Many individuals seek to detox their system of marijuana for various reasons. Some might want to pass a work drug test, while others have familial obligations or parental duties which necessitate its removal from their body.
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive component in cannabis, can be detected in urine tests days or even months post use. Your body stores THC in fat tissue before breaking it down into your bloodstream for distribution throughout your system.
Frequency of Use
Although weed use has increased as more products become available and society’s views on it change, some places still consider it illegal and individuals may need to undergo drug tests for employment or other purposes. How long the drug remains in your system depends on both how often and how much you smoke.
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) can take anywhere between 12 hours and 72 hours for its effects to wear off in your bloodstream and urine tests measure it as THC-COOH; its half life can vary between days or even weeks, depending on how frequently you smoke weed.
Saliva and hair tests can also be used to detect whether someone has been smoking marijuana. A saliva test, commonly referred to as a “lick test”, can detect THC for up to three days post use; sometimes more accurately than urine analysis because saliva testing picks up THC through mouth saliva instead of bloodstream analysis.
Body Fat
Although marijuana use has become more acceptable, some places still prohibit its legalization and users must pass drug tests for work or other reasons. THC, or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, is the psychoactive compound present in cannabis that produces the high many users experience; it may also produce other short-term side effects like paranoia or hallucinations.
THC is fat-soluble, meaning that it can be stored for extended periods in body fat cells. As more fat exists within one’s system, more THC will remain and its metabolites in it as well.
THC metabolites are found in urine, saliva and faeces and urine tests are the most widely used drug test used to detect marijuana use. Occasional smokers should expect THC levels in their system for approximately three days after last smoking session while more consistent users who smoke multiple times weekly may detect THC up to seven or eight days post use; daily smokers will continue to have THC detectable for 30-plus days post-usage.
Metabolism
As THC enters the body, it is processed through liver metabolism into 11-hydroxy-THC and carboxy-THC metabolites (known as metabolites). Once produced, these metabolites leave via feces and urine; approximately 65% leaves through feces while 20% goes via urine.
Metabolism plays a pivotal role in how long marijuana remains in one’s system, with those with faster metabolisms having the ability to eliminate THC more rapidly than those who don’t.
Regular exercise and healthy diet will assist people in flushing THC more quickly out of their systems, while not overeating before drug tests can help speed the process up even further. Exercise breaks down fat cells to release THC stored there back into circulation.
Hair follicle tests can detect THC for an extended period than urine or blood tests because THC metabolites adhere to hair shafts and won’t wash away with washing water. A frequent user could expect positive results up to 30 days post use in their test.
Hydration
Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive compound found in marijuana, can alter both brain and body functioning in different ways, producing feelings such as euphoria, relaxation and giggles as well as paranoia, anxiety and irritability – depending on dosage and frequency of use it can stay in your system up to 30 days through urine and blood metabolites.
Food-grade cannabis tends to produce longer-lasting effects than smoking it, because THC must travel through your digestive system first before entering your bloodstream. When smoking marijuana, however, the effects can peak within 10 minutes and last up to two hours before they wear off.
Smoking marijuana can dehydrate you and lead to dry mouth, commonly known as cottonmouth. To stay hydrated and avoid dehydration – which may result in dizziness, lightheadedness, fatigue and dark-colored urine – it is vitally important that you consume fluids such as water.