CBD and Drug Tests: All You Need to Know
Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is one of more than a hundred chemical compounds that can be found in the cannabis plant. In recent years, CBD has grown in popularity, mostly due to its alleged ability to provide various health and wellness benefits. And because it is legal in many countries around the world, including the United States and the United Kingdom, the drug testing industry has had to adapt to the growing trend of people using CBD for stress and pain relief, among others.
Given that CBD is, in general, not supposed to show up during routine drug screens which aim to detect THC, it is no wonder that many people may feel concerned and want to know more. There is no need to worry or jump to conclusions, though. If you, too, aim to learn more about the legality of CBD and whether it is possible to fail a drug test because of it, this article is for you. So before you visit JohnnyGiraffe.com CBD online store, below, you will find all the information you need on CBD and drug tests.
Will It Show Up on Drug Tests?
The probability of CBD showing up on a drug test is one of the main concerns shared by many people who use products that contain this natural compound. Luckily, there is a pretty straightforward way to answer their question. In short, CBD will not show up on a drug test, but, as with most things in life, there is still a catch.
First of all, it is important to note that most drug tests screen for THC and not CBD. However, because CBD and THC are considered to be “close cousins” and some legal CBD products can contain up to 0.3% THC, the test may confuse one compound for another. This can happen especially in a situation where you consumed a lot of the CBD-infused products of your choice not too long before the test was taken.
What Is the Difference Between CBD and THC?
Despite having different chemical structures, both CBD and THC, which are the principal active ingredients in cannabis, are a part of the cannabinoid family. However, compared to THC, CBD does not have the same psychoactive effects.
Both compounds can be produced by the same cannabis plant simply because they are both made from cannabigerolic acid. Depending on what enzyme acts on it, CBGA can be later converted into either CBD or THC. To put it simply, CBGA is the “mother cannabinoid,” and neither CBD nor THC would exist without it. These two compounds are closely related and, therefore, might cause some confusion during drug screening.
What Products Can Affect the Test Results?
It is true that the results of your drug test can be affected by the type of CBD product that you are using. For instance, if you use CBD isolates, which contain only pure cannabidiol, you should have no issues with a test.
However, the situation can look a little different if you enjoy full-spectrum or broad-spectrum CBD products. That is because full-spectrum CBD products contain up to 0.3% THC, while broad-spectrum ones typically come with no THC at all but, in some cases, still can contain trace amounts of this psychoactive compound.
If you know that you have a drug screening coming in the near future, you might want to stop using CBD products for a while or stick to CBD isolate only, just to stay safe and make sure that it will not show up on your test. During the screening, a lot depends on the type of CBD products you are regularly using and the last time you used them.
How Long Does CBD Stay In Your Body?
While an average person can expect CBD to stay in their body for anywhere from two to five days, determining the exact moment in which you are “CBD-free” is a bit more difficult. This period can vary depending on your metabolism, the amount of CBD you take, and the method you use to take it. Some people might need even a few weeks for CBD to completely go through their digestive system and leave no traces behind, while others may be good to go after just a few days.
Overall, if you want CBD to leave your system quickly, your safest option is to vape it because inhaling CBD allows for it to be absorbed quickly, and your body can start breaking it down earlier and faster. If you want to enjoy the effects of CBD for longer, you can try consuming it orally because this way, it needs to pass through your digestive system first. Taking a few drops of CBD oil or tincture sublingually can be considered the middle ground between the two other options.
In Conclusion
As you can see, in most cases, there is no reason to worry that CBD will show up on your drug test. Still, if you prefer being safe to sorry, then you definitely should follow the advice provided above.
Keep in mind that CBD may stay in your body for even up to a few weeks, depending on how frequently you take it, how much, and what exact products you enjoy the most. To pass any drug test with flying colors, consider sticking to CBD isolate, which contains no THC at all, or stop using CBD products for a while.
