How Long Do Dabs Stay In Your System? THC Drug Test Myths

Most of us know that dabs are just a concentrated form of thc, taking three small dabs is the equivalent to smoking an entire joint. The presence of thc in your system and the duration in which it stays in your system depends on a lot of different variables like your body fat percentage, metabolism, and even the type of test you are using. There is a difference in detection windows with urine tests, saliva tests, hair follicle tests, and blood tests. No matter what you're going through in life whether it be a new job, or you're just returning to work, don't worry, we got you covered!

• DISCLAIMER - this is strictly for educational purposes, this is not legal advice or medical advice. Test methods and detection times can vary.

Why Is Dabbing Different From Smoking Flower?

As mentioned previously, dabs are more concentrated and contain higher thc content than flower does. While flower is around 20-25% dabs are anywhere from 60-90% thc. While the potency doesn't directly affect detection, how frequently you are dabbing high potency concentrates will increase the detection window. The total thc mg consumed over days and weeks is what will result in a positive or negative test.

Detection Windows By Test Type

Urine Test

Urine tests are the most common type of test available. They're relatively cheap and they provide somewhat of a reasonable detection window.

Urine tests detect THC-COOH, which is the inactive metabolite that is present in urine after your liver breaks down THC. THC-COOH sticks to your fat cells in your body, then it's released back into your blood, from there it's disposed of through urine. This metabolite will be present in your system within a few hours of consuming thc.

Since THC metabolites are stored in fat, the detection window is much greater than other substances.

Saliva Test

Saliva tests detect active THC instead of the metabolites in your system. Once you consume THC the compound coats your mouth, particles will stick to your tongue cheeks and even your gums. This test can detect usage almost immediately after consumption unlike urine tests. The swab collection of saliva is usually put into a tube and then tested with a rapid kit.

Since THC generally clings to fat, it can cling to the fatty tissue in your mouth like your cheeks, however it isn't detectable in saliva after your body metabolizes it.

Blood Test

A blood test will detect active THC as well as metabolized THC (THC-COOH and 11-OH-THC). Once THC is consumed through smoking or vaping it's absorbed into your bloodstream almost immediately, this is what gives you the effects. THC travels through the blood, to the brain and other tissues in the body. As previously mentioned, the liver metabolizes thc and converts it into thc-cooh, which is then released back into the blood. This means a blood test can detect consumption of thc within minutes, but also if thc was consumed days or even weeks ago.

Hair Folicle Test

A hair follicle test detects only metabolized thc (THC-COOH) like a urine test so it cannot detect recent usage or if you are currently impaired in any way. This type of test is a bit different because it shows a general time frame in which THC was consumed rather than just a positive or negative result. It varies based on the length of the hair sample collected. As new hair grows on your head or other places on your body, the hair follicle captures trace amounts of thc-cooh within its protein structure.

Dark hair tends to bind more thc metabolites than lighter hair does. Bleaching, dyeing or heavy heat styling can reduce levels but does not eliminate thc metabolites completely.

Factors that Can Change Detection Times

• NOTE - These factors can only affect detection times with urine, saliva, and blood tests. They will not change the detection window for a hair follicle test.

Body Fat Percentage

If you are generally leaner with a lower body fat percentage, thc metabolites have less fat to cling on to. Therefore metabolizing through your system much faster than someone that has a higher body fat percentage. Keep in mind that faster does not mean instant, detoxing your body will still take time!

Metabolism

We're not talking about calories burned per minute here, were talking about your liver metabolism. Any sort of liver enzyme impairment whether it's genetic or due to medications, will slow the process of your body eliminating thc metabolites. The faster your liver converts thc into metabolites the faster your body will eliminate thc from your system. Slowed liver function will keep thc in your bloodstream for longer periods of time, giving it more time to store in fat where it will continue to accumulate over time.

Hydration Status

Hydration plays an important role since thc-cooh is mainly eliminated through urine. Your body naturally gets rid of toxins through urinating, staying hydrated will support your body's natural detox process by helping your kidneys flush out thc metabolites gradually.

Drinking lots of water is not a quick fix and will not help you eliminate thc from your system faster. THC leaves the body over time as it's released from fat and then metabolized. That being said, staying hydrated gives your body a chance to expel metabolites as they are excreted into your urine.

Frequency and Amount of Use

THC is stored in body fat after use, meaning that frequent or heavy consumption leads to a buildup of THC metabolites in the body. The more often you use it, the more these metabolites accumulate, and the longer it takes your body to fully eliminate them through normal metabolic processes. This is why for heavy users it can take up to 30 days sometimes more to fully eliminate thc from their system.

Potency

Higher potency means there is more thc being consumed, which results in more metabolites. Potency itself doesn't extend detection however consuming more thc overall will extend your detection window.

Common Myths

Detox Drinks

Detox drinks do not actually detox your system and eliminate thc. The most they can do is dilute your urine and in extra vitamins so that the urine looks normal. However, if your urine test is sent to a lab, they will check for creatinine, ph, and antioxidants which might flag your sample.

Exercise

Exercise is great and essential for your health however it will not help you eliminate thc from your system. An intense work out before a test might make your results worse since it can mobilize fat, raising circulating cannabinoids and metabolites.

Niacin

Niacin is vitamin B3, when taken in high doses it can actually damage your liver. There is no scientific evidence showing that Niacin can help you eliminate THC from your system.

Bleach or Vinegar

Please do not drink bleach, and drinking vinegar can cause kidney strain from acid overload. There is a common myth that states you can add a drop of either of these liquids in urine to eliminate THC, however this is not true and will be detected if your sample is sent to a lab.

Goldenseal

This is an herbal supplement labeled as a detoxifier however it does not affect thc metabolite levels.

Cranberry Juice

Cranberry juice may increase urination and it might support kidney function, but it does not flush out thc.

Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal is known to bind to toxins in your digestive tract. However, THC is a fat soluble compound, so unfortunately activated charcoal will not help to eliminate thc from your system.

Mouthwash

Some people believe that you can pass a saliva test by using mouthwash, strong mouthwashes can reduce the active thc present in your mouth but this does not guarantee a negative test result.

Bleaching or Shaving

Shaving your head or bleaching your hair prior to a hair test is an overall bad look. Bleaching will not remove thc from your hair and shaving your head will force them to take a sample from your body instead which can actually have a longer detection window rather than your head.

Being Super Lean

Having a lower percentage of body fat is great, but everyone has body fat. Since thc is a fat soluble compound it attaches to fat. Being lean will help you cut down your detection window allowing you to eliminate thc from your body faster than someone with a higher body fat percentage. However, this process is not instant, it is still a slow process from beginning to end.

Second Hand Smoke

In a normal ventilated area second hand smoke will not produce a positive result on a test.

Reality - Safe Responsible Use

It's best to refrain from consuming THC if you know that you can be tested in the near future. The biggest factors to produce a positive test result is the total amount of thc consumed and how many times it's been consumed over a period of time. Everyone is different, body fat, liver and kidney function, medications and genetics can all play a role in eliminating thc from your system.

You should always abide by your local or state laws and workplace policies, if you know that THC usage is illegal or not tolerated within the workplace you should abstain from consuming THC.

FAQ

Can Using CBD Cause A Positive Test Result?

• There is a difference between full spectrum and isolate when it comes to cbd. Full Spectrum CBD DOES have a small percentage of THC in it, which can sometimes cause a positive test result. If you are tested randomly at work and would like to dabble with CBD for its benefits, look for CBD Isolate because it does not have any THC in it. Make sure you are purchasing your isolate from a reputable company, some companies might “mislabel” their products.
• Delta 8 THC, Delta 10 THC, and THC-O will cause you to test positive.

Can Second Hand Dab Vapor Cause Me To Test Positive?

• Testing positive from secondhand smoke or vapor is highly unlikely if you're in a well ventilated area. Although it is rare, a positive result can occur if you are in an extremely tight completely smoked out space, which is a little outside the norm.

What Lowers Detection The Most?

• Time. Allowing time to pass and your body to naturally eliminate stored thc metabolites on its own is the most effective way to lower your chance of detection.