Cannabidiol (CBD) has been advertised as a non-addictive substance that can treat a wide range of conditions, including pain, anxiety, and insomnia. If you have heard of CBD, you are probably aware of where it comes from. CBD is found in the marijuana plant that contains THC, a psychoactive substance.
While CBD is from the same plant, it does not contain THC. This means it cannot get you high. This is why many individuals in recovery have begun using CBD to treat their anxiety and insomnia issues. This begs the question – because it doesn’t get you high, would CBD show up on a drug test?
In short, no. CBD should not show up on a drug test. But there are some instances where it could.
The Different Types of CBD
To understand the situations in which CBD would show up on a drug test, you must first understand the different types of this substance. Because it is not regulated by the food and drug administration (FDA), some forms of CBD may contain enough THC to make you test positive for marijuana.
Full Spectrum
Full-spectrum CBD will contain all of the compounds that are naturally found in the plant it was extracted from. This type of cannabidiol is usually extracted from the marijuana plant. In other words, this type of CBD contains terpenes, flavonoids, and other cannabinoids like THC.
The percentage of THC found in this type of CBD is hard to track, meaning there are varying amounts in each product you would buy from the store. As a result, some full-spectrum CBD products would make you fail a drug test.
Broad Spectrum
Broad-spectrum CBD is similar to full-spectrum as it contains a variety of terpenes and cannabinoids found in the marijuana plant. However, all of the THC is extracted from the broad spectrum CBD to ensure that you are not consuming psychoactive substances.
Broad-spectrum cannabidiol is less likely to make you fail a drug test. However, as mentioned above, these products are not regulated by the FDA. This means it is difficult to say with confidence that there is no THC in any broad-spectrum CBD products.
CBD Isolate
CBD isolate only contains cannabidiol, all other substances are extracted out of the product. This means that there is no THC in isolated CBD.
Even further, most CBD isolates are extracted from the hemp plant, which does not include the psychoactive substance THC.
How Much THC Does it Take to Test Positive?
Marijuana drug tests screen for the metabolite that THC turns into when it is broken down in the liver. This metabolite is known as THC-COOH.
Additionally, it is important to note that there is a specific amount of THC-COOH required to be present in your system for you to fail a drug test.
Different types of tests have different cut-off values regarding THC-COOH, which include:[1]
- Urine – 50 nanograms per milliliter of urine (one nanogram is equivalent to one-billionth of a gram)
- Blood – between 1 to 5 nanograms per milliliter of blood
- Saliva – around 4 nanograms per milliliter of saliva
- Hair – 1 picogram per milligram of hair (one picogram is equivalent to one-trillionth of a gram)
To sum things up, no matter which type of drug test you use, it doesn’t take much THC to test positive. This is why you must avoid any substances that may contain small amounts of THC. Even if there is only 0.01% of THC in your CBD products, using this frequently could lead to a buildup of THC metabolites in your system.
Other Reasons CBD Could Make You Fail a Drug Test
While CBD can contain small amounts of THC, there are other reasons these products could cause you to fail a drug test. From cross-contamination to secondhand exposure, it is important to be aware of the possibilities.
Cross-Contamination
During the manufacturing process, it is probable for CBD to become cross-contaminated with THC. This is because many companies that make CBD products also make products that contain THC for medical or recreational states.
Mislabeling
Because CBD products are not regulated, there is no one testing the products to ensure they are labeled correctly. This can cause you to receive THC products that are mislabeled as CBD, causing you to fail a drug test.
According to a study on label accuracy, out of the 84 CBD products tested, 18 of them contained THC.[2]
Secondhand Exposure
While uncommon, it is possible to get secondhand exposure to THC that causes you to test positive. Experts say that this is most common with marijuana which is extremely potent.[3] Additionally, if you have been in an enclosed space with someone smoking marijuana, your chances of testing positive are increased.
Professional Addiction Treatment at Mandala Healing Center
If you or a loved one suffer from a substance use disorder of any type, professional addiction treatment is necessary. Dealing with addiction on your own could lead to adverse health reactions such as severe symptoms of withdrawal and even fatal overdoses. As a result, attending treatment sooner rather than later is advisable.
At Mandala Healing Center, we provide our patients with all of the tools and support they need to gain and maintain long-term sobriety. Contact us today for more information on our top-rated addiction treatment programs in West Palm Beach, FL.
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