Legality

Medically Reviewed By:

Nidra Sidhu, M.D. Integrative Medicine

How Long Does Delta 8 Stay In Your System?

Delta 8 THC is an exciting new product on the market derived from the hemp plant. Because it comes from hemp and contains less than 0.3% delta 9 THC, it is legal on a federal level, may have psychoactive effects, and possible to purchase online.

The even more exciting aspect of this minor compound with a big personality is its smooth and milder psychotropic effects. 

If you live in a state where delta 9 THC is illegal and will cause you to fail a drug test, you can still experience a unique high that you can’t find with other hemp products.

But if delta 8 THC gets you high, you might be asking yourself a few questions: 

These are valid questions, and we have some answers based on the information currently available to us. Let’s get into it.

Does Delta 8 Show Up On A Drug Test?

This is a big question for those who are required to take most drug tests for their jobs or other extenuating circumstances that might require an upcoming drug test. 

The short answer is maybe. If you have an impending drug test - depending on the test - you could fail if you’re consuming delta 8.

This is largely because some drug tests, whether it be a generic drug test, urine drug test, or even some saliva tests may test for remaining THC metabolites.

While delta 8 THC metabolites are legal, unlike delta 9 THC metabolites, it is still a type of tetrahydrocannabinol. This means that some tests may detect them as the same THC metabolites.

Some drug tests test for the THC metabolites of tetrahydrocannabinol called THC-COOH.

If you have urine tests or blood tests for THC-COOH coming up, the presence of tetrahydrocannabinol in your system won’t automatically trigger a positive test. Though, delta 8 THC metabolites may show up on drug tests if it reaches a specific cut-off value causing you to fail. 

How Long Does Delta 8 Stay In Your System?

How long does delta 8 stay in your system and how long it will show in a drug test is dependent on a few factors. In general, the metabolites usually stay in your system and are detectable in your urine tests from around a few days to a few weeks depending on the cut-off value of the test and a bunch of other factors affecting your body that we’ll touch on.

So that answers the question of does delta 8 show up in a urine test. Yes, it can but the time varies. 

If you’re a frequent delta 8 consumer and have a drug test coming, metabolites might show up in your urine drug tests for a longer time period - this is regardless of if it is from the hair follicle test, blood tests, and other drug testing methods.

According to a Mayo Clinic Proceedings review published in 2017, THC-COOH could be detected for up to three days for occasional users, five to seven for moderate users, and around 10 to 15 days for the daily user - so there is a very broad range.

If you’re an “avid” user who consumes high concentrations of chemical compounds multiple times a day over long periods of time, metabolites could be detected in drug tests up to 30 days or more after you last consumed.

How long does delta 8 THC is in your system is completely dependent on the individual and factors such as body fat, the type of drug testing being administered - such as the hair follicle test, urine test, & blood test - different ingestion methods, and other factors that may affect the drug test and how they detect THC.

How Much Delta 8 Should I Take?

If you’ve been in the hemp space for a while and have consumed delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol, you’ll likely notice that delta 8 feels less intense than delta 9 THC.

If you’ve never consumed a hemp product, it might be the opposite experience where delta 8 THC feels strong. 

Start small.

When determining how much delta 8 to take, it’s best to start small and work your way up. To help understand how serving sizes are measured with delta 8 compared to delta 9 THC, just look at the packaging.

Most delta 9 products from the cannabis plant are offered in 10 mg gummies, with a recommended serving size of 5 mg by taking half of the gummy. 

In contrast, many delta 8 gummies are in 25 mg serving sizes, and if you take half, you’re getting around 12.5 mg of delta 8 THC.

So the effects of a 25 mg delta 8 THC gummy are believed to be similar to 10 mg of a delta 9 gummy.

It’s worth noting that 10 mg of delta 9 or 25 mg of delta 8 might be a lot for a person — or not much at all. This is why we continue to push starting small, so you aren’t taken for a ride that you weren’t ready for. 

Things to consider with your delta 8 serving size.

A few factors come into play when determining how much delta 8 you should take. Those include: 

All of these factors, and possibly many others, will determine how much delta 8 THC you take and how it will make you feel.

The consumption method matters, too. If you’re taking edibles, wait a few hours before taking more. It can sneak up on you if you take more too soon and your body hasn’t had time to process the first serving. 

The Different Ways To Consume Delta 8 THC

There are plenty of ways to consume delta 8 THC, so there are no excuses for not trying it out if you really want to. Let’s take a look at the different ways to consume delta 8 THC. 

Edibles.

Delta 8 edibles are a popular consumption method for all types of phytocannabinoids. Edibles are processed through the liver and can take anywhere from 15 minutes to up to 5 hours to fully activate in the body.

Edibles can take longer to break down and leave your system. Metabolites are fat-soluble, so they bind to fats in the body. This is why it varies from person to person how long delta 8 THC stays in your system. 

Under The Tongue.

You can take delta 8 THC in the form of a tincture.

Tinctures are a liquid that can be dropped under the tongue. You hold it here for a minute and then swallow the mixture. Tinctures are absorbed through the membranes in your mouth and enter the bloodstream.

Activation time for this delivery method could be as little as 15 minutes, and usually around 30 minutes. 

Inhalation.

Inhalation is the quickest activation and is as it sounds — you inhale the delta 8 THC. This method of consumption passes through the lungs and directly into the bloodstream, versus processing through the liver like an edible.

While it has a slightly faster activation of delta 8 THC than other methods, it typically lasts the shortest amount of time.

How To Pass A Drug Test After Consuming Delta 8 THC

If you are required to take a drug test and have recently consumed delta 8 THC, you may be wondering how to pass the test as quickly as possible. Here are a few strategies that may help you clear delta 8 THC from your system:

Drink plenty of water: 

Drinking plenty of water can help flush the delta 8 THC out of your system more quickly. It is important to stay hydrated and to drink water consistently throughout the day, rather than trying to chug large amounts of water all at once.

Exercise: 

Exercise can help increase your metabolism, which may help you eliminate delta 8 THC from your system more quickly. However, it is important to be careful not to overdo it, as excessive exercise can also cause your body to release THC stored in fat cells, which could potentially make the situation worse.

Eat a healthy diet: 

Consuming a healthy, well-balanced diet can help your body function optimally and may help you eliminate delta 8 THC more quickly. Avoiding fatty, processed foods and focusing on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains may be especially helpful.

Try a detox product: 

There are many detox products on the market that claim to help you pass a drug test. These products may contain ingredients such as creatine, niacin, and vitamin B-2, which are thought to help flush toxins out of the body. It is important to be cautious when using these products, as their effectiveness is not guaranteed and some may even be harmful.

Wait it out: 

Unfortunately, the most reliable way to pass a drug test after consuming delta 8 THC is to simply wait it out. The length of time that delta 8 THC will remain detectable in a drug test depends on many factors, so it is difficult to predict exactly how long it will take to clear your system. However, as a general rule, delta 8 THC will typically remain detectable in a drug test for several days to a few weeks after consumption, depending on the frequency and amount of use.

It is important to note that these strategies are not guaranteed to help you pass a drug test after consuming delta 8 THC. The best way to ensure that you will pass a drug test is to abstain from all forms of THC use until after the test has been completed.

How Long Does Delta-8 Stay in Your System Based on the Type of Drug Test?

There are several different types of drug tests that can be used to detect the presence of delta-8 THC in your system. The length of time that delta-8 THC will remain detectable in these tests will vary based on the specific test being administered, as well as other factors such as your frequency of use and individual characteristics such as body fat and metabolism. Here is a breakdown of how long delta-8 THC is typically detectable in various types of drug tests:

Urine tests: 

Delta-8 THC is most commonly detected in urine tests, which are often used for employment drug screenings and other situations where a rapid result is needed. Delta-8 THC can typically be detected in urine tests for several days to a few weeks after use, depending on the frequency and amount of use.

Blood tests: 

Delta-8 THC can also be detected in blood tests, which are more accurate but take longer to process than urine tests. Delta-8 THC can typically be detected in blood tests for a few hours to a few days after use, depending on the frequency and amount of use.

Saliva tests: 

Saliva tests are less commonly used to detect delta-8 THC, but they can be an effective way to detect recent use. Delta-8 THC can typically be detected in saliva tests for a few hours to a few days after use, depending on the frequency and amount of use.

Hair follicle tests: 

Hair follicle tests are the most accurate and sensitive type of drug test for detecting delta-8 THC, as they can detect the presence of THC for up to 90 days after use. However, these tests are also the most expensive and are not commonly used for routine drug screenings.

It is important to note that the exact length of time that delta-8 THC will remain detectable in a drug test is difficult to predict and may vary significantly from person to person. If you are concerned about the possibility of failing a drug test due to delta-8 THC consumption, it is best to abstain from use until after the test has been completed.

The Role of Metabolism in Determining How Long Delta 8 Will Stay in Your System

One of the main factors that determines how long delta 8 THC will stay in your system is your metabolism. Metabolism refers to the chemical processes that occur in your body to convert food and other substances into energy. These processes involve the breakdown of molecules and the production of new ones, and they vary significantly from person to person.

People with faster metabolisms tend to break down and eliminate substances, including delta 8 THC, more quickly than those with slower metabolisms. This means that if you have a faster metabolism, you may clear delta 8 THC from your system more quickly than someone with a slower metabolism.

There are several factors that can influence your metabolism, including your age, weight, gender, and level of physical activity. In general, people who are younger, leaner, and more active tend to have faster metabolisms, while those who are older, heavier, and less active tend to have slower metabolisms. However, metabolism is a complex and highly individualized process, and it can be affected by many different factors, including genetics, diet, and lifestyle.

While metabolism can play a significant role in determining how long delta 8 THC will stay in your system, it is just one of many factors that can influence the length of time that delta 8 THC is detectable in a drug test. Other factors, such as the frequency and amount of use, the type of drug test being administered, and individual characteristics such as body fat and hydration levels, can also affect the length of time that delta 8 THC remains detectable in your system.

How Long Will Delta 8 Benefits Stay In Your System?

It is difficult to determine exactly how long the benefits of delta 8 THC will stay in your system because it can depend on a variety of factors, including the specific product being used, the dosage, and the individual's metabolism and body composition. In general, the effects of delta 8 THC may last for a few hours to several hours, depending on the dose and the individual's tolerance.

Some people may find that the effects of delta 8 THC are relatively short-lived, while others may experience more prolonged effects. The duration of the effects can also depend on the method of ingestion. For example, delta 8 THC that is consumed in edibles or taken as a tincture may have longer-lasting effects compared to delta 8 THC that is inhaled as vapor.

It is also important to note that the potential therapeutic benefits of delta 8 THC may vary from person to person and may not be felt by everyone who uses it. Some people may find that delta 8 THC helps to alleviate certain symptoms or conditions, while others may not experience any significant benefits. As with any substance, it is important to use caution and to follow proper dosing instructions to ensure the best and safest experience.

The Takeaway

How long delta 8 will stay in your system depends on your genetics, how much and how often you consume, and various other factors.

When taking delta 8 THC drug tests it may be possible to test positive on a urine test, saliva test, blood test, and other tests that detect THC.

If you’re looking for delicious, premium delta 8 THC gummies, you can purchase delta 8 gummies right here!

We’ve taken the guesswork out of finding a quality, consistent, and tasty product — always third-party tested and held to the highest standard. Try out delta 8 THC today! 

Legal Disclaimer: Always consult an attorney for the best legal advice regarding Delta 8 products in your state, as the material shared here is for informational purposes only.

Clayton McCall

Clayton is a Senior Content Specialist, researcher, and holistic healthcare practitioner. Having been in the supplement industry for more than 15 years, Clayton brings a wealth of experience to the delta 8 space. His publications include alternative therapy, stress and coping, and alternative health.