Delta 8 has been the talk of the town, and with good reason. Users find many different benefits and tend to enjoy the similarities it shares with Delta 9 THC, while appreciating fewer negative side effects that can come with a less potent cannabinoid.
The question of "How long does Delta 8 stay in my system?" can be even more important if you know you have an upcoming drug test or are subject to periodic drug tests. These products come with varying effects and potencies depending on the user, which is one reason it's difficult to determine exactly how long Delta 8 stays in your system, especially if you are a first-time user. We will take a look at a few factors that play into how long Delta 8 stays in your system.
If you're looking for a quick answer, on average, Delta 8 THC will typically remain in your system from anywhere from 2-30 days. I know, that's not the answer you wanted, but there are a few variables that you have to look at before determining how long it will stay in your system.
How Does Delta 8 Affect the Body?
First let’s look at how Delta 8 affects the body. Most users report that Delta 8 produces milder psychoactive effects or high that is stimulating and uplifting, most report that it’s a pleasurable high that doesn’t leave them feeling completely stoned like the effects of marijuana.
Although everyone is different, and the overall experience varies from person to person. Delta-8 tends to have more calming and relaxing qualities than delta-9, and generally, users can expect a milder relaxing high.
The consumption method used to consume Delta 8 can also influence the effects, how long users will feel those effects, and how long each it will remain in your system. So, to start off, let's look at how long the effects of using Delta 8 THC will last by different methods of consumption.
How Long Can the Effects of Using Delta 8 Last?
The psychoactive effects of Delta 8 THC aren't necessarily tied to how long it will stay in your system from a drug test perspective but knowing how long Delta 8 affects you after usage is important to understand.
Delta 8 THC Vape Cartridges
When using Delta 8 vape cartridges or disposable vapes, you’ll typically feel the effects kick in fairly fast, it can be anywhere between 5-10 minutes. These effects may last up to 5 hours, but they typically peak between 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Delta 8 THC Oils
Delta 8 Tinctures may take 30-90 minutes to kick in, with tinctures the effects lasting between 4 to 5 hours, these effects typically peak between 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Delta 8 THC Gummies
Edibles take a little longer to kick in than vaping, they typically take 30 minutes to 2 hours to kick in and effects almost always last longer, typically all the way up to 5 hours after consuming.
How Long Does Delta 8 Stay in Your System?
Although determining the timeframe Delta 8 THC stays in your system is not an exact science there are some key factors that go into how long it will stay in one person's system when compared to another's. Keep these factors in mind if you are subject to drug tests so you can avoid the dreaded positive drug test result.
Frequency of Use
First let’s take a look at frequency of use, the more often you use Delta 8 or cannabis, the longer it will stay in your system. Cannabinoids are fat-soluble, which means they’re able to make their way into the body’s fat cells. When you use cannabinoids like Delta 8 or Delta 9 in high doses or for a long period of time, they accumulate in your fat cells.
Once you stop using cannabinoids, they slowly start to flow back into the bloodstream, which prolongs the amount of time needed for these types of compounds to be eliminated entirely from the body.
Typically, your body will be Delta 8 free within 7-10 days, if you use Delta 8 once or twice a week. Someone who typically uses Delta 8 five or six times per week may have to wait a few weeks before it’s no longer detectable in the blood or urine.
THC Potency
This is important because the stronger the dosage, the longer it can last. This is the case with most cannabinoids, like HHC, Delta 8, or Delta 9. This may be common sense, but the higher the dose of Delta 8, the longer it will take to get completely rid itself from your system.
The half-life of Delta 8 seems to be relatively short, so if you increase your dose, it will only affect the amount of time Delta 8 stays in the body by a few hours, rather than a few days.
Age
As we get older, our metabolic rate begins to slow down. However, just because as most people age, their metabolism slows, that is not always the case. Some younger people have slower metabolisms and the time their body takes to process Delta 8 might be similar to someone in their 60’s.
Method of Consumption
It would make sense that edible forms of Delta 8 will remain in the body the longest. Inhaled forms of Delta 8 exert their effects much quicker than ingested forms, this means they will clear from the body faster than edible forms.
There haven't been any official studies to compare the metabolism of different ingestion methods of Delta 8. However, there have been Delta 9 studies on this topic, so it's safe to assume Delta 8 THC would be similar. This is also based on consumers' experiences and anecdotal evidence of how fast these methods take to kick in.
Individual Metabolism
People with a faster metabolism will metabolize Delta 8 faster than those with a slower metabolism. The human body relies heavily on the liver to metabolize Delta 8, HHC, Delta 9 and other cannabinoids. The liver uses a specific enzyme to break down each substance into smaller inactive metabolites. These are then removed from the body via the kidneys.
The specific enzyme that is heavily involved in breaking down Delta 8 is called CYP3A4. Some people have less of this enzyme than others, depending on the person it’s going to take longer to metabolize Delta 8 than someone with a higher amount of this particular enzyme in the liver.
How Do You Clear Delta 8 THC out of Your System?
If you have a drug test coming and you have used Delta 8, or any other THC product you're probably wondering if there is anything you can do to speed up the process of riding your system of Delta 8. Of course, it is best to stay clear of these products for at least 2 weeks prior to an upcoming drug test. Here are a few ways that can help your body eliminate Delta 8 THC.
Drink plenty of water
Since the liver breaks down Delta 8 and then flushes it to the kidneys, staying hydrated during and after the usage of Delta 8 may help it get out of your system faster.
Take a detox or detoxing naturally
Taking a detox drink can help your body flush out unwanted toxins faster. You can drink fresh cranberry juice as a natural detox or use apple cider vinegar.
Eat a well-balanced diet and exercise
Eating healthy and exercising regularly will help keep your metabolic rate higher so your body will naturally metabolize these substances faster. Another side benefit of staying fit is that you will maintain a lower body fat and since Delta 8 THC is stored in fat cells, there will be less likelihood of THC storage.
Can Delta 8 Make You Fail a Drug Test?
Delta 8 THC can make you fail a drug test because most standard drug tests are not going to differentiate between Delta 8 (although it is legal in most states) and Delta 9 THC. You will most likely test positive for THC metabolites, and you may have a difficult time trying to argue that it was caused from legal hemp-derived THC instead of marijuana.
If you are subject to drug screening or have to take a drug test it is best to avoid Delta 8 or any other THC substances altogether.
Drug Testing Methods
The most common drug testing method for marijuana or Delta 8 THC is through urine tests but there are quite a few different types of drug tests that can be used, and you should be aware of.
Urine Drug Test
For first time users facing a drug test a urine test can detect THC for up to three days after use. For moderate users THC may be present in a user's urine for up to 5-10 days. Regardless of these estimates, some users and sources have said that Delta 8 THC may show up on a urine test or up to 48 days after use, this is especially true for those who are heavy Delta 8 or cannabis users.
Saliva Test
Saliva drug testing can detect THC and other THC metabolites anywhere from 1 to 29 days after use. Like most drug tests, this depends on how frequently and how much Delta 8 THC that is used. For occasional users they can expect THC to be present for around one to three days. For chronic users this cannabinoid can be detected for up to 29 days. Taking a saliva test within these timeframes will certainly increase your likelihood of a positive drug test.
Blood Test
Delta 8 THC can be detectable for upwards of two days after your last day of consumption however for heavy users, it could be detectable for up to 25 days.
Even when inhaled, such as use of Delta 8 vapes THC metabolites can be detected within a few seconds in your bloodstream. Afterwards it is then distributed throughout the cells in your body and can remain detectable for days after.
Typically, this form of testing is used to determine if someone has been using cannabis recently. If you have an impending drug test it is in your best interest to fully abstain from using Delta 8 THC for at least 14-28 days beforehand.
Hair Follicle Test
A hair follicle drug test is much less common and are a very difficult drug test to pass. Trace amounts of Delta-8 THC will get into your hair. Since the growth of hair can be so slow, it can be detectable for upwards of three months after use.
Conclusion
To recap, factors such as the method of consumption you choose, your physical characteristics, (age, metabolism, hydration, fitness) along with frequency of use, and potency of products are all major factors in determining how long Delta 8 will stay in your system.
Whether you are reading up on this topic ahead of time to prepare yourself for the possibility of needing to pass a drug test or you were just curious, now you know all of the variables that play a role in how long Delta 8 stays in your system.