Unfortunately, there is no surefire way to detox cannabis from your system in a hurry. The best way to get THC, the primary psychoactive in cannabis, out of your system is to simply abstain and wait.
However there are shortcuts out there you can use to pass your test like synthetic urine, detox drinks, and detox pills.
Heavy consumers likely face a substantial risk of not passing some types of tests without at least a week, if not more. THC is stored in your fat, which means that it takes some time to purge the cannabinoid from your system.
As you burn fat, there is evidence that THC is re-released back into the bloodstream. Depending on how much cannabis you consume and how often, you can test positive for THC and THC metabolites several days after consuming.
For chronic consumers, metabolites of the herb have beendetected in urine for up to 77 days after last consumption. Though, taking over two months is not common.
On average, here’s how long you’ll have to abstain from cannabis to pass the standard drug test:
- Urine: 3 to 77 days (10 to 30 days for regular consumers)
- Blood: 1 to 7 days
- Hair: 90 days
- Saliva: 1 to 7 days
There are a few factors that influence the amount of time it takes to detox. These include:
- Your individual metabolism
- Frequency of exercise
- Body mass index (BMI) (the higher the number, the longer it will take)
- How often you consume cannabis
- The potency of the cannabis consumed
- The amount of cannabis consumed
- The parameters of the test
Detoxing is serious business. Everyone’s body responds differently to the various possible detoxing methods. It’s important to pay attention to how your body responds to your efforts and use natural materials that you know are safe. Always consult a medical professional if you run into any complications, or are considering trying a vigorous detox regimen.
For those looking to detox in a hurry, here are six of the fastest ways to get THC out of your system: 1. Fruit Pectin
Photo creditThe fruit pectin method is a simple DIY detox often used by those facing blood, urine, or saliva tests. Fruit pectin is a type of fiber that provides the gel consistency to jams and jellies. For this method, people mix a packet of fruit pectin with an electrolyte drink the day of a test.
The idea here is that the high-fiber pectin prevents THC metabolites from passing into the urine or bloodstream. Rather, the fiber is supposed to force THC out of the body through bowel movements. While people often try fruit pectin to boost their odds before a test, this method will not likely be strong enough for heavy consumers.
This method is also likely to cause digestive distress, such as constipation. Human digestive systems cannot break down fibers, so fiber is excreted in stool. While this is a trick that people use to pass drug tests, this is certainly not healthy or perhaps even safe.
To learn more about the fruit pectin method, take a look at the full article here. 2. Detox Drinks
Detox drinks are the most popular ways to pass a drug test. Detox drinks will basically help dilute urine and theoretically remove toxins from the body. Basically, like most of the common detox methods, these drinks are fancy diuretics and laxatives.
Some detox drinks may be more effective than others, and everyone’s body will respond differently to the materials. These drinks are often used for several days prior to a drug test, pending package directions. The best brand on the market today is Clear Choice Rescue Cleanse.
To learn more about detox drinks, take a look at the full article here. 3. Exercise
If you have a week or so before a drug test, some exercise earlier in the week can help you burn through fat cells that are holding on to THC.
Exercise is perhaps one of the best ways to detox from THC for those hoping to get clean without facing a drug test, as it burns the very cells that contain THC.
Exercise is a little tricky, however. As mentioned above, THC is re-released into the bloodstream as you burn fat. If you have an impending drug test, it is not recommended to exercise 24 hours or so before the test. One small 2013 study found that exercise may increase blood plasma THC concentrations up to 15%.
Whether or not this THC is metabolized and can influence a drug test is unclear. However, for now, it’s better to skip the gym on the day of your test. 4. Sauna
This tip is more of a wise tale, but hey, sometimes it helps to explore all of your options. There is no evidence that sweating will efficiently detox you from THC.
However, trace amounts of THC are excreted in sweat. In heavy consumers, cannabis can be detected in a sweat test for up to one week after consumption.
Saunas and sweating considered healthy for detox all around. Early studies have shown that routine sauna use can help eliminate the build up of harmful compounds like uric acid, sodium, and lactic acid.
A 2012 paper found that repeated sauna use was helpful in detoxifying police officers who had been exposed to methamphetamine manufacture. The officers were given nutrition therapy that included B vitamins, exercised, and used the sauna with periodic hydration and electrolyte breaks for up to four hours each day.
Another early paper from 1982 successfully used repeated sauna treatments and B vitamins detox participants exposed to fat-based toxins and xenobiotics.
Yet, there are some major caveats to using a sauna. Saunas may aggravate a heart condition, and it can be difficult for people to develop a tolerance to intense heat. Always stay hydrated and be cautious with the sauna. It would be beneficial to drink an electrolyte drink like coconut water after sitting in the sauna. 5. Dilution
Dilution isn’t so much about flushing THC from your system as it is about covering your bases during a urine test. If you find out you’re being urine tested for cannabis, it’s good to start drinking water. Dilution is a simple method people use to pass drug tests, though it can get a bit tricky and unreliable.
Those stuck with a urine test emergency are better off purchasing some sort of synthetic urine and hoping for the best. However, at least one state now have penalties if you are caught using synthetic urine.
To properly dilute, some people drink as much water as is comfortable and try to reintroduce key compounds into their diets to make the urine appear more concentrated. If your sample is too diluted, you will fail the test. These supplements include:
- Creatine
- B vitamins
After using the dilution method, collect a mid-stream urine sample. Don’t collect a sample from the beginning or the end of the stream, as both of these likely have higher concentrations of THC metabolites. 6. Healthy diet
One way to clear THC from your system? Go for lots of high-fiber leafy greens several days before a drug test. Eating a high-fiber diet is essential for clearing THC out of your system.
Fruits and vegetables are natural sources of fibers like pectin. This natural fiber helps get your digestive tract moving and cleans you out.
Believe it or not, most of the THC and THC metabolites are excreted during bowel movements. If you’re trying to pass a drug test, the more you poop and urinate the better. Within reason, of course. It’s not advisable to use something like a laxative. Rather, a high-fiber diet and possibly a little magnesium should get things moving.
Fruits and vegetables are also nutrient dense foods that contain micronutrients that may aid in the detox process. When picking quality sources of dietary fiber, it’s better to opt for vegetables over something like a breakfast cereal. Some additional helpful supplements to try a few days before a test include:
- B vitamins (especially niacin)
- Psyllium husk
- Activated charcoal (only if the THC is still in your digestive tract)
- Magnesium
It’s important to note that these supplements do not mask any THC in your system. B vitamins are helpful for the body’s natural detox process and add color to urine. If you are looking for a guaranteed way to pass a test you can always use synthetic urine.
The rest of these items more or less alter the way you digest THC. For example, eating activated charcoal may be helpful shortly after eating an edible. But, it won’t help you detox from THC that has already been digested and is hanging around in your fat cells. Magnesium and psyllium can help you poop.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is meant for helpful and educational purposes. It should not be used in place of medical advice. Always talk to a medical professional before experimenting with intensive detox practices like the sauna, detox drinks, or vitamin supplements.
It’s important to note that these supplements do not mask any THC in your system. B vitamins are helpful for the body’s natural detox process and add color to urine. If you are looking for a guaranteed way to pass a test you can always use synthetic urine.
The rest of these items more or less alter the way you digest THC. For example, eating activated charcoal may be helpful shortly after eating an edible. But, it won’t help you detox from THC that has already been digested and is hanging around in your fat cells. Magnesium and psyllium can help you poop.