THC and its metabolites are measured in drug tests for marijuana (also known as weed or pot). How Long Does Marijuana Stay In Your System. THC can be detected in saliva or blood as early as 2-24 hours following last use. The detection period for urine and hair tests is longer, ranging from 1 to 90 days after the last use.
How long does marijuana stay in your system? The duration varies depending on factors such as usage frequency and individual metabolism.
One of the most abundant components in cannabis is a chemical substance called THC, which stands for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol.
Cannabis drug tests measure THC as well as its by-products or metabolites. The metabolites are still present in your body long after the effects of weed have faded.
Cannabis metabolites are lipid-soluble. This means that they bind with fat molecules within your body. It can take a while for the metabolites to leave your system. This is especially true if your body has more fat molecules.
The detection period depends on the amount of cannabis consumed or smoked, and how frequently.
The type of drug test also matters. The detection window for cannabis metabolites in saliva or blood samples is usually shorter.
How Long Does Marijuana Stay In Your System?
Understanding how long marijuana stays in your system is crucial for those facing drug tests, as detection windows can differ based on various elements.
Cannabis stays in the system for a different amount of time depending on many factors. These include the frequency of usage, the dosage, the metabolism, and the type used to test. Tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive component in cannabis, is detectable in urine for up to 30 days for chronic users. However, for those who use it less frequently, THC may only be detected for a couple of days.
THC can be detected in blood for only a short time, usually a few hours. Hair tests reveal cannabis use for up to 90 or more days. How Long Does Marijuana Stay In Your System. Individual differences are important, as can be factors such as body fat, hydration, and genetics. Although the effects of cannabis can be short-lived and its traces remain in the body, they can affect drug tests.
Even months after cannabis use, urine and hair samples can show signs of marijuana use. The longest reported detection time is more than 90 days.
What Is The Detection Window Of Different Cannabis Drug Tests?
The detection window for cannabis drug tests varies depending on the type of test employed and individual factors such as metabolism, frequency of use, and the potency of the cannabis product consumed. In urine tests, which are the most common, How Long Does Marijuana Stay In Your System. THC metabolites can be detected for an extended period, typically ranging from a few days to several weeks after use. Chronic users may have a longer detection window due to the accumulation of metabolites in their system. Blood tests have a shorter detection window, usually detecting THC for a few hours to a couple of days after use.
Urine Test
The most common method of drug testing is urine testing.
A 2017 review found that, while detection windows can vary, cannabis could be detected in urine up to a certain time after the last use.
- Single-use (one joint for example) 3 days
- moderate use (four times per week): 5-7 days
- Chronic use (daily: 10-15 days)
- Chronic heavy use (multiple uses per day): More than 30 days
Blood Tests
Blood tests can detect recent cannabis, How Long Does Marijuana Stay In Your System. which is defined as use within the past 2-12 hours. In cases of heavy cannabis use, the drug is detected 30 days after the last use.
The length of time it takes to detect the disease increases with chronic heavy use.
Saliva Test
THC can be introduced to the saliva by secondhand smoke. Its metabolites, however, are only found in saliva if you have personally consumed or smoked cannabis.
The detection window for saliva testing is short, and it can detect cannabis consumption as recently as the same day.
In a 2020 study, THC was detected in the saliva of smokers for 72 hours. THC can be detected in oral liquid for longer than blood after acute use.
Oral fluid can be used to test for cannabis in jurisdictions that do not allow it.
Hair Tests
Tests on hair follicles can detect drug use up to 90 days in advance. Cannabinoids are transported to the hair follicles by small blood vessels and sebum or sweat.
A 1.5-inch segment of hair taken near the scalp, which grows at a rate of 0.5 inches per week, can be used to determine the amount and frequency of cannabis consumption over the last 3 months. According to the type of drug test and body composition, the answer to “how long does marijuana stay in your system” varies.
What Is The Breakdown (Metabolism) Of THC?
When you consume or smoke cannabis, THC is absorbed into the bloodstream. Some THC is stored temporarily in organs or fatty tissue.
It has more than 100 metabolites, but the most significant ones are 11-OH-THC (11-hydroxy delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol) and THCCOOH (11 nor-9 carboxyl delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol). It has more than 100 metabolites, but the most significant ones are 11-OH-THC (11-hydroxy-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and THCCOOH (11-nor-9-carboxy-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol).
THC and its metabolic products are eventually excreted through urine and stools. The longer it takes to eliminate THC, How Long Does Marijuana Stay In Your System. the more THC metabolites your body contains.
How Long Do THC And Its Metabolites Remain In Your Body?
The amount of time cannabis metabolites remain in your body is affected by some factors.
These factors include your body’s metabolic rate and body mass index, which are not directly related to the drug, How Long Does Marijuana Stay In Your System. but rather to how it is processed by your body.
Cannabis and your use of it are also related to other factors. Other factors include:
- How much do you take?
- How often do you use (frequency)?
- The route of administration (smoking or dabbing, edibles or sublingual).
- The overall potency
The time required to remove THC and its metabolites from the body increases with higher doses of THC and frequent use.
Smoked cannabis may last a little longer in your system than cannabis that is ingested. Cannabis with a higher THC content may stay in your body for a longer time.
What Can You Do To Help Metabolize THC Faster?
You can’t do much to accelerate the time that THC metabolites take to leave your body.
Your body requires time to break down THC once it has been absorbed into your system. Exercise, a balanced diet, and staying hydrated can help, but only slightly.
On the internet, How Long Does Marijuana Stay In Your System. you can find weed detox kits and remedies. Some require you to drink a lot of water to dilute urine and then use herbal supplements like creatinine or Vitamin B12 to mask this dilution.
These kits do not work consistently, and drinking a large amount of water within a short period can be deadly.
How Long Does It Take To Feel The Effects Of Cannabis?
The effects of cannabis are felt almost instantly after smoking it. It may take up to 1-3 hours before the effects of cannabis are at their peak.
THC is the psychoactive component of cannabis that produces a “high.” Common effects include:
- Changed senses including the sense of time
- Change in mood
- Problems with problem-solving and thinking
- Memory impairment
Other short-term effects include:
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- Confusing words and phrases
- Reduced coordination
- Dry mouth and eyes
- Feeling sick or faint
- Inability to focus
- Increased appetite
- Rapid heart rate
- Restlessness
- Sleepiness
High doses of marijuana can sometimes cause hallucinations and delusions.
Regularly consuming or smoking weed can have an additional effect on your body and mind.
Cannabis use may increase the risk of certain diseases.
- Memory loss and other cognitive impairments are common.
- Cardiovascular diseases such as stroke and heart disease
- Respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis or lung infections
- Depression and anxiety are mood disorders
Cannabis use during pregnancy may negatively impact fetal development and growth.
How Long Do The Effects Of Marijuana Last?
After 1-3 hours, the short-term effects begin to fade. Researchers do not know how long chronic cannabis use has an effect.
Some effects can last for days, weeks, or even months after the last use. Some effects can be permanent.
FAQ
1. For How Long Does THC Remain In The Body?
THC metabolites remain in the body at least for 1-30 days after the last use. Cannabis users can have high THC levels after abstinence.
2. Will A Hit Of Weed Show Up on A Urine Test?
In a 2017 review, it was found that even if a person has only used cannabis once, they may still test positive for the drug in urine tests up to three days after their last use.
3. Does Weed Show Up On Any Urine Test?
No. No. Only urine tests that detect THC metabolites can show cannabis use.
4. What Is The Time Required To Detoxify From Cannabis?
It depends on how often you use it. A urine test performed more than 30 days after the last use of THC may show positive results for THC.
Conclusion
The THC and its metabolites can remain in your body for several days or even several months following the last time you used cannabis. Factors like metabolism and the frequency of use contribute to the variability in answering the question, “How long does marijuana stay in your system?”Different cannabis drug tests have different detection times.
The detection period will generally be longer if you use cannabis more frequently and at a higher dosage. The THC test and its metabolites are only able to determine if cannabis was used in a certain time frame. Drug tests don’t measure current impairment.