How is Delta-8 Made? Simple Explanation

How is Delta-8 Made? Simple Explanation

Delta-8 tetrahyḍrocannabinol commonly known as Delta-8 THC is found in the cannabis and hemp plant. Delta-8 THC is commonly made through a process known as isomerization. Which is a way of distilling the raw chemical that’s found in the hemp plant.

Key Takeaways:

  • Delta-8 THC is a naturally occurring compound in hemp and cannabis. But since it exists in a low quantity naturally: different conversion methods are used to produce pure D8 (Delta-8).
  • Extractions and making of Delta-8 can be carried out at home for hobbyists but it is best advised to keep it for the professionals to carry out the process in the lab as most byproducts can be toxic in nature.
  • Consumers can now buy Delta-8 in the form of products such as gummies, tinctures, vapes, flower, etc. Delta-8 is considered to be a great way to promote sleep, euphoria, stop feelings of nausea, and many other benefits.

How is Delta-8 made?

Delta-8 is usually produced by manufacturers using two methods:

  1. Extracting the Delta-8 from raw hemp using a CO2 process. In this process, a highly compressed CO2 chemical is passed through the raw hemp. The CO2 is then evaporated where concentrated CBD distillate is left behind.
  2. The second process is the isomerization process of converting CBD into Delta-8.

After the extraction of Delta-8, manufacturers convert it into different products that are ready for consumption or sale.

Methods for Converting CBD into Delta-8

Cannabidiol or CBD is converted into Delta-8 by isomerism. To make understanding of this process easier for you, know that both Delta-8 or Delta-9 are isomers of CBD. Meaning, the molecular compounds are the same but arranged differently.

Basic Steps of Isomerization

  1. CBD is dissolved in an organic solvent for creating thicker fluid.
  2. Addition of acid into the mix is followed to lower the overall pH of the solution.
  3. Heat the solution for a longer period to trigger the necessary reaction in converting CBD into Delta-8.
  4. The solution needs to be filtered to remove the acid and solvent residues.
  5. The final step is to test the distillate for potency.

Keep in mind that following the written steps will not always give you Delta-8 with ensured potency. There are errors in chemical reactions therefore keeping  watchful eyes during the whole process will help in minimizing the errors.

Simpler “At-Home” Methods:

The way this conversion works is simple and is done even at home as a hobby for anyone interested. The tools required are steel wool, short path distillation kit, heating mantle, vacuum, CBD isolate, T41 bleaching powder. 

Steps involved:

  1. In the boiling flask, add T41 bleaching powder and crude oil. Keep warming until everything is mixed.
  2. Bring to the target temperature which is 205C slowly while boiling and evaporating. The best way is by starting low at 10C and gradually increase the temperature by 10 degrees until the desired temperature.
  3. Collect the three fractions as heads (the lighter elements), mains (delta 8), tails (byproducts). 
  4. The final step is the testing of the final product to make sure there are no contaminants before you consume it. The testing can be done by sending it to a lab.  

Advanced Commercialized Methods:

The method is more scalable and efficient and is a large scale operation process. The advanced method is recommended only if you work in the lab with the professionals and is advised best to not try this at home.

The tools required: CBD isolate, solvent, strong acid, rotary evaporator, glass reactor, short path distillation kit, neutralizer, funnels, chromatography column.

Steps involved:

  1. Dissolve the CBD isolate in a solvent. There are different solvents to do so. The role of solvent is to convert solid CBD isolate into liquid for further reaction.
  2. Add a strong acid to stimulate the reaction for converting CBD to D8. Strong acids like the bronsted acids work best for extracting D8.
  3. Neutralize the acid by following the four wash cycles. The first is with sodium bicarbonate. The second wash is with distilled water. The third wash in this cycle is brine wash. The last and the fourth wash in this cycle is distilled water.
  4. Remove the solvent easily by using the rotary evaporator. 
  5. Purification of the crude extract is followed by the final testing as most byproducts are toxic in nature.

Products Made from Delta-8

Once Delta-8 is converted into a distillate, it can get adjusted to make all types of common Delta products on the market. Some of those categories include: 

Delta-8 gummies: Famous among people looking for edibles to get the taste of Delta-8. These gummies have a precise amount of Delta-8 when sold to consumers.

Oils: Hemp seeds which are rich in plant based proteins, minerals, fiber, vitamin and omega are mixed with Delta-8 extract to produce tincture with potency. The oil is usually taken in drops by placing it under the tongue. The euphoric effect lasts for about 4-6 hours.

Flower: The hemp flower or “bud” is coated or “sprayed” with the Delta-8 distillate to offer the consumers with flower products that are very similar to that of THC flower products.

Capsules: The Delta-8 capsules come in gel form tablets. The potencies of these capsules come in 10mg, 15mg or 50mg.

Sources

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