With how popular delta-8 THC is becoming, a lot of people are quite curious about the technicalities surrounding the cannabinoid. For example, how long does delta 8 stay in your system? Even more, can it make you fail a drug test?
Today, we’re tackling the ins and outs of delta-8 THC in the body, and how long it lasts in the system. This way, when you go to purchase your favorite product, you’ll know how long to expect the effects to linger. Let’s get started.
Understanding Delta 8 THC
Before we address how long delta 8 THC stays in the system, we need to talk a little about D8 in general.
Delta-8 THC is one of the many cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant family. This means that you can find D8 in both hemp and marijuana, though, in its natural form, the cannabinoid’s presence is miniscule. However, brands have started growing delta-8-rich flower or isolating the cannabinoid during extraction to create products with high levels. Thus, you’ll come across delta-8 topicals, tinctures, edibles, vapes, and flower.
The popularity surrounding delta-8 THC has grown primarily due to its unique properties. The cannabinoid presents apparent supportive benefits alongside only subtle psychoactive effects. So, unlike traditional delta-9 THC, D8 won’t get you incredibly high. Instead, it only provides gentle euphoric results, often described as weightlessness. Of course, every person’s experience is different, but many people enjoy turning to delta 8 THC because they don’t have to worry about the anxiety and discomfort that can come from getting too high.
The cannabis community is still learning more about delta-8 every day. Because of this, some states have chosen to ban or regulate D8 goods until we know more about its effects and benefits. Even though the compound is technically legal federally under the 2018 Farm Bill, you have to check with laws in your state to see if you can lawfully purchase and consume delta 8 THC.
Now that you know a bit about what D8 is, let’s now answer the million-dollar question: how long does delta-8 stay in your system?
How Long Does Delta 8 THC Stay In Your System?
When you’re consuming any cannabis products, you’re probably going to be a bit curious about how long the cannabinoids may linger in your system. Specifically, this tends to be most important for those experiencing frequent urine tests, blood tests, or any tests that detect drugs. Even though delta-8 THC isn’t psychoactive, it can still make you fail an upcoming drug test (as we’ll discuss later). Because of this, understanding how long delta-8 THC stays in your system is crucial.
Unfortunately, the answer to, “how long does delta-8 stay in your system?” isn’t quite as straightforward as we’d like. There simply isn’t a set amount of time for every person. Instead, it depends on three main factors: frequency of use, consumption method, and your own body chemistry.
Frequency of Use
As you might expect, the more you consume delta-8, the longer it’s going to stay in the system. If you’re someone who only consumes these products once in a blue moon, then you really don’t have much to worry about. Typically, for super infrequent consumers, delta-8 THC will stay in the body for around a week or so, sometimes up to two and a half. This is because your body isn’t consuming the cannabinoid enough to actually build-up any sort of detection for a long period of time.
However, this definitely isn’t the case for more frequent consumers. If you consume delta-8 THC a few times a week, you can expect to have the substance within your body for about 3-5 weeks. That’s right: the cannabinoids can be detected anywhere from 21 to 35 days, depending on the drug test.
For those who rely on delta-8 daily, the cannabinoid is going to stay in your body for quite some time. Again, this depends on other factors, but daily consumption usually means detection for two to four months after use. So, if you’re someone who enjoys D8 daily but has to pass a drug test, you’re going to have to avoid consumption for several months in order to truly flush out your system of the cannabinoid. We know, it’s rough, but these compounds just love hanging out in our bodies.
Consumption Method & Potency
Along with how often you consume delta-8, your chosen consumption method will also influence how long it stays in the system. Some products are much more concentrated than others, making it more difficult for your body to break it down and flush it out. Products like D8 topicals, for instance, don’t even penetrate the bloodstream, so you don’t have to worry about how long it stays in the system. But, with products like edibles, the cannabinoids take longer to break down in the first place, and effects linger hours longer than most.
You also have to pay attention to how potent your products are. Someone who consumes 5 mg. twice a week isn’t likely to have the cannabinoid in the system longer than someone who consumes 50 mg. twice a week. The higher your average dosage, the longer the D8 will stay in the blood, urine, and other parts of the body.
However, some people simply require a higher dose than others! Not everybody will find the relief they need from 5 mg., so it’s important to find the amount that works best for you — even if it’s a bit more potent than others. But, you will have to keep this in mind if you’re worried about an upcoming drug test or anything of the like.
Biological Factors
Finally, if you want to know how long delta-8 THC stays in your system, you have to take a look within. Okay, not literally. Still, you have to pay attention to certain biological factors in your body chemistry to determine how long the cannabinoid may stay.
One of the first, and major factors, that determines this longevity is weight. It’s not mind-blowing, but it makes sense that those with more body mass will likely have THC detected in their bodies longer than someone smaller. This is because cannabinoids cling to fat cells. So, the more fat cells you have, the better the D8 will cling to it. If you’re quite lean and don’t have a high percentage of body fat, delta-8 THC may not stay in your system as long. After all, the cannabinoids just have fewer places to hide!
Your genetics play a big role here, too. If you’re someone with a naturally fast metabolism, your body will better break down and get rid of the THC. Those with quick metabolisms won’t have the cannabinoid stored in the body for as long as someone with a slower moving metabolism. People with slower metabolisms will have to wait much longer for their body to work through the compound.
Finally, you have to consider your overall health. The healthier you are, the easier your body is going to be able to process and work through delta-8 THC. However, if you have a lot of complications, and your body really requires these cannabinoids to feel better, there’s a good chance they will stay in your system for a while.
Drug Tests and Delta-8 THC
As we mentioned at the beginning, delta-8 THC does have the potential to make you fail a drug test. This is because, as they stand, urine tests and blood tests cannot differentiate delta-8 THC from delta-9 THC. Instead, it simply picks it up as a THC derivative, giving you a false-positive result.
In some states, if this happens to you, you may be able to explain your situation to your employer. However, if delta-8 THC products are not legal in your area, then you are out of luck when it comes to drug testing.
Quickly, we’ll break down the difference between how long delta-8 THC stays in the system with urine tests versus blood tests. Again, keep in mind that these numbers will differ depending on the factors above; however, this can give you a good general idea.
Urine Tests
If you’re taking an upcoming drug test for work, you’re likely going to take a urine test to determine whether or not you’re sober. These are the most common as they’re easy to use and quite accurate.
In terms of cannabis consumption, your delta-8 THC is likely going to come up on a drug test about 1-3 days after use if you indulge infrequently. So, if you only consume delta-8 THC a few times a month, on a urine test, you’ll likely only fail if you take the test just a few days after your latest D8 dose.
For those with more frequent consumers, delta-8 THC is probably going to show up on your test up to three weeks after your last dose. When we say “more frequent,” we mean people who consume delta-8 THC a few times per week. If you’re someone who consumes it daily, as we mentioned earlier, the THC will appear on your urine drug test at least a month after consumption.
Blood Tests
With blood tests, you do have a bit more leeway in terms of detox time. THC doesn’t stay present in the blood for nearly as long as it does in the urine, and people usually use these tests to see if cannabis was consumed recently. When you smoke, the cannabinoid will become present in the blood within seconds, after all.
Infrequent consumers may have delta-8 THC present in the blood for about 1 to 2 days after consumption, but usually never more than 36 hours. More moderate consumers may fail a blood test if you consumed the cannabinoid recently, as it’s detectable for more than a week, typically. Daily consumers won’t have THC in the blood as long as the urine, but some tests have detected THC after 25 days.
Delta 8 THC Detox Methods
If you’re worried about how long delta-8 THC stays in your system, you can always try some D8 detox methods. There are a few brands that offer detox drinks and kits; however, you can also go the more natural route and try daily exercise, cranberry juice, and apple cider vinegar. Adding all of these things into your everyday routine can help flush out the delta-8 THC quicker and more efficiently, helping you detox and pass that drug test.
Try CBD Instead!
If you don’t want to stop consuming some form of cannabis, try switching to CBD products instead. Though CBD doesn’t provide any intoxicating results, it create supportive benefits that your mind and body will love. And, more than anything, you don’t have to worry about consuming THC. As long as you purchase THC-free products — like isolates or broad-spectrum extracts — then you won’t be putting any THC derivatives into your body.
Here at DiscoverCBD, we have a huge selection of THC-free products for you to choose from. This way, you can keep your health and wellness at your best but not have to worry about upcoming drug tests. You can always double-check our products’ third-party lab-test results to ensure that they don’t contain any THC, too.
Discover Delta 8 Through DiscoverCBD
Now, you never have to wonder, “how long does delta-8 THC stay in your system?” Instead, you get to be curious about how it feels in the first place! If you’re interested in purchasing some delta-8 products for yourself, you’ve come to the perfect website. DiscoverCBD has a huge online selection of high-quality delta-8 products just for you. No matter what kind of product you’re looking for, we have the ideal options for you.
When you place an order through DiscoverCBD, we’ll have your products shipped out to you in just a few business days. Then, your D8 will arrive safe and sound at your doorstep, ready for you to enjoy. Once again, make sure you check with your state’s laws about D8 before purchasing and consuming. If you have any questions about delta-8 THC, its effects, or any other cannabinoids, DiscoverCBD has the resources for you. Don’t hesitate to reach out!
