Blood tests typically detect recent cannabis use within the last 2 to 12 hours. However, in chronic heavy users, THC has been detected up to 30 days later, as prolonged use increases retention time in the bloodstream. Importantly, persistent physical pain, nausea, vomiting or weight loss that interferes with your ability to function is concerning and should be brought to the attention of a healthcare provider. These may represent symptoms of another condition, as typical marijuana withdrawal symptoms should be self-limited, and not so severe. There are also no life-or-death dangers in quitting marijuana cold turkey or detoxing on your own. That said, consulting a medical professional can help you better manage the physical and psychological symptoms of weed withdrawal and prevent relapse.
Marijuana and Breast Milk:
So, use this as a general outline to mentally prepare yourself for what’s to come, but don’t be alarmed if your experience is a little different. Generally, symptoms of withdrawal begin within the first 24 hours of abstinence, peak by day three and can last for up to two to three weeks or longer. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers. About 40 to 50 million drug tests are conducted by employers each year, which analyze biological material including urine, hair, blood, saliva, breath, sweat, and even fingernails.
How Long Does Marijuana (Weed) Stay in Your System?
More than half of those trying to stop cannabis use report experiencing mood swings, irritability, or anxiety. Others report feelings of aggression, nervousness, restlessness, and a loss of concentration. Although regular marijuana smokers may not believe that they’re addicted to the drug, experiencing cravings is a hallmark of addiction. This is true whether the addiction is to other substances such as heroin or alcohol, or activities like gambling, shopping, or sex.
Marijuana Detection in Blood Tests:
She has great experience with chemical dependency and co-occurring mental health diagnoses as well as various therapeutic techniques. Brittany is passionate about treating all clients with dignity and respect, and providing a safe environment where clients can begin their healing journey in recovery. They are somewhat invasive and require a medical professional to perform.
- Urine and hair samples may show evidence of cannabis use several months after the fact.
- People who use weed regularly and then stop abruptly can experience some withdrawal symptoms.
- Given the current detection windows for standard cannabis tests, it’s likely you will be able to pass a urine test as long as you are not an extremely heavy user and are given sufficient advanced notice.
- The nationwide push to legalize marijuana got a major boost when the Biden administration announced a plan to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug in April 2024.
- Quitting smoking weed can prove to be a difficult task, especially for heavy users.
If you’re an occasional user, THC might be cleared from the system within a week. On the other hand, if you’re a chronic or heavy user, it may require several weeks to detoxify fully. Natural detox methods include staying hydrated, exercising, and maintaining a healthy diet, which can help expedite the process.
Timeline of Common Withdrawal-Related Side Effects in Heavy Users
Making life changes is always challenging, but with the right support, they can be transformative. If you have decided to quit smoking weed after regular use, chances are you will experience some kind of withdrawal symptoms. Depending on how much and how often you have been smoking, these symptoms could become intense enough to drive you to relapse to find relief. If any of your symptoms are bothersome or seem to be lingering, seek professional treatment. A healthcare provider or mental health professional can help determine the symptom’s root cause and provide options for easing its effects. Many former users report having drug cravings in the early days of quitting cannabis.
No matter how much you smoke, 1 hit, or a few, the THC you consume accumulates in fatty tissues throughout the body. Although the THC, itself, may only be detected for a time by certain tests, other metabolites of weed can remain much longer. For some people, though, symptoms of withdrawal will drag on past this one-month mark. These include mood symptoms like depression, irritability, as well as continued difficulties with sleep, or vivid dreams.
About 20% of the metabolites leave your body through urine, while the other 80% are removed as feces. Testing for THC and its metabolites can only determine whether cannabis has been used within a given window of time. THC and its metabolites may stay in your system anywhere ecstasy withdrawal and detox from several days to several months after you last use cannabis. A 2017 review found that a person who has used cannabis just once may receive a positive urine test for up to 3 days after last use. Researchers don’t know how long the effects of chronic cannabis use last.
Let’s be honest, these early prototypes weren’t exactly foolproof. In a nutshell, while your consumption style can jazz up the immediate effects, the longevity of detectability dances to the tune of personal metabolism and how often you’re consuming. To grasp the ins and outs of cannabis detectability in your urine, it’s pivotal to unpack the journey of THC after consumption. Always riding the high wave, especially with power players like dabs or robust cannabis oils?
A 2017 study published in Drug and Alcohol Review analyzed hair samples collected from 136 subjects and found detectable levels of THC in 77% of chronic consumers and 39% of light consumers. However, there’s mounting evidence that hair follicle drug testing cannot detect cannabis accurately. In a 2009 study published in Addiction, researchers monitored cannabinoid concentrations in the 6 ways to lower high blood pressure without using medication blood of 25 frequent cannabis consumers. During seven days of abstinence from cannabis, nine subjects, or 36%, had no measurable THC in their system, while the other 16 still had at least one positive THC test over the same timeframe. After the weeklong period ended, six subjects still had detectable THC concentrations, and all subjects had measurable levels of the metabolite THC-COOH.
However, it’s not as commonly used because THC can’t be detected in blood for as long as it can be detected in urine. 1st Step Behavioral Health is a licensed dual-diagnosis long-term addiction treatment facility that is accredited by the Joint Commission. We focus on the physiological rebalancing of the individual through medical, physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual care. With a state-of-the-art medical detox facility and a full continuum of care, we’re equipped with the tools and support you need to stay sober. If you or someone you love are struggling with marijuana addiction, a substance abuse treatment program can help you detox safely and achieve long-term recovery. Detoxing from marijuana can be challenging due to withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, insomnia, and decreased appetite, which can persist for weeks after discontinuation.
Having one or two edibles or smoking once a day may not affect your results in a hair test. It takes time for THC to be stored in your hair follicles and build up. If you used weed today, the metabolites would only show up in your hair for seven substance use amphetamines to 10 days afterward. Typically, weed will remain longer in hair and can be detectable for up to 90 days from the day of use. Tests can detect weed for up to 30 days in your urine, up to 24 hours in your saliva, and up to 12 hours in your blood.
Insomnia symptoms after you stop using weed can last a few days or a couple of weeks. Some people find that they can experience occasional sleeplessness for a few months after quitting. Like a urine test, testing hair strands can detect traces of THC in the body after they pass from the bloodstream to the hair follicle. But it can also get into the hair from physical contact, meaning that you do not necessarily need to be taking marijuana to have your hair test positive for it. If you have been around secondhand marijuana smoke, have touched marijuana or even if someone who has handled marijuana touches your hair, your hair may test positive.
This means that within 4-7 days, the vast majority of the THC will be gone from the system. In frequent users, however, a slower excretion occurs and is reflected by a 10-day terminal half-life. The researchers found that they could detect THC in the urine of frequent users for up to 2-4 weeks after quitting. THC can stay in your system for several weeks, but how long exactly depends on a range of factors such as frequency of use, your individual metabolic rate, and body fat percentage. That said, THC detection times rarely exceed 30 days, according to a 2005 fact-sheet written by Paul Cary, director of the Toxicology and Drug Monitoring Laboratory at the University of Missouri. Cannabinoids reach hair follicles via blood vessels, sebum, and sweat.
Stay hydrated, exercise, eat healthily, and get plenty of sleep. Urine tests are the most common method for drug testing, and cannabis can be detected in urine for different lengths of time based on usage. Moderate use (four times per week) can be detected for 5 to 7 days. Meanwhile, chronic use (daily) can result in detection for 10 to 15 days. Heavy use (multiple times per day) may be detectable for over 30 days. Some heavy and chronic users have tested positive for the THC metabolite 10 months after ceasing use.