The Delta 8 Half Life and the Length of Time Delta 8 is Detectable
Even in places where marijuana is illegal, Delta 8 THC may be readily available at smoke shops, corner stores, and other places where tobacco products are sold. But what exactly is it?
Delta 9 THC is the compound known for producing the mind-altering effects experienced when smoking or otherwise consuming marijuana. The effects of Delta 8 are less potent than Delta 9 THC, but users might still experience dry mouth, red eyes, and a state of relaxation.
So, how long does Delta 8 stay in your system? And do employers or law officers include Delta 8 on drug tests? Keep reading to learn more about the Delta 8 detection window, how long its effects last, signs of dependence, and when to reach out to Purpose Healing for more information.
What Exactly is Delta 8 THC?
Many people know THC as the primary psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant. This well-known chemical compound is Delta 9 THC, not Delta 8. Delta 8 THC shares a similar chemical structure with Delta 9 but it has mild psychoactive effects. It is also a synthetic or manmade cannabinoid, rather than one that occurs in nature.
While Delta 8 THC is readily available, it’s worth noting that according to the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration), its federal legal status lists Delta 8 as a controlled substance. It is a synthetic cannabinoid that does not naturally occur in the marijuana plant.
Unfortunately, different drug tests cannot tell the difference between Delta 9 and this minor cannabinoid. If you are wondering how long does Delta 8 THC stay in your system, you may be relieved to hear that it is not detectable for 4 weeks or longer like Delta 9 THC.
However, its detection window varies depending on frequency of use, individual metabolism, health, hydration, higher body fat percentages, and other factors.
What Does Delta 8 Feel Like?
Delta 8 mimics the feelings experienced when using marijuana but to a milder degree. The high from Delta 8 THC is not as intense as the high from Delta 9 THC.
The exception is when Delta 8 is taken in high doses, intensifying its psychoactive properties. It may make music sound better or enhance colors. Unfortunately, Delta 8 THC can also cause effects like anxiety, mood swings, hallucinations, and paranoia.
What is Delta 8 THC Used for?
Delta 8 is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration and does not have any approved medical use. It is derived from the cannabis plant, but the process of extracting Delta 8 THC makes it a synthetic chemical. As your body processes it, Delta 8 is stored in fat cells like Delta 9 THC.
It’s important to make informed decisions and/or consult with a healthcare professional before trying Delta 8 to treat any type of medical condition. People might use Delta 8 THC for its pain relieving properties, appetite stimulation, anxiety reduction, or relaxation properties.
How Long Do the Effects of Delta 8 Last?
The time that it takes the effects of Delta 8 THC to wear off depends on how you consume it, the potency, and how much you use. The effects of edibles and tinctures last longer. You’ll also feel the effects of Delta 8 longer if you smoke a lot of it, especially for an extended time.
On average, the half-life of Delta 8 THC is around 4 hours. Within 30 minutes, spending on dosage, the psychoactive effects will start to dissipate from smoking Delta 8. This is longer if you consume it as an edible, because it has to pass through the digestive system before the effects are felt. Depending on your metabolism, the high from Delta 8 edibles might last anywhere from 4-8 hours.
To improve your metabolism (and overall health) try drinking enough water and eating a healthy diet rich in fiber, fruits, and vegetables. Berries and leafy greens have antioxidants especially beneficial to your metabolism and the way that your body processes food and other substances.
Can Delta 8 Be Detected on Drug Tests?
As with the amount of time any drug stays in your system, the amount of time that Delta 8 THC will remain detectable changes depending on different testing methods. Occasional users also test positive for a shorter time than if they engage in heavy use. Let’s look at how long Delta 8 will stay in your system on a blood, urine, saliva, or hair test.
How Long Does Delta 8 Stay in Your System on a Urine Drug Test
On average, Delta 8 THC is detectable for 1-3 days after use using urine tests. However, you may test positive for Delta 8 metabolites for up to a week if you are a heavy smoker. Urine tests are the standard drug testing used in the workplace and legal system because of the affordability, minimal invasiveness, and quickness of results.
Saliva Tests
Like many substances, Delta 8 THC dissipates from your saliva rather quickly. It can only be detected for about 24 hours after use. Saliva tests are most common following a workplace accident or during a random drug test.
Blood Tests
Typically, Delta 8 can be detected for less time than urine, usually less than three days. Some people only test positive for a few hours following use. Blood tests may be used in a medical setting, but they are not common in the workplace because they are considered invasive.
Hair Follicle Tests
Hair follicle tests can detect THC metabolites from delta 8 for up to 90 days following use, longer than any of the other types of drug tests. A hair test is most common when employers want to do a thorough drug test, as they are more expensive to perform.
Factors That Affect How Long Delta 8 Stays in Your System
The amount of time that these drug tests can detect THC metabolites and how long Delta 8 stays in your system depends on factors like hydration, body fat percentages, dosage, frequency of use, and overall health.
Since it binds to fat cells in the body, drug testing methods might detect it longer in people who have more body fat. People with a faster metabolism also might process Delta 8 quicker, making it detectable in your system for a shorter period of time.
Is Delta 8 Tested for on Standard Drug Tests?
Many people have found themselves wondering how long does Delta 8 stay in your system when they are facing an upcoming drug test. And can you get in trouble for using Delta 8 THC?
While it doesn’t share the same legal status as marijuana, most drug tests will detect THC metabolites after you’ve used Delta 8. You will have a positive drug test because drug tests screen for these metabolites and the chemical structure of Delta 8 is so similar to Delta 9 that tests cannot differentiate between them.
What Happens if I Test Positive for Delta 8 at Work?
The consequences for testing positive for Delta 8 at work depend on your company’s individual policies. Often, if they are screening for marijuana, there are strong policies in place regarding controlled substances. You might be fired or required to seek substance abuse treatment if there is a zero-tolerance policy.
What Happens if I Test Positive for Delta 8 for Probation or Parole?
Since Delta 8 has a shorter detection window than Delta 9, you might be wondering if drug screening for the courts will detect the metabolites in occasional users.
Even though it is not detectable as long as Delta 9 THC, there is still a risk that it will be detected. This is especially true if you have frequent drug tests, which is common during probation and parole.
The consequences for positive urine tests, which are most common, are the same as the consequences of smoking marijuana or using edibles. This could be considered breaking probation or parole, resulting in legal consequences.
What Do People Use Delta 8 For?
Often, people use Delta 8 to produce happiness, relaxation, or calm because of its widespread availability. It may also be used as a form of self-medication for pain relief and anxiety. Other common side effects of Delta 8 include dry mouth, red eyes, and sleepiness.
While the mild psychoactive effects of Delta 8 are not intense, it is easy to start relying on it for pain relief or to self-medication mental illness. Constant use (and other various factors) affect how long it remains detectable in drug test results. It may also led to other alcohol and drug addiction, as you develop a tolerance for Delta 8 and look for other ways to maintain a relaxed state.
Is Delta 8 FDA-Regulated?
No, Delta 8 THC is not FDA-regulated. While manufacturers might make claims about what it can do, no medical studies have to be conducted to prove its benefits. There’s also no guarantee that claims made about Delta 8 THC are true.
Additionally, without FDA regulation, there are no quality control standards in place during the manufacturing process. Delta 8 may contain other THC metabolites or additives from processing this synthetic cannabinoid.
Information printed on the label about strains, effects, and potency is also not regulated and may be inaccurate. This makes it really hard to know what you are getting and what sources you can trust when buying Delta 8 THC.
Does Delta 8 Have Any Side Effects?
In small doses, Delta 8 produces the common effects of relaxation, red eyes, and dry mouth. However, this psychoactive substance also has a risk of nausea, anxiety, tremors, dizziness, paranoia, and hallucinations.
The amount of THC found in hemp, which Delta 8 is derived from, is very low. For this reason, some manufacturers use additives or household ingredients to isolate Delta 8 THC from CBD instead of hemp.
Some people experience negative effects from these additives, including lack of coordination, disorientation, vomiting, heart rate that increases then slows, breathing difficulties, sedation, and coma. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to reach out to your healthcare provider or go to the nearest emergency room. They’ll be able to monitor your symptoms through recovery following Delta 8 use.
If you are going to use Delta 8 THC for recreational purposes despite its risks and what you now know about Delta 8, be sure to use a proper dosage. Start slow, stay hydrated, and buy Delta 8 THC from a shop that you trust. It can also be helpful to use around a friend who can provide support should the high become too intense.
Can I Get Addicted to Delta 8 THC?
Compared to drugs like stimulants or opioids, Delta 8 THC is considered to have a low risk for addiction. With any substance, however, there’s a risk of becoming dependent on it with long-term use.
Over time, you’ll start to depend on Delta 8 THC to feel normal. Even if you don’t experience intense physical withdrawal symptoms, you might become irritable or restless after quitting this form of cannabis. You’ll also need to use more Delta 8 to experience the same effects, a sign that you are building up a tolerance.
What if I Feel Like I Can’t Quit Delta 8?
After developing a tolerance, you might feel like you need to use Delta 8 THC to function. Some people also start using marijuana or other substances to intensify the relaxing effects as their tolerance builds.
But what do you do when it feels impossible to quit? Even when you find yourself wondering how long does Delta 8 stay in your system and worrying about the potential consequences?
There are resources and support available for people who are struggling with Delta 8 usage. Medication-assisted treatment and inpatient rehab are not typically recommended for Delta 8 use. However, not everyone’s recovery journey looks the same and these treatment options can be useful if you are struggling with a co-occurring mental health disorder, unresolved trauma, or polysubstance use disorder.
Delta 8 THC use can often be treated in an outpatient setting, making it convenient if you have a job, family life, pets, or other responsibilities. During treatment, you’ll begin to understand why you are relying on Delta 8 and learn healthier coping skills.
Reaching Out to Purpose for More Information
People often don’t take the use of marijuana or Delta 8 as seriously as other drugs. Even though it is legal in many areas, however, both of these substances come with their own risk. It is possible to develop a dependence on Delta 8 to feel normal, especially if you are using this mind-altering substance every day.
If you have questions or want to know if you’d benefit from addiction treatment, reach out to Purpose Healing Center today.
We can answer your questions about Delta 8, discuss treatment options, or verify your insurance if you are ready to start taking the next steps toward bettering your life.
480-579-3319