Drug tests are specifically made to detect Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or its metabolites. Although these tests do not look for CBD, some CBD products contain trace amounts of THC, which might cause a person to fail a drug test.
Some CBD products are made from hemp, a low-THC variety of cannabis that is legal in the United States. While some CBD products might be THC-free, contamination during the production process is possible. The manufacturer's labeling may be incomplete in some circumstances.
Continue reading to find out if CBD shows up on a drug test.
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Is CBD a drug?
Officially, no. CBD, on the other hand, is a prescription medicine that cannot be legally added to foods or dietary supplements. CBD is only permitted in "cosmetic" products. However, CBD products that are branded as dietary supplements are still available on the market - confusing, right?
According to a publication by Harvard Medical School, CBD can come from marijuana, but it can also come from hemp. Hemp is a similar plant that contains less than 0.3% THC (the THC threshold that's been used to classify and regulate cannabis).
Quick note: Hemp plants and marijuana plants are from the same species. Legally, hemp is defined as a cannabis plant with lower levels of THC.
Fun fact: Fabrics and ropes are often made from hemp.
In 2018, Congress made hemp officially lawful in all 50 states, including CBD derived from hemp, but with restrictions. The rules governing CBD extracted from marijuana, on the other hand, are significantly less clear.
Consult with your state health department or local professionals to understand the legality behind CBD products.
What is CBD used for?
In animal and preliminary human studies, researchers have seen some potential therapeutic effects of CBD, including:
- Preventing vomiting
- Reducing inflammation
- Promoting neuroprotection
- Relieving pain
- Controlling anxiety and psychosis
Scientists are still baffled as to how CBD works. CBD is thought to work by preventing the breakdown of endocannabinoids. This lets them have a greater impact on your body. CBD may also increase endocannabinoid levels or bind to serotonin receptors, according to research. The hormone serotonin regulates mood, happiness, and anxiety.
Even though there is evidence from studies that CBD may work for a few conditions, CBD might not work with all the conditions promoted to be “treated” with it. For example, there isnt concrete evidence that CBD helps cure cancer.
It also comes down to the type of CBD you’re taking - oral vs. creams or oils. The effect of the latter still has yet to be proven through studies as there’s still insufficient data available.
Testing has also revealed that many goods do not contain the ingredients listed on the label. They may, for example, contain less CBD than claimed. So keep an eye out when buying any CBD products.
How long does CBD stay in your system?
Unless you're a frequent CBD user (more than 10 mg/day for several weeks), CBD won't stay in your system for more than 7 days following your previous use. CBD may stay in your body for up to two weeks in this situation, depending on your frequency of use.
14 Huntington's disease patients were given an extraordinarily high dose of oral CBD (10 mg/kg/day — around 700 mg/day) for six weeks in a study published in Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior.
CBD levels declined to an average of 1.5 ng/ml one week after CBD was stopped, according to the study. After roughly a week, cannabidiol levels were almost undetectable.
How long does CBD stay in urine?
It all depends on how much you took and how often you used it. These metabolites can appear in a urine test anywhere from 2-3 weeks after the last time you took it.
How do you clear your system of CBD?
Even if you have never experimented with illegal drugs, preparing for a drug test can be a stressful process. CBD users must also consider whether it will show up on a drug test. The majority of tests are designed to identify THC rather than CBD.
Many CBD oils and products, on the other hand, contain trace levels of THC, causing drug tests to come back positive for that drug. Full-spectrum CBD oils, for example, contain trace quantities of THC.
Drink more water
If you're afraid about failing a drug test, try increasing your water intake in the days preceding up to the test. If you know you'll be taking a urine test, drink 2 to 3 liters of water in the days leading up to it and 1 to 2 liters on the day of the test. This will assist in the removal of any cannabis-related poisons.
Work a sweat by exercising
Exercising is another great technique to expedite the removal of CBD from your system. Your body releases CBD and other toxins more quickly when you workout and sweat. Plus, you're definitely drinking more water while you exercise.
Try a diuretic
To increase the rate of urine, you can use a diuretic. When you combine a diuretic with additional water, urination and, as a result, detoxification are likely to rise. It's important to remember that diuretics might change the color of your urine and, in some situations, lab personnel will reject you.
CBD and employer drug testing
With legal marijuana and hemp entering the mainstream and fast increasing markets across the United States and other parts of the world, the supply of CBD-rich products is exploding. And, while some studies imply that workplace drug testing is no longer necessary, this is not the case for all jobs. Drug testing is still required in some occupations, as well as criminal law, transportation, and addiction rehabilitation proceedings.
You shouldn’t get punished for feeling better with CBD
Remember, in many states marijuana is legalized or regulated. Therefore, in those states you can freely use hemp-based CBD products without a doubt. But, it’s always better to stay safe than sorry when using CBD products in places that have tighter restrictions whether it be at work or in a different state.
Did we missed something? Let us know in the comments below!
8 comments
Interesting! I was under the impression that as long as it didn’t have THC in it, you would be fine.
This is so important to know for any of us using CBD. Even if your employer is understanding, you’ll still have to go through the trouble of having another drug test.
I had no idea CBD was used to prevent vomiting. And yes, now I can see how this would remain in the body if ingested shortly before the drug test. Better to be safe than sorry surely.