Do you want to experience delta-8 but are put off by smoking or vaping? If so, convenient and healthy delta-8 capsules are ideal for you. With this simple and discreet way of taking delta-8, you can get high wherever you are!
I’ve got lots of info to share about delta-8 capsules, but let’s begin with the best five products:
1. Canna Kings – Delta-8-THC Soft Gels
Take flight and reach new heights with delta-8 soft gels from Canna Kings. With 25mg of delta-8 distillate and a dash of MCT oil in each soft gel, this capsule product is among the strongest that you’ll find.
Canna Kings uses a premium, proprietary formula of delta-8 in its capsules and advises taking one capsule at a time and a maximum of two over a 24-hour period. Canna Kings’ capsules have received third-party lab approval.
Sold in two sizes: 10-count (250mg per tub), and 30-count (750mg per tub)
2. Exhale Wellness – Delta-8 Soft Gels
Enjoy a premium delta-8 high with these organic and all-natural soft gel capsules from Exhale Wellness. They will keep your mood up during the day, or help you relax in the evenings.
Each vegan-friendly capsule contains 25mg of delta-8 distillate and MCT oil, ensuring an intense, long-lasting high.
Exhale Wellness capsules are made with tapioca starch rather than animal gelatin.
These third-party tested capsules are available in tubs of 12 (300mg total), 25 (750mg total), and 60 (1500mg total).
3. Ounce of Hope – Delta-8 Soft Gel Capsules
With Ounce of Hope’s delta-8 soft gel capsules, you can simplify your experience and keep your consumption lowkey. Each gelatin capsule contains 25mg of premium delta-8 distillate, delivering potent psychoactive effects.
A hassle-free way of taking delta-8, these capsules are perfectly legal and have passed third-party tests. A standard tub contains 30 capsules and 750mg of delta-8 extract in total.
Not sure if you’ll like them? An ounce of Hope also offers a 2-count starter pack, so you don’t have to shell out for a whole tub.
4. NuLeaf Naturals – Delta-8-THC Capsules (Full Spectrum Soft Gels)
Experience all that the hemp plant offers with these full-spectrum delta-8 capsules from NuLeaf Naturals. Don’t be fooled by the moderate 7.5mg of extract per capsule, the whole-plant nature of this product effectively enhances the effects.
That said, I would still recommend taking two or three capsules at a time. NuLeaf Naturals delta-8 capsules contain full-spectrum hemp extract, cassava root extract, and organic virgin hemp seed oil.
Sold in three sizes: 20-count (150mg delta-8 per tub), 60-count (450mg), and 120-count (900mg).
5. ATLRX – Delta-8-THC Soft Gel Capsules
With ATLRX’s delta-8 soft gels, you can get the psychoactive effects of delta-8 and the therapeutic benefits of non-intoxicating CBD. These capsules are more relaxing than many other delta-8 products, making them ideal for alleviating pain, stress, and anxiety.
ATLRX recommends taking one or two capsules every one to four hours for the best effects. I’m a big fan of the psychotropic formula used in these caps and am delighted to say they have received third-party approval.
Available in two sizes: 375mg (30-count, 12.5mg per capsule), 772mg (30-count, 25.74mg per capsule)
What are Delta-8 Capsules?
Delta-8 capsules are an efficient, convenient, and discreet way to get stoned and a fantastic legal alternative to THC. While marijuana remains banned at the federal level, the emergence of legal psychoactive delta-8 products in recent years has been startling.
Delta-8 capsules typically contain highly concentrated delta-8 distillate and occasionally cannabidiol (CBD) or a bioavailability booster like MCT oil. Capsules with CBD lean towards a more therapeutic experience, whereas MCT oil serves to strengthen the effects of cannabinoids.
Perhaps you don’t want to smoke or vape to get your dose of delta-8. In that case, an easy and safe consumption method like swallowing capsules is attractive. Most delta-8 brands use small, soft gel capsules, which are easier to swallow than hard capsules.
The only downside with capsules is that they take longer to kick in. When vaping e-liquids or smoking hemp flower, the psychoactive effects of delta-8 are noticeable within minutes. With capsules, you might not feel anything for up to 60 or 90 minutes.
Capsules cannot replicate other delta-8 products for speed of effects due to how the body absorbs them. After swallowing, the capsule passes through to the stomach, where it is broken down and the delta-8 is released.
Only then are the cannabinoids absorbed into the bloodstream, after which they travel up to the brain and bind with cannabinoid receptors to induce mind-altering effects. As you can imagine, this all takes time – hence the delayed effects!
But if you want a discreet, hassle-free, and aroma-free way of taking delta-8, capsules have an advantage over other delta-8 products. Ultimately, it’s about what works best for you!
Learn More About Delta-8
While it’s hard to believe that a legal form of THC is available when the better-known delta-9-THC is still a Schedule 1 controlled substance, that is the reality! Delta-8 became legal in 2018 after federal lawmakers passed the Farm Bill, which legalized hemp across the nation.
The Farm Bill’s relaxed definition of hemp was mostly about bringing legal protection to CBD products. However, by legalizing all components of the plant and only placing restrictions on THC (a 0.3% cap), the bill inadvertently opened the door to other psychoactive hemp products.
Delta-8-THC is one of several tetrahydrocannabinol. It’s closely related to delta-9-THC (or just THC), although researchers have found that delta-8 is slightly less psychoactive. Delta-8 may also have neuroprotective properties, anti-anxiety benefits, and other therapeutic properties.
While delta-8 technically comes from hemp, it’s not as simple as taking a straightforward extraction. Natural concentrations of delta-8 in hemp are tiny, and using a pure extraction wouldn’t be profitable.
Therefore, delta-8 manufacturers take large quantities of CBD isolate and use isomerization to change the cannabinoids into delta-8 distillate.
What to Look For When Buying Delta-8 Capsules
Are you curious about how I compiled my top-five list? In this section, I’ll highlight what to look for when choosing a delta-8 capsule product. Hopefully, my list will give you some ideas. But maybe you need something more specific or want to see what else is out there.
Third-Party Tested Products
Unfortunately, not all delta-8 brands are up to the mark, so you should only buy third-party-approved capsules.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate delta-8 products. This means companies can lie about their products’ strength or use shoddy manufacturing methods without the threat of legal consequences. Sadly, the hemp scene is a playground for scammers.
Third-party testing brings quality and safety standards to the market to make up for the FDA’s absence. It works like this: a delta-8 brand sends its capsules off to an independent laboratory, which sends back a lab report or certificate of analysis.
The report verifies how much delta-8 is in the product, that THC levels are below 0.3%, and that the capsules don’t contain any heavy metals, residual solvent, or other unwanted nasties.
Delta-8 brands that pass all these checks proudly display the certificate, allowing potential customers to confirm they are legit. If a company has no viewable report or refuses to provide one, that’s a tell-tale sign they are operating a scam.
Potency
If you know how potent a capsule product is, you can gauge whether it’s good value or not. Cheap doesn’t always mean cheerful! For example, a 500mg tub of delta-8 capsules for $29.99 is more expensive than a 1000mg tub for $49.99.
You also need to know the potency of each capsule. Unlike edibles, you cannot split a capsule dose into two. This is mainly an issue for first-time users, for whom 25mg of delta-8 users. Veteran delta-8 consumers can take several low-strength capsules to get their desired hit.
Ingredients
When shopping for capsules, check if a product contains just delta-8 distillate or any other ingredients that might impact the effects. Some brands combine delta-8 extract with medium-chained triglyceride (MCT) oil.
Delta-8 has low bioavailability, and only a fraction of the dosage consumed becomes active. MCT oil helps increase the bioavailability and the potency of delta-8 capsules. Ensure you don’t get caught out with a more intense high than you were looking for!
Capsule Type
Nowadays, most companies opt for soft gel capsules over hard capsules as some people have difficulty swallowing the latter. This is a welcome change that has made capsules more appealing.
However, not all soft gel capsules are the same, which is relevant if you are vegan or vegetarian. Historically, soft gel capsules have been made with bovine-derived gelatin. But a few brands – including my number two pick Exhale Wellness – now use vegan-friendly tapioca starch.
How to Store Your Delta-8 Capsules
Keep your delta-8 capsules in a dark, dry, and cool place and out of reach of children. As the delta-8 is contained within the capsule, you don’t need to worry about oxidation or moisture exposure. However, light degradation could, in theory, be an issue – hence the need for a dark storage place.
How Long Do Delta-8 Capsules Last?
Effects from delta-8 capsules can last for up to 10 hours. Taking capsules on an empty stomach may result in a more fast-acting, intense, and shorter high. If it’s your first time taking capsules, the effects could last for longer. Large dosages can also extend your high.
Due to the slow absorption rate, dosing with delta-8 capsules is initially challenging. If the come-up takes forever and you are sitting watching the clock, it’s easy to tempt yourself into a hasty second dose. But doubling up too quickly can lead to a bad trip.
Since it can take up to 90 minutes before the psychoactive effects of delta-8 kick in, I recommend waiting for at least two to three hours before topping up. Holding off gives you time to fully assess the potency of your first dose.
Purchasing Delta-8 Online vs. Shops Near Me
Firstly, safety. You need to know that your capsules are third-party approved, and it’s usually a lot easier to find out online. Genuine delta-8 vendors understand the importance of third-party testing. Stores that are only selling delta-8 because it’s hot often don’t.
I’m mostly talking about convenience stores, headshops, and gas stations. Delta-8 products are not central to the company’s success in these businesses. In contrast, a specialist hemp vendor knows the industry inside and out and how to pick the good products from the bad apples.
Choice is another essential factor. Unless you’re buying from a dispensary, the selection at your local store will be pretty limited. However, online stores focussing on delta-8 have a plethora of products for you to choose from. You’ll be able to find something perfect, rather than having to make do.
And finally, price. In most industries, products are cheaper when purchased online. That’s because online stores don’t have to increase prices to compensate for high running costs. Unlike brick-and-mortar stores, online businesses have fewer bills to cover and employees to pay and can afford to knock a few bucks off.
