Have you ever wondered how long delta-8 remains detectable in your system? How about if it's detectable at all? Here we answer the frequently asked question: When will delta-8 THC leave your body?
You're here because you want to know how long delta-8 stays in your system, and we can't blame you.
Like many people, you may undergo a drug test at least once or twice. And if you’ve used delta-8 THC recently, you may be worried whether you’ve put yourself in a vicarious position.
As a general rule, delta-8 is detectable in your body between 3 and 30 days after use.
Admittingly it's a wide range. But how long delta-8 stays in your system depends on various factors, including how frequently you use delta-8, the potency of your go-to products, and your body type. The type of drug test also influences detection times.
Stay with us to learn how long delta-8 THC stays in the system, the factors that can affect detection times, and some techniques you can try to flush delta-8 from your system faster. You can also jump ahead to the information you’re looking for:
- Introduction to delta 8
- How long delta-8 stays in the body
- Factors that influence the duration of delta-8 THC
- Ways to clear delta-8 out faster
- Delta-8 detection based on drug test type
Quick Intro to Delta 8
Delta 8 is a type of cannabinoid found in hemp plants, and many people use it to help unwind in the evenings and weekends. Some use delta-8 to boost their mood. Others use delta-8 for better sleep.
The effects of delta-8 can vary on the person. Still, it tends to be less potent than its cousin delta-9, another well-known and widely-used cannabinoid. Since it became federally legal to buy and use after the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, delta-8 has surged in popularity as a way to relax naturally.
If you use delta-8 or consider it, you may wonder how long delta-8 stays in the body. Delta-8 THC is metabolized by the liver and is then eliminated through urine and feces. While its elevating benefits last a few hours, signs that you’ve used it can be detected for much longer.
Learn More: What is Delta 8?
How Long Does Delta-8 Stay in Your System?
Delta 8 can remain detectable in your body for up to 30 days, sometimes more. So if it’s been a month or longer since your last delta-8 gummy or draw from a delta-8 vape pen, you can feel all-in-all comfortable that any signs of you using the compound have disappeared.
Delta-8 can indeed show up on drug tests. As a form of THC, it’s nearly always indistinguishable from conventional THC in drug test results. Plus, studies have shown that delta-8 and delta-9 metabolize similarly.
Suppose you are subject to testing at your job or in your sport. In that case, we recommend you avoid using all cannabinoid products, including delta-8 products. It’s essential, even though delta-8 is a federally legal cannabinoid.
Tests screen for THC metabolites, which form when any THC breaks down in the body. These THC metabolites can remain in your body much longer than delta-8 THC. This is because delta-8 and other cannabinoids are fat-soluble and stored in fat cells, which are slow to break down.
Delta-8 and other types of THC break down in two metabolic phases. The first is a short initial period during which cannabinoid concentration reduces by about half. The time it takes for this first phase to complete is referred to as half-life. The half-life of delta-8 varies depending on various factors. One study’s findings suggest it could last between one and 13 days, depending on the frequency of use. The second, slower phase, removes the rest and takes much longer.
If you've enjoyed delta-8's uniquely relaxing benefits and it's been less than a month before your scheduled test, there's no need to fret just yet. While THC metabolites can linger for 30 days or more, they clear out faster in most cases. But, of course, it all depends on several factors.
Factors That Affect Detection Times
Generally speaking, Delta 8 will stay in your system for up to 30 days. But, spoiler alert, it is not the same for every person. It can vary depending on several factors.
The factors that come into play with how long THC stays in your system include the following:
1. How you take your delta-8
Gummies, vapes, tinctures, flowers, and more. You have many choices regarding how to enjoy your delta-8, and the one you go with considerably impacts how quickly delta-8 metabolizes.
If you use an inhalation method, say using delta-8 vape pens or by smoking delta-8 flower, the cannabinoid tends to metabolize and leave the body more quickly. One study even suggests that inhaled cannabinoids are flushed from the body nearly twice as fast as other methods.
It takes longer for your body to process and metabolize delta-8 edibles, such as gummies, cookies, or pot rocks. Therefore, regular edible users may have delta-8 in their system for a month or longer.
2. How frequently you use delta-8
Whether delta-8 is something you enjoy periodically or daily will play a significant role in the time it takes to clear out all signs of the metabolites.
If you've only consumed delta-8 once or last used it several months ago, it will likely leave your system relatively quickly. However, it can take longer for all metabolites to clear out of your system if you're a long-time or frequent user.
3. How much delta-8 you use
Not a shocker: The higher your serving, the more extended delta-8 stays in your system.
If you've only taken a small amount of delta 8, it will likely stay in your system for only a short time. However, suppose you've taken a more considerable amount. In that case, you can expect it to take longer for your body to clear out all of the THC metabolites.
How much you take can be influenced by a product’s potency and the amount of that product you take. For example, delta-8 gummies can come in various strengths, from 25 mg to a whopping 125 mg. And, of course, the number of gummies you take will directly affect your serving size.
Learn more: How Much Delta 8 Should I Take?
4. Your age, genetics, and metabolism
Personal factors can also affect how long delta 8 stays in your system. These include age, weight, genetics, metabolism, and overall health.
The faster your metabolic rate, the more quickly your body will break down delta-8 THC, leading to overall lower concentrations of the cannabinoid remaining in your system. Younger adults tend to have a faster metabolic rate naturally, so they can clear delta-8 from the body more quickly.
If you naturally have more of the particular liver enzyme, you could also clear out delta-8 more quickly. The enzyme responsible for breaking down delta-8 is called CYP3A4. With more, it will take less time to metabolize the cannabinoid than someone with a lower ratio.
Your overall health and whether you need to take supplements or medications can also influence how quickly delta-8 breaks down. Many supplements and medications also require CYP3A4 for metabolism. So, if you're using delta-8 simultaneously with these other substances, they will take longer to break down.
How to Flush Delta-8 Out of Your System
The number one rule for making sure you don’t test positive on a drug test for delta-8 is to abstain from using it. It’s also important to avoid taking any additional delta-8 while you’re trying to flush it out of your system.
Here are some other tips that can help speed up the process:
1. Drink Some H20
Drinking plenty of water is the best way to flush delta 8 out of your system as quickly as possible. Drinking plenty of water can help to flush substances out of your body, including delta 8. Prioritize staying hydrated.
2. Eat High Fiber Foods
Foods high in fiber help you excrete waste more regularly, helping you flush out THC metabolites more quickly. For example, apples, berries, broccoli, and beans are high-fiber foods that keep substances, including signs of delta-8 use, moving out of your body.
3. Work Out
Sweat it out! Cardio and other physical activities that get your body going will encourage the excrement of metabolites through sweat. Fit in at least 30-45 minutes of exercise every other day. Regular workouts also boost your body’s metabolism, helping you eliminate metabolites.
Delta-8 Detection Times for Urine, Saliva, and Hair Tests
You've likely arrived at this article because you have a drug test on the horizon. When it comes to delta-8 and drug tests, there are different types of tests, and each one varies in how long they detect past use.
Urine is by far the most common form of pre-employment test. But, in rare cases, you could face less common testing specimens, including hair, blood, or saliva. So, it's essential to know how long delta 8 stays in your system for each type of test.
- Urine: Within three days after a single use to around 30 days after regular use
- Blood: Roughly 12-24 hours after a single use to approximately seven days after heavy use
- Saliva: Up to 24 hours
- Hair: Up to 90 days
While rarely used, hair tests have the most prolonged delta-8 detection period.
Delta 8 and Its Effects on Your Body
Delta 8 is a delightful way to uplift your mood and enhance your relaxation. As long as you take consideration when shopping for delta-8 and you only buy from respected manufacturers, delta-8 is safe and legally available throughout the United States. It can help most adults unwind the mind and uplift the day.
In summary, the more often you use it, the longer delta-8 stays in your system. You can expect it to remain in your system for roughly three days if you've only used it a couple of times. However, it can take two to four weeks to fully break down if you use delta-8 at higher concentrations and greater frequency. Other factors, like how much you use, your age, and your body makeup, will also influence the amount of time needed to clear it from the body completely.
Head to the Koi blog to learn more about delta-8 and its benefits.
