 receptors. This makes CBD a mild choice for its patrons. 

Many believe CBD interacts with the ECS by preventing the endocannabinoid receptors from being broken down by the enzymes fatty acid amide hydrolase and monoacylglycerol acid lipase. More research is needed to confirm how this mechanism works, but it is believed that CBD inhibits the enzymes that break down endocannabinoid receptors. 

With this action, endocannabinoids are allowed to exist further which enables the regulatory functions for a longer period. It’s also implied that CBD might be binding with a yet-to-be-discovered receptor. 

Delta-10 Vs. CBD: What Does the Research Show?

Over the years, researchers have made several small and big-scale scientific breakthroughs in CBD. CBD’s extensive research and public acceptance garnered from several communities, including medical, business, media, consumers, etc., triggered a budding industry.  This great popularity gave cultivators the confidence to innovate the compound into something that had never been done before. 

The strongest evidence science has explored on CBD is on the pediatric spectrum. The amount of research prompted the FDA in 2018 to approve a CBD-based product called Epidiolex. There is also preliminary clinical research gathered from small clinical trials on mental health. 

It’s a continuous strive for science to carry out trials and put out more quality evidence and reports to prove, time and time again, CBD’s safety and efficacy. 

Research on Delta-10 is still in its infancy. Years of strict protocols regarding cannabis-related research made it challenging for lesser-known cannabinoids to flourish.

Delta-10 Vs. CBD: How Do You Use It?

There are several different ways people employ CBD and Delta-10. 

There are Delta-10 and CBD-based products, which include tinctures, vapes, topicals, candies, and more. There are even more experimental brands that offer them in perfumes and other unique forms. 

Consumers should take into consideration factors that play a role in efficacy, such as weight, height, needs, comfort, tolerance, delivery method, time of the day, nature of work, and so on. 

The Legality of Delta-10 vs. CBD

There are states that both allow and ban the sale and consumption of Delta-10-derived products. So far, Delaware, Arizona, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Mississippi, Rhode Island, Iowa, Montana, and Utah don’t allow the distribution of Delta-10. The other unmentioned states may be allowing some products to circulate as long as they follow the set protocols. 

On the other hand, hemp-derived CBD with less than 0.3% THC is allowed in most states. Therefore, you should be able to easily buy CBD in states where it’s legal. 

Delta-10 Vs. CBD: Will It Make Me Fail a Drug Test?

The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp-derived cannabinoids but the differences in state laws could still perplex others when it comes to important state and employment requirements such as drug tests. 

THC is detectable in drug screenings if enough metabolites are present in your body. Also, it’s not common for drug tests to distinguish what type of THC the sample contains. 

So far, the jury is hung on whether the consumption of delta-10 products fails a drug test or if it’s even possible for drug screenings to specifically detect delta-10. However, it’s important to note that delta-10 is a form of THC. 

It’s not typical for drug tests to search for CBD metabolites in their positive list but CBD might appear in CBD-sensitive tests. Relatively, CBD-based products with high THC content might turn drug tests positive. 

You should not worry about getting a positive drug test result if the CBD product you’ve recently consumed is an isolated type of CBD extract (CBS isolate). Most CBD products label their product with either isolate, broad-spectrum, or full-spectrum type of CBD extract. You can see that printed on the packaging. 

Overall, if you want to make sure you’re 100% clean for your upcoming drug test, it’s best to avoid cannabis-derived products temporarily. 

Delta-10 Vs. CBD: Where Can You Buy It?

CBD is widely available, and its products are sold in most states. Chances are, almost all shops (online, too) that sell cannabis and other related products sell CBD. Delta-10 products aren’t sold as often, compared to CBD. But if you’re looking in the right place, you’ll find a plethora of legal Delta-10 products. 

Here at Hempzilla, innovation is at the forefront of our goals, and you’ll see it in our line of CBD products. Take your pick from CBD Juul Pods, CBD hemp cigarettes, CBD muscle gel, and Nighttime gummies.

We also don’t go easy with our CBD product selections. From tinctures to salves, you won’t underwhelm yourself with what we have in our collections. 

You might find a CBD or Delta-10 product sold in gas stations, sidewalks, and the like. Not all of them are low-quality products or fake, but it’s best to be extra cautious when buying from these places. Don’t get attracted easily by their convenience and low prices.

With that said, there are a couple of things to look out for when buying products like CBD and Delta-10. 

How to Buy Delta-10 & CBD Safely

If you’re planning to buy Delta-10 and CBD, it’s easy to get them (especially CBD), but finding quality and safe products might be a challenge. 

Here’s a quick guide on how to safely buy the best Delta-10 and the best CBD products the industry has to offer. 

  • Check for COAs

A COA, or certificate of analysis, is a document done by third-party laboratories testing the safety and quality of product samples. Most companies provide these with their products to assure their customers of quality and potency.

  • Shop from Reputable Retailers

Avoid shopping where quality products aren’t sold. Instead, shop Delta-10 and CBD products from licensed online shops and dispensaries that sell products directly.

  • Consider Buying Domestically Grown Products.

Hemp grown domestically is cultivated under strict quality protocols, which are regulated by the (USDA) United States Department of Agriculture. 

  • Avoid Products with Additives.

If possible, choose an all-organic option. Avoid products with an overload of additives and preservatives. 

Why choose us? Here at Hempzilla, transparency is one of our primary priorities. We may have a wide range of product variants, but we make it a point to let third-party laboratories test each of our product batches for potency, residuals, and pesticides.

Shopping with us means you can safely buy CBD products that don’t hold back on quality.

Is Delta-10 or CBD Better?

If you’re caught up choosing between Delta-10 and CBD, there is simply no absolute answer for this. Each compound has unique attributes you might not find in the other. The best thing to do is to choose the best cannabinoid that will work for your needs. 

It’s important to note that not everybody experiences the same effects from each cannabinoid or the combination of the two. 

Conclusion

Delta-10 and CBD are cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. They have a set of similarities and differences when it comes to properties, molecular structure, and more. Although there’s a vast amount of research on CBD, Delta-10 is slowly coming out of oblivion by gaining its spotlight within the scientific community. 

Choose between Delta-10 and CBD according to the experience you want to achieve. Some combine the two believing that the mix will yield an even greater experience. If you’re looking for the industry’s best CBD products, shop our e-commerce site, Hempzilla, and find what works best for you.