Delta 8 THC is a minor cannabinoid found in marijuana or hemp. Cannabinoids are naturally occurring chemicals used to medicinally treat various illnesses, ranging from pain relief to psychosis control. Delta 8 THC has many benefits for those who want to live an extraordinary life.
Have you ever wondered if Delta 8 THC could make you fail a drug test? Have you taken Delta 8 THC and then got tested for drugs? Well, let's talk about Delta 8 THC drug test.
Most advanced drug tests screen for metabolites of the THC molecule (the psychoactive component of cannabis) and not for other cannabinoids like Delta 8. A positive result means that you have been using cannabis recently, but it doesn't necessarily mean that you will fail a drug test after using Delta 8. However, we like to err on the side of caution, so if you have to pass a drug test we would recommend not using Delta 8 products.
What is Delta 8?
Delta 8 is a lesser-known cannabinoid that's found in hemp plants. It's generally less potent than Delta 9, the most common form of THC in cannabis plants. However, Delta 8 is more potent than other minor cannabinoids and can still get you high (mildly psychoactive)
Discovered by Dr Raphael Mechoulam, the study of Delta 8 was inspired by his research on the structure of THC. In this study, he discovered that Delta 8 was present in trace amounts in hemp resin and had a unique molecular structure compared to other cannabinoids such as CBD and CBG.
Delta 8 THC and Delta 9 THC have similar chemical structures, but Delta 8 has just one carbonyl group added to its molecular structure. Delta 8 is found in various forms across different strains, but its main source is usually THC-A (Δ9-THC acid).
Delta 8 THC has been shown to help with pain relief, anxiety, insomnia, and nausea.
How Delta-8 Affects the Body
Delta 8 THC is a derivative of cannabis known for many health benefits. It's been used as a medication for years and has been shown to potentially help treat chronic pain, insomnia, anxiety and depression. Delta 8 THC is mildly psychoactive and does make you feel high or buzzed.
When Delta 8 THC enters your system, it affects your brain, body and health in various ways. Most notably, you can expect to feel relaxed, calm and contented. This is because Delta 8 THC works on the endocannabinoid system in your body. The endocannabinoid system is responsible for regulating homeostasis (your internal balance).
The human ECS was discovered in the 1990s and has become a hot area of research for scientists seeking treatments for various diseases and conditions.
Delta 8 THC has a very strong affinity for CB1 and CB2 receptors in the brain and throughout the body. These receptors regulate pain, appetite, mood, memory and sleep. When delta 8 THC is taken into the body, it binds to these receptors and triggers a response that affects how you feel. For example, if you have a lot of pain in your body, taking delta-8 can potentially make you feel better.
Is Delta 8 Legal?
The Farm Bill 2018 or Agriculture Improvement Act allows the cultivation and sale of hemp derivatives like THC-free CBD oil. The bill, signed into law by President Trump in December 2018, also lifted restrictions on interstate commerce and opened the door for the retail sale of hemp-derived products.
Delta 8 THC is federally legal, but each state has its laws regarding this compound. In some states it is fully legal while others do not allow its use at all. It is important to check with your local government office before purchasing any hemp products containing Delta 8 THC. Cannabis remains illegal under the Controlled Substances Act.
How Long Until You Can Take A Drug Test?
The answer is that it depends. More specifically, it depends on the type of drug test you are required to take, the frequency of use, and for how long.
Sometimes, your body can take just a few days to eliminate the THC metabolites from your system. However, in other cases, it could take up to a few weeks or even months before your body gets rid of all traces of any illicit substance.
Most employers will require urinalysis testing potentially once every three months. Your employer may increase this frequency if they suspect you've been taking illegal substances while working with them.
If you want to stay ahead of the game when you have a drug test coming and ensure that your urine sample is clean and free of THC, then using Delta 8 products less frequently when you have an upcoming drug test is one way to go!
Delta 8 THC Drug Test Key Considerations
Most drug tests screen for THC metabolites stored in the fat cells that may take some time to metabolize completely. It is therefore not uncommon for a person to test positive for THC even after several weeks of use. It is important to note that THC metabolites can stay in your system for up to 90 days after consuming it so technically you can still fail a drug test after a month since your last use.
The time it takes to metabolize THC COOH varies depending on factors such as the individual's metabolism rate, diet and exercise levels, and overall health. Some people may experience false positive results due to residual amounts of THC metabolites present in their system even after they have stopped using cannabis for a long period.
That means that if you have smoked or ingested THC within weeks of taking a drug test but still tested positive, it may be because there was still enough THC left behind in your body to cause issues with detection by various tests required by most employers and colleges when requesting employee drug testing.
What Substances Do Drug Tests Look For?
THC metabolites, which are byproducts of the cannabis plant that can remain in the body for weeks after consumption, are one of the most common substances tested in drug tests. In fact, THC metabolites may be detected in as little as two days following consumption.
THC is a cannabinoid that binds to cannabinoid receptors in the brain and nervous system, producing psychoactive effects such as euphoria or relaxation. Its primary active ingredient is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which produces a high when smoked or ingested.
THC is fat-soluble and enters the bloodstream quickly, so it has a high degree of permanence in the fat cells. This means that it doesn't change much between ingestion and detection by a drug test. But metabolites do change quite drastically over time.
The longer you've been using cannabis or other drugs, the more of these substances your body will produce. In a nutshell, these metabolites take longer to leave your system, making them easier for drug screenings to detect.
Types of Drug Tests
There are several different types of Delta 8 drug tests. The type of drug test you take can determine which factors you need to know:
- Urinalysis. A urinalysis is a simple urine sample drug test, usually taken in a lab by a technician using special equipment. A urine test measures the presence or absence of drugs in the body by analyzing metabolites broken down by the liver and excreted in the urine. This test can detect drugs that have been used recently and those that have been used months or years before. Urinalysis can detect substances such as methamphetamines, cocaine, marijuana, and opiates like heroin.
- Saliva tests. The saliva test is the most common type of drug test. This test is usually done by swabbing the inside of your cheek with a cotton swab or Q-tip. The sample is then sent to a lab where it will be analyzed for drug metabolites, such as THC and cocaine. The only problem with saliva testing is that it often misses rapidly metabolized substances. Saliva drug tests may be used as a substitute for blood testing under certain circumstances, such as when there is no blood sample available
- Blood test. Blood drug tests are more accurate than urine tests because they can detect THC at much higher levels than those in urine. They are also more expensive and invasive than urine tests because they involve drawing blood from the donor and analyzing it using chemical methods (such as mass spectrometry). Blood tests are done correctly by trained technicians who follow proper procedures and use certified equipment in labs certified by the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME).
- Hair follicle test. Hair follicle tests look for drugs by testing for metabolites in hair follicles. Like urine tests, they can detect drugs that have been used recently and those that have been used months before. They're an accurate type of drug test and can detect even the smallest amounts of certain drugs, but they can also be expensive.
Does Drug Test Detox Work?
The answer to this question is yes, drug test detox can work. But firstly, you need to know what the drug test is. The most commonly used tests are hair follicle and urine drug tests. Both can tell if you have consumed any illegal substance in your body for some time.
A detox program uses a combination of natural and herbal ingredients designed to potentially cleanse your body of toxins, THC, and chemicals in your system. It is important to note that not all detox products will be able to help you pass a drug test after consuming them. These include:
- All-natural herbs, nutrients, vitamins and minerals are safe for human consumption. These nutrients are designed to help your body eliminate toxins so they can be excreted through urine or sweat.
- All natural elements help flush out substances like caffeine, metabolites, alcohol and nicotine from your system.
- A specialized cleansing diet plan includes fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants like beta carotene (vitamin A) and lycopene (vitamin B-6).
Final Thoughts
In the end, if you fear a drug test might be in your near future then it’s best to take a break and potentially consider a detox.
Overall this is a difficult question to answer because of all the factors at play. It really depends on the situation, but ultimately - Yes, Delta 8 can potentially cause you to fail a drug test. The reason for this answer is because Delta 8 and Delta 9 are chemically similar and THC metabolites can stay in your system for up to 90 days.
The more frequently you take THC products, the longer it takes for your body to metabolize all the THC out of your system.