Factors, Methods and Expectations for Clearing Marijuana from Your System
Whether you’re trying to pass a drug test or just looking to speed up the detoxification process so that you can quit smoking weed, there are many misleading claims about how you can remove traces of THC from your body quickly.
When you stop using weed, you will undergo a natural detox process that rids the body of toxins and metabolites associated with cannabis use.
However, the time frame for your test results to come back clear depends on a number of factors, including the amount of weed you’ve been using. Here’s what you need to know.
Are you or a loved one struggling with a substance abuse problem? Zinnia Health professional staff can offer the guidance you need. Reach out to our team today by calling (855) 430-9439.
Factors That Affect THC Metabolite Elimination and Detection
- Cannabis Intake Method: People who smoke, vape, or inhale THC will have higher blood levels of THC metabolites compared to edibles due to oral consumption resulting in first-pass metabolism in the liver.
- Body Mass Index (BMI): People who have higher body fat may retain THC for longer since THC is fat-soluble. Factors like your body mass impact how long it takes to flush weed from your system, since additional fat means your body may store extra metabolites.
- Dosage and Consumption Frequency: Long-term (chronic) smokers of marijuana are more likely to retain THC metabolites for longer versus occasional, or once off users. For chronic marijuana users, they might not be able to pass a urine test for a month or more, and hair tests can show positive for up to three months for even lighter users.
- THC Potency: The higher the dose of THC in the weed product you consume the longer the THC metabolites will be in your system.
- Genetics: Genetic varieties of the CYP2C9 gene can affect the enzyme’s activity. Variants like CYP2C92 and CYP2C93 can lead to reduced enzyme function, resulting in a slower THC metabolism rate and higher THC concentrations in the body.
- Drug Testing Method Used: The sensitivity and specificity of the type of drug screening test being used will make a difference in the accuracy (avoiding false positives) of the results and for how long after your last use will THC metabolites be picked up in your system.
How Long Does Weed Stay In Your System?
The key compound in cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol (“THC”), which is what drug tests look for when determining if you’ve been taking weed.
While the effects of THC only last a few hours, there are other signs of weed use that will show up in a drug test as a positive result for potentially months after your last use. Common drug tests that can detect weed usage include: 5-panel test, 10-panel test and 12-panel test.
The body produces metabolites as a result of breaking down cannabis, and they can stick around in the body for a long time. These are known as THC metabolites.
This means, in order to truly detox your system, you need to get all THC and its metabolites out before a drug test will come back clear.
With that said, the amount of time different drug testing methods can detect THC metabolites varies.
- Urine Sample Drug Tests: These tests can detect cannabis use for about three days in one-time users and up to 30 days after last use in heavy users
- Saliva Swab Drug Tests: Theses tests can typically detect cannabis use for about a day, but they can detect it for up to three days after last use in some cases
- Hair Follicle Drug Tests: These tests can detect cannabis use for up to 90 days after the last use
- Blood Sample Drug Tests: These tests can detect cannabis use for only about 3-4 hours after last use
The difference in detection window times among these tests relates to how the body processes cannabis. But, does this mean it’s simply a waiting game?
If you’re looking to speed up a marijuana detox, there’s no shortage of information on the internet, but it’s not always reliable or accurate, so let’s take a closer look.
Recovering from addiction requires customized treatment from a caring team of professionals. If you’re ready to learn more about your options, Zinnia Health facilities can help. Call our helpline at (855) 430-9439 today.
THC Elimination Methods That Do Not Work
The need to detox your body quickly may arise from an upcoming drug test, or the desire to get past all the side effects of withdrawal so that you can quit weed for good.
Whatever your motivation is, it’s important to approach the situation with caution because there are countless false promises promoted on the internet.
- Weed Detox Kits: There are countless THC detox products on the market that promise unrealistic results. These kits often come in the form of THC detox drinks, which typically add up to nothing more than fast-acting diuretics that will simply make you go to the bathroom more. Taking detox pills and supplements might sound like a good idea at first, but it doesn’t speed up the THC detoxification process.
- Drinking Lots of Water: While drinking lots of water can produce a false negative by diluting the urine, it only draws further attention to your sample. If anything, drinking water in excess before taking a urine drug test can lead to additional suspicion over you purposefully trying to dilute your results. Almost as soon as marijuana enters your body, your system begins breaking down, resulting in metabolites. Those metabolites are stored in various places, including fat cells, and drinking more water will not speed up the body’s ability to process them.
- Home Remedies: Several home remedies also promise to get your body ultra clean, like drinking cranberry juice, taking a tablespoon of lemon juice, downing apple cider vinegar, or loading up on vitamin C. These recommendations likely sprout from the fact that these substances contain antioxidants, but there’s no evidence showing they will help you detoxify your body of weed or any other substance.
- Exercise and Fasting: A study showed that physical exercise and fasting from food did not help release more cannabinoids from the fat cells of daily cannabis users and also does not risk more detectable levels in urine and blood tests.
THC Elimination Methods That Do Work
Professional and medically supervised detox programs do exist that can help you clean THC out of your system, but it’s not possible to achieve a one-day detox or even a seven-day detox.
Ultimately, if you want to get clean from weed, there’s no quick fix.
THC cleansing starts the moment you stop using weed, whether you choose to quit on your own or with the help of experienced substance-use professionals.
If you choose to quit weed with the help of a detox center, you may be able to lessen some of the side effects of weed withdrawal, eliminate the risk of relapse, and get on track for long-term recovery.
A detox center can help ensure a more effective detox by:
- Eliminating weed and other substances from your system, including alcohol (which can dampen kidney function, thereby impacting the detox process)
- Focusing on your overall wellness, which includes making sure you get enough water and eating a balanced diet with lots of dietary fiber
- Ensuring your immediate comfort and providing help with anxiety, depression, drug cravings, and any other challenges you may face
- Helping you focus on your long-term healthcare and personal goals, which may include music therapy, group discussions, skills training, and more
While there’s no such thing as a THC detox kit or quick fix when it comes to cleansing weed from your system, there are legitimate detox centers that can help you through the process on your own time.
How To Naturally Aid Clearing THC From Your System
Utilize the following steps to help your body whilst it clears THC from your system:
- Eat healthy, nutrient-dense foods
- Drink plenty of water and clear beverages
- Reduce or eliminate coffee or caffeine. This helps anxiety and insomnia
- Keep a regular exercise routine to boost your mood and overall health
- Take hot baths or showers to ease physical or mental discomfort and promote relaxation
How Zinnia Health Can Help With Weed Addiction
With customized treatment, advanced programs, and caring staff, Zinnia Health is the clear choice for detox and recovery. Are you ready to take the next step?
You can reach us on our website or through our 24/7 helpline by calling (855) 430-9439.