As a milder form of THC (also known as delta-9 THC), delta-8 THC tends to stay in your system for a relatively shorter period than THC.
However, being about similar in nature and composition, the exact duration for which it may linger in the body may vary from person to person depending on several factors such as the frequency of use, dosage, metabolism, and other health conditions.
Before we dive into its pharmacological abyss, let us quickly understand what delta-8 THC is.
Delta-8 THC is an isomer of THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the main psychoactive ingredient in weed.
Albeit, less psychoactive than THC, it shares similar properties and metabolization process with fewer side effects than delta-9 THC.
Lack of intoxication makes it a preferred alternative to THC, especially among those users whose main motive is to gain the medicinal effects of marijuana without experiencing a lot of ‘high.’
As per the studies, delta-8 THC does not impact cognition and motor functions as seriously as THC does while delivering its promising effects of pain relief and relaxation.
Despite having a lower affinity for our Endocannabinoid System (ECS) though, delta-8 THC is still fat-soluble which means its metabolites can linger in our bodies for much longer than THC itself.
Besides that, several other factors can also influence the duration for which delta-8 THC can stay in your system.
Without further ado, let us check them out, shall we?
Table of Contents
ToggleFactors That Affect How Long Delta-8 Stays in Your System
1. Frequency of Use
Perhaps the biggest factor that plays a role here is how often you use delta-8 THC in the first place.
Frequent users happen to retain the compound longer than occasional users as delta-8 THC as it can linger in the body as THC metabolites.
In that, eaten cannabis certainly produces more THC metabolites than other methods of consumption.
2. Metabolism
The higher your metabolism rate, the faster the THC will be processed and eliminated from your body.
However, people with slower metabolisms may end up carrying delta-8 THC for longer.
3. Body Fat
The same goes for body fat ratio; those with higher fat compositions store THC for longer durations than those with less body fat.
That’s because THC is fat-soluble and it can stay in your system in the form of fat.
4. Dosage levels
Similar to the frequency of use, higher dosages of THC including delta-8 THC also lead to higher levels of THC in the bloodstream which naturally takes a longer time to diminish.
So, make sure to stick to the ideal dosages of 2.5 – 5.0 mg of THC at any given time.
Typical Detection Times for Delta-8 in the Body
Just like any other drug, delta-8 THC can also be detected in your system in multiple ways.
Here’s for how long it can be detected in your body based on different drug detection tests:
1. Urine test
Delta-8 THC can be detected in the urine from several days to a month depending on the frequency of usage.
As such, occasional users may test positive for delta-8 THC for 3-7 days; whereas, frequent users might even test positive for it for as long as a month or even more.
2. Blood test
Blood tests can detect THC in your system for up to 48 hours if you are an occasional user and longer if you are a chronic user.
Again, eaten cannabis tends to stay in your system for longer than other types of products.
3. Saliva test
Salvia tests are another common way of detecting THC in the system.
In that, delta-8 THC can be detected in the system for 1-3 days if you are an occasional user but longer if you are a frequent user.
4. Hair/Follicle test
Hair/follicle tests have perhaps the longest detection windows among all the drug detection tests available for detecting THC.
As such, it can show THC in your system for up to 90 days after use.
Comparing Delta-8 to Delta-9 THC: Detection Time Differences
Delta-8 and delta-9 THC are pretty similar in their properties and effects, albeit the former is a bit milder.
Moreover, both tend to stick in your system in the form of THC metabolites which are fat soluble and can linger in it for quite a while.
Being more potent and strong, delta-9 THC has a longer detection time than delta-8 THC at any given time.
However, it all depends on the detection methods.
For instance, urine tests can show delta-8 THC for 1 to 30 days; while the same can detect delta-9 THC for 3 to 45 days.
In blood tests, delta-8 THC can be detected for up to 48 hours post-use; whereas, delta-9 THC can be detected for up to 72 hours in occasional users and potentially longer in frequent users.
Saliva tests can detect both delta-8 and delta-9 THC for 1-3 days in most users but can do it for longer or up to a week in heavy and chronic users.
As far as hair/follicle tests are concerned, both delta-8 and delta-9 THC can be found in hair samples for around the same duration of about 90 days or more.
Can You Speed Up the Elimination of Delta-8?
While there is no sure-shot way of speeding up deal-8 elimination, there are certain things that can help you detox your system of any lingering THC.
Without further ado, here are a few tips that you can try:
– Stay hydrated by drinking ample water as it can help you flush out the excess THC from your system through urine. However, it will take some time.
– Exercise regularly as physical movement and sweating can break down the THC metabolites stored in the body fat which can potentially reduce the THC over time.
– Stick to a healthy diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains as they do not contribute to additional fat storage in the body. Plus since they support the liver and kidneys, natural food can boost the breaking down and removal of additional substances from the body.
– Try detox drinks such as weed detoxication beverages that are rich in diuretics as they help increase the urine output and thus the removal of THC.
– Get ample sleep to allow the detoxification process and rejuvenate the metabolization process.
– Take a shower if the effects are too strong.
Along with these tips, you might want to tread carefully when using THC, especially before a drug test or similar event.
How to Approach Delta-8 Use if Drug Testing is a Concern
Contrary to CBD, the medicinal component of weed, delta-8 THC is a psychoactive compound that does come with certain risks of intoxication and other side effects such as dry mouth or cotton mouth, reddening of the eyes, and fatigue or dizziness.
In any case, when using delta-8 THC in your pot sessions, here’s how to go around it:
– Schedule your usage carefully and avoid consuming delta-8 THC for a few days before drug testing.
– Stick to lower doses of it with a lower frequency of use.
– Check the product quality by referring to the label as it will tell you how much THC is in it so you can determine the right doses.
– Ensure the product is properly lab-tested by a third party.
– Keep a weed detoxification kit handy if the effects still linger.
Conclusion
While delta-8 THC is slightly lighter than THC, it can still linger in your body fat as metabolites.
As such, it can be detected in drug tests too for quite a substantial time depending on many factors such as the frequency of use, dosage levels, and individual metabolism.
To avoid getting caught up at the wrong time in the wrong place, it is important to keep a close eye on your THC intake especially if you are heading for a drug test in the coming days.
Besides limiting the dose, you might also want to try the tips as mentioned above in the post and have a THC detoxication kit handy if everything fails.
With a mindful use of delta-8 THC and a healthy lifestyle, you can control for how long it stays in your system with a lot of ease.
FAQs
Yes, being a psychoactive compound, delta-8 THC can show up on most standard drugs including urine tests, blood tests, saliva tests, and hair/follicle tests.
Delta-8 THC can be detected in your urine for several days to a month depending on the usage. While occasional users may show it for 3-7 days, chronic or frequent users may show it for up to 30 days or more.
Being a bit milder in THC, delta-8 THC tends to be eliminated from the body slightly faster than THC but the difference is relatively minor.
Detoxication methods such as THC detoxication drinks can significantly help you shorten the delta-8’s detection time as they enhance the system’s ability or natural processes to metabolize.
Given that delta-8 can linger in your body for several days, it is best to wait for about 1–2 weeks if you are an occasional user and 3–6 weeks if you are a frequent user.