Preface
Hi all, in this article I’d like to explore Delta 8 and 9 THC from the perspective of someone who seeks to honor Christ by being sound and sober of mind, but also as someone seeking relief from everyday chronic pain. For many both inside and outside of the Church this is a touchy subject so I’ll do my best to be objective and present both my experience and the facts as I’m aware of them. It’s also important to note that you always want to consult a health professional before taking anything new. Now, on to the article!
The Issues
The TLDR
I tend to like getting the bad stuff out of the way first. Perhaps that makes me weird, but I’d rather get the bad news out of the way first. For those seeking a TLDR of my perspective on the issues with THC I would say that as with any medicine, because ultimately here we seek to use D8 and D9 medicinally, there are upsides and downsides. THC effects different people differently which can be a major downside since some may experience adverse side effects. However, that doesn’t mean that everyone will have a bad experience. Like I said always ask your doctor before trying anything, especially if you have preexisting conditions or mental health concerns.
Effects On Mental Health
Now while research is still unsure on the long term effects on mental health with THC usage we do know that THC can exacerbate some underlying mental health issues. Meaning that if you have anxiety, depression, or any other number of mental health concerns you absolutely need to consult with a health professional prior to trying Detla 8 or Delta 9 THC as a solution to any issue. It’s also important to have the correct state of mind going in to using THC as in my own experience if I’m having a lot of anxiety I find that THC simply worsens it. With THC being a psychoactive substance it’s very important to have mental health in check first. All in all as I’ve stated before people react differently to THC and if you experience lots of negative side effects it’s probably best to simply stop using it.
Physical Effects
There are a myriad of physical effects that THC can cause, especially if you take too much. Probably the most well known would be drowsiness and memory loss. Other effects can include increased heart rate and decreased blood pressure. For some people these won’t be a problem but if you already have an underlying heart condition you should probably exercise caution and once again talk to a doctor prior. Almost all the packaging on THC products have warnings about not operating machinery or vehicles after taking them, and you absolutely should abide by such warnings. I would say to treat THC like alcohol in that you should make sure you’re in a safe place and don’t plan on leaving soon. Safety of yourself and others is always something to keep in mind.
The Issue With Dosing
One of the biggest issues with both Delta 8 and 9 is that it effects everyone differently. So a dose that works perfect for me might cause someone else negative side effects. As a result there isn’t a “recommended” dosing that new people can look to. So the rule is always low and slow. You can always up the dose as needed but you can’t ever reduce the dose.
This is probably my biggest issue with Delta 8 and 9. There isn’t a consistent way to measure how it will effect a person unlike something like say alcohol. Everyone has a different mental state and physiology which can make the effects differ wildly.
Quality Control
Another big issue with the industry as a whole is quality control. Because there aren’t a ton of regulations in place as to how things are made and safety standards that should be enforced we see drastically differing quality in product. It’s always important to check your products prior to using for lab results that can tell you exactly what is in (or in some cases not in) it, and to check the company’s safety standards. Thankfully there are some businesses that do this for you like the fine folks over at Humanity Health CBD. They do a great job of curating their products so I always feel safe to use anything they sell. And they link back to the lab results for the things they sell so you can check the quality for yourself.
Keeping a Sound Mind
As a Christian I’m called by God to keep my wits about me and to have a sober mind. So you may be wondering how I balance that with THC. Now all those nasty side effects that I listed are absolutely a thing to keep in mind before trying THC, but do keep in mind that not everyone will experience such negative side effects. Personally the only time I feel extreme drowsiness or any form of memory loss is if I take too much THC and not enough CBD. Taking a good ratio of CBD to THC is paramount to keeping a sober mind. A big misconception with THC, especially in the Church, is that taking any amount will get you high. This is simply not the case for myself personally. In fact, I can say that I’ve had times where I felt absolutely no effect from THC at all. Personally Delta 8 THC has very little effect on me besides pain relief and a mood boost unless I take a very large dose. Each person is different, but research would suggest Delta 8 tends to effect people less than Delta 9; so it may be a good starting point to try a low dose of Delta 8 for pain while trying to keep a level head.
It should also be noted that THC isn’t for everyone. I keep reiterating this point because it’s really important. If something isn’t working right for you then it probably means you need to seek another solution.
My Personal Advice for Keeping a Sound Mind
So I mentioned earlier that a good CBD to THC ratio is a great way to keep your head sober; I would definitely recommend getting some CBD with your Delta 8/9 if you decide to try it as it has been a huge help to me personally. CBD gummies that you can take along with the THC are a great option, but another option that I personally use in the rare case that the THC effects me more than expected is a CBD vape. Now vaping isn’t the best for you I know, but a CBD vape can be a great escape hatch if you find yourself becoming unsound of mind. In a future article I plan on doing a review of a CBD vape I’ve personally had great success with.
Another really important thing is your mood going into things and the atmosphere you put yourself in. When I’ve had a bad day with my OCD or anxiety in general I tend to avoid THC all together as for me it makes it worse. I also always make sure to take it in the evenings when I’m not busy and find a good place to simply unwind and relax (my giant bean bag in front of the TV is my fave spot). If by some chance you accidentally overdo it just remember not to panic, the effects should only last a little while. In the few cases where I’ve overdone it I find that going to a calm place where I feel comfortable and finding a distraction is the best cure.
The Uses
A Boon for Chronic Pain Sufferers
A huge reason why people use and love Delta 8 and 9 THC is for its pain relieving benefits. From my own personal experiences I can say that my overall pain level has decreased with consistent usage. This has been a game changer for me as now even when not being actively effected by THC I still receive some pain management benefits. Others that I’ve talked with have reported feeling either less pain or no pain entirely while effected. While the effects of THC do tend to vary from person to person this is one of the most consistent upsides to it that I’ve witnessed.
Mood Boosting Effects
One of the effects that tends to vary a lot is how THC impacts mood in people. As I stated in the issues section some people get anxiety and a decrease in overall happiness as a result. However, some people like myself get a mood boost from Delta 8 and 9. I generally feel happier when effected which can be nice after a long, exhausting day. I also notice that I tend to laugh more and be more sociable during the effects. Depending on the strain I also tend to be very motivated to get things done around my house. These effects may actually help people with high stress or anxiety, assuming the THC doesn’t cause those things in the individual.
Focus
Now this effect has been a tricky one to get. I need just the right dose but assuming I find that sweet spot I notice focusing effect from some Delta 8 and 9. I suffer from pretty severe ADHD so for me focus is always a big issue. However, like I said once I find the sweet spot of effects I tend to be very focused on a particular thing. It’s almost as if the world has melted away and all that remains is the task ahead of me. I found this useful for getting things done around the house. I will say that this is not an effect everyone gets and at least anecdotally seems to be rarer than the previous effects mentioned.
Closing Thoughts
In closing I’d like to say that while Delta 8 and 9 THC has been highly beneficial to me not everyone will have the same effects. As with any medicine different people will react differently. But I also want to stress that just because some people have negative experiences that doesn’t mean that we should completely disregard THC as being only negative. There is a lot of stigma that surrounds Delta 8 and 9 and we should all be careful not to demonize it. At the same time we also must be careful not to idolize it and claim that it only has positive effects. It’s rare to find something that is only all good or all bad when it comes to wellness solutions. Always keep that in mind.
The Painful Pilgrimage 