Delta-8 THC is federally legal, but it can still potentially show up as regular old THC on a drug test. That means that, even if you haven’t smoked actual cannabis even once in your life, you can still test positivefor it.
This possibility is obviously going to be an issue for anyone anticipating a drug test in the near future. Especially if they’ve been using Delta-8 products for a prolonged period of time.
That leads us to a very important question: How long does Delta-8 stay in your system?
The answer to that question is somewhat complicated, and it’s dependent on a variety of factors. We’ve compiled this guide to help you better understand how long Delta 8 THC can stay in your system.
What Is Delta-8 THC?
Delta-8 THC, or delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol, is a cannabinoid present in trace amounts in hemp and cannabis plants. Cannabinoids are chemical compounds known to interact with your body’s endocannabinoid system. They provide a variety of effects.
Delta-8 is closely related to Delta-9 THC. That’s the compound primarily responsible for the elevated mood and altered sense of perception — the high —associated with cannabis.
Delta 8 offers a similar high to Delta 9. However, it’s slightly less potent. It’s also thought to have milder side effects, based on user reports gathered by the University at Buffalo and University of Michigan.
Will Delta-8 Make You Fail a Drug Test?
Delta-8 THC isn’t exactly the same compound as Delta-9. So, it’s reasonable to wonder if the cannabinoid might show up on the drug tests that are trying to determine whether you’re using cannabis or not.
Many drug tests are not actually sensitive enough to differentiate between the two. That means that you can, in fact, fail a test because you used Delta-8 .
This happens because many drug tests don’t actually look for Delta-9 itself. Instead, they detect THC-COOH. This is the metabolite your body creates when you ingest Delta-9.
Unfortunately, THC-COOH is also the metabolite your body creates when you ingest Delta-8. This is why Delta-8 is likely to make you fail a drug test.
Try Divine Detox Drink by Delta Extrax
This product is developed to work within 90 minutes and cleanses for up to 5 hours. If you’re trying to speed up the process, the Divine Detox Drink is a great product to try!
Factors that Affect the Duration of Delta-8 THC
Now that you know Delta-8 can make you fail a drug test, you’re probably eager to learn how long the cannabinoid is detectable in the body.
The most important thing to keep in mind is that dosage and frequency of use have major impacts on test results. Evidence of one-time use of Delta-8 may leave your system in as few as 48 hours with most tests. With regular, heavy use, it may be detectable for a month or even more with most testing methods.
Here are all of the factors involved:
Your Age
The older you are, the slower your metabolism becomes. This means that older people are more likely to retain Delta-8 THC in their system for longer periods of time. That is yet another advantage of youth!
Your Metabolism
Some people have naturally fast metabolisms, regardless of their age, while others have naturally slow ones. This can result in the Delta-8 metabolites remaining in your body for either a shorter or longer than the average amount of time.
Your Method of Consumption
Your body metabolizes Delta-8 at different rates depending on how you consume it.
How long does a Delta 8 gummy stay in your system? It depends on the many factors listed here. However, it will generally persist for longer than vaped or smoked Delta-8.
How long does Delta 8 vape stay in your system? Again, it depends on all of the factors we’ve listed in this section. However, vaping Delta 8 generally means it will leave your system faster than if you used edibles instead.
Your Serving Size
This one should be sort of obvious. If you consume more Delta-8, it’s going to be detectable in your body for a longer time.
How Often You Use It
One or two-time users of Delta-8 are likely to have the metabolites completely out of their system within about 48 hours. Frequent users will have to go up to 30 days without any Delta-8 before they can pass a drug test.
Taking Certain Supplements or Medications
If you’re introducing other compounds into your body, they can have an effect on the rate at which the Delta-8 is processed and eliminated from your system.
How Long Before I Can Pass a Drug Test?
The length of time you will have to wait before you can pass a drug test after using Delta-8 is not only dependent on the above factors. It’s also dependent on the type of drug test itself.
The type of test will determine its sensitivity. Certain tests are capable of detecting tiny traces of a substance in your system, so be especially mindful with your Delta-8 use if you must take these types of tests.
We’ve listed the most common tests below, along with some basic estimates for how long they’re able to detect Delta-8.
Keep in mind that the factors listed in the previous section can alter these estimates somewhat. You’ll want to give yourself a longer window to prepare depending on how many of them apply to you.
Urine Test
Urine tests are the most commonly used drug tests, and they’re more than likely what you can anticipate taking. Their ability to detect THC metabolites is heavily dependent on the frequency of use.
One or two-time users should be able to pass a urine test within about two days after their last use. Anyone using Delta-8 a few times a week should take closer to 5-7 days. If you’re a daily Delta-8 user, you can expect to come up positive for at least 2-4 weeks after your last use.
Saliva Test
A saliva test has various applications. However, it is commonly used by law enforcement to detect THC in the system of someone who is suspected of driving under the influence. That’s something you should never do with Delta-8 or any other psychoactive substance.
If you’re an infrequent user of Delta-8, you should pass a saliva test about three days after your last use. If you’re using Delta-8 frequently or chronically, it can take up to 30 days to exit your system.
Hair Test
Substances metabolized in your body can be found in trace amounts in your hair follicles. Your hair can significantly extend the time in which Delta-8 is detectable in your system. It can take up to three months for your hair to stop containing Delta-8 metabolites.
How Long Does Delta-8 THC Stay in Your System? Final Thoughts
The answer to this question is dependent on a variety of factors. Those include your age, the speed of your metabolism, the type of Delta-8 you’ve consumed, the amount you’ve consumed, and your frequency of use.
In short, you can expect your body to retain Delta-8 for around two days if you’ve only used it once or twice and from 2-4 weeks if you’re a chronic user.
However, due to the somewhat unpredictable variability from person to person, be cautious. if you’re anticipating a drug test in the near future, your best bet is to avoid any Delta-8 use at all until after you’ve come up clean.
Know you don’t have to worry about an upcoming drug test? Shop our full range of Delta-8 products and enjoy !
