The once villainized cannabis plant has brought forth a rich assortment of cannabinoids that have been popularized as a safer and more enjoyable way to get high. Best of all, these cannabinoids are legal! When derived from federally legal hemp, these cannabinoids can be infused into all sorts of delightful products including inhalables, edibles, and even drinkables! Delta-8 THC is one of these cannabinoids and has quickly become a force to be reckoned with in the cannabinoid industry. Thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, the market is chock-full of enticing product types that can easily fit any user’s preference ranging from the pickiest palate to the lowest budget.
Today I’ll be reviewing the Chill Plus CBD Delta-8 THC Poppin Gel Capsules – 400X from the Diamond CBD brand. I’ve encountered this brand before when I reviewed their Chill Plus Delta-8 THC Gummies a few months ago. I was delighted then and hopefully I’ll be delighted with this particular product as well. But before reviewing the product, I’ll start off with a brief recap on what Delta-8 THC and what to expect while enjoying its heady effects. If you’re already familiar with this psychoactive cannabinoid, feel free to skim down to the Diamond CBD brand overview. Let’s begin!
Delta-8 THC: A Brief Overview
There’s a bit of confusion surrounding the cannabis plant that I’d like to clarify. Cannabis is not just another name for marijuana. It’s actually the mother plant, known as cannabis genus. There is actually no scientific differentiation between cannabis and hemp. The actual difference was created many years ago and it was decided that hemp would be the name for any plant containing 0.3% THC or less. Anything more would be referred to as marijuana. This is why you won’t feel any effects when smoking or consuming raw hemp. Cannabinoids, on the other hand, are the naturally occurring (and sometimes synthetic) compounds found within the cannabis plant. When cannabinoids are derived from hemp, they are considered federally legal in accordance with the 2018 Farm Bill. The same exact cannabinoids derived from marijuana are illegal, despite being the same compounds. It might seem silly at first, but this is how the law dictates it.
Delta-8 THC is often referred to as “diet” or “lite” weed, as the effects are indeed quite potent, just not as incapacitating as traditional marijuana. Many users who have been scarred by marijuana prefer the less intense high and enjoy the cannabinoid safely since it is federally legal. While marijuana is becoming legal for use both medicinally and recreationally, some users do not care for the skunky odor and debilitating effects, thus creating an entire market for the less-intense Delta-8 THC cannabinoid. Delta-8 THC is thought to be the middle ground between the non-psychoactive CBD cannabinoid and the overwhelming Delta-9 THC cannabinoid (the active compound in weed). Instead of sacrificing the high to glean the health benefits of the hemp plant, now you can enjoy both, all while remaining clear-headed and in control! If you’re curious to learn more about how Delta-8 THC works naturally with your body’s endocannabinoid system, I encourage you to check out some of my previous articles: How Does Delta-8 THC Affect the ECS, What Using Delta-8 THC Feels Like The First Time, Guide to Delta-8 THC Products on the Market, and A Simple Guide To How Is Delta-8 THC Made.
What To Expect On Your Delta-8 THC High
This is a tricky question to answer because your high will depend on several factors unique to you. Your age, weight, gender, metabolism, previous exposure to THC, and other factors all play a role in how high you’ll feel, how long the effects will last, and how much of a dosage you should consume. That last one is often tricky, so you’ll have to be patient and play around with the dosages a bit before finding your sweet spot. A good rule of thumb is to start off with 5-15mg of a particular product. Once you’re comfortable with that dosage, you can increase it to 15-25mg. Anything stronger than 30mg is considered a high dose and may cause potentially negative side effects if you’re not prepared for it. I’ve had the unfortunate experience of consuming 50mg in a single sitting and was overwhelmed with extreme paranoia, sleeplessness, racing mind, and trouble falling asleep. If you do end up consuming too much Delta-8 THC in a single sitting, the most important thing to do is to remain calm. Keep in mind that these effects won’t last forever. Try snuggling with a pillow, family pet, or loved one to help soothe your uneasiness. Be sure to stay hydrated, as you will most likely experience some dry mouth. Once you’ve taken more Delta-8 THC than you can handle, you will definitely remember the amount NOT to take. Remember that it’s not a race to find your perfect dosage; play around with it and have fun. Getting high is the reward for finding the dosage that’s best for you.
Delta-8 THC comes in a truly astonishing assortment of products, and the market keeps growing every day. Edibles like gummies and softgels are often the first choice for new users, as they are easy to dose and there’s usually no discernible flavor of hemp. Sublinguals are also a popular choice, usually in the form of tinctures or oral strips that go under your tongue for a few seconds before swallowing. Inhalables are the most advanced form of Delta-8 THC consumption and are best enjoyed by vapers and smokers who already have some knowledge of vapor inhalation. Regardless of which method you choose to consume, there will usually be a recommended dosage listed by the manufacturer. Gummies range from a half to a whole gummy, tinctures usually have graduated droppers for precise dosing, and inhalables are usually 1-3 puffs. Once you get a better idea of your ideal dosage, you can figure out how much more or less of the recommended dosage to consume.
The Diamond CBD Brand
Diamond CBD stocks an impressive selection of cannabinoids in a sprawling selection of products, ranging from familiar favorites like disposables, vape carts, gummies, capsules. Their more exclusive items feature Delta-8 THC-infused products like baked goods, chocolate bars, hard candies, and others. Rather than eliminate CBD completely from their catalog, Diamond CBD rebranded their CBD + Delta-8 THC collection as the Chill Plus Delta-8 THC line. Their catalog is categorized by product type or by mood, both of which are helpful for new users. The site is overflowing with information about commonly asked questions, stunning product pictures, colorful graphics, and so much more.
The site also features a mind-boggling number of 10,000+ verified customer reviews, which makes sense once you realize the sheer volume of products and brands that the Diamond CBD brand carries. The prices for their products vary depending on the strength and quantity of the product sold, but the site offers a 30% discount for their subscription service and additional discounts for signing up for their newsletter, free shipping, and buy one get one deals for specific products. I strongly encourage you to spend some time browsing the site at your leisure, but right now I’ll be focusing on the Chill Plus Delta Force Capsules.
These Popping Gel Capsules come in six different strength options, starting off at a mere 400mg (20 capsules featuring 10mg of Delta-8 THC + 10mg of CBD per capsule) for $26.99 and scaling all the way up to a whopping 3500mg (100 capsules featuring 25mg of Delta-8 THC + 10mg of CBD per capsule) for $143.00. These potent softgels, along with everything else on the site, have Lab Reports images posted directly into the product’s description. These pictures seemed a tad more difficult to view compared to traditional PDFs, but I was more surprised to see lab results from two different labs. Since lab testing is both expensive and time-consuming, it was reassuring to see how dedicated Diamond CBD is to both purity and potency. I could go on and on about the prowess and professionalism of the company’s website, but I’ll leave that up to you. Right now it’s time to check out these unique Chill Plus CBD Delta-8 THC Poppin Gel Capsules – 400X from Diamond CBD!
Chill Plus Delta-8 THC Popping Gel Capsules Product Review
I realize that capsules aren’t usually a user’s first-choice when it comes to cannabinoid consumption. Psychoactive edibles in the form of gummies have quite a bit of appeal due to the use of bright colors, familiar shapes, and enticing flavors. Capsules, on the other hand, don’t offer much to be desired at first glance. But consider this: if you’re not a fan of the bitter hemp aftertaste from some products, don’t really like sugary sweets, or prefer a product type that’s quick and effective, capsules were designed with you in mind.
The Chill Plus Delta-8 THC Popping Gel Capsules came packaged in what looked like a prescription pill bottle, complete with the tinted orange plastic, white child-proof cap, and a product label that looks nearly identical to the pharmaceutical design. I’ll go into more detail about the product packaging in the next few paragraphs, but what instantly caught my attention was the color of these capsules. Most capsules are clear to show the light yellow oil within; yet these capsules were a vibrant robin’s egg blue color. The capsule was very squishy and soft, so I don’t recommend squeezing them out of fear of it rupturing. The size was
about the same as an Advil Liqui-Gel and very smooth to the touch. I rolled it between my thumb and forefinger for a moment, then popped it into my mouth. After some deliberation, I decided to take two. Since there’s 10mg of Delta-8 THC and 10mg of CBD in each capsule, I wanted to stay as close to my sweet spot dosage of 25mg as possible. The capsules were easy to swallow and did not leave any aftertaste or filmy aftertaste on my teeth and tongue. I quickly made a quick note of the time and waited for the effects to kick in.
The Effects!
I began to feel a light buzz after about 45 minutes. The high gradually intensified after about an hour, leaving me feeling very warm and relaxed. My eyelids began to feel very heavy and I struggled a bit trying to keep them fully open. While I didn’t experience any dry mouth, there was a slight dryness in the back of my throat that had me taking continuous sips of water. I began to feel somewhat drowsy but surprisingly was able to summon more energy to finish tasks I had started before experiencing the heady effects of the high. While there was a noticeable mental haziness, I was still able to form coherent thoughts and recall memories with ease.
As the high progressed, the haziness increased to the point where I got slightly dizzy. I felt a moderate couch lock, almost like a weighted blanket was keeping me firmly in place. I enjoyed a warm euphoria that kept me feeling extremely relaxed and very comfortable. I felt a gentle tingling in my feet, hands, face, and arms that allowed me to enjoy a heightened sense of touch. The high peaked around the 90 minute mark but was still going strong after two hours. I finally retired to my bed after two hours and was able to fall asleep almost instantly. When I awoke the next morning, I didn’t feel any of the lingering effects or grogginess. I actually felt energized and refreshed, fully ready to tackle whatever the day had in store.
I actually ended up trying just a single capsule to see how the effects would be, but it felt more like a microdose with very minimal effects. The high was almost non-existent and there wasn’t much of more than a light mental fog during the high. If you’re looking for a light motivation or gentle day use, one capsule will definitely be enough to consume. But for a deeply relaxing and euphoric high, I was extremely happy with a two-capsule dosage.
Diamond CBD General Information
Lab Testing
When it comes to lab testing, Diamond CBD doesn’t mess around. Despite their huge volume of products, the company has multiple test results from various independent third-party labs. If you’re already on a product page and want to view the results for that specific product, Diamond CBD lists those results directly on the product’s page. If you’re curious about other products or have a batch number to find that particular lab report, their CBD Lab Reports section of the site allows you to enter either the batch number or product name. Lastly, you can also view the product’s lab results by scanning the QR code listed directly on the product’s packaging.
Lab testing from independent third-party labs is time-consuming and expensive. It was quite impressive to see all the lab results listed in such an organized fashion and even more impressive that multiple labs were used. While the FDA doesn’t mandate that cannabinoid-infused products be tested, these tests are an excellent way to build consumer confidence and trust. Yet there are some unethical companies who seek to benefit from the time and money spent on these tests by pirating the results and doctoring them to seem authentic. If you ever have questions or doubt the validity of these test results, you should reach out to the lab directly. Once you provide the batch number and product in question, you should be able to safely confirm that the results are indeed accurate.
Hemp Information
Diamond CBD prides themselves on using some of the finest hemp available. Their hemp is grown on farms throughout the United States is both organic and non-GMO. Diamond CBD doesn’t disclose the location of these farms or offer any detailed information about their extraction process, but does state that the entire process of growing, extracting, and manufacturing is carefully overseen. Their “FAQ” section urges consumers to support brands that use CO2 extraction over dangerous solvents, but it did seem a bit odd that their own extraction process was not detailed. I realize this information isn’t the deciding factor when selecting a cannabinoid-centric brand, but it’s always encouraging to read about where and how these products are created.
Product Packaging
I briefly mentioned the product packaging earlier as looking very similar to a prescription bottle. I’ve tried to rationalize the product packaging as something that would deter underage users from consuming it or as something that would discreetly fit in with actual prescription medicine in a medicine cabinet or purse, but the truth is that I don’t like it. Some states actually prohibit the marketing of Delta-8 THC as medicine for certain mental or physical disorders, and the packaging for this product goes against all of that. I feel that the product packaging suggests that the user is either taking or abusing prescription medicine and sets a bad precedent for softgels as a viable Delta-8 THC product.
The label even goes so far as to have the word “Diamond” written in
script to mimic a doctor’s handwriting. The print is extremely small which makes it difficult to read and a small sticker on the label looks very similar to a pharmacy’s price tag. The entire design just rubs me the wrong way and I would prefer a more consumer-friendly packaging, such as a resealable pouch or clear plastic/glass jar. In an effort to be more positive
about the product packaging, I will say that the information on the bottle is extremely well-put together. The cannabinoid content is explicitly stated, the serving size is a single capsule (which is an excellent dosage for first time users), and there is even an expiration date listed. I realize that capsules are a difficult product to package attractively, but I do wish that Diamond CBD had chosen an alternate method for packaging these capsules.
CONCLUSION
While I wasn’t a fan of the product packaging for the Chill Plus CBD Delta-8 THC Poppin Gel Capsules – 400X from Diamond CBD, I heartily enjoyed the effects of these softgels. The high came on smoothly and lasted for several hours. I experienced a warm euphoria coupled with deep relaxation and not once did I feel overwhelmed or uneasy. I also appreciated the lack of dry mouth and munchies, but I will say that food and water tasted incredible. Lastly, I was surprised by the two different dosages I tried, once with two capsules and the second time with just one. The low Delta-8 THC content in a single capsule is ideal for daytime use, while the double dose was wonderful for evening use after a long day. I realize that some users prefer a more discrete method of cannabinoid consumption and these capsules make it easy to do just that. The capsules were easy to swallow, did not leave any bitter aftertaste or filmy coating on my tongue and teeth, and the effects began to kick in much sooner than I anticipated. If you’re not a fan of sugary edibles or skunky inhalables, these capsules offer a much less-noticeable form of Delta-8 THC consumption.
In my next review, I’ll be checking out another product from the Forever Green Herbal brand, this time a Root Beer Soda from their Blaze Cannabis Soda lineup. Root beer is a bit of an acquired taste, but don’t wrinkle your nose in disgust just yet. I’ve been accustomed to the unique flavor of root beer ever since my childhood, though I haven’t had it in quite a few years. This nostalgic flavor makes me curious to see how it translates with the addition of cannabis, and I’m excited to share my thoughts with you on this THC drinkable. Be sure to check back soon for this and other full-blown reviews from cannabis and cannabinoid-infused products from brands across the country! Until next time, fellow cannabinoid lovers! I hope to see you again soon for my next product review!
