You may think of cannabis-based oils in a therapeutic sense, but they are great for getting stoned, too! If you want a rapid, hard-hitting high but prefer not to smoke or vape, delta-8 tincture oils and sprays are your best option.
Join me as I showcase the five best delta-8 oils on the market and give you the lowdown on all things delta-8.
1. CBD Genesis – Delta 8 Tincture
For a clean, organic, and consistent high, delta-8 tinctures from CBD Genesis are perfect. Infused with an impressive 1000mg of delta-8, they cleverly use MCT oil to dilute the extract, enhancing bioavailability and potency. Simply put, delta-8 from Genesis goes further!
With 30ml in a tincture, each 1ml serving delivers more than 30mg of delta-8. This tincture has received third-party approval.
Flavors available: Watermelon, Blueberry
2. Elyxr LA – Delta 8 THC Tincture (1000mg)
Enjoy the full impact of the entourage effect with ELYXR LA’s broad-spectrum delta-8 tincture oil. Made with MCT oil and manufactured using nanotechnology, ELYXR LA has given the hemp industry a lesson in bioavailability!
Each tincture oil contains 1000mg (33mg/ml) of delta-8 extract, and a carefully selected natural terpene blend for flavor and effects. By picking out specific terpenes with certain benefits, ELYXR LA has developed top-shelf tinctures for sleep, relaxation, concentration, and more.
Flavors available: Passion (Tropical Passionfruit), Sleep (Mellow Grape), Relax (Blueberry Lavender Lemonade), Focus (Spearmint), Awake (Lemon Verbena), Relief (Cherry Peppermint)
3. Delta 8 Pharma Grade – Delta-8 THC Flower Spray
Enjoy delta-8’s psychoactive effects more easily than ever with this convenient spray from Delta 8 Pharma Grade. This insanely potent tincture is made with more than 1lb of flower, with 5000mg of delta-8 extract packed into a 60ml bottle.
Blended with MCT oil and a natural OG Kush-Dime terpene blend, Delta 8 Pharma Grade’s spray promises maximum bioavailability and flavor. Third-party approved and THC-free.
4. Pure Xen – Delta-8 THC Tinctures
You’re guaranteed a consistent and dependable delta-8 high with these tincture oils. Opting for a classic mix, Pure Xen combines hemp extract with MCT oil and a natural terpene blend.
Choose between a collection of sativas, indicas, and hybrids for energizing, soothing, and balanced effects.
Sold in three potencies: 1200mg (40mg/ml), 2000mg (67mg/ml), 5000mg (167mg/ml)
Flavors available: Blue Dream (Sativa), Grand Daddy Purple (Indica), Gelato (Hybrid), Pineapple Xenpress (Hybrid)
5. Rift – Delta-8 THC Spray Tincture
Keep your delta-8 consumption discreet with Rift’s Delta-8 THC Spray Tincture. Great for when you need a hassle-free high, this Rift spray oil contains premium delta-8 isolate and zero THC. Sold in 30ml bottles and two strengths: 750mg (25mg/ml) and 1500mg (50mg/ml).
Rift’s delta-8 spray includes MCT oil for extra bioavailability and features a natural terpene blend. Choose between Crunch Berries, a delectable hybrid, and the indica-dominant Forbidden Ice.
What is Delta-8 Oil?
Delta-8 oil is a legal psychoactive product containing hemp extract. Delta-8-THC (delta-8) produces intoxicating effects similar to delta-9-THC (THC) but is legal according to the regulations on hemp in the 2018 Farm Bill.
Delta-8 oil is usually consumed in tincture or spray form. While such products are typically more popular among medicinal users, delta-8 tinctures and sprays also appeal to recreational users. Delta-8 oil products are convenient, deliver fast-acting effects, and do not pose the health risks associated with smoking and vaping.
Tinctures and sprays work fastest when applied under the tongue. This method, known as sublingual absorption, transports delta-8 cannabinoids directly into the bloodstream via the sublingual glands in the mouth. Only inhalation methods (smoking and vaping) offer a quicker and more intense high.
If using a tincture, fill the pipette with delta-8 oil and squirt it under your tongue. Sprays also work under the tongue. Hold the oil for 30 seconds to a minute to increase cannabinoid absorption. All being well, delta-8 oils taken in tincture and spray form begin to have an effect within 10 to 15 minutes.
You can also consume oils orally. Swallow them directly or add them to food or drink. This delays the onset of effects but is often more convenient and makes for a longer-lasting high.
You can also rub delta-8 oil into the skin to extract its anti-inflammatory and pain-killing benefits. However, you cannot get high from topical application of delta-8 as the cannabinoids stay in the skin. For psychoactive effects to occur, delta-8 cannabinoids must link up with cannabinoid receptors in the brain.
Delta-8 and the Farm Bill
The wording of the 2018 Farm Bill explains why psychoactive delta-8 products like oil are legal. The bill legalized “hemp,” defined as the Cannabis Sativa L. plant and its derivatives. This includes all the cannabinoids and, therefore, the tetrahydrocannabinol.
Levels of the notorious delta-9-THC cannabinoid are capped at 0.3%, but there are no limits on the other tetrahydrocannabinol. Therefore, the legislation permits an unlimited amount of delta-8 in hemp-derived products, providing they have less than 0.3% THC.
There’s just one controversial caveat. Unlike CBD products, delta-8 products are not made solely from hemp extract. Natural delta-8 concentrations are low in hemp. So, instead, companies transform CBD into delta-8 in laboratory settings using isomerization. Some claim this makes delta-8 unnatural, even though isomerization is technically a natural process.
What to Look For When Buying Delta-8 Oil
With so many delta-8 brands emerging onto the scene, it can be a little overwhelming. Hopefully, my top five will steer you in the right direction, but perhaps you’re looking for something a little different.
Finding a high-quality delta-8 oil requires good knowledge of the industry and a little research. There are some fantastic delta-8 sprays and tinctures available right now, but some below-par products are lurking around, too.
Here are a few things to look out for when buying delta-8 oil.
Third-Party Lab Tested
Any delta-8 oil you purchase must be third-party approved. The hemp industry is unregulated, and without the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) enforcing standards, the door is wide open for scammers and bad actors.
Third-party testing brings credibility to the delta-8 market and establishes which brands you can trust. Independent laboratories check the purity, potency, and legality of delta-8 products, and then draw up a report that delta-8 companies can show off to their customers.
And that’s the beauty of third-party testing. While the legit brands love it, the sketchy companies do everything they can to avoid it – and it shows.
If a brand won’t conform with independent testing – or worse, says they do but won’t show you any reports – they are probably up to no good.
With so many genuine delta-8 oil brands out there, don’t be lured in by the false promises of scammers. Protect your health and avoid getting ripped off by only purchasing third-party approved delta-8 oil.
Potency
The potency of your delta-8 oil determines how strong your high will be – and this can vary a lot from product to product! For example, Pure Xen stocks a 1200mg delta-8 tincture in addition to 2000mg and 5000mg tinctures!
Since not all tincture bottles are the same size, companies often use milligrams per milliliter (mg/ml) as a guideline for how powerful their products are. We have few studies on delta-8, but existing research suggests it’s around half as potent as THC.
Keep this in mind when choosing a delta-8 oil, and also check whether the product contains any other cannabinoids. Some tinctures and sprays consist of pure delta-8, but others have a mixture of delta-8 and non-psychoactive cannabidiol (CBD). The presence of CBD makes for a milder delta-8 high.
Ingredients Used
Other ingredients can also affect the strength and overall experience of a delta-8 product. I want to focus on medium-chained triglyceride (MCT) oil and natural terpene blends, both common additions to delta-8 oil.
MCT oil is a popular carrier oil that helps to increase the bioavailability of cannabinoids. Naturally, delta-8 has a low bioavailability, meaning only a small percentage of cannabinoids ever become active in the body. By boosting bioavailability, MCT oil helps your delta-8 dose go further!
Terpenes impact the overall effects of a tincture or spray, despite not having psychoactive properties. Rather, terpenes contribute to the flavor of a product and influence whether it generates relaxing or stimulating effects.
Some brands use natural terpene profiles from famous strains, such as OG Kush and Sour Diesel. Other brands pick out individual terpenes to create a special blend. For instance, ELYXR LA’s delta-8 tincture collection includes a Sleep blend and a Focus blend.
How to Store Your Delta-8 Oil
Store delta-8 oil in a cool, dark, and dry place. Protecting your product from oxygen, light, and moisture exposure is crucial to extending its lifespan. Always ensure that you screw the cap back on tightly after use.
If you have children, store your delta-8 oil out of reach. Delta-8 is psychoactive and intended for adults only. Accidental consumption could be dangerous.
How Long Does Delta-8 Oil Last?
When taken sublingually, for around three to four hours. When swallowed directly or taken in food and beverages, delta-8 oil can last for eight hours or longer. Duration of effects may also vary depending on your tolerance to delta-8 and the strength of your dose.
Sublingual absorption of delta-8 oil should lead to effects within 15 minutes that peak after around an hour. Your high will gradually taper off after that, so you may decide to take a second dose after two hours.
Delta-8 oil consumed orally typically starts working after 45 minutes to an hour before peaking after two to three hours.
I recommend not topping up your dose too quickly. Many people – and particularly new users – get impatient if they don’t start getting high straight away.
But doubling up your dose increases the risk of a much higher peak than intended. Take your time, especially when experimenting with a new oil!
Purchasing Delta-8 Online vs. Shops Near Me
Purchasing delta-8 oil from a renowned and trusted online vendor. Buying online has numerous advantages over taking your chances at a local store. Let’s discuss.
In contrast, non-specialist brick-and-mortar shops like gas stations and convenience stores generally have poor delta-8 knowledge. These companies stock delta-8 because it’s in demand and profitable, but they are less attentive to the products they sell – and you can bet that scammers know this!
Furthermore, reputable online vendors offer products at more affordable prices – a perk of having lower running costs. Physical stores simply cannot compete. With more bills to pay, these costs inevitably fall on the consumer in the form of more expensive products.
And then there’s the choice. Online stores have massive collections that can only be matched by dispensaries. More choice means you’re more likely to find the perfect delta-8 oil.
