While THC and CBD aren’t physically addictive, some people can form a dependency on these products, especially with THC and its psychoactive effects.
If you find yourself dependent on THC and want a THC detox, then there are some ways you can start the detox process. Or even if you are not dependent but want to detox to reset a high tolerance or whatever reason, there are ways to detox that are safer or more effective than others.
There are also THC detox myths that have been debunked. At many pharmacies and grocery stores, you can find marijuana detox kits and THC detox drinks that claim they can flush THC out of your system quickly, but recent research suggests that these claims may not hold up.
In this article, we’ll explore realistic methods to detox THC and some of the expectations you should have during the process. If you want more access to information, resources, and help, use a helpline.
Can You Detox THC?
We want to be clear that many over-the-counter products, such as kits and drinks, claim to expedite the detox process, and research suggests those claims may be questionable [1]. Rather than trying to speed up the detox process, it’s better to use these products to help support you in weaning off THC.
There is also a myth that somehow persists that you can flush THC out of your system by drinking an excessive amount of water. This is a myth and not true. You cannot flush THC out of your system this way, and it can be dangerous, potentially leading to water intoxication.
How Long Does THC Stay In Your System?
When thinking about how long THC stays in your system, you have to consider that THC stays in your system for longer than you feel the effects.
So even after the high has worn off, THC metabolites may stay in your system anywhere from 7-30 days.
That’s a pretty big gap in days, but that’s because a precise range is dependent on individual factors. If you’re removing THC from your system for drug tests, then this may not be exactly what you want to hear.
This is why marijuana detox drinks and kits can be a popular choice for someone who wants to speed that process up. However, since a detox drink isn’t guaranteed to actually do that, it’s important to be aware of realistic ways to get THC out of your system.
Best Way to Get THC Out of Your System
The best surefire way to remove THC from your system is to abstain from THC completely. I know this sounds obvious, but there are enough myths that might make you believe loopholes exist. However, we understand that a cold turkey detox process may not be desirable for many.
Exercise also can play a role in removing THC from your system. However, we don’t want you to think of this as “I can run a few miles and sweat the THC out of my system.” That’s not really how it works.
THC is stored in the fat cells of your body, so exercise may be able to decrease the amount of THC in your system. A quick workout isn’t going to help you pass drug tests. However, if you view removing THC from your system as the journey that it is, then exercise can play a supporting role in naturally supporting that process.
3 Things to Do to Help With THC Detox
CBD Oil
When we recommend things to do to support a THC detox, we are not only talking about the products themselves but also the lifestyle that is aligned with their consumption. This is why we think CBD oil can be a great addition to your THC detox toolkit.
The detox process can be stressful, especially if you experience withdrawal symptoms. THC-free CBD oil offers relaxing effects that have been shown to reduce stressful and anxious feelings [2]. CBD oil can also be helpful because the onset time is relatively quick. Many CBD oils are sold as tinctures, so you can consume drops of CBD sublingually and feel the effects as soon as 15-30 minutes.
But you need to be careful because many CBD oils contain THC. Full spectrum CBD oil contains trace amounts of THC. Which means you won’t be abstaining from it and breaking your THC detox. Also, if you need to pass a drug test, then the trace amounts of THC found in CBD oil can still result in failing the drug test. Broad spectrum and CBD isolate products are THC-free and offer effects that may be able to support you during detoxification.
Herbal Extracts
There are herbal extracts that have been historically used in health and wellness for their antistress effects [3].
Herbal extracts such as these may support you during a marijuana detox journey. Again, during a detox, it is best to adopt new habits to replace your THC consumption habit. Changing habits can be stressful for our bodies, even if we don’t realize it. However, it’s important to choose herbal extracts that are scientifically backed for their antistress properties. Certain herbal extracts can have adverse side effects that may not be ideal for your routine.
A few herbs have been researched for their calming effects.
One of the great things about these herbal extracts is that they come in a variety of forms, so you can choose the form that works best for you. So whether you would prefer to drink the extract in the form of a tasty tea, quickly swallow a tablet, or swallow a few drops sublingually, you have options available to you.
Chamomile is one of the herbal extracts that’s been found to produce calming effects [4]. Passionflower extract is also another extract that has been found to help with feelings such as nervousness or restlessness [5].
Herbal extracts can be great for someone who wants to avoid all cannabinoids. While they don’t produce as robust effects as THC-free CBD products, they still have effects that may make the detox process a little easier.
CBD Gummies
Although we already recommended CBD oil, we also want to recommend CBD gummies. Compared to oil, they typically have a longer duration, which may be helpful when you’re considering getting through days when you may be experiencing withdrawal symptoms. While it can be nice to consume CBD oil and feel the effects relatively quickly, sometimes it’s reassuring to know that you will be supported by the effects of a CBD gummy for 6-10 hours.
Since you’ll be on a THC detox, it’s crucial to only consume CBD gummies that are THC-free, and strictly avoid gummies made with THC. These gummies will be labeled as broad spectrum or CBD isolate gummies. We offer broad spectrum CBD gummies with 120 mg of CBD per gummy for those who really want the benefits THC-free CBD has to offer.
Everyone has their own personal connection with their THC use, but for many they depend on THC to support them with pain, sleep, or stress.
Removing THC from their routine may be intimidating because of the loss of support for these kinds of conditions that may affect overall wellness. That’s why CBD can be great in supporting a successful detoxification process because it can support some of these daily conditions [6].
Debunking THC Detox Kits
Many THC detox kits promise to rapidly cleanse the body of THC metabolites to pass drug tests. However, the body's natural detoxification process is primarily managed by the liver and kidneys over time. While some kits may contain diuretics or other substances that increase how often you visit the toilet, there's limited scientific evidence to support their efficacy in significantly speeding up the detoxification process.
The market for THC detox kits is largely unregulated, meaning that the quality and safety of products can vary. Consumers may be exposed to ineffective or potentially harmful substances without standardized testing or oversight.
Detox drinks can be tempting because, on the surface level, it would make sense that fluids and certain minerals may aid in the THC detoxification process. Unfortunately, research shows that THC detox drinks are mostly ineffective in invalidating a drug test [1].
Can CBD Help Detox THC?
CBD cannot detox THC from your body.
But can it help you with detoxing THC? Yes.
While CBD may offer some indirect support for the body's natural detoxification processes, it is not a substitute for abstaining from THC consumption or following a healthy lifestyle.
Detoxification from THC primarily relies on the body's natural metabolic processes, including liver metabolism and urinary excretion. Therefore, the most effective way to detox from THC is to stop consuming cannabis and allow the body time to naturally eliminate THC metabolites over time.
Natural THC Detox Drinks for Weed
Natural THC detox drinks are different from the ones we mentioned previously. They typically include ingredients such as electrolytes, herbal extracts, or CBD rather than the list of ingredients many detox drinks contain. However, natural THC detox drinks can still be kind of gimmicky.
Again, they aren’t guaranteed to expedite the detox process. These drinks may be able to support the liver, which plays an important role in the detoxification process. Supporting liver function is important, but again, it doesn’t speed up the process.
The best way to detox THC is time and abstinence. Staying hydrated is important during this process, and natural THC detox drinks are generally safer than some of the more gimmicky detox drinks and kits. Ultimately, the main ingredient of these drinks is water. So, drinking water and consuming other products like CBD oil or herbal tea may be more cost-effective, which may produce stronger effects to support you while detoxing.
The Takeaway: The 3 Best Ways to Detox THC
If you’re seeking a THC detox, you may find a lot of products aimed at helping you do this. However, some of these products have been debunked and may not help you achieve your goal. Many products that claim to be able to remove THC from your system quickly, potentially for the sake of passing a drug test, are not backed by science. With a drug test on the line, it’s better to stick with using science-backed methods versus leaving it to chance.
Drug abuse is a serious topic and should not be diminished, even if THC is not chemically addictive. If you are dependent on THC, then it is important to seek appropriate help, such as advice from a professional counselor or healthcare provider.
For some, the THC detoxification process is not due to an addiction issue, so they may not need the same level of support as someone who has a marijuana addiction. The habits and products we recommended today do not expedite detoxification but support the process. The only way to guarantee a THC detox is to abstain from it and give your system adequate time to naturally remove it.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Are THC Detox drinks safe?
Not all THC detox drinks are the same, so it’s important to do your research on the detox drink you’re considering consuming. Some of the herbs involved in detox drinks are not safe for everyone. Generally, detox drinks are safe, but they also have largely been found to be ineffective in the THC detoxification process.
Is it safe to use THC detox kits?
Similar to the detox drinks, not all THC detox kits are made the same. Some may contain herbs that can be dangerous to some, depending on personal health factors. Researching the specific ingredients in THC detox kits is the best way to determine if they would be safe for you.
Is CBD a good way to detox from THC?
CBD is not going to make your body detox THC any faster than it will naturally. However, CBD can help with the detox journey. As we said earlier, CBD may be able to provide some support with withdrawal symptoms, such as mood support, stress relief, and sleep support [insert source].
How long does it take for cannabinoid receptors to return to normal?
After quitting THC, cannabinoid receptors in the brain, specifically the cannabinoid 1 receptors, begin to return to their normal state relatively quickly (around 2 days — but it can vary between individuals). For some people, it might take 4 weeks, depending on the frequency of use.
However, if you are more concerned about the half-life of THC because that’s how long it stays in your system and can be detected by drug tests, then it can last anywhere from approximately 5-13 days. It can vary depending on several factors, including the specific cannabinoid, the frequency of use, and individual metabolic differences.
References:
- Dasgupta, A., & Dasgupta, A. (2010). Synthetic urine, flushing, detoxifying, and related agents for beating urine drug tests: are they effective?. Beating Drug Tests and Defending Positive Results: A Toxicologist’s Perspective, 45-60.
- Blessing, E. M., Steenkamp, M. M., Manzanares, J., & Marmar, C. R. (2015). Cannabidiol as a potential treatment for anxiety disorders. Neurotherapeutics, 12(4), 825-836.
- Rizvi, A., Mishra, A., Mahdi, A. A., Ahmad, M., & Basit, A. (2015). Natural and herbal stress remedies: a review. International Journal of Pharmacognosy, 2(4), 155-160.
- Mao, J. J., Xie, S. X., Keefe, J. R., Soeller, I., Li, Q. S., & Amsterdam, J. D. (2016). Long-term chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) treatment for generalized anxiety disorder: A randomized clinical trial. Phytomedicine, 23(14), 1735-1742.
- Janda, K., Wojtkowska, K., Jakubczyk, K., Antoniewicz, J., & Skonieczna-Żydecka, K. (2020). Passiflora incarnata in neuropsychiatric disorders—A systematic review. Nutrients, 12(12), 3894.
- Capano, A., Weaver, R., & Burkman, E. (2020). Evaluation of the effects of CBD hemp extract on opioid use and quality of life indicators in chronic pain patients: a prospective cohort study. Postgraduate medicine, 132(1), 56-61.
