Like many people today, you're probably starting to discover the benefits of using CBD-infused products, from vape juice to gummies and CBD oil. However, there's always that one burning question at the back of your mind--will CBD show up on a drug test? The answer is a little complicated, so let's dig into how CBD affects drug tests and whether or not you'll fail one.
Understanding CBD
In the world of CBD, there's a lot of information out there that can get a little confusing. So let's start from the top with the basics. You've probably heard of THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive component of cannabis that gives you that euphoric feeling. CBD is something entirely different. While THC is a compound that interacts with endocannabinoid receptors in the brain, CBD is a cannabinoid that does not get you stoned. So what does it do?
Unlike THC, CBD has been shown to soothe and improve the effects of a wide range of conditions, including chronic pain and insomnia, without a high or stoned feeling. In fact, it's even been shown to counteract some of the negative effects of THC, like depression and paranoia, which is why some users of both THC and CBD like to combine them. As far as the body is concerned, CBD is a cannabinoid that's similar to THC, but it doesn't share the same psychoactive effects.
CBD and Drug Tests 101
Now that you know a little more about CBD, let's talk about drug tests. Put very simply, a drug test checks for the presence of compounds that are unique to cannabis. Anytime you smoke or ingest cannabis, the compounds in the plant get deposited in your fat cells, or they're excreted in your urine, faeces, or hair. If a sample from your hair, urine, or faeces is tested, a chemist can look for cannabinoid compounds that are uniquely created by cannabis and not produced by the body. If a compound is found, you'll fail the test and won't be able to get a job, drive, or otherwise function in society.
Drug tests have a bunch of different uses, but they all have one thing in common: they're looking to detect THC in your system, specifically THC-COOH, which is the metabolised by-product of THC. That's because THC is federally illegal and has a shorter-than-ideal half-life, meaning that it disappears from the body quickly. However, THC-COOH is semi-permanent, which is why drug tests can detect it for days, weeks, or even months after you've used cannabis.
So How Does CBD Fit Into All of This?
CBD and THC-COOH share a similar chemical structure, and in some cases, tests for THC-COOH can also pick up on CBD. This isn't a problem for most CBD users, but it's something worth remembering if you're wondering whether or not you'll pass a drug test.
Conclusion
Overall, if you're not a regular cannabis user, you shouldn't have any problems passing a drug test. However, the important thing to remember is that CBD and THC-COOH have a similar chemical structure, so it's important to know if the drug test you're taking will also check for THC-COOH.
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