65% of these metabolites are eliminated through feces and 20% through urine. The remaining amount is stored in fat cells and gradually released into your bloodstream. The liver breaks down THC, the main active part of marijuana, into smaller pieces. These pieces, called metabolites, are stored in fat cells. They slowly move back into the bloodstream for more processing and then get removed from the body.

Creative Cannabis-Inspired Valentine’s Day Activities

However, the new study adds to the scientific evidence that long-term cannabis use may affect cognitive abilities, including memory. The observational study, which was published January 28 in JAMA Network Open, does not prove that cannabis harms the brain, so the results should be viewed with some caution. Young people are particularly vulnerable because their brains aren’t finished developing, Danovitch explained. “This is another study that shows strong associations that, in the context of other research that’s been done, just furthers our concern for this particular population,” he said. After absorption, THC is broken down into more than 80 metabolites in the liver.

What Influences Drug Testing Results and How Long Does Weed Stay in Your System?

Hair follicle tests detect THC (Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive compound in how long does weed last in your system cannabis, by analyzing traces of it embedded in your hair. When trying to get rid of THC from the body fast, different methods can help, especially for a detox for drug test. Drinking water, exercising, and eating right can help your body get rid of THC faster.

How to Get Marijuana Out of Your System

This is why the most commonly used drug tests are designed to detect THC metabolites. You probably know that cannabis lingers in your system for a while before it gets eliminated, which is why it can be detected on a drug test weeks after use. Let us tell you why that happens and how it relates to taking a single hit of weed. Maybe you smoked weed recently and you’re scared that your psychoactive escapade will show on your pending drug test. Naturally, you might be wondering about the length of time needed for the body to detox from cannabis use. THC, the main psychoactive compound in marijuana, is a bit of a couch potato.

Other research found that THC stayed in the system of infrequent users for hours. Detectable amounts were seen up to 12 days after THC exposure in more frequent users. As previously mentioned, the amount of time will depend on the screening method and frequency of use. The THC levels in smoked cannabis may appear in a urine test in as short as three days after consuming a joint or a bowl. These screenings can detect THC metabolites for up to 90 days after consumption.

Different drug tests for cannabis have different detection windows. In general, detection time will be longer with a higher dose and more frequent cannabis use. To identify recent use of cannabis, the participants provided urine samples on the day of their brain scans. If someone has a THC concentration over 50 ng/mL, it typically indicates cannabis use in the past 10 days. However, people who use cannabis very frequently may have higher levels for a month, or even several months after use.

However, the downside is that there is a high likelihood of false positive results for these tests because they rely on skin oil that transfers to the hair, making them less accurate. Whether for personal health reasons or due to potential drug testing, being aware of these patterns can help users better manage their consumption and its possible consequences. • Regular exercise can boost metabolism and may help eliminate cannabis faster.• However, exercise right before a drug test might temporarily increase THC levels in the bloodstream.

• The primary metabolite of THC is 11-hydroxy-THC, which is further broken down into 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC (THC-COOH).
• The safest approach is always to allow ample time for your body to naturally eliminate cannabis if you’re concerned about drug testing or other detection methods.
• Start these activities early, as sudden exercise might not help much.
• Using the statistical data from other people will not provide the exact numbers for your situation also.

• On average, cannabis use will show up in a standard urine drug screening for around 21 days if you consume regularly, and possibly up to a month.
• For example, if you smoked just once, you will be able to pass the test within a few days.
• It loves settling into our fat cells, making itself comfy.
• Standard hair tests typically look for drugs used over the last 90 days.
• Meanwhile, urine, saliva, and blood tests are better at catching recent THC consumption.
• The total amount of THC consumed has a direct effect on the detection window of THC metabolites.

Before ingesting these edibles I had not smoked any marijuana in a little over a month. Urine tests are one of the most common methods for Twelve-step program detecting weed. THC can show up in urine for varying amounts of time, depending on how often you use it. With occasional use, THC may be detectable for 1 to 3 days after use. With moderate use, it may take 7 to 21 days for THC to clear from the urine.