Delta-8- and Delta-9-THC Use Frequency, Use Motives, and Mental Health Outcomes

Area of Science:

• Cannabinoid research
• Mental health studies
• Public health

Background:

• The 2018 Farm Bill led to a surge in delta-8 THC (delta-8) availability.
• Research on the mental health impacts of delta-8 is currently limited.
• Understanding delta-8's effects is crucial due to its increasing popularity.

Purpose of the Study:

• Examine mental health correlates of delta-8 use frequency and motives.
• Investigate if delta-8 use motives predict use frequency.
• Compare delta-8 and traditional cannabis use motives and problems.

Main Methods:

• Surveyed 363 self-reported delta-8 users.
• Used adapted measures for delta-8 use frequency, motives, and problems.
• Assessed mental health outcomes, including depression, anxiety, and insomnia.

Main Results:

• Delta-8 use frequency showed no association with use problems or general mental health outcomes.
• Higher frequency was linked to social and coping motives, but not enhancement or conformity.
• Coping and conformity motives correlated with increased depression, anxiety, insomnia, and delta-8 problems.
• Users reported more coping and enhancement motives for delta-8 than cannabis, and fewer conformity motives.

Conclusions:

• Delta-8 use frequency alone does not appear to be directly linked to mental health issues or problems.
• Specific motives for delta-8 use, particularly coping, are associated with adverse mental health outcomes.
• Longitudinal research is necessary to establish causality between delta-8 use, motives, and mental health.