Side effects of delta 8 thc gummies
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Side Effects of Delta-8 THC Gummies
Introduction to Delta-8 THC Gummies
Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta-8 THC) is a psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant, similar to the more well-known Delta-9 THC. Delta-8 THC products, including gummies, have become widely available in the United States, often marketed as legal hemp products due to a misinterpretation of the 2018 Farm Bill1. Despite their popularity, these products are largely unregulated, leading to significant safety concerns.
Common Side Effects of Delta-8 THC Gummies
Psychoactive and Physiological Effects
Delta-8 THC produces psychoactive effects similar to Delta-9 THC, including euphoria, relaxation, and altered perception. However, these effects can also lead to adverse reactions, especially when consumed in high doses. Users have reported experiencing dizziness, dry mouth, and increased heart rate1 3.
Acute Toxicity and Overdose
High-dose exposure to Delta-8 THC, such as consuming an entire bag of gummies, has led to medical emergencies. Symptoms of overdose include severe sedation, altered mental status, and in extreme cases, respiratory failure and unconsciousness1 2. Pediatric exposures are particularly concerning, with cases of children arriving at emergency departments minimally responsive and requiring intubation for acute encephalopathy2.
Lack of Regulation and Quality Control
The unregulated nature of Delta-8 THC products means there are no standardized warning labels, packaging protections, or mandated laboratory analyses to ensure product purity and label accuracy. This lack of regulation increases the risk of contamination and inconsistent effects, further complicating the safety profile of these products1 3.
Specific Case Reports and Clinical Presentations
Pediatric Cases
There have been numerous reports of pediatric patients experiencing severe side effects after ingesting Delta-8 THC gummies. One notable case involved a 2-year-old girl who ingested approximately 15 mg/kg of Delta-8 THC gummies, resulting in acute encephalopathy and respiratory failure. The child required intubation and intensive care, highlighting the severe risks associated with accidental ingestion by children2.
Poison Control and Emergency Department Visits
Thousands of calls to U.S. poison control centers have been attributed to Delta-8 THC exposure, with many cases involving minors. These incidents often result in emergency department visits, where patients present with symptoms similar to those caused by Delta-9 THC, making it difficult for clinicians to determine the specific substance ingested without specialized testing1 3.
Conclusion
Delta-8 THC gummies, while popular and widely available, pose significant health risks due to their psychoactive effects, potential for overdose, and lack of regulatory oversight. The unregulated market has led to numerous cases of acute toxicity, particularly among children, underscoring the need for stricter regulations and better public awareness of the potential dangers associated with these products.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Δ8-THC: Legal Status, Widespread Availability, and Safety Concerns.
8-THC products are widely available over-the-counter in the U.S., but their legal status is questionable and their widespread availability has led to health concerns.
Sedation and Acute Encephalopathy in a Pediatric Patient Following Ingestion of Delta-8-Tetrahydrocannabinol Gummies
Delta-8 THC gummies can cause acute encephalopathy in children, with clinical presentation similar to delta-9 THC exposure, limiting clinicians' ability to determine the specific substance ingested.
Case ReportDelta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol: A Scoping Review and Commentary.
Delta-8 THC is a less potent psychoactive substance, but its legality, accessibility, and marketing make it a potential risk to public health and safety.
Systematic ReviewBehavioral Effects of Vaporized Delta-8 Tetrahydrocannabinol, Cannabidiol, and Mixtures in Male Rats.
Vaporized delta-8 THC, CBD, and CBD/delta-8 THC mixtures significantly increase locomotion and have analgesic effects in male rats, with mixed results.
Non-RCT
Animal StudyIndividual and combined effects of acute delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol on psychotomimetic symptoms and memory function
THC can induce psychotic symptoms and impair memory, but CBD does not attenuate these effects, potentially impacting frequent cannabis users.
RCT
Very Rigorous Journal
Highly CitedConsumer Experiences with Delta-8-THC: Medical Use, Pharmaceutical Substitution, and Comparisons with Delta-9-THC.
Delta-8-THC may be equally effective for desired purposes of cannabis use and lower in undesirable effects compared to delta-9-THC, with significant substitution for both drugs.
Observational StudyDelta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol as an antiemetic for patients receiving cancer chemotherapy. A comparison with prochlorperazine and a placebo.
THC shows potential in preventing nausea and vomiting in cancer chemotherapy patients, but its central nervous system side-effects are more frequent and severe, making it a less pleasant treatment experience than prochlorperazine or placebo.
RCTHighly CitedAn efficient new cannabinoid antiemetic in pediatric oncology.
Delta-8-THC effectively prevents vomiting in children with various hematologic cancers receiving antineoplastic treatments, with minimal side effects.
Non-RCTHighly CitedThe analgesic effect of oral delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), morphine, and a THC-morphine combination in healthy subjects under experimental pain conditions
THC and THC-morphine combination show a slight additive analgesic effect in electrical stimulation tests, but both drugs show no significant analgesic effect in pressure and heat tests.
RCTHighly Cited