Does CBD Show Up On A Drug Test?

A significant proportion of the world health market is claimed by nutraceuticals nowadays, and CBD occupies a growing percentage of the nutraceutical sphere.

CBD is popular because of its potential healing properties against several ailments. Equally prevalent is the concern of whether CBD will show up on a drug test.

In the sensitive matter of health and well-being, the safe composition of any consumer items matters the most, especially when there needs to be more thorough research. 

The following article covers all you need about CBD and drug tests.

 

What Is CBD?

CBD stands for cannabidiol, a phytocannabinoid, a constituent of the Cannabis Sativa plant.

Cannabidiol has recently reached accelerated consumer demand due to its potential medicinal capabilities. These include therapeutic benefits, skincare use, inflammation alleviation, relief from aching joints, and improvement in mental health.

CBD-based products include CBD oil tinctures, CBD serums, CBD creams/lotions, CBD capsules, and CBD gummies.

 

How Does CBD Work?

Harvard Health has conducted CBD studies and provides evidence-based answers to the effectiveness of CBD concerning certain health conditions. 

For instance, CBD is seen as a potential aid for stress management, and this is due to the plausible relationship of cannabidiol’s interactive property with the Central Nervous System (CNS). The interaction involves the receptors in the CNS, bringing about a  calming effect.

CBD also tends to replace potentially addictive pharmaceutical drugs, attracting the attention of people seeking to relieve themselves of stress and pain more naturally.

 

Can CBD Get You High?

Cannabidiol in itself is not capable of causing a ‘high.’ However, cannabis (marijuana) contains another substance known as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is responsible for the psychoactive effects typically associated with cannabis use. CBD products do not cause a ‘high’ because they lack the presence of this particular compound. 

The fact that CBD is sometimes derived from marijuana raises some issues that users must be aware of. Cannabis-derived CBD products can contain higher levels of THC and may lead to intoxicating effects.

THC is psychoactive in terms of causing intoxicating effects, whereas CBD is labeled non-psychoactive because it does alter the mind’s consciousness. 

Another common source of cannabidiol is industrial hemp which is, scientifically, marijuana’s cousin. This is perhaps a much more reliable source as it contains very low amounts of THC, 0.3% or less. 

If you want to avoid any psychoactive effects, you can try broad-spectrum CBD or CBD isolate products containing no THC.

Does CBD Show Up On A Drug Test?

Theoretically, CBD does not appear on a drug test as long as it does not have trace amounts of THC. Sufficient THC presence is a prerequisite to a positive CBD drug test, so you must be mindful of this.

Drug tests are designed o check the THC content in the body, not the CBD. A positive drug test result indicates high THC levels and does not look for CBD in your system. 

Blood Test

THC metabolites can be traced in blood drug tests for up to 7 days. State laws vary regarding acceptable concentrations. While some states allow up to 5 ng/mL, others practice a zero-tolerance policy.

Urine Drug Test

A urine drug test is one of the most common workplace tests. A study conducted in 2017 showed that THC metabolites could be detected in urine drug tests if it has a concentration of more than 50 ng/mL.

While THC in the blood can be detected for between 3-12 days on average, higher THC doses can result in a positive THC test result even after 30 days.

 

Does CBD Cream Show On Drug Tests?

The critical question is; is CBD detectable in drug tests, such as blood and urine tests? 

It should make sense that cannabidiol topicals, such as creams, lotions, oil, etc., do not show up in a drug test. This is because CBD cream may be absorbed into the skin, muscles, and nerves, but it cannot penetrate the bloodstream.

However, certain CBD topical products like transdermal CBD patches are designed to help CBD absorb through the skin and into your bloodstream. Therefore, it is essential to understand the CBD topical products you use if you want to pass a drug test.

 

Full-Spectrum Vs. Broad-Spectrum CBD 

Full-spectrum CBD oil contains all beneficial substances in hemp and cannabis plants, including THC. Broad-spectrum CBD products have the same substances but are THC free.

Since CBD drug tests primarily detect THC, there is a higher chance you might fail a drug test if you use full-spectrum CBD products. 

We advise avoiding full-spectrum CBD oil and adhering to broad-spectrum or CBD isolate oils if you wish not to have a positive drug test result.

How Long Does CBD Stay In Your Blood?

Depending on the amount of CBD consumed by a person, the duration of CBD’s stay in one’s bloodstream varies between a few hours to approximately a month.

Forbes Health notes professional remarks by a doctor who claims that eliminating CBD from the human body may take about 3.5 days.

Multiple factors determine the rate at which CBD is absorbed and excluded from the body, such as the method and frequency of intake.

 

Is CBD Legal?

Hemp-derived CBD products have been legalized in the USA if they contain less than 0.3% THC. Manufacturers that formulate their products to comply with the designated percentage are permitted to sell their products throughout the USA.

The legalization of CBD is limited to its derivation from industrial hemp. However, its extraction from marijuana is considered illegal, and this is because marijuana-derived CBD typically contains higher concentrations of THC.

Most importantly, state laws differ, so be sure to know the local laws governing cannabidiol.

 

In Conclusion

Cannabidiol is generally considered safe; however, we highly suggest getting professional medical advice before using any CBD product. 

However, the FDA warns that THC levels higher than 0.3 percent in any CBD product are illegal, except in states where cannabis has been legalized.

Therefore, manufacturers must remain mindful of the presence of THC in the products they produce. Many producers offer THC-free products to ensure they abide by CBD’s rules and regulations. 

Additionally, these products are often third-party lab-tested and screened for any illegal THC amount before market distribution. 

So if you want to avoid failing a drug test, you should use broad-spectrum or CBD isolate-based items that are free from any THC. 

Lastly, we highly recommend consulting wellness professionals to address all your CBD concerns. Knowing your state’s food and drug administration policies is also beneficial.

Learn more about CBD at Blush Wellness. 

 

References

“CBD Products Are Everywhere. But Do They Work? – Harvard Health”. Harvard Health, 2021, https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/cbd-products-are-everywhere-but-do-they-work

Laurence, Emily. “Your Guide To CBD Legalization By State.” Forbes Health, 2022, https://www.forbes.com/health/body/cbd-legalization-by-state/

Theisen, Eloise. “How Long Does CBD Stay In Your System?”. Healthline, 2022, https://www.healthline.com/health/how-long-does-cbd-stay-in-your-system

Carter, William. “How Is CBD Absorbed Through The Skin? | Cbdmd”. Cbdmd.Com, 2020, https://www.cbdmd.com/blog/post/how-is-cbd-absorbed-through-the-skin#:~:text=But%20remember%2C%20CBD%20topicals%20are,ingredients%20never%20hit%20the%20bloodstream

Meissner, Hannah, and Marco Cascella. “Cannabidiol (CBD).” Ncbi.Nlm.Nih.Gov, 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556048/#_NBK556048_pubdet_

Keoni CBD. ‘Best CBD Capsules Online.’ KeoniCBD.com. Accessed 6, Nov, 2022, https://keonicbd.com/product-category/cbd-capsules/

Booth, Jessica. “Does CBD Show Up On A Drug Test?”. Forbes Health, 2022, https://www.forbes.com/health/body/does-cbd-show-up-on-a-drug-test/

Kulig, Ken. “Interpretation Of Workplace Tests For Cannabinoids.” Journal Of Medical Toxicology, vol 13, no. 1, 2016, pp. 106-110. Springer Science And Business Media LLC, https://doi.org/10.1007/s13181-016-0587-z. Accessed 10 Aug 2022

Shannon, Scott, et al. “Cannabidiol In Anxiety And Sleep: A Large Case Series.” The Permanente Journal, vol 23, no. 1, 2019. The Permanente Federation, https://doi.org/10.7812/tpp/18-041. Accessed 10 Aug 2022