Delta-8 is sometimes sold in places where marijuana is illegal. What is this substance? Is it dangerous? And how long does delta-8 stay in your system?
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What Is Delta-8 THC?
Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol, which is typically referred to as delta-8 THC or simply delta-8, is one of more than 100 cannabinoids that are present in the cannabis plant.
The cannabinoid that is primarily responsible for the mind-altering effects of marijuana is called delta-9 THC. Delta-8 THC naturally occurs in a much smaller amount than delta-9, and its psychoactive effects are not as strong as what delta-9 produces.
Why is delta-8 popular?
Delta-8 products become popular in the U.S. due in part to a loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill. This bill authorized the use of hemp, a low-THC strain of cannabis that has historically been used for non-consumable products such as paper, rope, and material for clothing.
That bill defined hemp as cannabis that contained no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC. For purposes of comparison, recreational marijuana usually contains 20%-40% delta-9 THC.
Manufacturers are able to extract cannabidiol (CBD) from legal hemp, then use a chemical process to convert the CBD into delta-8. This allowed delta-8 products to exist in a legal grey area in the U.S, permitting them to be sold in states where marijuana was still banned.
Several states have since taken steps to either outlaw delta-8 products entirely or limit their possession to people ages 21 and above.
Is delta-8 safe?
Some people refer to delta-8 as “diet weed” or “THC lite” because it is not as potent as delta-9. However, products that contain this form of THC can still cause powerful effects, and should not be considered harmless.
Potential effects of delta-8 include:
- Elevated mood
- Increased heart rate
- Altered perceptions of time and space
- Coordination impairments
- Confusion
- Anxiety
- Panic
- Vomiting
- Seizure
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned consumers that delta-8 products have not been evaluated by any governmental agency. The organization has also reported that these products can cause an array of adverse effects due to the delta-8 itself and the possible presence of contaminants.
How Long Does Delta-8 Stay in Your System?
Researchers have not yet determined the exact half-life of delta-8 THC in humans, but various sources estimate that it is 24-36 hours.
A half-life is the amount of time that it takes for half of a substance to be eliminated from a person’s system. It typically takes four to five half-lives before a substance falls below what experts refer to as a clinically significant amount, which means that it is virtually undetectable.
With an estimated half-life of 24-36 hours, it would take about 96-180 hours, or around four to seven days, for your system to eliminate delta-8.
However, this estimated range can vary further depending on a variety of personal factors, such as:
- Your body fat percentage
- How much delta-8 you used
- The amount and frequency of your past delta-8 use
Body fat percentage is an influential variable because delta-8 binds to fat cells in the body. The higher your body fat percentage, the slower delta-8 will be released into your bloodstream. This extends the time it will take your body to process and eliminate the drug from your system.
If you used a small amount of delta-8, and you rarely use it, the metabolization timeline should be on the shorter side. If, instead, you frequently use large amounts of the drug, the process may take much longer.
How Long Is Delta-8 Detectable on a Drug Test?
One reason for asking how long does delta-8 stay in your system is to determine if you will test positive for it on a drug screen.
In addition to the factors noted in the previous section, the length of time you may test positive for delta-8 THC can also depend on which type of sample you are required to provide. The most common types of drug screens analyze saliva, urine, blood, and hair.
It’s also important to note that drug screens for delta-8 don’t only detect the actual substance in your system. They can also detect metabolites, which are byproducts that your body creates while breaking down delta-8 to prepare it for elimination.
These metabolites can remain in your system even after the drug itself is gone. And since the human body produces unique metabolites for each substance that it processes, the presence of delta-8 metabolites is proof that you recently had the drug in your system.
Delta-8 in saliva
If you’ve only used delta-8 a few times, you will probably only test positive on a saliva test for about 24 hours after your most recent use.
However, if you frequently use the drug, a saliva test may find evidence for up to 72 hours (three days).
Delta-8 in urine
Many standard drug screens, such as job-related tests, involve urine samples. For limited, infrequent delta-8 users, the detection window for a urine test can range from 24-72 hours (one to three days).
If you use the drug on a regular basis, your urine could retain evidence of delta-8 use for up to 30 days (one month).
Delta-8 in blood
Blood tests are less common than urine tests, primarily because drawing blood is a more complex endeavor that collecting a urine sample. Also, blood tests usually can’t detect delta-8 as long as urine tests can.
If you have a history of limited, moderate delta-8 use, you may test positive on a blood test for 12-24 hours. But if you’re a heavy delta-8 user, a blood test may detect metabolites for 25-30 days.
Delta-8 in hair
Hair tests aren’t as common as other types of drug screens, but they have an extended detection window. This is because hair follicles absorb some delta-8 metabolites and retain them for quite a long time.
An analysis of your hair could find evidence of delta-8 use for up to 90 days (three months) after you stopped using it.
Can You Get Addicted to Delta-8?
Contrary to what you may have read elsewhere, it is possible to become addicted to cannabis, including both delta-9 and delta-8 products.
Though delta-8 poses a lower risk of addiction than many other recreational substances do, it is still a mind-altering drug that can cause physical and psychological dependence. And once you develop an addiction to delta-8, delta-9, or any other cannabis-related substance, it can be extremely difficult to stop using the drug.
Thankfully, cannabis use disorder (which is the clinical term for marijuana addiction) is a treatable condition. When you get appropriate care from a reputable addiction treatment provider, you can end your delta-8 use for good and begin to live a healthier life in recovery.
Find Help for Marijuana Addiction in Atlanta
North Atlanta Behavioral Health is a trusted provider of personalized care for adults who have become addicted to marijuana and other substances.
Treatment options at our outpatient rehab in Atlanta, GA, include detox, a partial hospitalization program (PHP), an intensive outpatient program (IOP), an evening IOP, and a virtual IOP.
When you choose to begin your recovery journey at North Atlanta Behavioral Health, we’ll work closely with you to identify the programs and services that best align with your unique history, needs, and goals.
To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free consultation, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.
