What Is the Best THC Detox? Do They Work?

In 2024, the buzz around “the best THC detox drinks” continues to swirl, promising quick-fix ways to cleanse the body of THC to pass urine drug tests.

We hate to burst your bubble — but the best way to pass an upcoming drug test is to abstain from THC altogether at least a month before the test, as there’s still always a chance you can tail a drug test even with the most popular THC detox kits.

Our focus isn’t to champion these THC detox pills or detox drinks, as evidence suggests that they tend to fall short of their promises. Instead, we’ll focus on:

• How THC is stored in the body and its natural THC detox process.
• Common drug tests to detect THC.
• Debunking popular THC detox methods.
• Take a closer look at some of the claims of the best THC detox method.

Article Highlights:

• THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the main psychoactive component of cannabis. It’s what gets users high.
• While there is currently no drug test that detects CBD in the body, some full spectrum CBD products, or those with the federally regulated limit of 0.3% THC, may still cause a positive drug test depending on how much CBD has been used and what the cutoff testing limit is for the measurement of THC.
• There are many types of drug tests (urine tests, blood tests, saliva drug tests, and hair follicle drug tests) that can detect THC use.
• Even though THC from hemp crops is considered legal, consuming THC frequently or in large doses can lead to a failed drug test.
• There is no THC detox product you can take to guarantee that you pass a drug test. The best way to pass a drug test is to abstain from THC at least a month before the test is taken.

Reasons For Detoxing THC

There are many reasons people may want to detox from THC. The most obvious reason is to pass a drug test. Drug tests are commonly used to see whether or not an individual is taking substances that can enhance, inhibit, or impair someone’s ability to perform.

You may have to pass a drug test for the following situations:

• Professional sports
• Substance rehabilitation
• Parole or court order
• Employers
• Law enforcement
• Military service
• Licensing authorities such as the Department of Transportation

Another common reason one may need to detox from cannabinoids is to reset their tolerance.

Frequent THC users may find that they’re reaching for higher and higher doses of THC to achieve the same psychoactive effects—and it gets expensive and could lead to substance abuse problems such as Cannabis Use Disorder or Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome.

This is because tolerance to THC builds up quickly in the body. To bring your tolerance to THC back down, you can take a “T-break” where you abstain from consuming THC for up to 2 weeks.

The Center for Health and Wellbeing at the University of Vermont has published a 21-day guide called T-Break: Take a Cannabis Tolerance Break. This guide is based on the latest substance use research, helps you navigate your T-break, and addresses physical and emotional symptoms you may experience when taking a break from using THC.

If you are not ready to take a T-break, you may believe you can use other forms of detox from THC. Some people also swear by THC detox kits online to reset their tolerance.

Are THC Detox Methods Effective?

There are a lot of myths floating around about THC detoxing. Some people swear by natural methods, like drinking cranberry juice and lemon juice or sweating it out.

Others invest in THC detox kits designed to remove all drug traces from your system. But do these methods really work?

Unfortunately, there’s no easy answer. It depends on various factors, including how much THC you’ve consumed, how frequently you use, your body composition, and how much time you have to detox.

In some cases, these methods may help reduce the THC level in your system. However, they’re not foolproof, and there’s no guarantee that they’ll be 100% effective. So, if you’re concerned about testing positive for THC, you should avoid using THC for at least a month before the most common drug tests:

• Urine drug tests
• Saliva drug tests
• Blood test
• Hair drug test

How Long Does THC Stay In Your System?

The detection window is the number of days cannabinoids remain in the body after the cessation of use to the point where it’s non-detectable using standard drug testing methods.

A variety of factors can influence how long the effects of THC will last, including your age, weight, metabolism, and how much you’ve consumed, making this question a challenging one in the scientific community.

The conventional wisdom is that THC can be detected in the body for several weeks after last use. In fact, THC can remain detectable in urine for up to 30 days after last use in heavy users.

However, it’s essential to keep in mind that detection windows also vary depending on the testing method and its sensitivity. For example, THC can be detected in hair for up to 90 days after the last use. That being said, hair follicle drug testing isn’t common. THC can be detected in saliva for up to 72 hours after use but could be detected longer than 3 days in chronic, heavy users. There are many variables that make the science behind THC detection complex.

It’s well understood that cannabinoids, including THC, are fat-soluble compounds and preferentially bind to fats in the human body, which can slow down the elimination process in the body and extend its detection window long after its effects have worn off [1]. Because of this, the longer the duration of THC use, the greater the cannabinoid storage, widening the detection window.

The Body’s Natural Detoxification Process

The body naturally detoxifies itself, including eliminating THC, primarily through the liver. THC metabolites are processed and broken down by liver enzymes, then excreted through urine and feces.

This process varies in duration, depending on factors such as frequency of cannabis use, body fat percentage, and metabolism rate.

Essentially, the body’s natural detoxification mechanism is designed to efficiently manage and expel substances like THC over time without the need for external detox products.

At Home THC Detox: Do They Work?

If you’re scouring the internet to find the best way to detox THC naturally, you may stumble upon some strange and bizarre methods, like taking apple cider vinegar to pass a drug test or sweating it out in the shower to more formulated marijuana detox kits.

While THC detox products and these home remedies sound promising, there’s still no guarantee they will help you pass a drug test. The only surefire way to do this is to abstain from all forms of THC.

Let’s go over some of the “best THC detox solutions” to determine how effective they may be at eliminating THC traces.

1. Hot Showers/ Saunas

While it might seem sensible to “sweat out” toxins and THC, it’s just not how our bodies are designed.

Sweat has one principal task—and it’s to regulate body temperature—not eliminate toxins. Sweat consists primarily of water, electrolytes with urea, and ammonia mixed in.

While hot showers and saunas can be relaxing and potentially beneficial for other aspects of health, they don’t significantly contribute to the elimination of THC from the body. Relying on this method for detoxification could lead to overheating and potential harm without effectively detoxing THC.

2. Cranberry Juice

Cranberry juice, though rich in antioxidants and a popular remedy for UTIs, lacks scientific backing as a THC detox method.

Its reputation for “flushing out THC metabolites” and diluting urine samples is not supported by evidence, and the belief that consuming large amounts of cranberry juice while consuming THC products can expedite the reduction of THC levels in the body is a myth.

Effective detoxification from THC relies more on the body’s natural processes rather than the consumption of specific substances like cranberry juice.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar

Some people recommend taking apple cider vinegar capsules or drinking small amounts of apple cider vinegar diluted in water as a detox drink to pass THC drug tests due to its high levels of acetic acid. This method claims to “boost the metabolism,” helping to move THC through the detox process faster.

Even detox liquid supplements that contain apple cider vinegar are sold online for this. Again, there’s no evidence to support that apple cider has the potential to “boost the metabolism,” let alone help with the THC detox.

4. Milk Thistle Extract

We’ve come across a lot of milk thistle THC detox kits online, but how legit are they?
The milk thistle herb (Silybum marianum) is a tall, leafy plant with purple flowers.

It’s thought to help detoxify the liver and promote liver health. Milk thistle’s active ingredient is silymarin, a composition of several compounds thought to have antioxidant and anti-stress properties.

Some preliminary research suggests that milk thistle may help to protect the liver from damage, but more research is needed to confirm these effects [2].

While milk thistle may help support liver health with long-term use, which may improve your body’s natural detox processes, this method will take time for its effects to kick in. And there are no known doses to achieve the best results to support detox to pass a drug tests.

It’s best to stick to the safe side and assume this isn’t going to work if you have an important drug test.

5. Exercise

THC is stored in fat tissue and can stay there long. This is one of the reasons why regular users can have a hard time passing drug tests. Exercise can help eliminate THC from your body by burning fat, where THC is stored, and releasing it into your bloodstream.

Some people recommend stopping exercising a few days before a drug test, as exercising might release THC into your bloodstream, which could be detected in the test, but there’s really not much support to back this up.

While exercise does help burn fat, everybody’s body is unique, and THC is distributed differently throughout the body. This is too unreliable of a method to use if you’re looking to get rid of THC quickly.

6. THC Detox Shampoos

THC can be detected within hair follicles for up to 90 days.

The THC detox shampoo, like the Aloe Toxin Rid Shampoo, is designed for the hair follicle drug test. It claims to remove THC from your scalp and hair by targeting THC metabolites with its deep-cleansing ingredients to remove oil buildup.

The truth is that shampoos generally don’t penetrate the hair follicle to “remove toxins,” let alone eliminate THC.

For the most part, hair follicle tests aren’t common as they don’t show an accurate representation of when the subject was using illicit substances, and it’s much more costly with a likelihood of false positives than urine tests.

7. THC Detox Mouthwash

Saliva drug tests look for substance use within the last 24 hours. Unlike the urine drug test that looks for metabolites of THC, saliva tests look for THC itself within the saliva before it is metabolized.

This is the test of choice for law enforcement testing for recent use of THC.

Toxin Rid Detox Mouthwash is a popular brand that claims to eliminate all traces of THC without harming the sensitive tissues in the mouth. You’re meant to use the detox mouthwash 15 minutes before the scheduled test to improve your chances of a negative result.

Most of the time, you won’t have this mouthwash on you when you’re called on the spot to do a saliva test, and it’s not a guaranteed pass.

What’s The Best THC Detox Kit Money Can Buy?

There are a lot of different THC detox kits on the market, but not all of them are effective.

Most kits either come in capsules or detox drinks that contain liver and kidney-fortifying herbs to support the body’s ability to metabolize compounds naturally.

Many of these natural detox kits take time (usually weeks), and there’s no guarantee that drinks or THC detox pills work. If you haven’t consumed too many THC products before your expected drug test, you should be in the clear if you stop using even without these detox kids, but adding THC detox products, when done safely, can help ease stress.

We’ve even come across a THC detox mouthwash online, which is designed to eliminate traces of THC in the saliva to be used hours before the test. The detox mouthwash will only be effective for saliva drug tests; there’s no guarantee this will help you pass.

The best way THC detox method is to abstain from use for at least four weeks before the test.

This will allow the THC to run its course through your system through the liver naturally. If you do choose to use THC detox products, stop using THC, follow the instructions carefully, and drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.

Effects of Cannabis Detox and THC Withdrawal Symptoms

While it’s not very common, some people can experience withdrawal symptoms when they cut out THC cold turkey. Luckily, these THC withdrawal symptoms are mild and short-lived.

Some of the common symptoms include:

• Stomach Pain
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Insomnia

Regular THC intake is linked to the desensitization of the CB1 receptor in the central nervous system, the primary endocannabinoid receptor it interacts with to provide its intoxicating effects.

The severity of cannabis withdrawal is dependent on the amount of cannabis used before quitting, gender, genetics, and some environmental factors. For example, it was observed that women reported stronger physical withdrawal symptoms compared to men [3].

How Can You Prepare For A THC Drug Test?

If you’re facing a drug test, the best way to prepare is to stop using cannabis at least a month before the test.

That may not be possible or realistic for some people, though.

For some peace of mind, you can buy detox supplements that claim to cleanse your system. These might be effective if you don’t have much THC in your system. Still, there’s no guarantee you’ll pass your test.

Regular cannabis intake is linked to the desensitization of the CB1 receptor in the central nervous system, the primary endocannabinoid receptor it interacts with.

The severity of cannabis withdrawal is dependent on the amount of cannabis used before quitting, gender, genetics, and some environmental factors. For example, it was observed that women reported stronger physical withdrawal symptoms compared to men [3].

Are THC Detoxes Dangerous?

When it comes to THC detoxes, there are a lot of questions and not a lot of answers. Some people swear by them, while others say they’re dangerous and ineffective. So what’s the truth? Are THC detoxes safe?
The short answer is that we don’t know for sure.

There is very little scientific research on THC detoxes, so we can’t say definitively whether they are safe or not. However, there are a few things we do know that might help you make a decision.

THC is stored in fat cells, so many people believe that detox will help you get rid of it more quickly. However, there is no evidence to support this claim.

There are many different forms of THC detox products on the market, and some of the ingredients could be harmful and extreme to your liver and kidneys, so it’s important to do your research.

Most of the THC detox supplements and remedies listed in this article are not dangerous when used correctly. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when you’re trying to detox from THC: Make sure that you follow the instructions of your THC detox products and drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.

Is Synthetic Urine A Good Idea?

No, quick-fix synthetic urine is not a good idea if you’re trying to pass a drug test. Most drug testers are aware of synthetic urine, and using it can actually cause more problems for you.

For one thing, most labs can easily identify it, and you may be subject to further testing if your sample is flagged as artificial. Additionally, using synthetic urine may be considered cheating, and you could be subject to disciplinary action if you’re caught. So, while synthetic urine may seem like a quick and easy way to pass a drug test, it’s not worth the risk.

Is Delta-8 THC the Same as Delta-9 THC In Drug Tests?

Drug tests usually detect the metabolite THC-COOH, which is produced by the liver when it breaks down THC.

Delta-8 THC and Delta-9 THC are both metabolized into THC-COOH, so it is possible to fail a drug test with delta-8 THC use.

Closing Thoughts: Best THC Detox Method

If you’re facing a THC test, whether for work or for a sports league, it’s important to know which detox method is best for you.

The best THC detox method is to avoid THC use at least a month before a saliva test or a urine test.

Hair follicle tests are much more sensitive, detecting THC levels for up to 90 days after cessation, but these tests aren’t as common.

If you have to take a hair follicle test, there are some shampoos on the market that claim to help remove THC from your hair, but we’re not convinced they’ll work. In the end, the best way to pass a THC test is to abstain from THC use altogether.

FAQs

Resources Cited:

1. Baselt, R. C., & Cravey, R. H. (1982). Disposition of toxic drugs and chemicals in man (Vol. 8). Davis, CA: Biomedical Publications.Chicago
2. Flora, K., Hahn, M., Rosen, H., & Benner, K. (1998). Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) for the therapy of liver disease. American Journal of Gastroenterology, 93(2), 139-143.
3. Bonnet, U., & Preuss, U. W. (2017). The cannabis withdrawal syndrome: current insights. Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation, 8, 9. Chicago.
4. University of Vermont. (2024). T-Break: Take a Cannabis Tolerance Break. Retrieved from https://www.uvm.edu/health/t-break-take-cannabis-tolerance-break