Can You Test Positive for THC After Using Delta-8 THC Products? Tips To Know

Nikhil Goswami

Delta-8 THC and its products have gained prominence over the last decade. Nowadays, it is common to hear cannabis users talking about delta-8. Both users and non-users of cannabis have become accustomed to these products.

Interestingly, delta-8 THC products have other benefits, including pain management, mood-boosting properties, and sleep enhancement. Although this product has several benefits, people still wonder if it is federally legal to consume them.

In truth, delta-8 products have the government’s approval if they fall within the legal limit. However, governing states reserve the right to ban delta-8 THC products.

If you have a drug test upcoming, is it safe to take THC, or should you stop? Will delta-8 THC affect your drug test? How long does it stay in your system?

What Are Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC?

Delta-8 comes from the minor cannabinoids family. You can find this compound in marijuana and hemp plants. Although the compound is mostly used in delta-8 products, you cannot find it in high quantities in the hemp plant. Instead, scientists use specialized extraction techniques to obtain these THC molecules from marijuana plants.

In the real sense, delta-8 THC comes from delta-9 THC. Once you break down delta-9 THC, you will get delta-8 THC as a byproduct.

Why do scientists not use delta-9 directly but go through strenuous processes to obtain delta-8 instead? It is because delta-8 THC is the more stable of the two compounds. Although delta-8 and 9 have similar chemical structures. Delta-8 is less potent than delta-9 and falls within the agreeable cannabis tolerance levels.

Regarding intoxicating effects, delta-8 can get you high, but only mildly. Delta-9, however, can provide an immense buzz, which is most harmful, especially when consumed in high quantities. While delta-8 provides an elevating and mildly energizing feeling when consumed in lower doses, higher doses tend to cause sedating effects.

Another reason why producers use delta-8 THC instead of delta-9 is that the chances of experiencing paranoia or anxiety are lower with delta-8 compared to delta-9. Although these compounds have the same THC metabolites, they vary slightly in their atomic bond arrangement. While delta-8 has a double bond on its 8th carbon chain, delta-9 has a double bond on the 9th chain. Simple as this change may appear, it makes all the difference between these two analogous compounds.

People purchasing delta-8 THC gummies, vapes, or oils usually claim that it has similar benefits to delta-9 regarding pain and stress relief.

Also, delta-8 THC can improve moods, control nausea, enhance focus, and protect brain neurons against damage. Hence, people prefer delta-8 THC to prevent any harsh outcomes usually associated with consuming delta-9 THC.

How Do These Drug Tests Work?

Your body automatically metabolizes any substance you consume for recreational or medical use. Once your liver completes its metabolic activities, residual metabolites persist in your urine, blood, saliva, hair, sweat, and lungs.

It does not matter if the effects of delta-8 THC have worn off. Once you have consumed the product, residues remain in your body and will easily appear during a drug screening. Drug tests look for metabolites produced in your liver after breaking down these illegal drugs.

Whether you are an athlete, a corporate lawyer, a professional driver, or a public servant, drug testing can be a problem if you are a cannabis user. These tests only check for these controlled substances and not the level of the compound from a hemp-derived product.

Whether delta-8 or 9, the cannabinoids metabolize into the same THC metabolites. This compound usually has a THC-COOH interaction. Thus, your endocannabinoid system picks up and acts on these products.

Since THC dissolves into fat cells, your body does not easily get rid of them for days or weeks. It could even take longer to clear up in your body for heavy users.

Summarily, drug tests aim to prove that you use hemp products. Hence, your samples will come back positive once you consume hemp-based products. While this may be bad news for cannabis users, it depends on how long THC stays in your body. You can conduct an at-home test to see how long it takes before you can pass a drug test after using delta-8 THC products.

What Do Drug Tests Look For?

Most drug tests check for certain substances in your body. The drug testers will check for the THC molecule in the human body. Since THC clings to your fat cells, you will always have a positive result if you consume cannabis within this period.

Other substances drug tests consider include barbiturates, cocaine, benzodiazepines, alcohol, amphetamines, and opioids. It does not matter the quantity consumed. Once your body is not free of these substances, you will get flagged with a positive result.

Different Drug Tests

There are several drug tests to detect illicit substances. You can use these tests depending on the sample you collect.

Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)

This test utilizes both mass spectrometry and gas chromatography. Hence, you can get more accurate results. The issue with this test is that it requires more time for precision and accuracy. Some companies use urine tests for this procedure.

Immunoassay Test

Unlike the GC-MS, an immunoassay test is quite fast and checks for macromolecules in your urine samples. This quick biochemical test often produces false positive or false negative results.

Aside from these tests, you could also opt for blood and hair follicle tests. You can detect THC from your hair follicle within 90 days. You can use blood and saliva tests to check for delta-8 THC and other molecularly identical substances in your body. Medical personnel usually use saliva and blood tests to check for illegal substances in drivers after an accident or during road control.

Will Delta-8 Products Make You Fail a Drug Test?

The answer is most certainly yes. You will record a failed drug test if you consume delta-8 THC products within the stipulated period. Although delta-8 is less potent than delta-9 THC, both have intoxicating properties. Additionally, both appear on a drug test since the human body processes them similarly.

Urine tests cannot tell the difference between delta-8 THC and delta-9 THC. Since both compounds have the same metabolite (THC-COOH), you will fail an upcoming drug test if you consume delta-8 THC products before submitting your sample.

Note that drug tests do more than detect THC metabolites. These tests can also identify the metabolites of other cannabinoids, like CBN, CBC, and CBG. Hence, the only form of cannabinoids athletes are usually allowed to consume is CBD isolate powders.

CBD does not have a similar chemical structure to the other compounds. Hence, it does not appear on drug tests.

The highest allowed amount of THC-COOH in your body is 50 ng/ml. However, for delta-8 THC, the limit is 30 ng/ml. You will easily fail a generic drug test if you consume delta-8 THC moments before your screening.

How Long Can Delta-8 THC Last in Your Body?

It could take weeks for your body to clear up delta-8 THC residues completely. Depending on the drug test, the drugs could stay in your body for two days to a few months. Although first-time users usually have a lower period, heavy users could have to wait 30 to 60 days before taking any drug test.

There are several other factors you need to consider too. Other variables like weight, age, metabolism, frequency of use, and the drug’s half-life can affect the amount of THC in your body. Other factors include the level of hydration and the type of test conducted.

Drug Testing Tips for Delta-8 THC Users

Although it is quite difficult, consuming large quantities of water can help to speed up THC metabolism in your body. However, it is better to fully abstain from delta-8 THC if you have a drug test.

While the general belief is that delta-8 THC will leave your body anytime between three to four weeks, the duration depends on your metabolic rate and habits. It would help to buy an at-home drug testing kit to confirm the presence of delta-8 THC in your body before you go for the actual drug test.

While abstaining from delta-8 THC, also ensure to abstain from any minor cannabinoid that could cause you to fail a drug test. You must understand that at-home testing often produces false positive or negative results.

FAQs Related To Drug Testing

People ask several questions about delta-8 THC and drug tests. We will answer some of these questions to help you understand how delta-8 THC affects your drug tests.

Is There Any Difference Between Delta-9 THC and Delta-8 THC?

Delta-9 THC and delta-8 THC are almost similar compounds. Delta-8 THC is one cognate of delta-9 THC. Thus, you can say that these compounds are a bit similar. However, delta-8 THC and delta-9 THC have a slight molecular difference, making delta-9 more harmful than delta-8 THC.

While delta-8 THC makes you high, its effects are only mild compared to delta-9 THC. Consuming any of these compounds will make you fail a drug test.

Is Delta-8 THC Fully Legal?

Delta-8 THC has fulfilled the legal requirement at the federal level. However, the compound is not legal in some states within the US. You have to consult with your state to determine if this product is legal in your state or not.

Will I Fail a Drug Test by Consuming Delta-8 THC?

Delta-8 THC shows up in many drug tests. This means consuming delta-8 THC will make you fail a drug test. Although delta-8 is not as potent as delta-9, the product has intense effects that trigger the cannabinoid receptors to act.

Consequently, you get to enjoy the benefits associated with using these products. However, you must be THC-free to pass your drug test. The best way to do that is to abstain from using delta-8 and its products.

Is Delta-8 Better Than Prescription Medications?

Delta-8 has its benefits. However, the compound cannot replace prescription medication. Always seek medical care if you suffer from any ailments. Avoid self-medication and prioritize health care support from professionals.

Which Drug Test Detects Delta-8?

Several tests detect delta-8 and its products. Some of these tests include blood tests, hair follicle tests, urine tests, and saliva tests. These tests have specific procedures used to detect delta-8.

How to Pass a Drug Test?

The best way to pass a drug test is to avoid using delta-8 products a few weeks before the screening. Alternatively, you can consume lots of water to speed up your metabolism.

How Long Before Delta-8 Clears From Your Body?

The duration depends on the amount of delta-8 consumed. However, it could take from about two days to a few weeks for your body to completely get rid of the delta-8 metabolites stored within your fat cells. You will fail if you take a drug test before the delta-8 metabolites clear from your body.

Conclusion: Does Delta-8 THC Make You Fail a Drug Test?

We tried as much as possible to answer this question. While delta-8 products have benefits, they could also cause you to fail a drug test. Thus, it is best if you do not consume delta-8 products weeks before any drug test. If you have already consumed these products, ensure to take lots of water to speed up your body’s metabolic rate. If you are interested, you can also look for delta-8 thc carts.

Delta-8 products cannot stand in as replacements for prescription medication. Always seek medical attention if you have any health conditions. Authorities will not pardon you for using delta-8 products in such cases. Hence, it is best to abstain from using these products if you want to pass your drug test.

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