While Delta-8 THC may be legal where other forms of cannabis remain scheduled substances, there are other factors to consider before deciding to partake every day. Furthermore, it can be beneficial to know how long the effects typically last and how it is tested for, but first, let’s look at factors that may contribute to the length of time it remains in your body.
Factors That Determine How Long Delta-8 THC Stays in Your System
The metabolism of chemicals in the body is complex and there are several factors that can alter the speed of the elimination of Delta-8 from the body. Some of these things you have some control over, but not all of them.
The amount of Delta-8 you consume will factor into the speed of elimination. The more often you use and the higher the dose, the longer it will take to dispel it from the human body. In addition, even the method of consumption can play a role. Inhaled smoke or vapors hit the bloodstream faster and are cleared from the body quicker than edibles.
Your personal biology will also play a role in how long the substance stays in your system. Some people have faster metabolisms than others. Also, as we get older, metabolisms often slow down, which means that it will stay in your system longer.
Your lifestyle habits will also have an impact on the length of time until the Delta-8 becomes undetectable in your system. Exercise can speed up metabolism and eliminate more of the substance. Diet and any other medications or supplements can also play a part in the deterioration of Delta-8 THC.
Duration of Effects of Delta-8 THC
The duration of effects that Delta-8 has will be determined by different factors. However, generally, with smoke or vapor the onset is rapid, almost immediate. When you eat an edible Delta-8, like Delta-8 gummies, the onset will be much slower and you may not feel any effects for a half hour or more. The peak will occur even longer after you take the product, up to 90 minutes.
After the Delta-8 takes effect, you can generally expect it to last at least 3 hours, but it may last up to 8 hours before the effects completely go away. The initial feeling it gives is euphoria with slight relaxation. This evolves during the duration to become more relaxing and may cause munchies and drowsiness while still offering a clear-headed effect that is not common with other forms of THC.
Testing for Delta-8 THC
Drug tests are very unlikely to test specifically for Delta-8 and they will not be able to inspect the exact amount of Delta-8 in your system. Instead, they will be able to detect if the level in your system is above the cutoff amount.
However, that does not mean you’re in the clear. In fact, most drug tests will be able to detect Delta-8 because the test will be identical as a test for Delta-9 THC. This is because these types of tests look at the metabolites of a substance that are identical between these to cannabinoid substances.
Therefore, Delta-8 can be detected in urine, hair, blood, and saliva. If you are facing an upcoming drug test, you probably want to know how long it will likely stay in your system and cause a failed test.
How Long Will Delta 8 THC Show in the Drug Test?
The amount of time that Delta-8 THC will be detectable in your system depends greatly on the type of test. While urine tests are the most common, some places use other methods. Let’s look at the ways that the testing method may impact the length of time until Delta-8 is cleared from the body.
Urine
We will start with pee tests because they are the most common. These tests work by utilizing an enzyme reaction. For single or occasional use, you should wait for 3 to 4 days before being confident that the substance is fully eliminated from your system. If you exercise, stay hydrated, and have a fast metabolism, that timeframe could be even shorter.
For those who use Delta-8 regularly at moderate amounts 2 to 3 times per week, you can expect to have detectable levels of Delta-8 metabolites in your system for a week. For daily users, that timeframe extends to 2 to 3 weeks. Finally, daily users who consume large amounts of Delta-8 THC more than once per day may find that it is in their system and will fail a drug test for a month or longer.
Blood
A blood test is less common than urine drug tests but is common in labs and medical settings. Generally, Delta-8 and its metabolites will be expelled from blood in 2 to 3 days. However, chronic and heavy users may find that it lasts 20 days in their blood or more in some instances.
Saliva
Saliva tests are often used for roadside testing and are pretty sensitive. Saliva tests primarily look for Delta-8 THC that is still impacting the user in some way. Saliva tests can detect Delta-8 THC up to 30 days after the last consumption, but may go below detectable amounts in a week or less in some cases.
Hair
Most recreational cannabis users fear the dreaded hair follicle test because of its ability to detect substances for a long period of time. For Delta-8 THC, you can expect to test positive for about 3 months after the last use.
Final Thoughts
Delta-8 THC is great for people who live in areas where Delta-9 remains illegal, but you do need to consider any potential drug tests that may detect the metabolites. Just be aware of the time frame of effects and elimination from the body so that you can prepare to pass any test you may be required to participate in.
