Will CBD Oil Make Me Fail a Drug Test?
Pure CBD oil will pass a drug test. However, most CBD is not entirely pure and contains a certain percentage of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Drug tests usually screen for THC and its metabolites. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows only 0.3% of THC in any product composition.
Furthermore, the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) classifies cannabis as a Schedule I drug. It means that marijuana is a drug with a high affinity for abuse.
Effects of CBD and THC
THC acts by attaching itself to receptors in various brain parts. These receptors are attached to endocannabinoids, which your body produces naturally. The receptors in each of the brain areas have a specific effect.
1. Effects of THC
The following table indicates the various effects THC has on various parts of the brain.
| Brain Part | THC Effect |
| Cerebellum | Responsible for drunk feeling |
| Neocortex | Causes judgment and sensation impairment |
| Hippocampus | Impairs Short-term memory |
| Amygdala | Responsible for paranoia and panic |
| Spinal cord | Responsible for pain reduction |
| Hypothalamus | Increases appetite |
| Basal Ganglia | Affects movement and reaction time |
| Brainstem | Nausea and vomiting |
| Nucleus accumbens | Responsible for euphoria |
2. Effects of CBD
CBD and THC do not bind to the same receptors. Scientists suggest that CBD binds to serotonin receptors or boosts endocannabinoid levels. Serotonin is the hormone responsible for happiness, mood, and anxiety.
Researchers also suggest that CBD has some therapeutic effects on both humans and animals. They include:
- Anxiety control
- Psychosis control
- Pain relief
- Prevent vomiting
- Promote neuroprotection
- Reduce inflammation
How Do Cannabis Drug Tests Work?
There are various types of cannabis drug tests, and each is named after the substance it tests. They include:
- The urine test
- Mouth swab test
- Blood test
- Hair follicle test.
The most common test is the urine test. It screens antibodies that latch to various drugs and their metabolites to measure the presence of the drugs. Thus, it is an immunoassay test. Antibodies latched on to the drug will signal the test to be positive and vice versa.
However, the test will be negative if the drug concentration is below the federal government’s level. Furthermore, if you test positive, you may have to undergo a follow-up test. Follow-up tests are usually more accurate than drug screening. A follow-up test could be a high-performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, or mass spectroscopy.
Is It Possible to Get a False-Positive or False-Negative?
It is possible to get a false-positive or false-negative in a cannabis drug test. Thus, patients should be honest about their cannabis use, and doctors should be very cautious and thorough in drug screening.
According to the American Family Physician (AAFP), single cannabis use can test positive after three days. Heavy cannabis users can test positive 30 days since last use. THC is soluble with body fat, and the body will store this fat in fat reserves. As the fat recycles or burns, it releases the THC and its metabolites. The kidneys will eliminate them as waste through urine.
Cannabis detection time for the blood test is up to 2 weeks, the mouth test is 12 hours, and the hair follicle is 90 days. Detox is necessary to get drugs substances such as THC out of your system.
Does CBD Make You Fail a Drug Test?
Cannabis drug tests for THC. Thus, you will fail a drug test if you consume CBD that has THC. Otherwise, pure CBD will pass a cannabis drug test. A 2019 study in Germany assessed the THC level in 67 food products with CBD.
The results showed that 25% of these products had more than 2.5 milligrams of THC. Consumption of more than 2.5 milligrams of THC in a day tends to cause intoxicating effects. Manufacturers may claim to have eliminated entirely THC from their products, but some products may be inappropriately labeled or failed to undergo third-party testing.
Furthermore, you may get a false positive or co-occurring disorder if you have recently consumed other drugs like:
- Efavirenz
- Dronabinol
- Pantoprazole
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as naproxen, sulindac, and ibuprofen
Constant use of impure CBD products can lead to dependence on cannabis, and you will need to get help. The use of marijuana is more prevalent among teenagers and is raising a lot of concerns. Getting addiction recovery help does not mean you are a failure.
Get Detox Help at NOVO Detox
You can get help to detox, recover from substance abuse, and address co-occurring mental issues at NOVO Detox. We aim to deliver medical safety, nourishment and comfort through professional expertise, proven detox medication, holistic therapies, cutting edge science, and efficiency.
Our medical team will create a personal plan which adapts your individual recovery needs throughout your stay. Upon admission, we will administer toxicology testing, social & psychological assessment, pharmacogenomic testing, and history & physical exam. We address various addictions like cannabis, prescription drugs, heroin, and more. You can also get help for co-occurring disorders such as bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, and more.
Contact us now to get help for you or your loved one.
Final Word
You can pass a cannabis drug test if you take pure CBD oil. On the other hand, you will fail the test if you consume impure CBD. Cannabis drug tests usually screen for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and its metabolites.
There is a huge chance for false positives and false negatives, depending on what you take. Drugs like efavirenz, dronabinol, and more can lead to a false positive. Thus, when your drug test is positive, a confirmatory test is necessary. Follow-up tests produce more accurate results.
There are four tests to screen for THC presence in the body. They are urine, blood, mouth, and hair follicle tests. The urine test is the most common.
THC is soluble with body fats, and the body stores it in the fat reserves. When the body recycles or burns the fat, the kidney will eliminate the THC as waste in the urine. Each of the cannabis tests has a positive test window. The urine test window for heavy users is 30 days, the blood test window is two weeks, the hair follicle test window is 90 days, and the saliva test window is 12 hours after the last use.
Ready to Get Help for Cannabis Use Disorder, or Any Other Addictions?
You can get help for cannabis use disorder, other addictions, and co-occurring disorders at NOVO Detox in Los Angeles, California. Contact us now for a personalized recovery plan for you or your loved one.
