Perceptions of Delta-8 THC and the Impact of a Brief Educational Video Intervention for College Students.
Destin Rothe, Erica K Yuen, Kathleen A Moore, Cynthia E Gangi, Mary Martinasek
The journal of behavioral health services & research April 1, 2026 DOI: 10.1007/s11414-025-09983-x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 120 |
| Population | College students |
| Intervention | brief educational video about delta-8 THC |
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Key findings | The educational video increased knowledge about delta-8 THC and lowered intentions to use it among students with prior but not recent use. |
Abstract
Delta-8 THC is a psychoactive cannabinoid typically synthesized from hemp, with similar intoxicating effects as delta-9 THC. Surging public interest alongside the lack of federal regulation of delta-8 THC has led to an unclear legal landscape and increasing safety concerns. Educating young adults about the dangers of delta-8 THC is imperative. The current study investigated the effects of a brief educational video about delta-8 THC for college students. First, to help develop the intervention, an exploratory online survey was administered (N = 291) to gather information about perceptions of delta-8 THC and motivations for use. Mixed-methods analysis indicated that many students perceive delta-8 THC to have weaker (less intense, shorter-lasting) effects while being beneficial for mental and physical health. A strong motive for consumption was to enhance positive feelings, while conformity was a significantly weaker motive. These results informed the development of an educational video for students to highlight the risks of delta-8 THC and improve decision-making. Participants (N = 120) were randomly assigned to watch either a brief educational video about delta-8 THC or an unrelated control video about attending college. Results found that the educational video increased knowledge about delta-8 THC across all students, and lowered intentions to use delta-8 THC specifically for students who reported prior but not recent use of the substance. Perceived benefits, perceived costs, and attitudes towards legislation were not affected. Overall, results demonstrate support for the format of a brief stand-alone video intervention to increase knowledge and reduce behavioral intentions regarding delta-8 THC.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on cannabis, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cannabidiol inhibits THC-elicited paranoid symptoms and hippocampal-dependent memory impairment Healthy participants | 2012 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 48 |
| Distinct Effects of Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and Cannabidiol on Neural Activation During Emotional Processing Healthy, English-native, right-handed men who had used cannabis 15 times or less in... | 2009 | Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trial | n = 15 |
| Acute Effects of a Single, Oral dose of d9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) Administration in Healthy Volunteers Healthy male subjects | 2012 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 16 |
| Modulation of Mediotemporal and Ventrostriatal Function in Humans by Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Healthy, native English-speaking, right-handed men of white race/ethnicity who had used... | 2009 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 15 |
| Cannabidiol (CBD) content in vaporized cannabis does not prevent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-induced impairment of driving and cognition Healthy volunteers with a history of light cannabis use | 2019 | Randomized, double-blind, within-subjects crossover | n = 14 |
Citations in the library
Cites 7
- Delta-8-THC association with psychosis: A case report with literature review Frontiers in Psychiatry February 20, 2023
- Delta-8- and Delta-9-THC Use Frequency, Use Motives, and Mental Health Outcomes. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 2024
- Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol: a scoping review and commentary. Addiction June 1, 2023
- Consumer Experiences with Delta-8-THC: Medical Use, Pharmaceutical Substitution, and Comparisons with Delta-9-THC Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research February 1, 2023
- Review of delta‐8‐tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ8‐THC): Comparative pharmacology with Δ9‐THC British Journal of Pharmacology August 1, 2022
and 2 more in the library