The rise in delta-8 products puts the CBD industry on a rather fun but cautious end of the curve now in 2022 after the 2018 Farm Bill loophole. It truly is an excellent time because Delta 8 at TRE House can be consumed via eating, dabbing, smoking, vaping, and even sublingually. There are quite a few questions regarding delta-8 products and their consumption, primarily because the product is relatively new and spirits are high. There is a lot more to know about the product, like the best ways to consume it, dosages, duration of stay in the body, and its side effects, among other things.
What Is Delta-8 THC?
There are several cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. The primary ones are CBD and delta-9 THC. However, many other secondary cannabinoids are present in trace amounts like delta-8 THC. Delta-8-THC is an analog of THC and has a similar molecular structure with a few differences. For instance, delta-8 THC is less psychoactive than delta-9 THC when inhaled. But when ingested, it can cause the same intoxicating effects as delta-9. Delta 8 THC comes in many forms, like CBD and delta 9 THC. You can find it in tinctures, vapes, gummies, capsules, concentrates, distillates, and even pre-rolled joints.
Since it’s a minor cannabinoid, we have much more to learn about delta-8-THC, which necessitates a cautious approach toward using it. The cannabinoid is generally available in concentrated forms because cannabis flower usually contains less than 1% delta-8-THC. The half-life of THC is about 24 hours. However, the body can detect the metabolites of THC for 45 to 60 days after the last use.
Delta 8 And Your System
If you are wondering how long THC will stay in your system, just in case you need to take a drug test, the bad news is that there is no definitive answer. This is because detection depends on various factors like frequency of usage, the concentration of THC, the type of test, and subjective biology.
“How much you consume and how often will influence how long cannabis stays in your system, but it can depend on an individual’s metabolism,” says April Hatch, RN, co-founder of Cannabis Care Team.
The specific type of test is also just as important a factor as anything else. Like any other substance, THC can break into very tiny parts, which store in different parts of the body like the brain, fat, and the heart. Over time, these tiny parts are broken down and released back into the bloodstream, and then finally excreted. The problem starts when the usage is so frequent that the body accumulates THC faster than its release.
- Urine test
A urine test is one of the common methods used to identify the presence of THC in the system. THC can be seen in urine for over 30 days after last use for chronic users. If the use is infrequent or semi-regular, delta-8 THC can be detected almost 21 days after the last usage.
- Saliva test
Saliva testing is another standard test used in the workplace. It uses a swab placed between the lower cheek and gum. The test can detect marijuana in the system over 24 hours after last use in semi-regular users and for 30 hours or more for chronic users.
- Blood test
Unlike urine tests, blood tests detect the presence of THC in the bloodstream. When you smoke delta-8 THC, THC peaks rapidly in the first few minutes after inhaling, to levels above 100 ng/ml in blood plasma. It then declines rapidly to single-digit levels within an hour or so. Blood tests usually detect marijuana for considerably short periods of 1 to 2 days (after last use).
- Hair follicle test
Hair tests are even less standard than saliva tests because they don’t accurately picture recent drug usage. Hair follicle testing has the most extended detection window after last use. It can detect weed for 90 days after the last usage. However, it can’t prove recent usage.
It takes much patience to clear THC out of your system, and regular delta-8 users taking urine tests will likely test positive for several weeks longer than infrequent users.
How To Get Delta-8 Out Of Your System Faster?
There are multiple misconceptions regarding detoxification when it comes to THC. Several remedies pass via word of mouth, but the bad news is that none of them works. The only way to clean out your system is to stop consuming THC. Another popular misconception is that exercising before a drug test can help you pass, but a small 2013 study found cardio exercise increased blood THC levels in regular cannabis users, suggesting exercise releases dormant THC from fat stores.
Many products and items on the market claim to “speed up” weed detox, but these claims are unproven and largely false. Drinking water, “sweating it out,” or eating healthy will not remove THC from your system. These products can also cause a lot of unexpected side effects. These products operate mainly on speculation and rely on their customer’s lack of knowledge. Delta-8 might come up in a drug test depending on the cut-off value it reaches, or it may not show up at all.
Takeaway
Most tests focus on detecting delta-9 THC because it is federally illegal above 0.3%. If you aren’t willing to risk it, abstaining from delta-8 might be the safest option during that critical period. If you fail a delta 8 thc pre-employment drug test, you can always contest it, especially if you aren’t consuming delta-9 THC (the main psychoactive variant). Though the laws associated with the cannabinoid like delta 8 are rapidly changing, it is legal to consume it at least on a federal level. It is important, however, to stay within the rules and regulations of the local government and the organization for cannabis use.
