Have you been asked to get a drug test and want to know how long does weed stay in your system? Then you have come to the right place. In this article, we are going to discuss how long does THC stay in system and the factors that can influence it. So, let’s proceed.
Overview
The effects of marijuana start to fade really quickly yet the drug can be detected in your body for several weeks and at times even longer. How long marijuana stays in your system varies from a few hours to 90-days. It also depends on the amount of THC going into your system or how long you have been using it.
What Is THC?
THC is Tetrahydrocannabinol, a chemical present in cannabis that makes people high. It can stay in your system for several days or weeks. Now, you know what THC stands for.
The length of time THC stays keeps showing up in the drug tests is based on various factors. THC gets absorbed by the body's organs and tissues. It is broken down by the liver. The by-products of the breakdown process get cleared by urine. But THC present in tissue is released into the bloodstream continuously over time and ultimately is broken down by the liver and gets cleared until THC is depleted from the body. In case you are a chronic user, the THC excretion through urine is a little less. Hence, it starts to build up in the liver.
Let’s take a detailed look at the cannabis metabolization process and how long does it take weed to leave your system. Also, we highly advise you to read Outlook India's article (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/thc-detox-guide-all-best-ways-get-weed-out-your-system-k08zc) about THC.
How Is THC Metabolized by the Body?
Once you take cannabinoids, such as THC, it gets absorbed by the bloodstream and is then distributed to the tissues present in the body. The tissue then causes the desired effects.
The path THC takes actually depends on how you are consuming it. If you inhale it, the terpenes and cannabinoids will travel from the lungs to your bloodstream. However, if you ingest it, the path of THC to your blood is not that simple. If you are consuming it orally, it will first be metabolized by the intestines before being sent through the liver. Cannabinoids when sent to the liver are metabolized by the liver cells and the process is called first-pass metabolism.
Even though the liver is the main location for the transformation to take place, the metabolism might also take place in other tissues.
It takes almost 5-6 half-lives for a substance to be completely eliminated. This is the reason you will hear people saying that one-time use might not be detectable after 5-8 days.
Factors That Can Influence How Long Does it Take to Get Weed Out System?
There is no way of finding out exactly how long THC stay in your system. But there are different factors that might have an impact on how long it stays in the system.
Let’s take a look at these factors;
- The frequency of use. If you use it regularly, there might be a build-up of THC and it will take longer to leave the body.
- THC’s concentration level. The higher its potency, the longer it will stay in the body.
- The method of using marijuana can also influence how long it stays in the system. If you smoke, the THC levels drop within a few hours but when ingested, it remains detectable for a longer time.
- Your weight has an impact, top. People will less body fat can clear the system faster than the ones with more fat.
Types of Drug Tests for THC
Many tests are used for detecting the presence of marijuana. Let’s take a look at them-
Saliva Test
It is a common test in workplaces. A swab is placed between the gum and the lower cheek. The test can detect THC in your system for up to 24 hours after consumption. But if you are a frequent or chronic user, it can last for up to 30 hours in the system.
Urine Test
A urine test is a popular drug test method and you will often find people asking how long does weed stay in urine. For infrequent users, THC can be detected in the system for 1-3 days. While for regular users it is 7-21 days. But if you are a chronic user, THC will last for 30 days or longer.
Blood Test
This is another type of drug screening. The THC content in your blood will peak within just a few minutes of smoking weed and will then drop within an hour. However, you might ask how long do edibles last. Well, if you take it, you can expect the THC content in your blood to peak about 3 hours after consumption. Blood tests, however, can detect marijuana in a shorter period of 1-2 days. But studies have shown that in the case of frequent marijuana users, THC can stay in the system even after 7-days of abstinence.
Hair Test
This test done on hair follicles has the longest drug detection window. THC can last in your hair for up to 90 days after consumption for a majority of users.
Is It Legal to Demand a Drug Test in the USA?
The federal government doesn’t have much say when it comes to drug testing. But some states or local governments in the USA regulate drug testing. The rules primarily depend on if the employer wants to test an employee or an applicant.
Who Can Be Taken to Be a Frequent User of Weed?
If you are using cannabis every day or at least 3-4 times a week are known to be frequent cannabis or drug users. In that case, the THC might show up in their system even after 30 days based on the test that is being used. Frequent users can go in for addiction treatment at an addiction rehab center.
Is It Possible to Force Metabolize Cannabis?
According to studies, having foods that are rich in cannabinoids, terpenes, and omega-3 fatty acids can help in increasing THC absorption. But there is no evidence to suggest that it is possible to force cannabis metabolization.
Is It Possible to Receive a False Positive Test for THC?
Yes, it is possible to get a false positive for THC. If you are someone who doesn’t smoke weed but has been around smoke sessions of your friends, your urine might have traces of THC. However, the chances are pretty low to trigger positive results in the screening process.
Conclusion
Many employers have a drug policy in place and conduct random drug testing. In case you are asked to take a routine test on short notice and you have recently smoked cannabis, you might fail the test, especially if you are a heavy user. A completely reliable way to pass the test is to stop ingesting or smoking cannabis products.
People often search for how to get weed out of your system. But none of the methods is full-proof. You can try to get Mega Clean Detox Drink near me to pass the test but there is hardly a guarantee that you are going to pass the test. And, if you are worried about your addiction, you can get treatment.
