Everyone’s body is unique—it’s true, but also a hassle when it comes to cannabinoid dosing. It can be difficult to find your correct dose without some trial and error.
Delta 8 products are still relatively new to the cannabis market. If you’re trying this popular cannabinoid for the first time, it can be a challenge to figure out how many puffs to take on your delta 8 cart or your delta 8 disposable. It’s more straightforward to dose delta 8 gummies, or even delta 8 tinctures, but there’s a science to determining the best quantity for you.
Our goal is to simplify and speed up the process. Using our delta 8 dosage chart, you can get started with a dose close to ideal for your body.
How much THC is in delta 8?
Delta 8 is a form of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), much like delta 9. However, delta 8 products are required to contain extremely low amounts of delta 9 THC—under 0.3%.
Generally, when someone refers to “THC,” they’re talking about the delta 9 form. This is the dominant cannabinoid in marijuana products, although it’s not the only kind found in cannabis. There’s even more beyond delta 9 and delta 8 THC.
Like delta 9, delta 8 THC is psychoactive, but with a milder high. Instead of being extracted from marijuana, commercial delta 8 is converted from hemp-derived CBD. As a cannabis product produced from hemp, it’s federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill. (State laws vary.)
How potent is my delta 8?
Potency varies across all THC carts and products. It can even shift according to storage and usage habits.
First, check the cart, edible, or tincture packaging for information about potency. If you don’t have the original packaging on hand, head over to the manufacturer’s website.
Despite the lack of delta 8 regulations, any trusted brand with transparent safety testing will offer the numbers you’re looking for. Don’t use brands that fail to provide potency details and other test results; you should always know whether a gummy contains 25 mg or 10 mg of delta 8, for instance.
Using measurements to determine delta 8 dose
You may need math to determine the amount of THC per bite, drop, or vape draw. If a tincture contains 600 mg of delta 8 per bottle, and that bottle is 30 mL in size, you can divide 600 by 30. This bottle contains 20 mg of delta 8 per 1 mL.
A more potent mixture might contain 1200 mg of delta 8 per 30 mL, or 40 mg for every milliliter.
Similarly, a gummy may contain 25 mg of delta 8, or 12.5 mg per half gummy serving. If you opt to nibble on a quarter of a gummy, divide 12.5 by two. Your delta 8 dose is then approximately 6.25 mg.
Settings, storage, and delta 8 potency
Vaping at higher temperatures means greater potency and a more intense psychoactive hit.
Delta 8 is typically vaped at voltages between 2.5 and 3.3, although a setting under 3.0 volts is ideal. New users should start at the lower end of that range—due to intensity, but also flavor and impact on the lungs. Higher voltages feature a more robust palate experience, as well as an increased risk of coughing or irritation.
Storing your delta 8 carts incorrectly can have the opposite effect, lowering potency. Keep your carts away from heat or direct sunlight. This can break down delta 8, converting it eventually into the non-intoxicating cannabinoid CBN.
Delta 8 tolerance: beginners vs. experts
Your body will develop a tolerance to delta 8 THC with regular use. Even casual consumption can lead your body to respond differently to a particular dose, given enough time.
The endocannabinoid system adapts to the presence of cannabinoids, delta 8 included. Your CB1 receptors will become progressively less sensitive. As such, you’ll require a higher dose to experience the same effects.
With more frequent use, your tolerance for delta 8 will build faster. Regular users will notice tolerance changes within just a few weeks, or at most, a couple of months.
If you’re looking to lower your tolerance to delta 8, consider reducing the frequency of use. Abstaining for a week or longer is usually enough to make a dent. It may not bring you back to a baseline level, though. You’ll need at least three weeks to achieve that.
My experience
Finding my preferred delta 8 dose was a real process, and there were growing pains. First of all, it’s not like there’s any one perfect dose to discover anyway. I’ll bet most weed vapers agree that the right amount depends on how I’m feeling and what I want out of the session.
Delta 8 THC was the first alternative cannabinoid I tried, but going in, I only had experience with delta 9. What I had heard was that delta 8 was around half as potent. Early on, I’d say that claim felt accurate. It made getting the dose right a lot easier.
Here’s what I quickly realized, though: my delta 8 tolerance built far more quickly than my delta 9 tolerance. We can talk numbers and predicted effects all day, but ultimately, trial and error are the key. Plus, your dosing preferences can change dramatically as your tolerance builds—or at least it did for me.
It’s impossible to say whether your experience will mirror mine. Just know that if delta 8 suddenly goes from effective to useless, it may not be the product itself at fault. Sometimes our bodies just like to throw us a curve. Try dropping delta 8 products for a few weeks just to see if a hard reset is all you need.
How long does it take to get high with delta 8?
Your method of consumption impacts how long it takes to get high from delta 8.
Certain consumption methods will cause delta 8 to hit your brain more quickly, although that’s not the only thing to consider. You’ll need to account for the following variables:
Even the fat content of your last meal, or whether you’ve eaten recently, can delay the onset of your high.
Can you overdose on delta 8 THC?
No, you can’t overdose on delta 8 in the literal sense.
In order to overdose on a substance, it would need to interact with the area of your brainstem that controls respiratory functions, like opioids do. Even high doses of delta 8 aren't capable of triggering liver toxicity or death. The only exception would be if the user injected large amounts directly into their veins, which is dangerous and far from a recommended consumption method.
At worst, consuming too much delta 8 can lead to the user “greening out,” or experiencing undesirable side effects. This might involve nausea, sweating, dizziness, or anxiety. Although these symptoms are extremely unpleasant, they won’t cause long-term health consequences, such as respiratory or brain damage.
You can minimize your risk of greening out by pacing yourself and consuming lower doses of delta 8. While panic attacks and paranoia are potential side effects of delta 8, anecdotal evidence suggests fewer such events than with delta 9 THC.
Common side effects include dry mouth (“cottonmouth”), bloodshot eyes, or changes in appetite. None of these are signs of a delta 8 overdose; they’re typical cannabis side effects.
Delta 8 dosage chart
Depending on your weight and the intensity you’re striving for, you’ll need to consume different amounts of delta 8. All of our estimates will vary based on tolerance, genetics, and health history.
Delta 8 dosing
Delta 8 vape carts
Delta 8 hits faster when you vape, but the effects don’t last as long.
Try to keep your draws between one to three seconds. This reduces your risk of clogs and burnt oil, but it also makes it simpler to pace yourself.
For a one to three-puff “serving” of delta 8, you’ll consume between 1 mg and 5 mg of the compound. The longer your draws, the more delta 8 THC you’ll take in.
Start by taking one long draw (three seconds), or between two and three shorter puffs (one to two seconds). New users should wait around 20 minutes before assessing the effects and drawing again. Remember, your light high at five minutes might become an intense one a few minutes later!
Delta 8 edibles and gummies
An average delta 8 gummy contains more THC (delta 8 form) than a typical marijuana gummy (delta 9 form). Many delta 8 THC gummies contain 25 mg of the cannabinoid or more, rather than the 10 mg seen in a run-of-the-mill delta 9 edible. Always check the product’s packaging for specifics.
Edibles take far longer than carts to hit; remember this when you’re first working out the best dose. It could take up to two hours for the high to come on. If you feel little to no effect after taking a gummy, wait at least that long before upping your dose. (Sometimes with edibles, you have to experiment today for a perfect experience the next time. If you feel nothing after two hours, you might want to switch to a vape, and remember to eat more the next time you use edibles.)
Delta 8 tinctures
When you swallow tinctures, they act similarly to edibles; you’ll need to wait a bit for the high to kick in. However, when you consume tinctures sublingually (under the tongue), you may feel the effects before thirty minutes have passed.
A regular dropper holds one milliliter of oil. Fortunately, it’s standard for brands to print a measurement scale onto dropper pipettes.
Don’t start with a full milliliter of oil, as this could house around 40 mg of delta 8. Instead, fill to around the one-quarter or halfway point, based on the dose you’re seeking. Again, start slow and give yourself time before upping the dose.
Delta 8 THC dosage FAQ
Is 25 mg of delta 8 a lot?
Will 50 mg of delta 8 get you high?
Yes, 50 mg can get just about anyone high.
For perspective, 50 mg of delta 8 is usually the equivalent of two gummies, or around four servings. This is more than enough to get an average person high, unless your tolerance is through the roof. It will lead to an intense delta 8 high for most individuals.
Those with a low body weight or tolerance should avoid consuming this much delta 8 in one sitting.
How many delta 8 gummies get you high?
One delta 8 gummy is usually enough to get you high, but it depends on the potency.
Many delta 8 gummies contain 25 mg of the cannabinoid, which is enough to get most users moderately high. Other gummies have closer to 40 or 50 mg of delta 8. In that case, you can probably get high with just a portion of an edible.
For more details, see our dosage chart. You’ll also need to take personal tolerance and your physical characteristics into account.
What is the best delta 8 dose for pain?
Of the participants in a study published by the Journal of Cannabis Research, 55% consumed delta 8 for pain relief. This is common, although additional research is needed to explain the outcome.
The amount you should consume depends on tolerance, severity, and the type of pain you’re dealing with. Doses of 5 mg to 15 mg can aid with muscle tension or mild pain. To try relieving moderate acute or chronic pain, go with a 15 mg to 30 mg dose. Higher doses (up to 50 mg) may help reduce severe pain or soreness.
Hayley Heidelbaugh
Vaping for: 4 years
Favorite products:
Favorite flavors: White Wedding, Northern Lights, Platinum Valley, OG Kush
Expertise in: Oil carts, cannabis concentrates, cannabis flower
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