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How Much Time Does Cannabis Stay in Your System?

how long does cannabis stay in your system

THC is either absorbed into a variety of human tissues and organs, including as the brain, heart, and fat, or it is converted by the liver into 11-hydroxy-THC and carboxy-THC (metabolites). Cannabis is eliminated from the body primarily through the feces, with urine accounting for the remaining 20%. 1 In the body, the remainder is stored.

The liver gradually breaks down the THC that has been retained in human tissues by slowly releasing it back into the bloodstream.

1 THC can also be detected in fatty tissues several days or even weeks after a person smokes marijuana because, among chronic users, it accumulates faster in fatty tissues than it can be removed. 4

When Does Marijuana Leave Your System?

The period of time it takes for the body’s THC content to reduce by half is known as the half-life of THC, which is a highly fat-soluble substance. The amount of marijuana a person uses will determine how long THC traces are present in their body.

As an illustration, one study discovered that for people who smoked marijuana seldom, the half-life was 1.3 days. Half-life was shown to range between 5 and 13 days with more regular use. 1 The sample used will also affect the ability to detect THC. The detection windows can change. 2

Vaginal Test

An instantaneous, non-invasive drug test is offered by the mouth swab. The inside of the cheek or the tongue are rubbed with a sponge or absorbent pad on the end of a stick. According to research, THC is absorbed significantly in the mouth, increasing concentrations for several hours after consumption. 5

A Urine Test

Urine samples are frequently used as the primary method of drug testing to identify marijuana usage since THC stays in urine at its highest concentration for the longest period of time.

“Hair Test”

A wide detection window is available in hair testing. Hair on the scalp may show three months of marijuana use. 6 A hair test is most accurate for detecting daily or nearly daily cannabis use, according to a study, but it cannot pick up on modest cannabis usage. In fact, a study indicated that THC levels in hair samples from 75% of people who self-reported using cannabis heavily and 39% of people who self-reported using it lightly were positive. 7

Blood Test

Blood tests are rarely utilized for marijuana detection because marijuana only stays in the bloodstream for a brief period of time. That’s because, while THC enters the system fast (within minutes of inhalation), the blood THC concentrations rapidly decline 3–4 hours after use. 1

What Aspects Influence the Length of Time Cannabis Remains in Your System?

Other than the kind of test, the following variables can influence how long marijuana remains detectable on a drug test: 1, 6, 8, 9.

the marijuana’s THC content ingested through what means. When marijuana is inhaled as opposed to swallowed, THC enters the bloodstream and organs more quickly.

How Often and At What Doses You Use It

To “beat drug testing,” numerous items have been sold. One such item is the detoxification kit for a marijuana drug test, which has grown to be a popular item for people trying to avoid a marijuana drug test result.

A brief check of the internet reveals a wide range of possibilities, with the majority of kits comprising mixtures that include herbs like ginseng, milk thistle, dandelion, and more.

It’s always advised to speak with a doctor before taking any supplements, but even if they are safe to take, the promises these products make aren’t supported by the scant research that is currently available.

Rehab for Marijuana

Contrary to popular assumptions, marijuana use can lead to addiction. Medical professionals make a marijuana addiction diagnosis based on the existence of specific symptoms, indicators, and behavioral modifications.

The term “marijuana addiction” or “cannabis use disorder” is used to describe marijuana addiction in those who match the diagnostic criteria. Despite the harm marijuana use does to a person’s relationships, career, education, and physical and mental health, those with the disease are unable to stop using it. 3,11

According to recent studies, about 30% of marijuana users may be struggling with a marijuana use problem. 3 Furthermore, there is a 4–7-fold increased risk of addiction in adults for those who start using the drug before the age of 18. 3

American Addiction Centers (AAC) can assist if you or a loved one faces problems with marijuana use. Our institutions provide many levels of substance use treatment, ranging from live-in inpatient rehab to outpatient programs that call for on-site counseling and therapies a couple of times per week. All levels of drug and alcohol abuse are treated at our treatment facilities, which are completely accredited and focus on evidence-based care.

The best available scientific data indicate that treating marijuana use disorder, especially in those who also have co-occurring mental health illnesses, may need a combination of behavioral treatment and pharmaceuticals.

For someone with a mental health issue and marijuana addiction, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational enhancement therapy, and contingency management may all be successful behavioral therapeutic approaches. 12

Consider Using Our Marijuana Addiction Self-Assessment

If you believe that you or a loved one may be dealing with a marijuana addiction, please complete the free, 5-minute self-assessment form below. The assessment consists of 11 yes or no questions that are meant to be used as a tool for information assessment of the likelihood and severity of a marijuana use disorder. No personal information is required to take the test, and the results are kept confidential.

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