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CBD and Urine Tests: How long does CBD stay in your urine?
Whether you’re a regular or occasional CBD user, you may have already asked yourself the following questions: How long does CBD stay in my system? Can using CBD result in a positive THC test? These are all questions whose answers depend on various important factors that are worth knowing. To help you understand this better, we’ll break it down in the rest of this article.
Key takeaways:
- CBD is generally cleared from the body within about 24 hours, but can remain for up to 30 days depending on several factors.
- Urine tests for THC do not detect CBD, but a residual level of THC in CBD products can cause a positive result.
- The length of time THC remains detectable in urine varies depending on the frequency of use and the user’s metabolism.
- Physical activity can speed up the elimination of CBD and THC from the body.
What is CBD?
CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is part of the cannabinoid family. This molecule is extracted from the cannabis plant and, according to certain scientific studies, is believed to have positive effects on the body.
Unlike THC, consuming CBD does not cause any psychoactive effects or addiction. Cannabidiol can be consumed in various forms (sublingual oil, e-liquid, CBD flowers, herbal tea, etc.). It is available for sale in France and its consumption is entirely legal in the country.
CBD and THC: what’s the difference?
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the other molecule extracted from the hemp plant. It is classified as a psychotropic substance by the UN. Consequently, its consumption and sale are prohibited in France.
Although CBD and THC are both molecules derived from the hemp plant, they do not have the same molecular structure and do not produce the same effects on the body.
THC causes a feeling of euphoria and a state of intense relaxation that can lead to addiction. In contrast, CBD is not addictive and is still being studied by scientists to confirm certain hypotheses regarding its potential benefits.
How long does CBD remain in the body?
Like any molecule we ingest, CBD circulates in our body before being excreted in the urine within approximately 24 hours. A scientific study conducted in 2016 by the Pacific Laboratories of Chatsworth tends to confirm this hypothesis.
However, please note that this process may take longer or shorter, depending on various factors relating to cannabis consumption and the user’s physical condition. Similarly, the absence of CBD in urine does not mean that the body no longer contains any trace of CBD.
In fact, traces of CBD may remain in the body for up to nearly 30 days after the last consumption, depending in particular on the dosage and frequency of intake of this molecule. This molecule is stored by the body in certain tissues, such as fat, for example. This is why CBD can still be detected by a saliva or hair test, well beyond the first 24 hours and even following a negative urine test.
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The various factors involved in the elimination of CBD
The elimination of CBD from the body depends on various factors, which we will outline later in this article. These characteristics can vary from person to person, which tends to play a decisive role in the time it takes for traces of CBD to disappear from the urine. These include, in particular:
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- The individual’s metabolism: the rate at which the body is able to eliminate toxins plays a major role in the results of urine tests;
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- The user’s age: the younger the user, the shorter the elimination time may be;
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- Frequency of use and dosage: according to a scientific study published in the journal Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behaviour, subjects who had consumed high doses of CBD for 6 weeks showed no trace of CBD after a full week of cessation. Conversely, occasional users and those taking very low doses may see the molecule disappear from their system in just 24 hours;
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- Taking part in sporting activities: exercise helps speed up the elimination of toxins and burnt fat, as well as any cannabidiol they may contain.
How long does THC remain in the body?
Just like CBD, THC can be detected via urine, saliva or hair tests. In a urine test, THC can be detected for up to 2 months after the start of withdrawal. However, as with CBD, this timeframe may vary depending on the level of consumption and the user’s profile.
Furthermore, THC can be detected in the urine of an occasional user who has taken very low doses for up to approximately 3 days after their last use. Regular users, on the other hand, may test positive for THC for up to 10 days after starting to stop using. This period can extend to 60 days or more for the most regular users.
Why does THC take so long to leave the body?
As mentioned earlier, THC binds to certain body tissues, particularly fat. Whilst waiting to eliminate it along with these tissues, the body therefore stores the THC, which accumulates over time. However, this depends greatly on the individual’s age and metabolism (i.e. their ability to eliminate fats and toxins from the body): the faster the metabolism, the more easily THC is eliminated from the body.
THC screening tests
There are various tests capable of detecting THC. They are generally used by the police or by healthcare professionals (testing laboratories, hospitals, detox centres). However, please note that it is also possible to purchase one directly if required.
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Some tests, for example, can detect the level of THC in the body using three detection thresholds:
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- Level 1: low level (very little THC detected in the urine);
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- Level 2: medium level (a certain amount of THC is detected);
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- 3rd level: high level (a high dose is detected).
This type of test takes the form of a urine test strip which must be dipped in urine to obtain a clear result in just a few minutes.
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Did you know? A drug test is designed to detect the presence of THC in the body, as the consumption of this substance is illegal in France. CBD, on the other hand, will not be detected by this type of test. However, it is important to bear in mind that CBD-based products often contain a residual level of THC (less than 0.2%). This factor could, in some cases, lead to a positive result in a THC urine test. Furthermore, if you use CBD regularly, the accumulation of this molecule in your body could also lead to a positive result in a saliva or urine THC test. |
You now know how long it takes the body to eliminate CBD. We hope you find this information useful!
