While delta 8 THC offers a milder, less heady version of delta 9 THC, it’s still powerful. That means you have to dose it carefully to get the best experience possible.
While careful dosing is important, make sure you buy delta 8 gummies online from a trusted provider so poor quality won’t affect you’re D-8 experience.
A good starting dose of delta 8 is 5-10mg. This is enough to feel euphoria and relaxation, but not so much you’re overwhelmed. However, the exact dose that’s right for you will depend on factors like body weight, use, tolerance, and individual body chemistry.
In this article, we’ll go in-depth on delta 8 dosage. We also provide a calculator and chart for easier calculation.
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What is Delta 8?
Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 8 THC or delta 8) is a psychoactive cannabinoid that naturally occurs in the hemp plant. However, delta 8 only occurs in very small amounts, so delta 8 is produced synthetically for use in products.
Delta 8 is about half as potent as delta 9, and it’s emerged as a popular choice for both therapeutic and recreational uses because it creates a head high without as much anxiety and paranoia as delta 9.
Delta 8 THC Dosage vs. Delta 9 THC Dosage
Delta 8 THC is an isomer of delta 9 THC, the THC variant most abundant in cannabis/hemp plants.
It’s just half as strong, which means you’ll want to take twice as much delta 8 as delta 9 if you want to experience the same effects.
However, be aware that this ratio won’t be exactly accurate for everyone – when in doubt, start with a smaller amount until you know how it works for you, then gradually increase.
For more on delta 9 dosage, click here for our guide, chart, and calculator.
How Much Delta 8 Should You Take?
Starting out, you should take 5-10mg of delta 8 THC per day. Once you’ve taken this dose a few times, adjust it gradually over time until you achieve your desired effects and benefits.
However, it’s important to understand that your ideal dose is dependent on several factors, which you’ll want to account for when choosing and adjusting your delta 8 dosage:
- Body Weight: Your weight will determine how much delta 8 you need to take. For instance, someone who is 200 pounds will need more than someone who weighs 100 pounds to achieve the same effects.
- What You’re Using It For: Different situations call for different amounts of delta 8. For therapeutic use, start slow and work your way up until you reach the effects you need. Recreationally, we have starting recommendations, but it’s really up to you.
- Tolerance: If you use cannabinoids regularly, you may build up a tolerance and need more than the recommended dose. If you’ve never had delta 8 before, stick with the starting minimum dose to avoid being overwhelmed.
- Body Chemistry: This factor varies a lot by person. Some people naturally need more, while others get a powerful high from a small amount. Start with a small dose until you know how your body reacts.
Using a delta 8 dosage formula can account for two of the biggest ones – body weight and use – and then you can account for the others by making slight adjustments to the amount the formula gives you.
Delta 8 Dosage by Use
Based on what you want to take delta 8 for, you’ll need to use a specific formula to calculate your dosage. In this section, we provide formulas for all the main situations in which you might use delta 8.
We break down dosage into low, medium, and high strengths, each of which specifies a weight-based ratio that can be used in a dosage formula.
Delta 8 Dosage for Sleep
If you’re using delta 8 for sleep, we recommend starting with a low-strength dosage:
(0.05) x (your body weight in lbs.) = your nightly delta 8 dose for sleep in mg.
Delta 8 Dosage for Pain
If you’re using delta 8 for pain, we recommend starting with a medium-strength dosage:
(0.1) x (your body weight in lbs.) = your daily delta 8 dose for pain in mg.
Delta 8 Dosage for Anxiety
When taking delta 8 for anxiety, we recommend starting with a low-strength dosage:
(0.05) x (your body weight in lbs.) = your daily delta 8 dose for anxiety in mg.
Delta 8 Dosage for Energy & Focus
If you’re using delta 8 to support energy and focus, we recommend a low-strength dosage starting out:
(0.05) x (your body weight in lbs.) = your daily delta 8 dose for energy and focus in mg.
Delta 8 Dosage for Recreation
If you’re wondering how much delta 8 you should take to get high, the answer is: it varies.
That’s because your desired effects and body are different from everyone else’s.
If you’re familiar with delta 8, start with a medium-strength dosage:
(0.1) x (your body weight in lbs.) = your daily recreational delta 8 dose in mg.
But if you’ve never used psychoactive cannabinoids before, we recommend starting with a low-strength dosage:
(0.05) x (your body weight in lbs.) = your daily recreational delta 8 dose in mg.
Delta 8 Dosage Calculator
- In the top field, enter your body weight in pounds (lbs.)
- In the bottom field, select your delta 8 THC dosage strength based on your condition or use
- Click the calculate button to determine your daily delta 8 THC dosage
Delta 8 Dosage Chart
Delta 8 Dosage by Product
There are a variety of ways you can take delta 8, and we don’t particularly recommend one method over the others. Each may be right for you, depending on what you’re looking for. In this section, we’ll discuss each method in depth.
Delta 8 Edibles
Delta 8 gummies provide consistent, fixed doses, making them great if you want to take the same amount every day. They can also be split into halves or quarters if you want to take more or less than your product’s serving size. Because edibles process more slowly in your body, we generally recommend starting with a piece of a gummy and waiting a few hours before taking more.
Delta 8 Flower & Vapes
Inhaling delta 8 – via delta 8 vapes or flower – is much faster-acting than edible consumption. It’s best for adjusting doses gradually throughout the day, but harder to measure precisely. Take one small puff at a time and wait a few minutes before deciding if you need more.
Delta 8 Capsules
Capsules function much like edibles but can’t be split. Pick a capsule strength that fits your needs and start with one, increasing slowly over time if necessary.
Delta 8 Oils & Tinctures
Oils allow for precise measurement by dropper and tend to be both more bioavailable and fast-acting than edibles or capsules. Start with the lowest dose based on your bottle strength (a few milligrams per ml in smaller bottles, up to 50+ mg per ml in stronger ones) and increase in small increments until you reach your ideal dose.
How Long Does Delta 8 Take to Kick In?
The onset time of delta 8 will depend on how you’re taking it (more on products in the next section).
If you’re inhaling delta 8 through a vape or via hemp flower, you’ll begin feeling effects in just 5-10 minutes.
If you’re taking delta 8 through an oil/tincture, it will start working in 10-15 minutes.
Delta 8 edibles and capsules will begin working in 45 minutes to 1 hour (since they have to be digested).
How Long Do the Effects of Delta 8 Last?
The effects of delta 8 can last for anywhere from 2 to 8 hours after kicking in, depending on how you take it.
Inhalable delta 8 tends to last for 2-4 hours, delta 8 tinctures for 4-6 hours, and delta 8 edibles for 6-8 hours.
This difference in effect duration is due to how each product is metabolized by your body.
Can You Take Too Much Delta 8?
While taking too much delta 8 isn’t fatal, it can be unpleasant. Generally, doses in excess of 20mg for new users or 50-100mg for more experienced users will be too much.
That said, people who have been taking delta 8 for a long time may be able to consume very large amounts without feeling negative side effects, due to having a high tolerance for THC and THC isomers.
If you do take too much, you might experience side effects such as:
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Panic attacks
- Extreme sedation
This underscores the importance of starting with a small dose of delta 8 and working your way up.
Conclusion: How to Get the Most Out of Delta 8
Delta 8 is a very versatile cannabinoid, and we love it because it helps so many of our customers even when they have very different goals. It can render therapeutic support for some, while providing a recreational alternative to stronger cannabinoids – such as delta 9 – for others.
To get the most out of your delta 8 experience, keep these factors in mind:
- Environment: Choose a comfortable, calm setting where you feel at ease.
- Company: Spend time with friends you trust for a more enjoyable, relaxed vibe.
- Dosage: Begin with a low dose, especially if it’s your first time, and wait before taking more.
- Hydration: Have water or another drink handy to stay refreshed.
- Snacks: Keep some light snacks around to enhance the effects or help balance them.
- Activities: Plan simple, easygoing activities like music, movies, or just relaxing.
- Time: Give yourself plenty of free time so you can unwind without obligations.
At the end of the day, delta 8 dosage is not one-size-fits all. We have starting formulas for different uses, but ultimately, you’ll need to experiment a bit to settle on the perfect amount.
Learn More: THCv Dosage Guide
Delta 8 Dosage: Frequently Asked Questions
How many delta 8 gummies should I take?
Start with a low dose, usually 5–10mg, and see how your body responds. You can increase gradually until you find the amount that gives you the desired effects.
What’s the best delta 8 dose for pain?
Many people find relief with 10–40mg of delta 8, depending on body weight and tolerance. It’s best to start small and adjust until you feel comfortable pain relief without side effects.
How much delta 8 equals delta 9?
Delta 8 is usually considered about half as strong as delta 9 THC. That means 20mg of delta 8 may feel similar to about 10mg of delta 9, though effects can vary person to person.
How many hits of delta 8 to get high?
Most people feel effects after 1–3 puffs from a vape. The strength depends on the product’s potency and your tolerance, so start slow and increase as needed.
How strong is 250mg of delta 8?
A 250mg product is the total amount in the package. If divided into 10 gummies, that’s 25mg each, which is a medium to strong dose for most users. Beginners may want to split gummies in half.
How much delta 8 is a lot?
Anything over 50mg in one dose is considered a high amount for most people. Regular users may tolerate more, but beginners should stick with 5–20mg until they know their limits.
Is 50mg of delta 8 a lot?
Yes. For many people, 50mg can feel very strong and may cause drowsiness or grogginess. Experienced users might handle it better, but it’s a high dose for casual use.
Is 100mg of delta 8 safe?
100mg is a very high dose and can cause intense sedation, altered perception, or anxiety. It’s generally not recommended unless you have a high tolerance and know how your body reacts.
