How Long Does Delta 8 Stay in Your System – A Brief Guide
Searching for a brief and actionable answer for "how long does delta 8 stay in your system"; then you have come to the right place. Delta-8 THC is recently making waves on the market, and it has become popular due to its similarity to delta-9 THC, the primary psychoactive compound in marijuana.
Although the effects of delta-8 are milder than that of delta-9, they can remain in your system for days. For frequent users, it can be as long as 90 days.
Delta 8, like regular THC, leaves marijuana metabolites in your bloodstream for at least a week.
You might need to encounter a drug test and you consumed delta-8 recently. Therefore, some questions might pop up in your mind, "How long will it stay in your system?" "Will it show up positive for THC in a drug screening?" Whether you are a first-time user or already using it regularly, this guide will give you all the information regarding ∆8-THC's detection time, metabolism, and more.
Delta 8 THC
Delta-8 Tetrahydrocannabinol, often known as Delta-8 THC, is a minor cannabinoid of the cannabis plant among other 100s of other cannabinoids. You have probably heard the name of some of them: THC, CBD, CBG, CBN, etc.
The pros and cons of delta 8 are similar to those of delta-9, although mildly. ∆8-THC has intoxicating effects and can make you high as marijuana's most prevalent THC does.
How long does Delta 8 stay in your system after consumption?
No matter in which form you ingested delta-8 THC, it will be detectable via drug test for up to 10 days or less. When you consume the cannabinoid, your body initially breaks it down, and it then goes into the bloodstream and gets stored in fat cells.
The liver further breaks it down into THC metabolites. These THC metabolites have an affinity to bind with body fat. As a result, THC metabolites stay in the body for an extended period than other substances, and these metabolites can be detectable for a prolonged period.
According to a research titled "Human Cannabinoid Pharmacokinetics," most THC is eliminated from the body via excretion within five days. The existing 10-20% may persist for up to five more days before the complete removal.
Therefore, you should anticipate THC to be screenable in your system anywhere from 5 to 10 days from initial intake.
In short, if you've only used delta 8 THC once or twice, it will stay in your system for approximately two days. On the other hand, If you use delta-8 frequently or take high doses, it may take anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks for your body to become THC free.
Do you use delta-8 regularly? Do you have concerns about passing a drug test? But, you don't have to. You can easily give a drug test simply by preparing yourself in advance.
Here's what you need to know.
First, get to know the factors that play a role in the length of time any substance like THC stays with you.
Then, learn about the types of drug tests you might need to undertake.
Finally, follow the step-by-step guidelines to flush THC out of your system as soon as you can.
Factors that Influence how long Delta 8 THC will stay in your system
Several factors can increase or decrease the time frame of delta-8 THC's presence in your body. To test negative for THC in a given drug test, you need to detoxify your body from the substance. Hence, it is essential to familiarize yourself with these factors to get rid of THC from your system within the shortest possible time.
Now, let us quickly review the factors, and then we will briefly describe each of them.
- Your pattern of consumption — Do you consider yourself a frequent user? If your answer is Yes, keep yourself sober for 30 to 60 days before the test day. Otherwise, you will likely test positive.
- Your body weight — This is another factor affecting the duration of THC's presence in your body. When you consume THC, it gets metabolized, and the THC metabolites get stored in your fat cells.
- Age of the person - Younger people can metabolize things faster than older people.
- Consumption method — Our body metabolizes delta 8 THC in several ways based on consumption methods. The length of time that delta eight will remain in the body varies depending on how you consume it: ingested forms last longer than inhaled ones.
- Your metabolism — Some people process food more quickly than others.
- The amount you took — The more significant the dose, the longer it takes to get out of your system.
- Other drugs or medications — Certain medicines can prolong the breakdown and excretion of delta 8.
However, several other variables may impact the duration of delta 8 THC presence in your body. Let us walk you through each of them with further details.
THC Strength of Your Delta-8 Product
The length of time delta 8 THC will remain in your body is dependent on how potent the product is. In other words, if you take a higher potency product, it will stay in your system longer than a lower potency one.
So, how can you find information regarding the potency of a delta-8 product? You can find this information on the label of any delta-8 product, and you can also review the certificate of analysis (COA) associated with that particular product on the manufacturer's website.
Another factor to consider is the type of drug test you will likely encounter. Both delta-8 and delta-9 are compounds with the same chemical formula but different molecular structures. Like delta 9, the breakdown of delta 8 THC will take approximately the same amount of time, and it will break down into comparable metabolites. It will stay in your body for roughly the same amount of time as delta-9.
Drug tests usually do not distinguish between these two. As a result, you can test positive for THC when routinely trying any delta 8 product, and the same is true even if you are using a lower potency product.
Method of Consumption
The way you consume delta-8 can also affect how long it stays in your body. When smoked, for example, you will experience the effects of THC within a few minutes, and it will eventually fade away within the next 5-6 hours.
However, when ingested orally, absorption may take up to an hour or two before you can feel the effects, and they may last for more than 5 hours.
Studies on how fast or slow delta 8 THC breaks down for various ingestion methods are few and far between. However, we have relevant data available for other similar cannabinoids like CBD.
According to research published in 2018, when you inhale the cannabinoid CBD, it gets eliminated from the body almost twice as quickly as other forms of ingestion.
| Delta 8 THC Product Category | Inhaled Products | **Edible Products |
| Onset Time | 5 to 6 Minutes | 15 to 90 Minutes |
| Effect's Peak(following consumption) | 20 to 60 Minutes | 60 to120 Minutes |
| Total Effects Duration | 3 to 6 Hours | 3 to 6 Hours |
**N.B.: Because some ingestible items contain nanotechnology, which makes Delta-8 THC more bioavailable to the body, this efficiency leads to a quicker onset time. However, you will start feeling the full effects of the product within 15 to 35 minutes. So, if you're concerned about how long delta-8 will stay in your system, be mindful of the ways you're consuming it.
Delta-8 THC's Half-Life
There are two metabolic phases of delta-8 THC, a fast phase and a subsequent slow phase. In the rapid stage, a portion of delta-8 THC gets eliminated from the body within a minute of initial intake. Once it is over, the metabolic rate slows down remarkably in the subsequent slow phase. In the slow phase, delta 8 has a half-life of around 32 minutes.
In other words, the time it takes to break down the initial half of your delta-8 THC intake is 30 minutes. And the remaining 50% of your initial dose is still there unprocessed. It takes another 30 minutes to metabolize half of this remaining 50%, which leads to 25% of the initial intake being unprocessed after almost 1 hour of consumption. The process continues until there is any more delta-8 THC left in your body.
How Often Do You Use It?
According to experts' occasional users can anticipate delta-8 to stay in their systems for a shorter time than frequent users. Therefore, how often you use delta-8 also plays a significant role in "how long delta 8 stays in your system". The more you take delta-8 THC, the more difficult it is to eliminate from your body.
Nowadays, many organizations require their employees to undertake drug tests at regular intervals. Not all tests can identify THC in your system one month preceding last consumption. So, it's better to take caution and avoid consuming delta-8 at least a month before the test.
Delta 8 users who use it once or twice each week should be completely free of the substance within seven days.
But, if you're a regular delta-8 user, you may need to wait for at least a month before it's no longer detectable in your blood, urine, or saliva.
Genetics & Metabolism
The speed at which your body metabolizes delta-8 THC will also determine how long it remains present in your system. Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer regarding genetics and metabolism because we all have unique ones.
Moreover, certain factors that play a role in this process include age, weight, sex, lifestyle, and general health condition.
According to one study titled "Sex Differences in Cannabis Use and Effects: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Cannabis Users," women metabolize THC at a slower pace than men. In contrast, another study showed that those over 65 take longer to break down delta-8. We are dependent on our liver to break down delta-8 and other compounds. The liver breaks down each substance into more minor metabolites that the body encounters through a particular enzyme, and the kidneys then filter these out of the body. CYP3A4 is the specific enzyme that is associated with delta-8 THC.
As each person's genetic structure is unique, few individuals naturally have more CYP3A4 than others. It will take longer to metabolize delta-8 for those who have less of the enzyme than those who have more.
Your Dose Amount
If you take a smaller dose, it will be eliminated from your body faster than if you take a larger quantity. Delta-8 has a short half-life, so increasing the amount will only affect a few hours.
Guidelines on Passing a Delta-8 THC Drug Test
Know the Types of Drug Test
The following vital point to consider is the type of drug test you are about to face. Some tests, for example, can spot THC consumed only a few hours prior, while others can detect it for as long as three months. Therefore, if you can know the kind of test you'll probably face will enable you to prepare for it with some time in hand. As a result, you can limit your delta-8 consumption accordingly.
Let's have a look at how long delta-8 is detectable in a variety of drug tests and how they might appear:
- Hair test – A hair test is one of the most sophisticated tests to determine whether or not someone has THC in their system. However, it is frequently incorrect. A hair follicle test may detect THC consumed in any manner over three months prior to the test.
- Urine test – It is highly precise and reliable because this test can detect THC in your body up to 48 days from the day of your last ingestion.
- Saliva test – A saliva test will only reveal THC consumed less than 24 hours preceding the test. While this method is popular, it's easy to understand why it isn't the most dependable.
- Blood test – The compound can be detected in your bloodstream within seconds of inhaling it as a vapor. Tests with blood samples can determine whether you recently consumed cannabis products or not. Usually, a blood test can detect the presence of THC in your system for at least two days from the day of your last consumption. It can detect THC presence for as long as 25 days for frequent users.
Suppose you have consumed any form of THC, whether delta 8 or delta 9, you may test positive for the substance within these timeframes. The following table outlines the detectable time period of THC with some common drug tests.
| Drug Test Type | Detectable Time Range (probable) |
| Blood | from 3 hrs up to 25 days |
| Urine | from 3 hrs up to 48 days |
| Saliva | up to 24 hrs |
| Hair | up to 90 days |
Now that you know how long delta-8 will be traceable in your system for some conventional drug tests, you can prepare yourself better to face one. However, these time durations are just estimates.
Pro Tips: How to Reduce Your Body's THC Level Faster?
To pass a drug test, you need to flush out the intoxicating THC metabolites from your system. Here are some helpful tips for flushing the cannabinoid out of your body as quickly as possible:
- Avoid THC Consumption: It is best to avoid any THC-related products for 14 days before a drug test to eliminate the delta-8 THC metabolites in your body. Drug tests aren't always announced in advance. So staying sober is the best possible way to keep yourself 100% ready for a drug test of any type at any time.
- Stay Hydrated: One easy way to detox your system from THC is to drink a lot of water. As a result, you will experience frequent urination and your body will flush out delta-8 THC metabolites rapidly.
- Detox Products: A long list of detox products available on the market claim to help you pass a drug test. Some work better than others, but be careful – not all are legit. Conduct deep research before buying and using any detox products as they might not always work as advertised.
- A Balanced Diet: Eat good food and follow a diet plan. Maintain a healthy and balanced diet plan, including foods high in protein and fiber. Regular urination and defecation can further help eliminate THC metabolites from your body.
- Engage in Workouts: You can increase your metabolism rate by engaging yourself in daily workouts. Which interns can help flush out toxins from your body much quicker.
Hopefully, this information will ease your mind while using delta-8 THC. As with anything, it's always important to follow the best practices. Moreover, talk to your physician in case you notice any adverse side effects.
Some FAQs related to Delta 8 & Drug Test
Can I legally use Delta-8 THC?
YES, you can as most manufacturers use to derive delta-8 from hemp instead of marijuana, which is still legal by the federal government. Since the 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp cultivation and hemp-derived products, manufacturers used this legislation loophole to manufacture and distribute delta eight products all across the USA. The use of Delta-8 is legal in 27 states, while others seek to prohibit the substance.
Can it be detectable in urine test?
The brief answer is YES, delta-8 can be detectable via urine test — as the compound is identical with the characteristics of delta-9 which is the regular THC drug tests aim to look for.
Can I fail a drug test?
Another common question asked by lots of delta-8 users is whether the substance will make them fail a drug test. Again the answer is YES; it can yield a positive THC test result, specifically if you consider yourself a frequent user.
When can I safely take my test?
Regardless of the fact that delta-8 is legal, less powerful, and safer than delta-9, it can still cause you to fail a drug test for a specific time period. Review our guideline above to learn more about when to take your test. So that you can pass the test safely even if you are currently using any cannabis products containing THC or delta 8.
What are the risks associated with Delta-8 usage?
Delta-8 THC is a relatively new product on the market, so not much is known about its potential risks. However, because it is similar to Delta-9 THC in both structure and function, it is possible that it could have some of the same associated risks. These could include addiction, impaired memory, cognitive 8difficulties, anxiety, psychosis, etc.
Key Takeaways
In conclusion, we came to know; how long does delta-8 stay in your system, how the duration varies based on a number of factors, what are the dos and don'ts before appearing in a drug test, and a few tips to reduce THC level in your body.
Above all, keep in mind that conventional drug tests cannot distinguish between delta 9 and delta 8. In drug tests, delta-8 may return positive for THC. As a result, if you're looking to pass a drug test, it's best not to use Delta-8 products at all.
Nonetheless, if you consume products containing cannabinoids anyhow, we recommend that you utilize Full-spectrum CBD products. Finally, you should avoid the dangers of using ∆8 and take advantage of the other naturally occurring plant-based cannabinoids such as CBD.
Our CBD online shop provides a large selection of Full-Spectrum CBD items, which you may browse through. Are you interested to learn more about some other well-known cannabinoids? Check MEDOSI's cannabinoids blog page. Our goal is to provide you with correct, actionable information at all times.