Health & Wellness

Medically Reviewed By:

Nidra Sidhu, M.D. Integrative Medicine

Delta 8 For Sleep – Does Delta 8 Help You Sleep?

The Centre for Disease Control estimates that about 70 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep problems.

One in every three people gets less night's sleep than experts recommend.

Lack of sleep hinders one’s daily functioning and productivity. It also adversely affects your health and longevity.

Injuries, chronic diseases, and mental illness can result from not getting enough sleep.

To improve your general well-being and quality of life, you must get enough sleep.

This might sound like a simple thing to achieve, but to some people, good sleep doesn’t just happen without the help of a sleep aid.

If you are reading this article, then it’s likely you experience insomnia or some form of restlessness that keeps you from falling asleep, and you are looking for a possible solution.

So is delta 8 a possible solution to your sleep issues?

Continue reading to find out more as we explore delta 8 THC online and some of its benefits.

What Exactly Is Delta 8 THC?

Delta 8 is an analog of THC. THC is the cannabinoid responsible for producing the psychoactive effects associated with cannabis.

When people talk about cannabis or THC, they are referring to delta 9 THC, which is the most abundant cannabinoid in cannabis. 

The main differentiating factor between delta 8 and delta 9 is the level of their potency. Delta 9 is quite strong and causes a powerful high with possible adverse reactions like paranoia and anxiety, but delta 8 causes a mild high with fewer side effects. Delta 8 THC is about 70% less potent than delta 9 THC.

Specifically, delta 8 is a chemical found naturally in smaller quantities, but it can be derived from CBD, the most abundant cannabinoid in hemp and second most abundant in the cannabis plant. Delta 8 can also be derived from delta 9 THC. 

How Does Delta 8 THC Work?

Like CBD and other cannabinoids, delta 8 interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS).

A system that regulates most of the body’s physiological and cognitive functions like:

Delta 8 binds with cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2, in the endocannabinoid system to aid in performing its core functions.

Scientists believe that the primary function of the endocannabinoid system is to help the body maintain homeostasis.

This relies heavily on maintaining healthy sleep cycles because your body performs major functions like self-healing and repair, memory processing, brain development, and the processing of emotions while you are asleep.

Can Delta 8 Help With Sleep?

Although research on delta 8 in human studies is limited, what we know from the available research on delta 8 and cannabis as a whole, points to a yes.

Delta 8 may help with sleep. 

Anecdotal reports on delta 8 also confirm that it can help with sleep, among other medical benefits.

What Does Research Say About Delta 8 For Sleep?

Cannabis has been used for its health benefits for hundreds of years. Scientific research on cannabis discovered that THC acts on the CB1 receptors in the central nervous system, and it can create a positive and negative effect on sleep, depending on the dose. 

At a lower dose, cannabis can reduce the time it takes to fall asleep and increase your total sleep time. At a higher dose, it can cause a reduction in total rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.

This is the stage of sleep when we do our most active dreaming, and the brain does more memory processing and consolidation of acquired information.

Since delta 8 is a form of THC, we can conclude that it will have the same effects on sleep.

However, since Delta 8 THC is less potent, the negative effects won’t be as severe even when taken at a higher dose.

Other research conducted on delta 8 in 1973 studied the effects of delta 8 on sleep in cats.

The study revealed that delta 8 THC induced sedation and increased the length of rapid eye movement episodes.

The researchers concluded that delta 8 THC might have clinically useful sedative properties. 

Further studies show that other cannabinoids like CBD help reduce anxiety and improve sleep. They also impact your circadian rhythms positively.

Circadian rhythms are the natural processes that follow a 24-hour clock like the sleep-wake cycle.

CBD does this by interacting with the endocannabinoid system, and since delta 8 also interacts with the ECS, we can say it will have a similar effect on your sleep cycle.

Does Delta 8 THC Help With Factors That Affect Sleep?

Delta 8 may lure you to sleep because it increases the production of melatonin, the hormone your brain releases in response to darkness to help you sleep.

It also positively impacts other factors that may contribute to a good night’s sleep.

-Delta 8 THC reduces anxiety which can improve the time it takes for you to fall asleep and stay asleep.

-Delta 8 blocks pain-signaling nerves to reduce pain. Chronic pain is one of the factors that hinder restful sleep, so if delta 8 blocks pain signals to reduce pain, you can enjoy long hours of better sleep. 

-Delta 8 THC enhances the effects of the calming hormone, serotonin,  the hormone that is known to keep you relaxed and calm.

Thus we can conclude that delta 8 THC effects are capable of producing the necessary support that your body needs for restful sleep.

How To Use Delta 8 For Sleep?

If you are considering delta 8 THC as a sleep aid, then you need to consider some best practices to help you get the best out of your delta 8 THC consumption.

Remember it is always advisable to talk to a medical professional first before taking delta 8 THC.

1. Consider an Indica strain

Some of the delta 8 THC products on the market may include natural ingredients like terpenes from cannabis strains that have been bred for specific properties. 

Indica strains have relaxing, calming, and sedating effects, while Sativa strains have uplifting and energizing effects, which make Indica strains better for nighttime use and sleep.

2. Choose a consumption method

Hemp products come in many forms and this gives you the option to choose your favorite product.

There isn’t one right delivery method; it all depends on how your body will react to the different types of delta 8 THC products. The different product types can affect how long your sleep with last.

Delta 8 THC Edibles

Cannabis edibles like delta 8 gummies are a popular way of taking delta 8 THC. This consumption method produces longer-lasting effects than other methods, but it also takes longer to take effect because the products get metabolized by your liver before entering your bloodstream.

Edibles can help you sleep longer since they produce longer-lasting effects.

Delta 8 THC Tinctures & Oils

Tinctures and oils are natural oils infused with delta 8 THC. They are taken sublingually. When tinctures are placed under the tongue, they dissolve quickly and are absorbed into your bloodstream within 6 to 15 minutes.

Tinctures take a shorter period to show effects enabling you to fall asleep faster, but their effects don’t last as long as edibles.

Delta 8 THC Smokeables & Vapes

For those that prefer to smoke a joint before bed, it takes effect almost immediately after a few puffs, but then, just like the tinctures, the effects may last up to 3 hours or more, depending on the individual. If the effects wear off quickly, your sleep will likely be cut short.

Vaping has also become popular among delta 8 THC users and the duration of its effects is quite similar to smoking.

3. Consider Adding CBD or Other Cannabinoids

Other cannabinoids like CBD can help regulate your sleep cycles. Adding CBD to delta 8 THC can create what is known as an entourage effect. The entourage effect gives you the benefits of both delta 8 and CBD, which will have a much stronger effect on improving sleep quality.

4. Time your dose

If you are taking delta 8 for sleep, then the best time to take it will be in the evening before your bedtime. The type of product you choose will determine when you should take it before your bedtime. Edibles take up to 2 hours to take effect, so you may need to take them earlier than smoking or vaping.

5. Start With A Low Dose

Delta 8 effects vary for everyone; for new users, it's advisable to start with a low dose.

Also, don’t be too quick to increase your doses, especially if you are taking delta 8 gummies. They tend to take longer to kick in, making it more likely for you to take too much without realizing it. 

Is It Safe To Use Delta 8 For Sleep?

According to research, no one has been badly hurt by using delta 9 or cannabis. It will take a ridiculously large amount of delta 9 to overdose, and since delta 8 is less potent than delta 9, it makes it a safe option as a sleep aid.

Of course, consuming more than your body can handle can cause adverse effects like extreme hunger and tiredness.

Generally, delta 8 THC as a cannabinoid is safe to consume, but this safety largely depends on the manufacturing process. As stated earlier, delta 8 THC is found in trace amounts, but it can be created in the lab from CBD or delta 9 THC isolates.

This process involves the use of solvents and acids that end up creating toxic by-products, and if the purification of the final products isn’t handled well, the hemp product becomes unsafe. 

Is Delta 8  Legal?

Yes, the 2018 Agriculture Improvement Act legalized hemp plants and hemp-derived products containing no more than 0.3% THC on a dry weight basis on a federal level. However, the Act gives each state the power to decide whether to legalize it in their state or not, and this is why local laws and federal laws on delta 8 differ. Before purchasing or using delta 8 as a sleep aid, first find out if it is legal in your state.

Where To Buy Delta 8 For Sleep

Delta 8 has become increasingly popular. In fact, it is the most booming segment of the hemp industry, which makes delta 8 products readily available in dispensaries, convenience stores, smoke shops, online stores, and even in gas stations.

However, it is not advisable to buy delta 8 from some of these stores that sell hemp products, especially gas stations. This is because the FDA doesn’t regulate the delta 8 THC market, and you could end up buying fake or mislabeled products.

It is, therefore, advisable to buy directly from a trusted brand or manufacturer from their online stores. In this way, you get high-quality products, and you can also read product reviews from their consumers. At the same time, you can check on their third-party lab results to learn more about the content of their products.

Delta 8 For Sleep - Key Takeaways

Delta 8 THC may help you sleep, according to research and consumer reports, but its effects do vary for every individual.  You will have to try it out to see if it will work for you. 

The type of delta 8 product will determine when you should take it before your bedtime. Edibles need to be taken between 30-90 minutes before bedtime, while smokables or vapes should be taken between 15-30 minutes before bedtime.

Delta 8 is legal and it is a safe cannabinoid, however, if the final product contains toxic by-products from the manufacturing process, it becomes unsafe to consume. A good quality product is safe to use as a sleep aid and for maintaining healthy sleep cycles.

If you want to use delta 8 THC to aid sleep, we recommend you try our high-quality delta 8 gummies.

Legal Disclaimer: Always consult an attorney for the best legal advice regarding Delta 8 in your state, as the material shared here is for informational purposes only. Always consult with a doctor before taking delta 8 THC for sleep.

Clayton McCall

Clayton is a Senior Content Specialist, researcher, and holistic healthcare practitioner. Having been in the supplement industry for more than 15 years, Clayton brings a wealth of experience to the delta 8 space. His publications include alternative therapy, stress and coping, and alternative health.