Jonathan Kelso/New York Times/Redux
FILE — Delta-8 Ammunition in Decatur, Georgia, February 23, 2021.
CNN
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high school seniors Use of the cannabis compound delta-8, sometimes sold as “light THC” or a legal alternative to cannabis, has “significant value,” especially in states without legal adult-use cannabis options, according to a new study. There is.”
Delta-8 THC (delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol) is one of more than 100 compounds found in the cannabis plant. It is an isomer or chemical analog of delta-9 THC, the molecule that causes a high when cannabis is ingested. Delta-9 is the most abundant THC in weed and is responsible for most of its psychoactive effects. Delta-8 has similar effects on the brain, but is less potent and less legally regulated.
Unlike marijuana, there are no age restrictions for purchasing Delta 8 in most states where it is legal.Based on the findings In a study published Tuesday in the journal JAMA, the authors claim that the number of teens who reported using Delta-8 could be a “potential public health concern.” .
“What we didn't know before doing this study was how prevalent these products were among teenagers. Because these products were not comprehensively regulated, “We were concerned about this,” said study author Dr. Adam Leventhal, executive director of the USC Institute. The science of addiction.
Delta-8 comes in a variety of forms that appeal to children, including gummies, chocolate, cookies, e-cigarette cartridges, soda, and even breakfast cereal. The Delta 8 is not only available for ages, but it's also sold at convenience stores, gas stations, and online, so it's easy to get your hands on one.–PHARMACY LIMITED.
In the new study, researchers used data from the Monitor the Future school survey conducted across the United States from February to June 2023. The survey is a nationally representative, ongoing assessment of youth behavior and attitudes on a variety of topics. Researchers first measured Delta-8 use in 2023.
In a sample of 2,186 12th graders, 11.4% said they had used Delta-8THC in the past year, and even though cannabis is illegal for teens, 30.4% of participants reported using it. .
Of the 295 students who reported using Delta 8 in the previous year, 68.1% used it at least three times, 35.4% at least 10 times, and nearly 17% at least 40 times. Nearly 91% of Delta-8 users reported using weed.
The study found that rates of Delta-8 use were higher among teens in the South and Midwest, as well as in states where marijuana is not legal for adults.
White teens were more likely to use delta-8 and marijuana than any other race or ethnicity. The study found that boys were slightly more likely to use cannabis and Delta-8 than girls.
“11 percent There are many people. This means that an average sized high school class will have at least one or two of her students using Delta 8. “We don't know enough about these drugs, but we know that they are already very accessible to teenagers,” said Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, who was not involved in the study. said the doctor in a statement. “Cannabis use is generally associated with negative effects on adolescent brains, so we are paying attention to the types of cannabis products teens are using and educating young people about the potential risks. We need to educate and ensure treatment for cannabis use disorder and proper mental health.'' Care is provided to those who need it. ”
Leventhal also said 11% is a “very high” number.
“We didn't expect it to be this high and when we saw the data we were concerned,” he said.
This study has some limitations. The study did not include teens in every state, only those enrolled in school. Most of the participants were around the age of 17, so this study may not fully represent the number of young teens using Delta 8.
The authors say their study likely underestimates the number of children using these drugs. There is general concern that the number of students using Delta-8 is increasing, according to an editorial published Tuesday alongside the study.
“The uncontrolled spread of Δ8-THC represents a potential threat to public health,” the authors wrote. Jennifer Whitehill, Kelly Dunn, and Renee Johnson, scientists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Johns Hopkins University; “The trends in Δ8-THC usage patterns revealed by Harlow et al. should serve as an important monitoring and mobilization event. The next cannabinoid to hit the market may not be so benign.”
According to the National Cannabis Industry Association, the use of Delta-8 has caused enough concern among some public health officials and politicians that it has been banned in at least 17 states as of November, and seven more have banned it. It is said to be severely restricted.
Scientists don't fully understand how Delta-8 may affect teens. There are no large-scale medical studies showing exactly how it affects the body, especially young bodies that are still developing. Research on cannabis has found that it can negatively impact memory, attention, and learning abilities in teens.
“Some of the underlying biology-based concerns include, of course, addiction, such as that seen with marijuana, and the possibility that adolescent brains are still forming and exposure to intoxicating substances may interfere with proper development. “It's possible that some of the neurodevelopmental changes that occur because of sex are part of the brain pathways that support cognition and emotional regulation,” Leventhal said.
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The FDA regulates medicines containing cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds like other drugs and medical products, but not Delta-8. Therefore, it is not entirely clear what is in each individual product.
There are other signs that Delta 8 usage is increasing and causing some problems. Calls to U.S. poison centers regarding Delta-8 products jumped 82% from 2021 to 2022, with 3,358 controlled exposures in 2022, the group said in a recent report. The calls fall into two categories: children who accidentally ingested the product and adults who accidentally ingested the product. I had a bad reaction.
