delta-8How Long Does Delta 8 Stay in Your System? - THC Drug Test Timeline
Post Medically Reviewed By
Dr. Denise Foster
The effects of delta 8 THC can last anywhere from 2-6 hours, depending on the individual and the dose. Still, the cannabinoid can be detected through drug testing for 3 to 30 days or potentially longer after consumption.
If you’re someone concerned about drug screening, the metabolite THC-COOH can show up even if you’re using hemp-derived delta 8 THC products, so you may want to stop using any THC products for at least a couple of weeks and switch to zero-THC hemp products to play it safe.
How Long Can Delta 8 THC Be Detected in Your Body?
Delta 8 can be detected in your system for 3 days to 30 days after initial use [1]. This is a large window, but there are several reasons for this:
That being said, just because delta 8 remains in your system for a week or more does NOT mean you will continue to feel the effects. According to most sources, the psychotropic or “high” effects of delta 8 typically last about 2 to 6 hours (that is, just a few hours).
And for further clarification, delta 8 THC stays in your system for the same amount of time as Delta 9 THC Stays in Your System. Both cannabinoids will appear in an upcoming drug test (more on that below).
YES! Delta 8 THC will show up on most modern cannabinoid drug tests.
Will Consuming Delta 8 Cause You to Fail a Drug Test?
Modern marijuana drug tests are set up to detect any traces of THC, so yes, delta 8 will appear on a drug test, causing a positive result.
Drug tests detect THC metabolites, and delta 8 is a type of THC.
Methods for Drug Testing Delta 8 THC and Average Detection Period
As mentioned earlier, delta 8 THC will appear on most modern cannabinoid drug tests since it is a type of THC. The type of drug test that you undergo and the frequency with which you use Delta 8 can impact the detection window.
Urine Drug Test
A urine test is the most common drug test that employers use to detect THC metabolites in your system. THC metabolites, including delta 8, can remain detectable in your urine for 30+ days after use.
Saliva Test
Saliva testing is another option to detect delta 8 THC, though it’s not as common. The detection window is relatively short compared to a urine test, with THC metabolites detectable in saliva for up to 2 days after use.
Hair Test
A hair test is the most sensitive and can detect THC metabolites in your hair for up to 90 days after use. Hair tests tend to be the most accurate but are not commonly used due to the high test cost and don’t clearly reflect the current use of a substance.
Blood Test
A blood test can detect delta 8 THC for up to 2 days after use or up to 30 days for frequent users. This type of test is less common than a urine or saliva test but may be used in certain circumstances, such as DUIs.
Chemical Structure of Delta 8 THC
How is Delta 8 Different from Delta 9 THC?
The main difference between delta 8 and 9 is their chemical structures. Both are THC molecules, but delta 8 has a double bond on the eighth carbon chain, while delta 9 has it on the ninth.
This might not seem like a huge deal, but it significantly influences how each cannabinoid interacts with the body, particularly CB1 receptors in the brain.
Delta 9 THC is the main psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis plants, and delta 8 is known to have similar effects, though much milder.
How Does Delta 8 THC Interact within Our Body?
Our bodies are equipped with many complex systems that keep us feeling healthy and moving. While you're probably familiar with systems such as the respiratory or nervous system, we bet you haven't heard of one of the most important systems in the human body.
The Endocannabinoid System is a vital yet little-known system that is responsible for maintaining homeostasis, aka balance, in the body.
The endocannabinoid system explains why our bodies are so receptive to cannabinoids such as delta 8 THC.
When delta 8 THC is consumed, the cannabinoid interacts with the CB1 and CB2 receptors. Endocannabinoids attach themselves to these receptors to supplement the endocannabinoid system and help regulate our bodies to work at their most optimal function.
Delta 8 THC and Delta 9 THC Products often come in similar forms.
Is Delta 8 THC Legal?
Delta 8’s legality is a bit of a gray area. While it’s naturally occurring in the cannabis plant, it’s not present in large quantities, so most delta 8 products come from converting CBD into delta 8 through a chemical process.
This process has led some states to classify delta 8 as a “synthetic cannabinoid” and ban it, despite it being derived from natural hemp.
Under the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp-derived cannabinoids like delta 8 are technically legal, as long as it contains less than 0.3% delta 9 THC. However, due to concerns about production and its psychoactive effects, many states have opted to ban delta 8 altogether.
We want to make it clear that delta 8 is very different from synthetic cannabinoids like K2 or spice, which are dangerous, lab-made compounds. Even delta 8, even when synthesized from CBD, remains much closer to naturally occurring cannabinoids and does not carry the same risk as K2 or spice.
Why We No Longer Sell Delta 8
As a California company, we’ve decided to stop offering delta 8 THC products due to the complex legal issues surrounding them.
Instead, we now focus on Delta 9 THC, THCA, CBD, CBG, and CBN products, which offer many benefits without the regulatory uncertainties associated with delta 8.
Our current lineup meets the needs of our customers while ensuring we stay compliant with state and federal guidelines, avoiding the "gray area" concerns associated with delta 8.
Exercising can help your body detox cannabinoids stored in fat cells.
How Do You Get Delta 8 Out of Your System?
Studies have found that your metabolic rate impacts how long THC stays in your system [2]. If you want to reduce how long delta 8 stays in your system, then increasing your metabolism is an option. However, this won't likely help you get delta 8 out of your system in the short term.
You can increase your metabolism steadily over time by exercising regularly and burning fat cells.
If you need to pass a drug test (whether it is urine tests, blood tests, or saliva tests), staying well hydrated is one way to reduce the detectability of delta 8 THC. However, this may not help if you've consumed delta 8 recently.
Resources:
- Huestis, M. A. (2007). Human cannabinoid pharmacokinetics. Chemistry & biodiversity, 4(8), 1770.
- Westin, A. A., Mjønes, G., Burchardt, O., FuskevAag, O. M., & Slørdal, L. (2014). Can Physical Exercise or Food Deprivation Cause Release of Fat‐Stored Cannabinoids?. Basic & clinical pharmacology & toxicology, 115(5), 467-471.
