Does Delta-8 Show Up On a Drug Test?

Our world is full of stress, and people deal with it in different ways. In 2023, many Americans smoke weed or consume THC edibles. And many of them wonder, does delta-8 show up on a drug test? The answer is – yes, it does. But there are different layers you must understand before arriving at this conclusion.

First, most THC products contain both Delta-8 and Delta-9 chemical compounds. They are both intoxicating but Delta-8 THC isn’t regulated, so it’s being sold as an over-the-counter version of Delta-9. As a result, there are so many questions about how long it stays in your hair, the whole system, and how it is detected. Before you learn about those answers, here’s more information about Delta-8 THC.

What is Delta-8 THC?

Delta-8 THC is an acronym for Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol, a psychoactive chemical found in the Cannabis plant. This component is known as cannabinoid, similar to Delta-9 THC (the one most organizations are familiar with). Delta-8 products are synthesized from CBD which are not regulated but they are restricted in many states alongside other synthetic cannabinoids. In other words, this is not your typical marijuana, but it’s similar.

Although both cannabinoids can get you high, delta-8 gives you more of a mild high. This form was first discovered in the 1940s by Roger Adams, an American chemist at the University of Illinois. With further research, his team was able to synthesize Delta-8 for the first time in the 1960s. Ever since, this cannabinoid has become one of the most popular.

This fact is especially because the 2019 Farm Bill allows the transport of hemp with less than 0.3% of Delta-9 THC. Fortunately, this also includes cannabinoid-based products that don’t contain Delta-9 THC. Many farmers sold to millions of consumers and it has led to quite a buzz with the demand increasing annually. As of 2021, some states have banned the sale of Delta-8 THC and other similar products.

However, it hasn’t reduced the demand or halted the sale of Delta-8 products. You can find these products in different CBD stores and depositories at gas stations, convenience stores, and online. They are mostly sold as gummies, edibles, oils, candies, and others.

Can Delta-8 THC Make You Fail a Drug Test?

One of the major questions many consumers ask is will Delta 8 test positive? And the answer is yes! Both Delta-8 and Delta-9 are similar in many ways.

• They have similar chemical structure: Aside from the fact that they can get you high, both have a similar chemical structure which makes it easier to detect. Hence, if you undergo a test for weed, there’s a high chance it will show up in your result.
• Your body metabolizes both cannabinoids similarly: Both Delta-8 and Delta-9 products break down to release nearly the same metabolites. Since drug tests also identify metabolites in urine and blood samples, it will detect D8 with ease.
• Advancements in drug testing kits: Prior to the ban on D8 products, drug testing processes were limited and designed to detect Delta-9 THC. Now, more work has been done and it’s easier to identify both simultaneously. Also, there’s a slight chance older testing kits would be able to detect Delta-8 THC.

If you have a drug test coming up and you’re worried because of Delta-8 products, consider learning different crucial factors to help you pass.

How Long Does Delta-8 Stay In Your System?

Depending on your usage, Delta-8 can stay in your system anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks. Similar to other THC products, the concentration of D8 in your system depends on how often you consume them. But there are other factors to consider:

The Amount Consumed

The way you use Delta-8 products contributes to how long it stays in your system. If you’re a light user, it will remain in your system for 2-5 days, however, for heavy users, it could stay for as long as 30 days. The mode of consumption might also influence how long it spends in your system. For instance, smoking kicks in almost instantly while edibles take 30-60 minutes.

Metabolism

The body’s natural detoxification process is exceptional- it kicks in immediately when the digestion process is completed. For people with a high metabolic rate, it’s easier to pass out any THC product. If you fall within this category, different THC metabolites will not spend too much time in your system.

Body Fat

Delta-8 is fat soluble, which means it binds to fat molecules and spends more time in the body. Hence, the more fat you have in your body, the slower Delta-8 leaves your body. As a result, many people recommend exercise as an effective detox process. However, it mostly works alongside other alternatives- detox drinks, pills, and others.

Type of THC Product Used

The detection window for different samples vary. Urine tests can detect Delta-8 THC metabolites 3 days after a single use and 30 days after chronic use. For saliva, D8 shows up for 24 hours after first use and 72 hours for chronic users. It all depends on how often you use the product and the time of your drug test.

Overall, it’s important to stop using any THC product weeks before your drug test. This period will give your body the chance to detox naturally.

Delta 8 vs Delta 9: What’s The Difference?

With all the similarities Delta 8 and Delta 9 share, it can be difficult to tell their differences. As mentioned before, both cannabinoids are present in the cannabis plant but the most abundant is Delta-9 THC. Delta-8 is synthesized from CBD or Delta-9 THC and there’s a slight difference in the high you get from each.

Delta-8 THC is an isomer of Delta-9 THC- this means that they have the same molecular composition but different structural arrangement. As a result of the atomic arrangements, Delta-8 has a lower chemical binding of the CB1 receptors of the endocannabinoid system (psychoactive receptors). Thus, they are not as effective as D9 THC.

Delta-9 has been reported to cause a state of euphoria accompanied by some side effects that impair your judgment. Panic attacks, fear, anxiety, and other effects that make it difficult to perform some mental tasks. Delta-8 on the other hand, gives a mild high with less severe side effects and more acceptable compared to Delta-9 THC.

Even though Delta-9 THC is not federally legal, it is in some states, mostly for treatment of ailments that have to do with inflammation and other related symptoms. The major difference between both is the state of high you get after consumption, otherwise, they are very similar.

How To Pass a Drug Test If You Are a Delta 8 User

The easiest way to pass a drug test is by abstaining from the specific toxin. So, your first step will be to stop using products with Delta-8 THC. However, the body takes a while to rid itself of toxins.

For a quick detox, here’s how to pass a urine drug test for weed:

Drink Lots of Water

The body gets rid of toxins through the kidneys, bladder, and live. So, one of the easiest ways to remove toxins from your body is drinking a lot of water. The more water you drink, the more you urinate and flush out toxins from your system. Some people incorporate lemon, ACV, or other natural formulas to enhance the flavor and electrolytes in your water.

Even though drinking lots of water helps with flushing the system, it can be difficult to manage. In this case, you can try other healthy alternatives.

Exercise

Delta-8 THC binds to fat cells which makes it difficult to detox when you’re overweight. The same goes for people who live a sedentary life. Cardio exercises burn fat cells and catalyze the circulation of lymph fluids. Thus, reducing the concentration of THC in your system in more than one way. Strength training exercises aren’t the best options because they don’t necessarily help you lose weight.

Balanced and Nutritious Diet

Fatty foods introduce unhealthy fats into your system. With Delta-8 THC metabolites binding to fat cells, it would be best to avoid junk foods during a detox. Instead, choose a nourishing diet with fiber, vitamins, and other essential nutrients. A balanced diet will replenish the nutrients lost while maintaining your energy levels.

All of the options mentioned above are effective but slow processes to get rid of Delta-8 THC. Depending on your usage, you may need 30 days for your body to get rid of it completely.

Use Detox Drinks & Pills

If your drug screen is incoming and you don’t have as much time to spare, detox drinks are an excellent alternative. Detox drinks are designed to help your body eliminate toxins by boosting the natural detox process. These drinks are fortified with herbal ingredients that balance your body’s electrolytes as you detox.

Detox pills offer similar benefits to the drinks but they are more effective. While detox drinks mask the presence of drug metabolites in your system, pills get rid of them. Several brands of detox kits exist and you can purchase the most appropriate   that suits your usage (occasional or frequent users). These targeted drinks help rid your body of Delta-8 THC in time for your drug test.

Below are the best detox drinks and pills available:

Toxin Rid

Toxin Rid is an excellent detox brand known for its detox kit of varying lengths. Each kit contains detox pills, detox liquid, and a dietary fiber pack. There are different kits available- a 1-day kit through to a 10-day kit. Depending on the urgency and how often you use Delta-8 THC products, you can get an effective cleanse as long as you follow the instructions.

The 5-day detox course is mostly recommended unless it is an emergency or you’re a heavy user. There are tons of positive reviews from real users online that can attest to the effectiveness of Toxin Rid detox kits.

Detoxify Mega Clean

The Detoxify Mega Clean detox drink is a herbal drink specifically designed to improve cleansing via the circulatory, urinary, and digestive systems. It works for all toxins and contains different vitamins and minerals to replenish those lost during the detox. The unique thing about this drink is that it’s effective even for high toxin exposure.

Diuretics are part of Mega Clean’s ingredients so expect to urinate about 3-5 times in an hour. The more you urinate, the more toxins leave your system. You should get a clean result two hours after taking this detox drink. Hence, it’s important to consider the time of your test before using this drink. You may also experience bowel movements but that’s normal.

To get the best cleanse out of both options, you need to consider these tips;

• Cut out the use of Delta-8 THC days before your detox
• Avoid the use of alcohol
• Stay away from caffeine
• Eat healthily
• Stay away from junk food
• Exercise regularly
• Rest more

All of these tips will help clear out THC metabolites quickly.

Types Of Drug Tests

Depending on your job and organization, your Delta-8 drug test might require different samples. It’s essential to understand the different types of drug tests because it helps you understand the detection times of each. This knowledge will help you plan properly to pass your drug test.

Below are the different types of drug tests:

Urine Drug Test

Urine test is the most commonly used to test for cannabis at workplaces, law enforcement organizations, and others. For this test, your urine is analyzed for THC metabolites, antigen-antibody complexes (released by your immune system following introduction of toxins into your system), and other important components.

Delta-8 THC will show up in a urine sample for up to 30 days after use. However, this is dependent on how often you take hemp products and the concentration.

Blood Test

Blood tests are also common procedures for employment purposes but it’s mostly used during emergencies. Many organizations seldom use this test because it can only detect toxins between 2-12 hours after use. In addition, it’s the most invasive out of the other drug tests. Blood tests are very effective and take less time to analyze.

Saliva Test

For a saliva or oral fluid test, your mouth is swabbed for saliva before it is analyzed. This test is most effective when a user’s preferred method of consumption is edibles. A saliva test will detect toxins and residual drugs after 24-48 hours of use. Even though the detection window is short, it is just as effective.

Hair Drug Test

A hair follicle test detects drug use by analyzing a strand of hair from your head, armpit, or face. This test is by far the most effective because it has the longest detection window. A hair follicle test can discover Delta-8 THC up to 12 months after your last use. Again, this depends on the frequency of use and concentration of the product.

Drug metabolites remain in the hair follicles until it grows. Since hair grows fairly slowly, you’re most likely to test positive. However, if you’re a light user, you have a slight chance of testing negative.

Sweat Test

Sweat tests are rarely considered but they give a cumulative substance use for a period. For this test, you will be instructed to either wear a sweat patch for a week or an absorbent pad for 24 hours. The sweat collected in the pads will then be tested for weed and other drug use.

These tests also help answer the question how long will Delta 8 stay in your system? Because the answer might be dependent on the sample.

Delta 8 THC Q&A

Is Delta-8 safe and legal?

Delta-8 products are not approved by the FDA but they are a mild version of Delta-9 THC, so they are safe when used properly. As for the legality, Delta-8 THC falls within the hemp-derived CBD product category. According to the Farm Bill of 2019, Hemp-derived products containing less than 0.3% of Delta-9 THC are considered legal.

If you’re purchasing Delta-8 products from a weed store or pharmacy, be sure to use as instructed. Overdose could lead to harmful side effects such as confusion, tremors, loss of consciousness, and others.

Will Delta-8 THC Get You High?

Delta-8 THC produces a euphoric effect like Delta-9, so it will get you high. Both cannabinoids have psychoactive properties because they bind to the cannabinoid receptors in the brain. However, Delta-8 gives a mild high that is usually described as pleasant compared to other THC products. Ultimately, how you feel is dependent on the concentration of the specific product you consume.

How Long Does It Take For The Effects Of Delta-8 To Kick In?

The timeframe for the effects of Delta-8 to kick in depends on how you take it. Smoking or vaping takes effect quickly because it goes directly into your bloodstream. As a result, you will feel the effects in seconds or minutes. However, ingesting edibles takes up to 30-60 minutes because your body needs to digest it first.

Depending on the concentration of the product, the effects last for several hours.

Will Delta 8 Test Positive?

You will test positive for Delta-8 because it has a similar chemical structure to other THC metabolites. Remember Delta-8 is synthesized from CBD and Delta-9 THC, which makes it an isomer. Plus, most drug tests check for both THC and its metabolites. So, a regular drug test can find Delta-8 in your system.

Does Delta-8 Show Up in Urine Test?

Delta-8 will show up in your urine test because it’s a THC metabolite. Many people wonder how long does Delta-8 stay in your urine? And the simple answer is up to 30 days. If you’re a light user, Delta-8 will leave your system quickly but for chronic users, it takes a longer time.

Some other factors that can influence how long it remains in your system are; weight, metabolism, daily activities, and others. Ultimately, you need to stop taking the products before they can leave your system completely.

How Can I Get Delta-8 Out of My System Fast?

To get Delta-8 out of your system can be a hassle especially if your test is in a few days. Your best bet will be to use detox drinks or pills such as Toxin Rid and Detoxify Mega Clean. Both detox brands can help you pass your drug test.

Here are some tips on how to clear Delta-8 from your system;

• Stop taking the toxins immediately
• Drink lots of water
• Exercise
• Eat a balanced meal
• Follow the instructions on your detox kit

The Bottom Line

Delta-8 will show up on a drug test for two major reasons – it is a hemp-derived product and it is chemically similar to Delta-9 THC. If you have a drug test coming up and you use D8 products, there’s a high chance you will fail. So, it’s best to abstain or purchase an excellent detox drink to help.

Most detox drinks or kits like Toxin Rid will help flush your system. Follow the instructions properly and seek medical assistance if there are serious side effects.