Finally! You got an interview for the job of your dreams, and you nailed it. Your references were impeccable, your criminal background check was spotless, and even your credit report passed muster. Then, the hiring manager mentioned something about a drug test. Instantly, you’re consumed with dread because you’ve been smoking weed every day like a chimney since the Reagan era.
The questions begin to flood your mind. How can I detox quickly? Are there reliable products on the market? Are they effective? How soon can I get them? Are they too costly? Will there be side effects? Can I be sure that they will work for every type of drug screening? Finally, will the tests detect that I may have recently detoxed?
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What is a Detox?
The process of detox simply means that you refrain from the use of a substance in an attempt to completely remove that substance from your body. Over time your body will essentially flush the drug from your system. In this case, we are referring to THC.
The bad news is that there is no guaranteed way to remove THC from your system instantly. While the best way might be to abstain from using cannabis; this might not be a viable option. However, there are some ways to cleanse enough to pass your drug screening. Although the heavy user may be more at-risk, there is still hope.
For many heavy users, these metabolites have been detected in the bloodstream for nearly 80 days since the last time you consumed cannabis – although, this is not very common.
Here are some basic benchmarks to consider when attempting to pass your drug screen:
- Urine: 3 to 80 days (Average 10-30 days for typical consumer)
- Blood: Between 1 to 7 days
- Hair: Up to 90 days
- Saliva: Between 1 to 7 days
Here is what influences how long it might take to detox for you:
- Your metabolic rate
- How often you exercise
- BMI- Body Mass Index (The higher the index, the longer it will take)
- How frequently you smoke marijuana
- The THC potency of the cannabis you smoke
- How much cannabis you consume
- The type of test being administered
We all respond to detox methods individually. Pay particular attention to your own efforts and keep your individual goals in mind as you try to purge the substance from your system. There is no exact recipe to detox quickly, but here are a few processes that have been successful.
Methods of a Marijuana Detox
Detox Drinks
If you are terrified and need to be cleansed within a day or two, there are products in the market that can help. There are some same day cleansers from companies like PassYourTest.com. Their products have been found to specifically target urine to assist in flushing metabolites and provide you with a temporary period where your urine will be temporarily clean. The drinks can allow you to pass your drug screen in as little as 24 hours.
These drinks are the standard “go to” methods for passing a drug test. The impact is temporary because these drinks are essentially a laxative or diuretic. Of course, some are more effective than others. For an effective brand, you might consider Pass Your Test as the offer same day and permanent cleansers based on your toxin level, body weight and the date of your test.
Diet
Most of the THC in your body is moved through your bowels, therefore, the more you urinate and defecate, the more likely you are to get past your drug test. Magnesium has also been found to help things move quickly, and it may also be wise to try B Vitamin (Niacin) or psyllium husk fiber
Dilution
If you know that you will be urine tested for your new job, it is always a good start to begin drinking water. This is a basic way to try passing a test, but just dilution alone has been relatively unreliable. If you find yourself in a urine test crisis, you might consider purchasing synthetic urine.
To dilute properly, you should drink as much water as you can and be sure to include compounds like creatine and vitamin B so that the urine appears more concentrated. Finally, when collecting your sample, be sure to take the sample from the mid-stream. Taking your sample from the beginning or end of the stream will likely have a higher concentration of THC, this may result in failing the test.
Exercise
Exercise is perhaps the best way to detox; particularly, if you are not pressed for time. Being active burns the fat cells that stubbornly hold onto THC, but it might be a slippery slope. As you burn fat through exercise, you re-release THC into the bloodstream. Therefore, if you have a test coming up with 24-48 hours, stay away from the gym because it has been found that exercise may increase THC in your blood by as much as 15 percent.
Fruit Pectin
This detox process is more a do-it-yourself method for those who are looking at blood, urine, or saliva test. Fruit Pectin is a fiber used in fruity foods like jelly, for instance. You would need to mix a pack of fruit pectin with a drink that contains electrolytes on the day of the test. The idea is that the high fiber content in fruit pectin helps to prevent THC metabolites from being passed through the urine or blood. Instead, it forces the THC towards the bowels. This has been a good way to help pass drug tests, but heavy users should be careful as it may not be enough.
Sauna/Steam
There are trace amounts of THC that are excreted through sweat. However, there is little evidence that sweating will prove to be an effective way to detox. For heavy users, marijuana has been detected in sweat as much as a week after use. Sauna/steam and sweating are recommended as a general method for detoxing over time. Routine sweat and sauna/steam help to rid the body of harmful compounds such as uric acid, sodium, and lactic acid. You should be mindful that sauna/steam requires tolerance to intense heat and required that you remain hydrated by consuming drinks with electrolytes like coconut water.
Types of Drug Tests
Here are the basic testing types that employers have traditionally used to screen for drugs Essentially, these tests examine blood, urine, and hair for THC:
Blood Test Looks for THC in the bloodstream. THC can be measurable in the bloodstream for long periods of time.
Hair Test This type of test is less common. However, some employers have been known to use it exclusively. It is designed to measure THC remains in your hair follicles, which can remain in your hair for many months. It’s hard to get around this test.
Urinalysis (UA) This is the most common type of test for employment. The Urinalysis is less expensive and is known to be relatively accurate. It is designed to detect THC-COOH, which is metabolized THC as opposed to THC itself
There is also a great deal of misinformation about effective ways of detoxing. You should be mindful that methods of cleansing your system of marijuana cannot be accomplished through using the likes of cranberry juice, vinegar, huge amounts of water alone, creatine pills, ginger root tea, and bleach. Unfortunately, urban legends continue to promote these notions when the truth is, they do not work.
These methods are not intended to serve as medical advice. Rather they are listed to provide cannabis consumers, who may find they are facing a random drug screen, with a few options for cleansing their systems of THC.
Article By: Alfonzo Porter
