A closer look at Delta-11 THC
If you’re curious about legal THC products, then it’s no wonder you’ve found yourself on this page. Delta 8 and Delta 10 THC products have been available for a few years now (check out the best legal THC highs here) and we wouldn’t be surprised to see Delta-11 THC products on the market any day now.
With this in mind, we decided it was high time we took a closer look at exactly what this cannabinoid is and how it differs from the other forms of THC on the market. Let’s dive straight in shall we?
What is Delta 11 THC?
Delta 11 THC is a naturally occurring cannabinoid that can be found in both cannabis flower and hemp flower, albeit in very small amounts. Its chemical structure is similar to Delta-9 THC, but there is a double bond found between the 11th and 12th carbon chain as opposed to the 9th and 10th, found in Delta-9.
Is Delta 11 THC the same as 11 Hydroxy THC?
No. Although a search for Delta 11 THC will return multiple results about 11 Hydroxy THC, these two substances should not be confused. Unlike Delta 11, 11 Hydroxy THC is not a naturally occurring compound found in cannabis, but a byproduct created by your liver when you digest THC.
Most cannabis users agree that different consumption methods can have an impact on the effects. 11 Hydroxy THC is estimated to be around four times stronger than Delta 9 THC and is the main reason why cannabis edibles are often reported to feel more potent than oils or smokables.
Will Delta 11 THC show up in a drug test?
Although Delta 11 THC hasn’t been tested in this manner, one of the substances that drug tests aim to detect is 11 Hydroxy THC.
When Delta 9 is converted to 11 Hydroxy THC, it is referred to as 11 Hydroxy Delta 9 THC. We also know that when Delta 8 passes through the liver, it is converted into 11 Hydroxy Delta 8 THC, so we can make an educated guess that Delta 11 would also convert into another form of this byproduct (11 Hydroxy Delta 11 THC).
Learn about other cannabinoids
Delta 11 THC benefits
The benefits of Delta 11 THC are currently unknown, as although scientists are aware of its existence, it hasn’t been the subject of any research as of yet. A recent paper from www.worldhealth.net presented evidence supporting the health benefits of Delta-8 THC and due to its similarity in chemical structure to Delta 11, we imagine that they may well turn out to be fairly similar, but with no research supporting this, no-one can say for sure.
Further to this, until Delta 11 products are available on the market, we don’t even have any anecdotal evidence to refer to.
However, what we do know is that plant cannabinoids such as this imitate our body’s own naturally occurring endocannabinoids. Our endocannabinoid system is responsible for the regulation and mediation of many of our body’s vital cognitive and physiological processes, which is why cannabinoids appear to help such a wide variety of illnesses and relieve so many different symptoms.
Delta 11 THC effects
Delta 8, Delta 9, and Delta 10 THC’s directly bind with our body’s cannabinoid type 1 and 2 receptors, which is what causes us to feel high when we take them, so although we don’t have any Delta 11 products to try out for ourselves, it is fairly likely that this type of THC will also prove to be a psychoactive compound, with similar euphoric and intoxicating effects.
Delta 8 and 10 are estimated to be around half as potent as Delta 9 THC, but the potency of Delta 11 has yet to be investigated.
Is Delta 11 THC legal?
Hemp-derived Delta 11 THC is a federally legal substance according to the 2018 Farm Bill and in May 2022 the Ninth Circuit also confirmed that they qualify as federally legal cannabinoids. However, all forms of THC (including Delta 11) have been banned at the local level by 17 US states.
To see if hemp-derived THC cannabinoids are legal in your state, then click here (add link to the “is D8 legal in my state” article).
Is Delta 11 THC safe?
Due to the lack of research and products on the market, I wouldn’t feel comfortable speculating about the safety of it. Despite its similarity to other forms of THC on the market, they are still different chemical compounds and the one small change it has in its chemical structure (to other forms of THC) may have a bigger impact on safety than anyone could know.
Why are there so many types of THC?
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a term given to a specific group of cannabinoids that can be found in cannabis and hemp plants. Although Delta 9 THC is usually the most dominant variety, small amounts of other types of THC, such as Delta 8, Delta 10, and Delta 11 can also be found in most cannabis and hemp flower.
All cannabinoids have multiple forms, but the chemical structure of THC allows it to have more than most because it features a chain of carbon bonds with one double bond somewhere in this chain. This means its structure can be altered easily by rearranging the placement of the double bond.
Delta 11 products – coming soon?
Considering the popularity of psychoactive cannabinoids right now, especially legal hemp-derived THC’s, we think it’s fairly likely that some hemp and cannabis companies will start producing Delta 11 isolate in the near future. However, as far as we know, no-one is currently producing it and we haven’t heard of any plans to do so. A soon as we hear something different, we’ll let you know!
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