8 is Great: How Long Does Delta-8 Stay in Your System?

When shopping for THC gummies, there are some important factors to consider. If you are trying out Delta-8 products, then you may be wondering– How long does Delta-8 high last? And how long do Delta-8 gummies stay in your system?

While a Delta-8 gummy is a popular way to enjoy this isomer of THC, you can also buy Delta-8 products in other edible forms. Because Delta-8 is a lab derived product of CBD that exists naturally in the plant at very low levels, you can’t smoke it straight (Delta8 flower is usually CBD flower treated with Delta8 distillate), but you can vape it in oil form.

No matter how you partake in Delta-8, if you have to pass a drug screening that’s looking for THC, you need to consider factors like the Delta-8 THC half-life and how long does THC oil stay in your system. Read on for more info!

Factors Affecting Duration of Delta-8 Staying in System

Delta-8 is a form of hemp-derived THC that offers many of the same benefits as traditional (Delta-9) THC. 

Delta-8 and Delta-9 molecules have an identical chemical formula: C21H30O2. This means that they each contain 21 carbon atoms, 30 hydrogen atoms, and 2 oxygen atoms. 

However, the carbon double bond in Delta-8 is on the 8th chain, while Delta-9’s double bond is on the 9th chain. This small difference in arrangement causes some differences in Delta-8 and Delta-9’s characteristics. 

One big difference between Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC is their half-life. The half-life of a substance is the amount of time it takes for your body to break down and expel half of the dose. Though Delta 8 does have a shorter half-life that traditional Delta 9 THC, this doesn’t necessarily mean that it will leave your system any faster.

The Delta 8 THC half-life will expel much of the compound from your system through natural degradation, but as far as it has been studied, this half life does not have a measurable effect on the metabolism of the remaining THC. A number of factors contribute to how fast THC breaks down in an individual’s system, chiefly:

• Frequency of use – First-time users break down THC quickly, while it takes much longer for frequent users to clear the buildup of THC in their bloodstream and fat cells.
• Your age – Older bodies tend to have lower metabolisms and higher body fat percentages, which means that THC sticks around longer. 
• Method of consumption – How long does an edible stay in your system? Typically longer than how long vape THC stays in your system. Edibles, dabs, and other concentrated forms of THC take a lot longer to clear your system than smoked or vaped versions. You can learn more from an article here. 
• Metabolism – Those with faster metabolisms will break down THC more quickly than people with slower metabolisms, or a higher body fat percentage. Women, for example, tend to find that THC stays with them longer for this reason. Drinking a healthy amount of water is always recommended to encourage your body to flush fat cells and the THC along with it. 
• Dosage – The higher the dose, the longer it takes for your body to break it down.
• Other supplements or medications – The interaction of THC with other substances you may be taking can affect the speed at which it breaks down.

How Long for Delta-8 to Leave System?

So how long does a THC gummy stay in your system? If you take Delta-8, how long will it stay in your body? For how long will it show up on a drug test? In addition to your own biochemistry, it varies greatly depending on the type of screening you are required to take.

Saliva Test

A saliva test is often used for roadside sobriety and pre-employment screenings. Generally, this is the method of testing that detects THC in the body for the shortest amount of time. On average (again influenced by your body’s chemistry) THC is detectable in your saliva for 3 to 10 days. 

Urine Test

A urine analysis (UA) is the most common type of drug test used by employers. How long does Delta-8 stay in your urine? This is where your personal body makeup contributes the most variance. THC can remain detectable in your body anywhere from 7-90 days.

Blood Test

THC remains in your bloodstream for just a short time before it is metabolized and stored in fat cells. Because of this, blood tests can usually be used accurately to detect recent use or current impairment. 

Delta-8 THC is typically undetectable in your blood after just 2 days, although for chronic users it can take as long as 40 days to fully clear your bloodstream.

Hair Test

Hair follicle tests are not used very often thanks to the test’s expense, and good thing! They are by far the most difficult type of substance screening to pass, because trace amounts of Delta-8 THC can remain detectable in your hair for up to three months, or even longer for habitual users. When your body breaks down THC, the metabolites find their way to all areas of the body, including your hair follicles, and since your hair grows and sheds natural oils at such a slow rate, THC is very difficult to rid from the hair. 

Delta-8 Breaks Down Faster than Delta-9, But You’ll Still Have To Wait

Delta-8 THC has a shorter half-life than Delta-9 THC, but it doesn’t mean that it will clear your system any faster. Make sure to give yourself plenty of clean time prior to consequential screenings, and test yourself often! 

PharmaCBD offers a variety of safe and effective Delta-8 products, including gummies, vapes, tinctures, dabs, and more! Find your favorite today.