MOLECULE

Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol

Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as delta-8-THC, belongs to the class of organic compounds known as 2,2-dimethyl-1-benzopyrans. These are organic compounds containing a 1-benzopyran moiety that carries two methyl groups at the 2-position. Delta-8-THC and its acid precursor are considered as THC and THC acid artifacts, respectively. The 8,9 double-bond position is thermodynamically more stable than the 9,10 position. Delta-8-THC is a neutral compound and it is one of more than 120 cannabinoid compounds that are known in cannabis plant. Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol is a minor constituent of most varieties of marijuana in which its double-bond isomer, delta-9-THC, predominates. (PMID: 6991645). It is a partial agonist for cannabinoid type one (CB1) / type 2 (CB2) receptors and the activation of CB1/CB2 inhibits adenylyl cyclase, activates potassium channels, or reduces calcium channel conductance (PMID: 20166921; DOI: 10.1016/bs.ant.2018.10.006). It has also been shown to be pharmacologically active as an antiglaucoma agent (PMID: 12182967; PMID: 1328979). Delta-8-THC is easier and less expensive to prepare and is less psychotropic than delta-9-THC (PMID: 1328979; PMID: 15099912; PMID: 15025853; PMID: 15067692). Additionally, delta-8-THC is chemically more stable, does not undergo oxidation to cannabinol and has a much longer shelf life than delta-9-THC (PMID: 1328979). Moreover, it has been shown to exhibit negligible side effects when administered prior to antineoplastic therapy in cancer patients (PMID: 15067692).