Delta-8 is similar to delta-9 in chemical structure and metabolizes similarly. It means that most drug tests will be able to detect its presence, especially urine tests. How long it takes for you to clear delta-8 from your body depends on a few factors. Some are entirely out of your control, such as how your metabolism and health affect the rate at which it metabolizes.
It’s Not Easily Absorbable
Because the body does not easily absorb Delta-8, it takes a little longer to clear out of the system than its Delta-9 THC cousin. The exact length of time this compound stays in your system depends on critical factors, including frequency of use, metabolism, and health conditions. How you consume Delta-8 — gummies, vapes, tinctures, or flowers — can also impact how long it takes to leave your system. So does delta-8 show up on a drug test?
While Delta-8 may not be as potent as delta-9, it will still show up on a drug test. Drug tests are made to find Delta-8 and other metabolites of THC. Currently, the most common drug tests are urine tests, which can detect THC metabolites for up to 30 days after use. These tests are also the least accurate and have the highest rate of false positives. They are based on measuring the enzyme CYP3A4, which is involved in the metabolism of THC and other substances. This enzyme is highly concentrated in the liver, so it can be difficult for other supplements or medications to pass through the body without interfering with the metabolizing process. If you plan to take a drug test shortly, planning is essential. It means taking a tolerance break, abstaining from all forms of Delta-8, drinking plenty of water and exercising, and using detox supplements to help your body clear out the compound more quickly.
It’s Not Easily Detectable
As with any THC product, they are consuming Delta-8 before a drug test may result in failing results. Delta 8 appears as a metabolite of THC and is nearly identical to the conventional THC that can be detected in drug tests. Users may fail a urine or blood drug test because standard drug tests are not sensitive enough to differentiate between delta-8 and delta-9 THC. Users may fail a urine or blood drug test because standard drug tests are not sensitive enough to distinguish between delta-8 and delta-9 THC. The amount, frequency, and method of consumption all impact how long it takes Delta-8 to metabolize in your body. For infrequent Delta-8 users with fast metabolisms, metabolites can be undetectable in your urine in as little as three days. However, chronic users may need to wait a month or more for Delta-8 metabolites to clear their system completely. You can expedite the process by using detox products if you’re concerned about failing a drug test. These products contain ingredients like creatinine to mask dilution, helping your body clear Delta-8 faster. You can also use synthetic or clean urine to avoid detection during a test. However, you should only consume Delta-8 if you have the luxury of time before your next drug test. The best way to guarantee you pass a drug test is to give yourself a day or five to avoid using any drugs or supplements before the test.
It’s Not Easily Removed
The body’s metabolism metabolizes delta 8 THC into byproducts, or metabolites, which are then detected during drug screenings. Most pre-employment drug tests look for these metabolites, specifically THC-COOH and 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC. These metabolites can remain in your system for several weeks after you’ve used delta-8, depending on how often and how much you use it. As you age, your metabolism slows down, so it might take longer for you to clear traces of delta-8 from your system. How you consume delta-8 also influences how long it stays in your system. Inhalation methods like vape pens tend to be cleared from the body faster than edibles, which can remain in your system for up to a month or more if you use them regularly. Likewise, water-soluble delta-8 products (like capsules and gels) will help your body metabolize it more quickly. It’s also worth mentioning that different types of drug tests have varying detection windows for THC metabolites, and delta-8 can show up in drug test results for up to 30 days after consumption. It’s essential to plan for your next drug test and abstain from consuming any delta-8-containing product if you have one on the horizon. There are many detox products on the market that claim to speed up THC metabolite removal, but they’re not always effective and may contain unsafe ingredients.
It Takes a While to Break Down
The metabolizing process when Delta-8 is consumed impacts how long the compound can be detected in urine and saliva drug tests. It’s true if the substance has been destroyed regularly or in large quantities. It can take up to 30 days for a heavy user to clear their body of delta-8. The method of consumption also influences how fast or slow the compound metabolizes. For example, using a sublingual tincture results in a quicker onset of effects because the compound absorbs directly into the bloodstream through the tongue. A quick metabolization process then takes over, and the effects fade. In comparison, edible products like gummies need to be digested before the metabolizing process can begin. These edibles can take up to an hour for the first effects to be felt and may last up to six hours.
Using a vape pen can also speed up the metabolizing process because of how quickly the compounds enter the bloodstream and are absorbed into fat cells. However, if the compound is mixed with another substance, such as THC, the overall effect will be more substantial and can increase the time it takes to reach peak effects. Some individuals may try to bypass this by consuming detox products that are claimed to help people pass drug tests. Nevertheless, since these products frequently contain unregulated ingredients that may negatively affect the body, it is best to use them with a healthy dose of skepticism.
