BudPop Delta-8 THC Product Review by Leah Johnson at CBD Origin

Is your daily routine filled with stressful situations that you try to deal with but sometimes feel overwhelmed? Do you find yourself wishing for a way to relax and de-stress naturally but just can’t seem to find the proper solution? You’re not alone. Millions of Americans struggle with how to cope with the daily stress that is adulthood. Whether it be physical exertion, such as running or working out, or quiet pastimes like listening to music or reading a book, it is crucial to both your mental and physical health that you have some form of relaxation in your life. That’s why we have an incredibly special treat today that is a treat for all your senses: the Strawberry Gelato Delta-8 THC gummies from BudPop! These soft and sweet chewy treats are packed with a powerful cannabinoid called Delta-8 THC, a fascinating cannabinoid from the hemp plant that gets you high, but not too high! For those of you just joining us, we’ll go over a brief overview of what Delta-8 THC is, how it affects your ECS, and things to be aware of when trying Delta-8 THC for the first time. If you’re an experienced user, feel free to scroll down a bit to get to the heart of this delicious Delta-8 THC infused gummy from BudPop!

Delta-8 THC: A Brief Overview

Hemp has been around since before the Middle Ages, dating all the way back to 2800 BCE. The hemp plant originated in Central Asia and spread throughout China and Europe primarily for its strong fibers used in clothing and sacks. As scientific knowledge about the hemp plant grew, it was discovered that the hemp plant contains a number of cannabinoids, one of which has been villainized throughout the years as a gateway drug: Delta-9 THC. Often referred to as marijuana or weed, Delta-9 THC was prescribed as a medicinal drug used to alleviate chronic pain and other illnesses. Thanks to its psychoactive properties, marijuana quickly became known as a gateway drug and hallucinogen that was popular with hippies and outcasts. Only in recent years has marijuana become acknowledged once again for its medicinal use for people dealing with depression, anxiety, PTSD, chronic pain, and much more.

However, there is a second equally popular cannabinoid that eliminates any sort of high or psychoactive sensation while still delivering the healing properties of the hemp plant. That cannabinoid is called cannabidiol, frequently shortened to CBD. CBD has become wildly popular as a type of homeopathic remedy for common sleep issues, mental anguish (brought on by anxiety, PTSD, paranoia, etc.) and also helps to improve your overall health and wellness. Now that you see both ends of the cannabinoid spectrum, you can fully appreciate what Delta-8 THC is. Delta-8 THC is often referred to as the “lite” version of marijuana, offering a sort of middle ground between the two cannabinoids we’ve mentioned. Unlike CBD, Delta-8 THC does indeed get you high, but without the crippling anxiety or paranoia brought on by marijuana. Delta-8 THC allows the user to enjoy a powerful mind and body high while still remaining clear-headed and in control. If you’re yearning for a plant-based method of relaxation but feel overwhelmed by the marijuna options (type of strain to use, how much to use at once, where to get it from), you may benefit greatly from Delta-8 THC instead! To learn more about the Delta-8 THC cannabinoid, check out some of our previous articles such as 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

For anyone embarking on their Delta-8 THC journey for the first time, there are a few key things to take into account. First of all, it’s important to gauge your body’s reaction to this cannabinoid, even if you have had prior exposure to THC products. Most, if not all, companies will have a suggested dosage listed on both the product packaging and on the company website. Gummies can be suggested as half or one whole gummy, while inhalables like vapes, disposables, and pre-rolled joints can be one or two puffs. The reaction time for each products is vastly different as well, which is why following the recommended dosages are extremely important. Some gummies and edibles have an activation time between 30-90 minutes, while inhaled Delta-8 THC products can activate within a mere 5 minutes. Start off slow, pace yourself, and only increase your dosages when you feel your body is ready for it. Consuming too much Delta-8 THC can cause you to feel extreme drowsiness or mild paranoia, resulting in an unpleasant high. You should not operate machinery or vehicles while under the influence of a Delta-8 THC high, and always make sure to take Delta-8 THC products in a safe environment.

That being said, Delta-8 THC is a wonderful cannabinoid that can greatly improve your mental health by transporting you to a world of bliss and euphoria. Some users report enhanced sexual bliss and climax with their partners, while others proclaim the incredible taste of both food and drink. Still others report feeling relaxed and comfortably calm, ultimately resulting in better sleep that leaves them feeling refreshed the following morning. Some less attractive side effects include dry mouth and drowsiness, which is why it’s important to consult your primary care physician before embarking on a Delta-8 THC adventure.

Delta-8 THC comes in a variety of products that are sold by reputable companies across the United States, each product containing less than 0.3% THC as mandated by the 2018 Farm Bill. Even with such a small THC content, there is a very real chance you may fail a drug test due to the remaining metabolites in your system. Your previous exposure to THC, age, weight, metabolism, gender, and other factors are all important factors when it comes to how your body processes THC. Lastly, while no Delta-8 THC product is regulated by the FDA, many companies offer lab results (which we’ll get to shortly), customer reviews, and transparency about where their hemp is sourced, how it is processed, and much more. Now that we’ve gone over some of the basic information about Delta-8 THC, it’s time to check out the BudPop company and ultimately, their soft and chewy Strawberry Gelato Gummies!

The BudPop Brand

BudPop started off as a CBD company and quickly came to incorporate Delta-8 THC into their vast collection of hemp-inspired products. In addition to their gummies, BudPop also sells vape cartridges, a pen-style vape pen for said cartridges, and Delta-8 THC infused (not sprayed) hemp flower. The company motto encourages users to “pop plants, not pills” which is a genius marketing tactic for those looking to de-stress and relax naturally. Immediately upon navigating to the company website, there are a variety of pop-up windows to sift through. The first popup invites you to sign up for their mailing list in order to receive a generous 20% discount code. The second pop-up is a quick Delta-8 THC quiz designed to help new users decide which product is right for them. Since I’ve never seen this type of pop-up before, I decided to try my luck and take the quiz. The six-question quiz was more of a survey that I felt could use some improvement. The initial questions only focused on my weight, gender, and age, while the last question was directed more towards my desires for a Delta-8 THC high. The suggested product was actually the product we’ll be reviewing today: the Delta-8 THC gummies! While I love the idea behind having new users taking a quick quiz to find out what product they should purchase for the first time, I would have liked to see more probing questions asked. Questions such as the preferred method of Delta-8 THC, previous THC use (if any), specific goals to be met, etc. would help guide new and experienced users alike to their proper Delta-8 THC products. But I digress…moving on!

In the last review, I got to try my very first vegan gummy from Urb Lifted Made (which you can check out here). Coincidentally, the Delta-8 THC gummies from BudPop are also vegan and non-GMO! Instead of using animal byproducts to create the gelatin texture and feel associated with traditional gummies, BudPop uses pectin to bind the gummies together. The gummies come in three different flavors and can be bought in quantities of one, three, or five bottles that each contain 25 gummies. The price per bottle does not decrease the more you buy, but there is a subscription option that allows you to save 20% off each recurring order. There is also a section in the FAQ section for those looking to buy wholesale, as well as discounts for veterans, military personnel, and those on disability.

The BudPop website was simply designed and easy to navigate, making it easy for new users to browse comfortably through the different sections. The Delta-8 THC and CBD products were very clearly marked in separate tabs, along with a Blog and Contact Us tab. The tab that I found most fascinating, however, was their About Us tab. This section contained an extremely informative FAQ section that I highly encourage you to check out, as well as a dedicated section for Customer Reviews and another tab for Lab Results. We’ll come back to the Lab Results and Hemp Information towards the end of this review, but right now it’s time to check out the pièce de résistance…the Strawberry Gelato gummies!

Delta-8 THC Strawberry Gelato Gummies Product Review

The flavor for BudPop’s Strawberry Gelato gummies was inspired by the creamy Italian treat that is neither ice cream nor gelato. Just how this cold and creamy Italian dessert gets translated into a soft and chewy gummy is still lost on me, but I was excited to try it out nonetheless. While the product picture on the website shows a clear plastic bottle, I received a resealable pouch with a transparent front to show the size, color and texture of the gummies (more detail on this in the product packaging section of this review). I opened the zipper locked pouch easily and instantly detected the warm and sweet scent of strawberries. I fished out a cube-shaped gummy and noted that the gummies were coated with sugar crystals. True to the brand name, I “popped” the gummy into my mouth and started to chew. And oh what a magical chewing experience that was! The gummy was soft and spongy, making it easy to chew thoroughly. The flavor was a warm and creamy strawberry that tasted authentic and pure without any hint of artificial flavoring, making the Strawberry Gelato naming element clear. I tasted a hint of hemp between chews, and felt the hemp flavor more strongly towards the end. The hemp flavor was neither overpowering or unpleasant, and I did not have to rid my teeth of any lingering gummy pieces. I did detect a light film on my teeth that many gummies often leave behind, but a quick swig of water cleansed my palate and I settled into feeling the effects of these delightful treats.

I began to feel a slight buzz about 30 minutes after taking the gummies, more of a light fogginess and delayed reaction time. As the high progressed to the first 60 minutes, I felt a slight tingling throughout my body, specifically in my face, arms, hands, and feet. I noticed a warm heaviness towards the front of my head, and felt my eyelids grow heavy. I had a delicious euphoria wash over my mind and body, almost like a weighted blanket. I experienced a giddy sense of humor in which everything became absolutely hilarious (try reading Amazon or eBay adult toy listings!). I experienced a light dry mouth where my tongue clung to the roof of my mouth and I felt as if time had slowed down. Water tasted incredibly cool and refreshing, either due to the enhanced euphoria or the light dry mouth that I had. The high lasted for several hours and towards the end of the high made me sleepy to the point of falling asleep instantly once my head touched the pillow. I awoke feeling refreshed and invigorated, ready to tackle the day.

I will say that this is one of the more fast-acting gummies I’ve tried, and definitely one of the strongest highs I’ve experienced for a mere 25mg of Delta-8 THC per gummy. The high was more on the intense high, so while the recommended dosage is a single gummy, I’d recommend starting off with half a gummy if you’re not used to the effects of Delta-8 THC. The incredible flavor paired with the quick activation time has made these one of my top 5 favorite Delta-8 THC gummies, and I encourage you to try them for yourselves! Now that we’ve gone over the gummy’s effects, let’s take a look at the hemp information, lab results, and product packaging of these incredible Strawberry Gelato gummies from BudPop.

BudPop General Information

Lab Testing

The FDA has yet to mandate any sort of regulation or legislation regarding the hemp industry, meaning that anyone can create a hemp-based product and claim to have used high-quality and terpene-rich hemp. In order to overcome this questionable flaw in the industry, it’s become an unspoken rule for Delta-8 THC, CBD, and other cannabinoid companies to provide independent third-party lab test results. These results can be painstakingly time-consuming and quite expensive, but are crucial to relieve customer concerns on both the THC content and hemp quality. As we mentioned earlier in this article, BudPop provides these lab results in the About Us section on their website, as well as on the product packaging. Simply hover your mouse over the About Us tab and select the Lab Testing option on the drop-down menu. The page will redirect you to a full selection of BudPop products that have been recently tested, and clicking on any of the products will prompt your browser to open a new tab to display these test results. The CoA (certificate of authority) was extremely informative and detailed, even going so far as to include a picture of the product that was tested. If you have any concern about the validity of your BudPop products, this section can help eliminate those worries quickly and effectively.

Hemp Information

Earlier in this article, I mentioned my awe of the About Us tab, specifically the FAQ section. I feel the need to mention it again, both for hemp information and common questions that new CBD and Delta-8 THC users have. This section of the BudPop website goes in great detail about where the hemp is grown: naturally on Nevada farms without pesticides or GMO modifications. Both their CBD and Delta-8 THC products are crafted from some of the highest quality hemp in the industry, ensuring a wholesome experience with any product from either cannabinoid category. The lab test results confirm that each product contains less than 0.3% THC, making them legal for resale in hemp-legal states throughout the United States, as is mandated in the 2018 Farm Bill.

Product Packaging

I noted that the product packaging that I received is quite a bit different than what is displayed on the website; I received a convenient and slim resealable pouch, whereas the website displays a large plastic bottle. While the packaging is different, the information listed on both packaging is the same. The front of the pouch I received was completely transparent, but was obstructed by a large pink label displaying the company’s name and product type. The flavor was clearly listed, along with the total Delta-8 THC content (625mg) along with the quantity (25 pieces) and Delta-8 THC content per piece (25mg). The very top of the label had very small white lettering stating that the gummies were third-party tested, contained natural terpenes, and were 100% vegan. I personally thought the vegan part should have been emphasized, at the very least been displayed in larger more legible font. The back of the pouch was completely white, with another pink label covering nearly the entire packaging. The company motto was displayed clearly on the top, followed by the nutrition facts, ingredient list, quick facts, suggested use (1 gummy every six hours), shelf life (12 months), and storage instructions (cool dry place away from light). Whether you receive the resealable pouch or the plastic bottle, both of these product packaging options are professionally designed and beautifully displayed.

CONCLUSION

The Strawberry Gelato Delta-8 THC gummies from BudPop have earned a special fondness in my heart, thanks to a high-quality product that not only tastes incredible but activates extremely fast. The warm and creamy strawberry flavor definitely bore resemblance in taste to the famed Italian gelato treat, and the authentic flavor made it difficult not to pop two or three more after the first one had been consumed. The fast reaction time was fantastic, allowing me to melt into blissful euphoria in under an hour. The overall effects of these gummies were mind-blowing and highly enjoyable, making these one of my top five favorite Delta-8 THC gummies. I look forward to trying the other gummies, cartridges, and Delta-8 THC infused (not sprayed) flowers. I’ll be writing another article shortly on the importance of Delta-8 THC flowers being infused instead of sprayed, so check back soon for that review and I will link the article here once posted.

Have you tried any of BudPop’s gummies, cartridges, or Delta-8 THC flowers? What is your preferred method for enjoying Delta-8 THC? Share your experiences in the comments below! Here at CBD Origin, our mission is to provide quality reviews of some of the most popular CBD and Delta-8 THC brands in the industry. In our next article, we’ll be taking a break from Delta-8 THC to review a world-renowned CBD brand called Populum, armed with a slew of topical and consumable products for your overall health and wellness. Check back soon for this and other hemp-based cannabinoid products from companies around the country!

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