THC Detox
THC Detox
Why get THC out of your body?
There are a few reasons why cannabis users may want to do a THC detox and get the psychoactive cannabinoid flushed from their systems. The most common reason is that they will be drug tested. Despite being legal and generally accepted in many states, marijuana is still considered a Schedule I substance according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), so many industries still drug test their employees for marijuana. Making matters more confusing for smokers, the 2018 Farm Bill signed by former President Trump legalized commercial hemp and hemp-derived products that have 0.3% Delta 9 THC or less. This led to the rise in CBD products and minor cannabinoids like Delta 8, Delta 10, HHC, and THC-O. While these may technically be legal in many places despite regular THC products being illegal, drug tests do not show which type of THC is consumed and will give a positive result for minor cannabinoids. This does not include CBD.
Another popular reason for doing a marijuana detox is to reset the body’s weed tolerance. Continued regular use of cannabis leads to a high tolerance, which means that the smoker will have a diminished effect over time until it requires a lot of potent THC to get high. This happens because THC activates the cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptors in the brain, which gets you blazed. With repeated activation, the CB1 receptors will become desensitized, causing a weaker high in response and requiring more THC to get the same effect. The time it takes to build up a high tolerance varies from person to person, but if you’re starting to notice that it takes a lot more bud to get the same high, it may be time for a THC detox. The CB1 receptors bounce back surprisingly fast and most 420 enthusiasts will do this by simply taking a short break from consuming any THC products. This tolerance break typically lasts anywhere from two weeks to one month, but smokers that don’t want to wait that long for the magic to happen can do a marijuana detox using one of the methods described below to speed up the process.
What do drug tests look for?
There are a few different types of marijuana drug tests that are used. These tests are typically done for employer screenings, but can also be part of a medical screening, military testing, athletic screening, legal testing for a court case, or simply by parents who want to test their kids. Urine tests are the most common type, but saliva, hair, and blood tests are also available. A 10-panel drug test is often used by employers, which checks for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) as well as other controlled substances in a single test, but individual tests that only detect marijuana are used in some instances. Unlike an alcohol breathalyzer test that will detect current intoxication levels, marijuana drug tests only show a positive or negative result and do not indicate current use, just lingering evidence of prior use. These tests are looking for THC and THC metabolites such as those from Delta 8, Delta 9, Delta 10, HHC, and THC-O. Since it does not produce a high and has no psychoactive effects, cannabidiol (CBD) is rarely included in these tests. Each type of test has a window of time in which the cannabinoid can be detected. They are as follows:
- Urine - This is the most common test done by employers and parents since it can be purchased at most pharmacies and online. Urine tests have a detection window of three days up to 6 weeks for heavy users.
- Hair - Hair drug tests are the most sensitive type and can detect THC for up to 90 days, but is one of the easier tests to fool or get a false positive. Someone who has been in a room with lots of cannabis smoke could actually fail this type of test.
- Saliva - This quick test requires a swab to be taken from the inside of the cheek and under the tongue. A saliva test can only detect cannabis use within the last 24 hours.
- Blood - The most invasive and expensive of the bunch is a blood test. Blood THC tests have a detection window of roughly four hours.
Methods to get THC out of your system
The reason THC lingers in the body for so long is because THC is lipid soluble, which means that it adheres to the body’s fat. Still trying to figure out how to get THC out of your system? Luckily, there are a few different ways to speed up the process. Just keep in mind that nothing is 100% effective at beating a drug test except for a natural cleanse.
Drink a THC detox
The most popular and best way to flush out your system from lingering THC are detox drinks and capsules. There are many types of THC detox drinks out there, so choose a highly rated brand with lots of positive reviews by users. Most detox drinks fall into two categories, same-day drinks and regular marijuana detox drinks. The first is designed specifically to flush out your body and mask the potency in your urine to create a short window where you will test clean, while the later is a more long term solution if you have more time to work with. While these types of drinks are known to work well, it’s important to note that they can create suspicion in some instances, particularly with same-day THC detox drinks. This is because in addition to cannabinoid indicators, testers also look for certain indicators to determine if the sample is fit to be tested or if there’s foul play and the sample has been tampered with. The urine needs to be the right color (not too clear and watery which signals a detox or diuretic was used), the correct temperature (too cold and it’s obvious that the sample was saved and is from someone else), the proper creatinine level and uric acid (synthetic urine may have strange readings), and the right pH level. If something seems off, the tester will flag the sample and mark the test as inconclusive. THC detox drinks that are meant to be taken over the course of a few days don’t have as much of an impact on these indicators that the tester is looking for. These longer term programs are said to work best and still only require roughly five to 10 days to complete. If you’re unsure what type of test you’ll be subject to, choose a marijuana detox drink and capsule combo in combination with a detoxifying shampoo to be extra sure you’ll pass any test that comes your way.
Wash with a THC detox shampoo
Remember that time when you went camping or to the family barbeque and was stuck on campfire or grill duty? Even after washing your clothes and taking a shower, the smell of the smoke still lingered for days afterwards. Hair absorbs scents and impurities really well and needs something a little stronger to get it out. When it comes to consuming weed, anything that is in the bloodstream will also be in the hair follicles (yes, all of them, even on your arms and legs) in very trace amounts. A good THC detox shampoo is essential and the most reliable method for anyone who will be taking a hair drug test, isn’t sure what type of test they’ll be subjected to, or simply wants to be extra clean. Detoxifying shampoo removes toxins and impurities from the hair ends all the way to the follicle and also cleans away oils from the scalp. Testers will typically give you at least 24 hours notice about the test, so you’ll need to get to work immediately. You’ll want to use the detox shampoo at least two times prior to giving a hair sample. This is normally done the night before and the morning of the test. Follow the instructions carefully. This normally involves using much more shampoo than normal. Massage the shampoo into your hair and body, focusing on your scalp. Don’t forget about the rest of your body hair since testers may take hair from other places than your head in certain situations! Leave the shampoo on for a full five minutes before rinsing it off and repeating the process one more time. It’s best not to use any other hair products like conditioner, gel, or hairspray and refrain from using hats, scarfs, or any other type of headwear until the test is completed.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
One of the most important parts of any marijuana detox regime is proper hydration to increase urine flow and dilute the sample enough that THC won’t be detected. The body will naturally flush out the cannabinoid by itself in time, but who has time when it comes to getting drug tested? Adequate hydration allows your body to better eliminate substances and toxins. As soon as you know about the test, start guzzling water. Mild diuretics like coffee and cranberry juice are said to help increase fluid output as well, but potent diuretics require a prescription. Forget the apple cider vinegar and vitamin C supplements, which have no evidence of doing anything to help you pass a drug test. If your drug test is in the morning, always use the restroom before giving a sample since the first pee of the day has the most concentrated drug metabolites since it’s been waiting overnight. About an hour or two prior to heading to take the test, drink as much fluid as you can to fill up your bladder. 420 enthusiasts swear by taking a high dose of around 50 to 100 mg of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) to mask the clear, watery color of the diluted urine. As mentioned earlier, the tester will be suspicious and reject urine of the wrong color. If you don’t have this particular vitamin on hand, B2 is included in all B-complex multivitamins. Very high levels of vitamin B2 can cause liver damage, but it’s extremely rare for this to happen since excess vitamin B2 is eliminated through urine and isn’t stored in the body.
Hit the gym
Eating clean and working out is part of a normal healthy lifestyle, but keeping up with these good habits may actually help speed up your THC detox as well. Since the cannabinoid is bound to fat cells, it makes sense that burning some calories and sweating it out at the gym will work in your favor. Urine is the only way that THC is eliminated from the body, so you’ll need to drink extra water during your workouts to help the process along. As soon as you know the date of the drug test, begin hitting the gym for at least an hour if not two or more hours per day to rid the body of evidence. Wear extra layers of clothes, a sauna suit, or a heat trapping workout shirt like MMA fighters do to cut water weight while you’re exercising. Remember that unlike wrestlers and MMA fighters, you need to replenish the liquid you’ve lost by constantly hydrating so you can flush everything out of your system. While very rare, there is such a thing as water intoxication, so add a few sports drinks into the mix to keep your electrolytes and sodium levels balanced. Stop working out and going to the gym about 12 to 24 hours prior to the drug test. This is because as you burn fat, fatty acids along with the cannabinoid are released from fat stores into the bloodstream and cause an initial spike of THC in urine and blood for about an hour or two after the workout is completed. You definitely don’t want a build of THC right before the test takes place, especially if you’re doing a blood or urine test.
Sweat it out in the sauna
While cardio that burns fat does a much better job at eliminating THC from the body than simply sweating, hitting the steam room after a workout or in conjunction with a THC detox drink and supplements may aid the process. This method shouldn’t be used alone as it won’t do much to speed up detoxification. As noted previously, the only way THC metabolites are eliminated from the body is via urine, not sweat, so you’ll need to actually burn fat by exercising and then hop into the sauna to get the most from this technique. Start with a minimum of one hour of fat burning cardio such as intervals on the treadmill, stationary bike, stairmaster, or elliptical. Immediately after the workout, hop into the sauna or steam room to continue to burn calories and get the most from the workout. After you’re done, don’t forget to replenish your fluids, electrolytes, and salt levels by drinking enough water and sports drinks to do the job. As THC in the bloodstream and urine will spike at this time, it’s best to fill your bladder to dilute it and flush it out as much as possible right after completing the workout. If you don’t have a sauna readily accessible, don’t worry. This method is the least helpful of the bunch and it will be more worth it to focus your time and money on purchasing a high quality THC detox drink in combination with detox capsules and if you’re unsure of the type of test you’ll be taking, a detoxifying shampoo as well. Above all, remember to immediately stop consuming cannabis, hydrate as much as possible, never use the first pee of the day when giving a urine sample, and stop exercising at least 12 hours to one day prior to the test. Again, there’s no way to be sure that you’ll have a negative drug test and nothing beats a full 30 to 60 day natural cleanse to truly get everything out of your system.
FAQ
Is it possible to flush THC out of your body in a week?
The time it takes to do a full THC detox of the body varies dramatically between each individual, but a natural cleanse typically takes one to two months to complete. Having that said, it is possible to entirely flush all signs of THC out of your system in a week if you are not a heavy, daily user and are willing to use an extreme THC detox method and stick with it. Since this is a pretty short timeline, it will require you to fully overhaul your lifestyle and diet as well as doing a THC detox in liquid or capsule form. Some marijuana detox drinks are able to temporarily flush the THC from your body for a few hours, but this is very risky and can be difficult to time correctly. It goes without saying that you will need to refrain from consuming any cannabis products during this time as well. Remember to eat healthy and stay active by hitting the gym or doing other aerobic activities that will get your heart rate up and make you sweat. Stay as hydrated as possible by drinking lots of water and adding some low level diuretics like coffee and cranberry juice.
Are THC detox solutions expensive?
With drug tests being pretty common and cannabis use legalized in many places, there’s huge demand for THC detox products and there are many different companies that produce solutions such as capsules, drinks, shampoos, and more. It’s important to choose a reputable brand with great reviews from customers and luckily, not all of the ones that check all of these boxes are expensive. Here at EF420, we offer marijuana detox products by Total Stealth, a popular marijuana detox brand favored by cannabis enthusiasts. The smaller Total Stealth Detox drink costs roughly $34 and comes with a scientifically developed 2 oz liquid designed for people 180 lbs or less and four detox capsules. The 20 oz version that comes with 5 capsules and is meant for those weighing over 180 lbs is $54. If you’ll be doing a hair drug test, the 2 oz Total Stealth Detoxifying Shampoo will set you back about $34 but is more than enough to get the job done. All of these aren’t too expensive considering the headache it will save you if you test positive and are sent straight to your doorstep with quick, discreet shipping so you can get to work flushing the THC from your system as soon as it arrives.
How long does cannabis stay in the system?
This is a really hard question to answer since there are so many variables that need to be considered. The natural timeline is different from person to person and depends on a variety of things such as the person’s body fat percentage, body mass index (BMI), genetics, metabolizm, age, and frequency of cannabis use, potency level of the cannabis itself, and more. Body fat and BMI are important aspects since cannabinoids are fat soluble, binding to the body’s fat stores and organs. As a general rule of thumb, heavy users and those with higher body fat levels will require more time to fully flush THC from their system. The average user that has not done a THC detox, but simply stopped smoking can take anywhere from four weeks to as long as six weeks for all traces of the cannabinoid to be flushed out. Someone who has only consumed marijuana once will be clean after four days to a week, while a regular user that smokes daily may need up to two months to pass a drug test. But don’t let these numbers scare you, a good marijuana detox program including hydration, exercise, detox products, and a healthy diet is known to speed up the timeline significantly.
What are the side effects of THC detox?
All types of detox programs including those popular juice cleanses, laxatives, supplements, and even drinks that add “good” gut bacteria have some risks involved. Most people do just fine on these detox regimes and have no side effects at all, however the most commonly reported symptoms are gastrointestinal issues, diarrhea, vomiting, bloating, cramping, and nausea. If you already have gastrointestinal problems, it’s best not to do any type of detox at all before speaking to your primary care physician. THC detox drinks typically have lots of natural ingredients like fruit pectin, caffeine, turmeric, dandelion root, and echinacea extract, but always be sure to read the list of ingredients carefully to ensure there’s nothing out of the ordinary or something that could cause an allergic reaction. The majority of people using THC detox drinks or capsules do not have any issues at all and are able to complete the full cleanse easily. Since most of these products are not regulated by the FDA, always do your own research and choose a reputable brand that uses high quality ingredients and has lots of positive customer reviews. Always speak with a medical professional before starting a marijuana detox program of any kind.
What are tips to make THC detox go faster?
Most employers or parents won’t give those being tested too much of an advanced warning of when they want to collect samples. With parents, they may ask for a test to be done on the spot, which obviously won’t turn out well, so your best bet is to stall or purchase synthetic urine. If you do have some time to prepare and simply want the marijuana detox to go as quickly as possible, there are a few tips and tricks that may help. First, try combining all of the methods mentioned above by immediately taking THC detox drinks, capsules, and using the clarifying shampoo to remove residue. Eat a healthy diet that’s low in salt and fats, keep active by exercising until you sweat at least every day, drink lots and lots of water to flush the cannabinoid from your body, and if possible spend time in a sauna to help you sweat it out. You can also drink cranberry juice or coffee, which are mild diuretics. Don’t believe the old tale about drinking apple cider vinegar, it doesn’t work. Remember that there is no such thing as an instant cleanse and if any products promise to clear you of all THC overnight, don’t believe them.