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Over the last few months, Delta 8 users were curious to know if Delta 8 can cause a failed drug test. In fact, we explored that very topic just a few weeks ago. You can learn more about Delta 8 drug testing here. And we get it… Having an upcoming drug test looming over your shoulder can make you feel hesitant about consuming Delta 8 THC altogether. But before you put your Delta 8 purchase on hold, we urge you to keep on reading. Because today, we’re diving into the duration of Delta 8 in the human body and the many factors that play a role in Delta 8’s metabolism.

Table of Contents

 

Factors of How Long Delta 8 Will Stay in Your System

We don’t have to tell you that every person has their own unique biological make-up.

For that reason, there is no definitive answer to how long Delta 8 will stay in your system. Instead, research shows that there are a number of factors that determine the duration of Delta 8 THC in the human body [¹]:

  1. How often you consume Delta 8 THC –– Consuming Delta 8 on a regular basis will increase the length of time it remains in your system.
  1. How old you are –– Your age plays a huge role in your metabolic rate. The older you are, the slower your metabolism can become.
  1. How strong and fast your metabolism is –– While age does play a role in your metabolic rate, everyone has their own unique metabolism process. Some people may have a fast metabolism, whereas other people might have a slower metabolism. The speed of your metabolism can impact how long Delta 8 will stay in your system.
  1. Your Delta 8 dosage –– If you’re micro dosing on Delta 8 THC, chances are it won’t stay in your system nearly as long as if you consume higher doses of Delta 8.
  1. If you’re taking other medication and supplements with Delta 8 –– Certain medications and supplements can slow the speed at which your liver breaks down Delta 8 THC.
  1. The type of Delta 8 product you consume –– Different types of Delta 8 products can remain in your system longer than others.

Half Life of Delta 8 THC

Unfortunately, there are no studies surrounding the half life of Delta 8 THC, but there is some research regarding the half life of regular THC. And given that Delta 8 and Delta 9 are somewhat similar in their chemical compositions, exploring these studies can help shed light on how long Delta 8 THC will stay in your system.

According to research, the half-life of THC can range from 1 to 3 days for occasional users, and 5 to 13 days for chronic users [¹].

Now, the research regarding which Delta 8 products will remain in your system longer than others is somewhat conflicting.

Some articles suggest that THC edibles, like Delta 8 gummies, stay in the system longer than THC smoke products. But experts suggest that Delta 8 smoke products can often be more potent than Delta 8 edibles. 

However, the issue with Delta 8 vape pens, blunts, and flower is that users need to consume more of them to maintain their high. Because of this, THC can remain in your system longer [²].

Delta 8 gummies, on the other hand, are usually consumed with the awareness that the effects won’t kick in as fast as inhalation products.

That said, there have been a few cases where new users have over-consumed Delta 8 gummies in a short amount of time. This can lead to Delta 8 staying in your system longer than expected. Therefore, we caution you to only eat one gummy at a time.

Still, THC smoke products tend to be what remains in the system the longest, due to how often they are consumed. One study found that 16-34 mg of inhaled THC can be detected in plasma within 2-7 days [¹].

In a 2020 review, people who regularly smoked cannabis had THC detected in their saliva 72 hours later. However, THC from various consumption methods can be detected in a hair follicle up to 90 days after consumption [³,].

Takeaways: Delta 8 Metabolism and Duration

Regardless of what type of Delta 8 product you consume, the main thing to pay attention to is how often and how much Delta 8 you consume.

Whether you’re an avid Delta 8 user, or you’re looking into buying your first pack of Delta 8 gummies, if you have a drug test coming up, we suggest that you refrain from consuming any Delta 8 THC or any cannabinoid for at least two weeks.

We also encourage you to speak with your employee supervisor to see what your options are regarding cannabinoid consumption for special reasons.

As always, feel free to reach out to our Delta Remedys team for any questions or concerns you might have. We’re happy to help in any way we can.

Sources:

  1. NIH: Chemistry, Metabolism, and Toxicology of Cannabis: Clinical Implications
  2. Westword: Ask a Stoner – Which Method Lasts Longer in My System, Smoking or Eating?
  3. NIH: Identifying and Quantifying Cannabinoids in Biological Matrices in the Medical and Legal Cannabis Era
  4. NIH: Comparison of cannabinoids in hair with self‐reported cannabis consumption in heavy, light and non‐cannabis users