This is one of the most frequently asked questions by CBD users who may have to undergo regular testing at the workplace. Unfortunately, there is no simple, straightforward answer to this question.
At the very basic level, traces of CBD can be found in the system anywhere between a few days to a few weeks, depending on various factors. This article will explain in detail the various factors that will influence how long CBD will stay in your system.
What is CBD?
CBD or Cannabidiol is among the hundreds of compounds found in the hemp plant extract, also known as Cannabis sativa. This compound is responsible for most therapeutic properties, such as relief from pain, inflammation, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and loss of appetite.
How does CBD have so many therapeutic benefits?
Have you heard of the endocannabinoid system or the ECS? The human body’s regulatory system is responsible for ensuring that all the systems work coordinately among themselves and with each other.
Sometimes, issues with this ECS system or the body’s systems and organs such as digestive system, muscular system, brain, sleep center, hunger center, etc., can cause various issues.
The CBD’s receptors bind with the ECS system in these centers and influence the normal functioning of the human body. For this reason, many health issues such as insomnia and lack of appetite that can not be cured by mainstream medication can be cured by using CBD.
CBD as an alternative therapy mechanism:
Today’s fast-paced lifestyle has led to people developing many anxiety and sleep disorders. Chronic conditions are becoming the norm of the day.
People suffering from cancers and tumors undergo rigorous therapies such as radiation and chemotherapies that leave them suffering from terrible side effects.
Most conditions mentioned above do not have proper medications in the form of OTC drugs or prescription medications. The medicines available may be half effective and often cause side effects.
With its unique working mechanism, CBD has been able to provide effective relief from most of these conditions. Often a small amount can be quite effective in providing relief from various symptoms.
Can CBD cause you to fail a drug test?
To be legal, CBD must contain not exceeding 0.3% THC levels. Drug tests do not test for the presence of CBD. But the trace levels of THC can lead to a failed drug test. Other reasons that can cause you to fail a drug test can include improper labelling or failure by the CBD companies to stick to legal norms when manufacturing CBD products.
For example, a randomized trial study conducted to show the possibility of CBD resulting in a failed drug test proves that THC contaminants can often cause a failed urine test. This is a major concern for users who have to undergo frequent workplace drug testing or in states where the use of marijuana is illegal. If you are expecting to join a job and are expected to undergo a drug test as a part of your joining process, your previous use of CBD can cause problems. The various forms of drug testing include blood tests, urine tests, hair tests, and oral fluid tests.
How Long Does CBD Stay In Your System?
As we already mentioned, the time period for which CBD can stay in the human body varies from person to person.
It may stay anywhere between 3 days to a few weeks depending on various factors such as:
- Physical factors:
Age
Gender
Metabolism
Body Mass Index
- Mode of Consumption
Smoking or Vaping
Oral Ingestion
- Frequency of Consumption, Strain and Dosage
Physical Factors:
No two people have the same structure, build, and metabolism. This is one of the main reasons why it is difficult to predict how long CBD stays in your system.
Metabolism is one of the key factors that influence the retention of CBD in your system. Higher metabolism means that CBD breaks down quickly, enters the bloodstream and various organs, and gets expelled quickly.
Traces of THC tend to find their way into your body fat cells and tissues and get released into the bloodstream over time. This is one of the main reasons why some people fail a drug test long after consuming CBD.
In users with a higher metabolism, THC traces get released quickly from the fat cells and leave the body earlier compared to those with a slower metabolism.
Similarly, users with a higher BMI or height-weight ratio will find that CBD takes more time to leave their body.
If you are required to pass a drug test, exercising and high-intensity workouts may help. This is because exercising helps massively improve metabolism allowing CBD and traces of THC to expel from the system quickly.
Women have more fat tissues and fat cells compared to men. For this reason, CBD stays for longer periods in the body of women when compared to men.
Mode of CBD consumption:
When you smoke or vape CBD, it quickly metabolizes, enters the lungs, and from there, it enters the bloodstream. From here, the journey is rapid, with CBD metabolites reaching various organs of the body and providing quick relief.
When you smoke or vape, CBD levels quickly peak with 7 to 10 minutes and then quickly reduce within 30 to 90 minutes. As a result, you will find that CBD leaves your system much faster.
On the other hand, when you orally ingest CBD, it has to get digested and enter the bloodstream, which takes anywhere between 30 minutes to a couple of hours to peak. In this method of consumption, CBD can take more time to leave the system.
Frequency of Usage, Dosage, and Strain:
It goes without saying that the more regular the usage, the longer CBD stays in your system. Higher dosage and more potent strains also take time to leave the system.
CBD dabs and concentrates may stay for more time in the system when compared to low potency products such as CBD mints.
Occasional smokers can get rid of the metabolites quickly when compared to frequent and chronic users.
How long CBD stays in your system is a combination of all the factors mentioned above. If you have to undergo a drug test and are looking for ways to remove traces quickly, stopping usage, exercising, and staying hydrated are known to be of great help.