Delta-8 THC has been increasing in popularity recently. It’s commonly available both in brick and mortar shops and online, so you may be itching to give it a try.
However, many people have important obligations, and failing a drug test because there are traces of Delta-8 THC in your system can have detrimental effects on your job or your career. So, if you’re thinking about trying Delta-8, it’s important that you’re aware of what the implications could be.
In this article, we’re going to delve into what Delta-8 is and whether it’s likely to show up on a drug test.
What is Delta-8 THC?
Most people are well aware of Delta-9 THC—the cannabinoid most likely to give you a psychotropic high.
Delta-8 is considered to be the ‘milder’ version of THC, which makes it a popular choice for many. While Delta-8 can still make you high, because of its lower potency, users report less intense effects. It also has similar therapeutic effects, but again, these are much less intense than they are with Delta-9 THC.
Delta-9 THC’s chemical structure makes it more unstable. A less stable THC means it’s more potent and more likely to cause a powerful reaction to its users. This can also explain why the body takes these THC molecules through the endocannabinoid system in two very different ways, resulting in a difference in the intensity of the reaction.
People generally feel more relaxing effects when taking Delta-8. It’s believed to have less negative effects than Delta-9, which can often leave people feeling anxious or paranoid.
Does Delta-8 THC Show Up on a Drug Test?
Yes, Delta-8 can show up on a drug test. Despite technically being federally legal in the US, it can still make you fail your drug test.
Drug tests are commonly conducted via a urine test, hair test or by testing your saliva, and blood.
These drug tests can generally not distinguish between various cannabinoids like Delta-8 THC and Delta-9 THC, since Delta-8 has a similar chemical structure to Delta-9 THC. This is also the cannabinoid that is illegal. Drug tests are looking for cannabinoids or THC metabolites, and since Delta-8 is detectable in the body, these tests can easily pick it up and cause you to fail the test.
So, if you know that you have a drug test coming up in the next month or so, it’s a good idea to refrain from using Delta-8 THV products.
How to Flush Delta-8 THC Out of Your System?
If you’re keen to try Delta-8 but worried about failing a drug test, there are some steps you can take to speed up the process of flushing it out of your system. As Delta-8 products contain THC, this is what you need to clear from your body to give you a negative drug test.
There are some detox products that can eliminate THC from your body in a few days, like this Rescue Cleanse Detox Drink, or this 5-day Detox from Toxic Rid. These are definitely good options that can have great effects. However, they are on the expensive side.
If you don’t want to fork out for expensive detox drinks, there are some natural options that you may already have at home.
For example, apple cider vinegar has health benefits that have been hailed for centuries. While it’s a common ingredient used in weight loss diets, it can also help you get rid of the THC in your body. There is no proper authority for this, though, so you can’t guarantee that it will definitely work. It’s definitely an option if you’re on a budget and you have some time until your test. You can simply mix half a cup of vinegar with one cup of water to absorb all its goodness.
Lemon juice and water is another popular detox choice. Again, it’s not 100% reliable. However, there are definitely no negative effects to incorporating it into your diet before a drug test. It’s a popular choice for many people, due to the high amounts of vitamin C in lemons and its immunity-boosting properties, which can help you get rid of toxins in your system.
Fresh cranberry juice is another good choice for people looking to flush toxins out of their system. It’s easily the tastiest option of these three natural remedies and you definitely won’t have any negative effects from this option.
While these options can help speed up the process, you shouldn’t rely on them to give you a negative test. Make sure that you give yourself plenty of time from your Delta-8 THC consumption and your test.
How Long Does Delta-8 THC Stay in Your System?
Some people can feel the effects of substance use for weeks. Despite Delta-8 having less intense effects than Delta-9, it can remain in your system for a long time.
It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly how long Delta-8 will stay in your system, and the range is very broad—Delta-8 THC can stay in your system from 2 to 30 days. Depending on the drug test used, they can pick up traces of drugs from a couple of days to a few months.
There are different things to take into account when working out how long Delta-8 can stay in your system, like your age, height, weight and metabolism.
Your frequency of use and method of consumption are also factors to take into consideration. It will take significantly longer for Delta-8 THC to leave your body if you take it regularly. This is the same for other psychoactive cannabinoids. Delta-8 THC products show their effects faster when inhaled compared to oral or sublingual methods, but they also leave the system more quickly.
These are all things to think about if you have a drug test coming up.
Final Thoughts
Delta-8 THC has become extremely common and it easy to find. Its effects are reported to be less intense than Delta-9, and people notice feeling more relaxed and less anxious or paranoid.
However, despite its lower potency, it can still show up on a drug test and make you fail. So, it’s important that you are aware of these risks before consuming Delta-8 THC if you have a drug test coming up.
Also, while there are ways to flush THC out of your body quicker, these are not guaranteed to result in a negative test.
