How Can Delta 8 Have a Sativa Strain and Delta 10 Have an Indica Strain?

Two of the most popular cannabinoids out right now are Delta 8 THC and Delta 10 THC, especially among those who are looking to make the switch from traditional Delta 9 THC to a product that is easier to get ahold of and, most importantly, federally legal. Still, some users looking to make that switch have clear preferences when it comes to the strain of cannabis product they use. Whether you’re looking for that soothing relaxation or some invigoration for your creativity, you can still get the experience you are looking for with Delta 8 and Delta 10 THC products. In this article, we’ll dive into how these cannabinoids can have different strains, as well as getting a little more familiar with Delta 8 and Delta 10, their effects, and how they’re created. Let’s get going.

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What are Delta 8 and Delta 10 THC?

If you are not already familiar with Delta 8 and Delta 10 THC or how they differ from Delta 9 THC, don’t you worry. We’ve got you covered. The first thing to understand is that Delta 8 and Delta 10 are not their own strains of cannabis. A cannabis strain refers to the different subspecies of cannabis plants that can be grown, like cannabis indica, cannabis sativa, or hybrids of those two strains that have been bred together to balance the effects of both. Delta 8 and Delta 10 THC are distinct cannabinoids with a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) structure. Because Delta 8, Delta 9, and Delta 10 each have their own unique chemical structure, they each interact with the body and brain’s endocannabinoid receptors in slightly different.

Delta 8 THC

Delta 8 THC is a cannabinoid with a nearly identical chemical structure to Delta 9 THC. If you are not already aware, Delta 9 THC is the most prevalent psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis plants. While Delta 8 does occur naturally, it is not found in high concentrations in cannabis or hemp plants. Therefore, Delta 8 is usually synthesized from other cannabinoids, typically CBD, which can be found in high concentrations in hemp plants, through a process known as cannabinoid conversion. This is important to note because since Delta 8 is derived from hemp plants, it is federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill. 

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The slightly different chemical structure of Delta 8 means that it has a different effect on the body. Delta 8 is still a psychoactive chemical compound, which is a fancy way of saying it will get you high. A Delta 8 high is typically described as smoother experience than that of Delta 9. A study done in 2022 that surveyed 521 users of Delta 8 found that there may be less adverse side effects when using Delta 8 versus traditional cannabis. However, each person has a different endocannabinoid system, so each person’s experience is going to be subjective. The best way to know how Delta 8 will affect you is to give it a try and find out for yourself. For a more in-depth analysis of Delta 8, you can check out our blog post here.

Delta 10 THC

Delta 10 THC is also a distinct cannabinoid with a similar structure to Delta 9. Delta 10 also occurs naturally but is more commonly derived from hemp through the cannabinoid conversion process. This means that Delta 10 is also federally legal. 

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Because hemp derivatives have only recently become legal, there is still a lot of research to be done on how Delta 8, Delta 9, and Delta 10 differ from each other. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that Delta 10 will give you the mildest experience of the three THC molecules we have discussed. This makes it a great choice for newcomers or those looking for a more functional experience while using a THC product. If you want to take a deeper dive into the Delta 10 waters, we’ve got you covered here.

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What Are the Different Cannabis Strains?

To understand how Delta 8 and Delta 10 can have different strains, it’s important that we first understand what the different strains of cannabis are, how they differ from each other, and what causes their differing effects. When talking about strains used for recreational and medicinal use, we are generally referring to three subspecies: cannabis indica, cannabis sativa, and hybrid strains. We have an entire article on the subspecies of cannabis, but here we will run through a quick overview.

Cannabis Indica

Cannabis indica is short, bushy cannabis plant with broad leaves that grows best in cooler, high altitude climates. Indica strains are known for giving the user a “body high”, or a more physical experience that is typically sedative, relaxing, and pain relieving. This makes indica strains ideal for a calming way to wind down the day. 

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Cannabis Sativa

Cannabis sativa is a taller, thinner cannabis plant with narrow leaves that grows well in warmer, humid climates. Sativa strains are known for their “head high” which is more cerebral experience. Sativa can be stimulating, motivational, and jump start creativity, so sativa strains are popular for earlier in the day or when users want to tackle a project. 

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Hybrid Strains

Indica and sativa plants can be bred together. These are known as hybrid strains. Most modern strains used for recreational or medicinal cannabis are to some degree a hybrid species, but when you see a product listed as hybrid, that means it has been bred specifically to display a well-balanced combination of the properties of both indica and sativa. 

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While the different THC molecules are the most prevalent psychoactive compounds in cannabis, each cannabis plant has its own unique profile made up of hundreds of cannabinoids and terpenes. Cannabinoids are the molecules that bind with the receptors throughout your body that make up your endocannabinoid system and terpenes are the essential oils that are created within cannabis flowers. These combinations of cannabinoids and terpenes not only give each strain its distinctive flavor and smell, but also their unique sensations. You can read more about terpenes and their benefits here.

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How Can Delta 8 and Delta 10 Have Strains?

Now that we understand what the different strains of cannabis are, and how they create their own unique experiences, let’s get back to Delta 8 and Delta 10. Because hemp and cannabis plants don’t naturally have high concentrations of Delta 8 or Delta 10 THC, we must do a little bit more work to get to what is ultimately called Delta 8 or Delta 10 flower. First, a different cannabinoid is isolated, typically CBD. This CBD isolate is then changed through the cannabinoid conversion process to create a Delta 8 or Delta 10 isolate. Once we have the distilled version of the desired THC molecule, this isolate is then sprayed back onto the hemp flower of a different cannabinoid variety, usually either CBD or CBG flower.

It is here where we get our different strains of Delta 8 or Delta 10. The CBD or CBG flower that is sprayed with the isolated THC molecules can be grown from hemp plants that are either sativa, indica, or hybrid species. Each of these plants will have their own unique combination of cannabinoids and terpenes. The combination of each flowers molecular profile with the distillate of the desired THC molecule is how we get Delta 8 or Delta 10 flower with distinctly indica-like or sativa-like experiences. So, both Delta 8 and Delta 10 can come in the form of an indica strain, a sativa strain, or a hybrid strain.

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Making the Best Decision

There’s no wrong answer when it comes to deciding which kind of strain to choose when purchasing Delta 8 or Delta 10, especially now that you are armed with the knowledge of how the strains differ from each other. However, there may be a few wrong answers when it comes to making sure you’re getting the safest, highest quality products. Because Delta 8 and Delta 10 flower are made from distillates that are converted from other cannabinoids, it’s important to make sure that you are purchasing from a reputable source. The best products are going to come from high quality ingredients being processed under rigorous conditions in closely monitored laboratory settings. Here at The Green Dragon, we only source from the most reputable producers of Delta 8 and Delta 10 THC products, and we also make sure that each product has been tested by an independent third-party laboratory. In fact, you can find each products certificate of analysis (COA) on its product page. Don’t worry if you’re feeling a little intimidated by what you’re looking at on the analysis, we’ve got you covered. You can learn all about how to read a COA here.

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Wrapping It All Up

If you are new to the world of THC, looking for a different THC experience, or just in the market for the peace of mind that comes with knowing you are buying your product safely and legally, Delta 8 and Delta 10 THC are not only excellent choices, but also available in a variety of options. Whether you’re looking for something to get your creative juices flowing or the perfect way to unwind at the end of a long day, you can find exactly what you need from either cannabinoid in the form of indica, sativa, or hybrid flower varieties. If you still have some questions lingering in the back of your mind on which product would be best for you, we’d love to hear from you and help you make the perfect choice. Feel free to leave us a note in the comments below or reach out to one of our representatives through our contact page. The future of THC is now, all that’s left is to decide which strain has your name on it.

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