We may be able to order marijuana online in Canada, but the prospect of drug testing in the workplace means that if you enjoy a toke, then you may need to be extra careful.
THC, the psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis, can remain in the body for a considerable period of time. This means that it remains detectable in urine, blood and even hair long after the initial effects wear off. Here we discuss what you can do to help detox from THC in the run up to a test to avoid returning a positive result.
How Long Does THC Remain In The Body?
The effects of THC last for a matter of hours, but the cannabinoid itself can remain detectable for up to 30 days in some instances. This all seems a rather unfair tradeoff, especially for the recreational consumers who enjoy an off-duty toke.
There is no easy way to flush THC from your system overnight, but if you relish the effects of cannabis but find yourself subjected to regular testing, then the good news is that there are things you can do. Let’s dive in.
Detoxing With Exercise
Exercising is an effective way to sweat out toxins, but can it help you detox from marijuana?
There is some evidence to suggest that exercising may help you detox faster than if you remain sedentary. THC is stored in the body’s fat cells, meaning that those who increase their metabolism through exercise can expect to speed up the detox process.
Individuals who are already overweight will tend to store more THC than leaner individuals due to the higher amounts of fat tissue in the body. However, science shows little benefit in depleting THC should you keep consuming cannabis on a daily basis even while exercising.
Exercise also helps promote the production of anandamide, an endocannabinoid produced within the body that helps improve mood and feelings of wellbeing. Anandamide is remarkably similar in structure to THC and is commonly associated with the “runner’s high” we experience after doing some vigorous exercise.
If you must refrain from consuming cannabis for a period prior to testing, then physical exercise is shown to help replicate some of the mood-boosting benefits of cannabis and may be a valuable ally.
Detox Teas
Drinking tea is a flavorful and natural way to aid your body in detoxing. While many ready-made blends exist, you can also make your own. Depending on your own personal preference, try sipping on teas such as licorice root, dandelion, anise, fennel seed, cardamom or milk thistle.
Abstinence
Abstinence is the easiest way to ensure you pass a drug test, but it’s no easy feat depending on your reasons for consuming cannabis. Upon suddenly stopping, heavy consumers of cannabis often experience increased irritability, anxiety, headaches, lower appetite, and insomnia.
It can make for a miserable experience depending on the individual and will take some time to complete. Thankfully, however, there are several things you can do to help enhance the detox process.
Healthy Diet
A healthy diet consisting of fruits, leafy green vegetables, and lean meats will go a long way towards supporting the body in detoxing. Foods high in fat, sugar, and sodium tend to increase water retention and counteract the body’s ability to detox.
Organic fruits and vegetables are high in the vitamins and minerals that support your body when flushing out toxins, while the fibre present in them can bind to toxins before excreting them.
In addition to aiding your body’s natural detox processes, a healthy diet with limited sugar will help improve mood and counteract the side effects of a weed fast in the run up to a test.
Drink Water
Most of us don’t drink enough water, but it becomes essential when trying to actively detox. There’s no need to go overboard, but by staying well hydrated you give your body the help it needs to flush out the stored toxins.
To help promote the detoxing properties of water, you can try adding some fruits, vegetables or herbs such as lemon, lime, ginger, cucumber, and cayenne pepper. Not only will they help release toxins, but they’ll also make drinking larger quantities of water much more palatable.
Do THC Detox Kits Help?
There are several types of THC detox kits on the market. They are designed to fool standard drug testing and can help individuals with traces of THC in their system to return a negative result. But while they might seem like a magic bullet, their efficacy is far from proven. THC detox kits aren’t widely tested or even approved for use by the FDA. With so little regulation, there’s no guarantee they do what the manufacturers claim, and worse still, they may even provoke an adverse reaction in some instances.
How To Pass a Drug Test But Still Consume Marijuana
If you have an upcoming test but are unable to refrain from using cannabis for medical reasons or otherwise, can you still pass a test?
The answer is yes, and there are several ways to do it. The easiest way is to consume products with high amounts of CBD. Many of the oils and tinctures on the market contain trace amounts of THC but still deliver potent medicinal benefits. If you smoke flower, then try opting for strains that are low in THC and high in CBD. Strains like ACDC, Charlotte’s Web, Ringo’s Gift, Harle-Tsu, and Harlequin are some of the most popular high-CBD variants out there that contain low amounts of THC.