How Long Does Delta 8 Stay in Your System? - THC Drug Test Timeline

Delta 8 THC is growing in popularity thanks to its calming and mild psycho-impairing effects. This compound is derived from hemp and is legal in most US states. Recently, many are beginning to use Delta 8 in place of its harder-to-obtain cousin - Delta 9 THC. Delta 8 THC is a new addition to the cannabinoid market, and many people have questions or are unaware of its potential effects. How long does delta 8 THC stay in your system? Will Delta 8 THC cause most drug tests to fail? Are there any long-term effects or side effects? Here’s what you need to know. 

How Long Can Delta 8 THC be Detected in Your Body?

According to the latest research, Delta 8 THC will remain in your system for 3 days to 30 days, or even potentially longer. A factor that contributes to how long Delta 8 THC will stay in your system is the frequency with which you take this cannabinoid. How long delta 8 stays in your system depends on how often you use it.  

•     If you use Delta 8 just once: it will remain in your system for about 3 days.
•     If you use Delta 8 once a week or less: it will remain in your system for about a week. 
•     If you use Delta 8 multiple times a week: it will stay in your system for about 20 days. 
•     If you use Delta 8 daily: it can remain in your system for 30+ days. 

However, 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 3 to 5 hours (that is, just a few hours). 

Delta 8 THC typically remains 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). 

Will Consuming Delta 8 Cause You to Fail a Drug Test?

With the various cannabinoids being discovered recently, it makes you wonder if Delta 8 THC will show up on 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. 

If you’re wondering how long Delta 8 stays in the system and is detectable by a drug test, it depends on the type of drug test.

Methods for Drug Testing Delta 8 THC and Average Detection Period

If you’re using Delta 8, it's important to be aware of how long it will stay in your system and what types of drug tests can detect it. 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 will use to detect THC metabolites in your system. THC metabolites, including Delta 8, can remain detectable in your urine for up to 30+ days after use. However, if you have only used a Delta 8 product one time, it may only be detectable in your urine for three days after the date of consumption.

Saliva Test:

Saliva testing is another option to detect Delta 8 THC. The detection window is relatively short compared to a urine test, with THC metabolites detectable in saliva for up to 2 days after use. THC metabolites can also be found on the tongue, so brushing your teeth or using mouthwash could help eliminate any leftover THC metabolites in your mouth.

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 cost of the test and the invasive nature to the individual.

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 test or saliva test but may be used in certain circumstances.

What is Delta 8 THC?

The cannabis industry has boomed over the last decade and more research has been done on the cannabis plant. There have been hundreds of cannabinoids and chemical compounds found within the cannabis plant and these cannabinoids are taking over the hemp industry. You have probably heard of Delta 9 THC, which is the main psychoactive component in the marijuana plant. Delta 9 THC is what you would find in most dispensaries around the United States. Delta 9 has a partnered compound that has gotten a lot of attention for its benefits. This partner compound is Delta 8 THC. Delta 8 THC differs from Delta 9 THC because while it may have similar effects, Delta 8 THC is less intoxicating and will not be as psychoactive.

Delta 8 THC is great for those who want to experience a euphoric high but without the unwanted effects of THC. 

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 in order to help regulate our bodies to work at their most optimal function. 

Now that we’ve touched on what Delta 8 THC is, let’s discuss how it compares to its cousin Delta 9 THC. 

Is Delta 8 the Same as THC? 

Delta-8-THC is a type of THC, but it’s not the same as the Delta 9 THC from marijuana. 

The THC from marijuana is called Delta 9 THC. This type of THC gets you high and is associated with side effects such as paranoia and fatigue. It is classified as an illegal drug in the USA at a federal level, though some states have legalized it.  

Delta 8 THC is derived from hemp—not marijuana. Because of this, it is legal to sell and consume in the form of Delta 8 oil, gummies, vapes, and more. As long as Delta 8 products contain no more than 0.3% of Delta 9 THC, you can buy them legally according to the 2018 Farm Bill. However, while the Farm Bill has made Delta 8 THC legal at the federal level, Delta 8 THC is currently illegal at the State level in 11 states. 

Delta 8 THC is known to have a milder effect than Delta 9 THC. It feels like the high from marijuana without the paranoia and lack of focus. Some describe the effects as a middle ground between marijuana and CBD.

Effects of Delta 8 THC

When Delta 8 THC enters your system, you’ll start to feel the effects about 5 minutes to 1 hour later depending on how you take the cannabinoid. There are many ways to take Delta 8 THC, such as vapes, tinctures, and edibles. If you use a sublingual tincture or a vaporizer, you’ll feel the effects much faster. If you ingest  gummies or a capsule, you’ll feel the effects on the later end of the spectrum.  

How long does Delta 8 stay in your system? Even after the effects wear off, Delta 8 will remain in your system for up to 48 days. 

The long and short-term effects of  are different for everyone. But here’s what you can expect. 

Short Term Effects of Consuming Delta 8 THC

You will feel the short-term psychotropic effects of delta 8 in your system for about 5 hours. The “peak” of the high lasts between 30 minutes and 2.5 hours. This depends on how much you take and other factors like how your metabolism is. 

There are a few factors that can contribute to how long this cannabinoid will stay in your system. When Delta 8 THC starts to take effect, you will start to feel high. 

While Delta 8 THC may be one step over Delta 9 THC, users have reported that the effects of Delta 8 THC are not as strong as its counterpart. Delta 8 THC has similar effects to Delta 9 THC and some of these effects can include relaxation, euphoria, pain relief, and sleep aid. If you are looking for a psychoactive product that is not too strong, Delta 8 is perfect for you. Delta 8’s effect is said to be an easier version of Delta 9 THC and marijuana. For many, it has a more relaxing and balanced feel. Those who feel stressed or paranoid when taking Delta 9 THC may prefer Delta 8. Delta 8 will provide the feeling of “high” however it will be less potent than Delta 9 THC. 

Additional short-term effects of delta 8 include:

•     Muscle relaxation
•     Increased appetite
•     Mood elevation
•     Improved sleep

Long Term Effects of Consuming Delta 8 THC 

The long-term effects of Delta 8 THC are not clear, and more studies are required before we can give you a definitive answer.

However, there have been no long-term issues reported by adult Delta 8 users. It’s safe to assume that Delta 8’s long-term effects are similar to those of Delta 9 THC, considering the two are very similar chemically.

This means that Delta 8 may cause some mental impairment (similar to brain fog) for 24 hours after you use it, even if you don’t feel high. In the weeks, months, and years after use, there is no clinical evidence of positive or negative effects of Delta 8 THC. 

Negative Side Effects

Yes, there are some negative side effects of Delta 8 THC. Known negative side effects of Delta 8 THC are noted to be similar to the negative effects of Delta 9 THC. 

Possible negative side effects may include:

•     Fatigue
•     Dry mouth
•     Dry eyes
•     Paranoia
•     Discomfort
•     Increased appetite "The munchies" 

Most of the side effects of Delta 8 THC are caused by taking too much of the cannabinoid. It’s recommended to start with a small dose and work your way up. If you take a dose of Delta 8 and don’t feel any effect, you should wait at least 2 hours before taking more to avoid consuming too much. 

Recommended Dosage

When it comes to dosage, everyone’s body is different. No one rule applies to everyone. Many factors contribute to deciding how much Delta 8 THC an individual should take. First, you should consider whether you have taken Delta 8 THC before or if you are sensitive to THC. If you are new or sensitive to THC, we recommend starting with the recommended dose of your cannabis product. After you take your product, it is important to wait and listen to your body. What do you feel? You can also ask yourself, what do you not feel? Are you less anxious? Do you feel less pain? Take time to listen to your body and adjust the dosage if necessary.

If you are a frequent user of Delta 8 THC, you probably have discovered the dosage that works best for you. If you do consume Delta 8 THC on the regular, it is likely that this cannabinoid will remain in your system longer than someone who has never taken Delta 8 THC before. 

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. 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. 

Summary

Here’s what you need to remember about how long Delta 8 stays in your system.  

• Delta 8 stays in your system between 3 and 30+ days after consumption.
  
  
• If you take Delta 8 regularly, it will stay in your system for a longer period of time.
  
  
• You will feel the effects of Delta 8 in your system for about 5 hours.
  
  
• Delta 8 is a type of THC, so it can trigger a positive (failed) drug test.
  
  
• The best way to reduce the amount of Delta 8 THC in your system is to increase your metabolism.