How Long Do Edibles Stay in Your System

Edibles are a delightful and increasingly common way to consume THC. But if you have been eating edibles and you just got the news that you need to pass a drug test in the near future, you're probably wondering; how long do edibles stay in your system? 

 

Since edibles tend to have high concentrations of THC, they are likely to elicit a timeframe for getting clean that is slightly longer than average, but it is always possible to detox in time. Let's get into how edibles move through your body and the timeframes for which you can expect edibles to show up in the most common types of drug tests.

 

What are Cannabis Edibles?

Cannabis edibles are tasty treats containing some form of cannabis extract or infusion, such as oil, butter, etc., depending on how you make the food. Since the THC in edibles comes from concentrated cannabis, edibles typically have higher levels of THC than cannabis flower. They are snack foods that get you super high! 

 

Some of the most common foods you can find in the form of edibles include fruit gummies, brownies, cookies, and chocolate. Many cannabis consumers find them to be a fun alternative to smoking, and some people even prefer to eat edibles for simplicity or health reasons; not to mention, there's no smell except a slight trace on your breath.

 

How are Edibles Processed in the Body?

Edibles are food, so, naturally, they go through your digestive system. Once your body gets to work on digesting the edibles you ate, they move on to your liver and are metabolized. The THC from the edibles is converted into a form of THC that's stronger than the traditional Delta-9, which is found in most cannabis products. Then the THC makes its way into your bloodstream and up to your brain, which is where THC will ultimately end up no matter how you consume it.

Effects of Cannabis Edibles

Edibles have the same psychoactive effect as any other medium of THC, but those effects are typically quite a bit stronger than the effects of smoking cannabis flower. When you take edibles, you can expect a strong feeling of euphoria and relaxation, sometimes paired with anxiety or extreme fatigue if you take too high of a dose. This depends somewhat on the strain you take. 

 

For example, an Indica strain will give you more of a sense of relaxation than a sense of euphoria, with a smaller risk of anxiety and a higher risk of couch lock;. In contrast, a Sativa strain will result in a more uplifting mental effect, and you probably won't end up feeling as tired. 

 

How Long Do Edibles Stay in Your System?

The timeline depends on the type of drug test you'll be taking.

 

• Urine - Edibles can show up in your urine for a minimum of three days if you are an infrequent user, but marijuana can be found in urine for up to a month if you consume large quantities of cannabis products that have high concentrations of THC (which is true for edibles) regularly.
• Hair Follicle - Drugs including THC of any kind can be detected in your hair follicles for up to ninety days.
• Saliva - Edibles will only cause THC to be detectable in your saliva for about one to three days. However, it can be a little bit longer if you're an exceptionally frequent user.
• Blood - Blood has the lowest time frame as far as drug testing. Edibles will only show up in your blood while they are working through your bloodstream, which is usually only about eight to ten hours. However, like urine and saliva, this timeframe can be longer or shorter depending on the frequency of use.

 

What to Do for an Upcoming Drug Test

 

The first thing you need to do when preparing for a drug test is stop using cannabis products altogether. That means no more edibles until you're past your test. Depending on the amount of time you have before you need to be clean, the cease of use may be enough to detox before your test with a bit of help from some natural detox methods. 

 

If you have a drug test coming up in a month or less, though, you should consider using a trusted detox kit or detox program to ensure you'll be clean in time, as any deadline short of a month from when you stop using is going to be too risky. With detox products, you can feel confident that the edibles you took won't prevent you from passing your drug test.