Author: James Anderson
How long does marijuana stay in your system? Blood, urine, and hair
Higher doses and more frequent use tend to increase the amount of time it takes to eliminate THC and its metabolites from your system. Some of these factors, such as body mass index (BMI) and metabolic rate, aren’t related to the drug itself, but to how your body processes it. THC is absorbed by the bloodstream when you smoke or ingest cannabis.
Current test kits can detect the characteristic metabolites produced up to 72 hours after consumption. Current urine test kits mainly test for two popular synthetic marijuana formulations, JWH-018 and JWH-073. Imagine tea leaves coated in unpredictable and invisible poison and you probably have a pretty good idea of what fake weed looks like. Foil packets, loose leaf, and unknown chemicals – not the most delicious tea on the market but perhaps the most potent.
How Is Synthetic Marijuana Metabolized In A Body?
In other words, Spice’s side effects can be stronger and more unpredictable than people realize. Moreover, the chemical composition of K2 often changes from batch to batch, with some likely containing substances that can intensify the drug’s side effects. Fake weed is a bit of a misnomer since the drug it refers to technically isn’t a fake version of weed.
- Blood tests usually work by having certain molecules bind to a drug to identify it.
- Another important feature of synthetic cannabinoids is that they rarely exist in their original state within our cells.
- Like any other pharmaceutical drug, there is a list of side-effects paired with Syndros.
- Therefore blood tests for Spice are generally used to determine if the individual is actively under the influence of the drug.
- In particular, pharmaceutical companies are yet to touch the legal marijuana market in the United States due to federal law.
How “high” a person feels is also not a reliable measure, because numerous factors other than THC dose can intensify or weaken this feeling. Without sensitive laboratory equipment, a person cannot reliably determine the strength of their cannabis. These kits don’t work reliably, and drinking large quantities of water in a short period of time can be fatal. In jurisdictions where cannabis is illegal, oral fluid may be used for roadside testing. One of the most abundant components in cannabis is a chemical substance called THC, which stands for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol.
The second stage of spice metabolism involves converting the broken-down Spice into substances that are easy for the body to excrete. This is done through the kidney, and the drug is excreted through urine. THC metabolites stay in the body for at least 1–30 days after last use. Regular cannabis users may have elevated THC levels even after a period of abstinence. Drug tests for cannabis measure THC and its by-products, or metabolites. These metabolites remain in your system long after weed’s effects have worn off.
How to get cannabis out of the body faster
Our writers and reviewers are experienced professionals in medicine, addiction treatment, and healthcare. AddictionResource fact-checks all the information before publishing and uses only credible and trusted sources when citing any medical data. This makes old testing kits quickly outdated and makes it more likely for new drugs to slip silently under the radar before being discovered. Newer K2 drug test kits must therefore test for multiple compounds, both old and new. This increases their chances of detecting any illegal substances in the given sample.
Acute abuse of K2 can lead to synthetic cannabinoid poisoning, which is a serious medical situation. Chronic abuse of synthetic marijuana can easily lead to addiction. This may require one to seek treatment in the form of assisted rehab.
Spice/K2, sometimes called “fake weed,” is a synthetic drug known as a cannabinoid that acts on the same receptors in the brain as marijuana. It’s often sold as an herbal mixture or liquid incense to be vaporized or smoked by the user. Synthetic marijuana is a touchy subject in the world of legal cannabis.
K2 Addiction Treatment
Chronic heavy use increases the length of time that it can be detected. One of the most effective ways to detox hair is using a technique called the Macujo Method. The main purpose of this method is to clear the metabolites from hair. The process requires opening up the hair cuticles to expose the middle part of the hair follicle where metabolites are stored.
Many require drinking a lot of water to dilute your urine, and then using herbal supplements such as creatinine or vitamin B12 to mask the dilution. Once THC has entered your system, your body needs time to break it down. Exercising, eating a balanced diet, and staying hydrated may help, but not drastically. There isn’t much you can do to speed up the amount of time it takes for THC metabolites to leave your system. Cannabis that’s ingested may remain in your system slightly longer than cannabis that’s smoked. More potent cannabis, which is higher in THC, may also stay in your system for longer.
Clearbrook Manor – Pennsylvania Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center
K2 is an unregulated mixture of these chemicals, which can produce some undesirable side effects. For those who have not heard the recent gossip, some serious health issues are arising from synthetic marijuana products. Back in 2010, nearly 11,500 people went to the emergency room due to consuming synthetic marijuana. Just recently in the state of Connecticut, over 70 people went to the hospital due to synthetic marijuana.
One major hurdle faced by researchers when they attempt to determine the half-life of Spice is that the drug is made up of several compounds. Every year new synthetic cannabinoids are created, each with their unique chemical properties, adverse effects and risks. Due to its long half-life, Spice/K2 can be detectable for months after use. As a synthetic drug, Spice can be hard to detect in a drug test because its components can change. Spice is a popular choice for those wishing to avoid detection, as some standard drug tests do not pick up it.
This drug is significantly stronger than marijuana despite the many claims that it’s a safer alternative. If you’re struggling with a K2 addiction and need help with recovery, Clearbrook Pennsylvania offers a medical detox that helps you slowly wean off of the drug. During detox, we also monitor any withdrawal symptoms that may occur. Clearbrook Treatment Centers Pennsylvania offers K2 addiction treatment that incorporates individual and group therapy efforts to aid in the patient’s recovery. Additionally, before we help clients, we perform a clinical assessment to determine which treatment plan is right for them. If you or someone you know has a K2 addiction, our Clearbrook rehab in PA can help.