Best way to detox off weed

So the time has come for a cannabis detox. Perhaps you need to pass a drug test for a new job, or maybe you’ve decided to take a T-break (tolerance break) and want to flush your system before beginning anew. Whatever the reason, there are a few ways to approach a weed detox, as well as certain things you’ll want to avoid.

What is a weed detox?

A detox is the process of cleansing the body of something, in this case weed or THC, and involves abstaining from that substance. By abstaining from consuming cannabis, the body is able to flush THC from its system.

This process may be simple for some and difficult for others; it often depends on how heavily you’ve been consuming cannabis and whether or not you were doing so for medical purposes.

For heavy and/or medical consumers especially, the marijuana detox process may give rise to unpleasant symptoms, some of which include:

Irritability
Headaches
Depression
Anxiety
Decreased appetite
Insomnia

There’s some debate over whether or not these effects can be considered withdrawal symptoms, or rather simply a result of discontinuing a medicine that once helped alleviate the aforementioned discomforts.

What drug tests look for

Drug tests look for the presence of the cannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and its metabolites. Generally, urine is tested, both because it’s easiest to collect and because THC remains detectable for a longer period of time in urine than elsewhere.

The main metabolite these drug screenings look for is called THC-COOH. This substance is stored in your body fat.

“Compared to other drugs, marijuana has the longest detection time, up to months, because the detectable chemicals stay in the body’s fat cells,” explained Nicolas Rossetti, manager of clinical services of Mobile Health, an occupational health center that conducts about 200,000 drug tests in New York City each year.

How detox remedies work

The vast majority of marijuana detoxes seek to flush the body of any detectable THC. These kits include capsules, chewable tablets, drinks, shampoos, and even mouthwashes to help you pass a saliva test.

However, if a drug test is your concern, detoxes can have additional effects that can make your urine sample look suspicious.

“Cleanses and teas can lower THC levels through their diuretic properties. They make individuals urinate a lot, which technically washes out the kidneys,” said Rossetti.

“This flushing of the kidneys can lower the specific gravity or density of the urine,” he added, “and a low specific gravity indicates contamination on the test, and the specimen could be discounted.”

Also, cleanses and teas may alter the amount of creatinine in the urine, another measure that drug tests look at. Abnormal creatinine levels can indicate contamination, according to Rossetti. This means the tester could assume that you attempted to cheat on your drug test.

While that doesn’t mean a positive test, it does mean the sample is unacceptable, and you’ll likely have to take the test again.

What is the fastest way to detox for a drug test?

There’s a lot of bunk information out there with quick fixes for detoxing. Most are bogus and will not accomplish results. Some faulty “fast” weed detox methods to avoid include:

Cranberry juice
Detox teas
Vinegar
Niacin detox
Bleach (do not, under any circumstances, ingest bleach)

Most quick fix methods are based in myth and should not be trusted. Don’t default to questionable and unreliable methods. If you’re wondering how to pass a drug test for cannabis without taking a cleansing break, know that detoxification is a lengthy process. No vitamin, juice, tea, or chemical will magically flush the body of cannabis overnight or in a short period of time.

How long does it take to detox from weed?

THC can be present in urine for anywhere between a couple days to 30 days. Urine, blood, hair, and saliva can all be tested for THC, but most tests are done on urine.

How long weed stays in your system depends on a lot of factors, mainly:

How much you regularly consume
How much body fat you have
Your metabolism rate
Exercise and eating habits

People who smoke less, exercise more, have a higher metabolism, and less body fat will get rid of THC in their bodies quicker.

Regardless of the above criteria, you can increase the rate at which THC leaves your body by eating healthy, exercising, and drinking plenty of water.

How to get weed and THC out of your system

Now that we know what doesn’t work, let’s delve right into what does.

The best option for a full weed cleanse is using natural methods that can take up to six weeks to flush the system of cannabis. This is the most effective, fool-proof way to flush THC from the body. In addition to the guidelines outlined below, there also exists a number of products aimed at detoxification.

How to pass a drug test naturally

The best weed detox method will always be a natural cleanse. Although it takes the longest, it is by far the most thorough and effective. There are several methods of natural detox, all of which may be used in conjunction. Most are pleasurable and good for the body, making them positive habits to practice for good health whether detoxing or not. Consider the following for an all-natural detox experience.

Abstain

This is pretty obvious, but in order to detox from marijuana, it will be necessary to halt all consumption of cannabis. Whether you choose to go cold turkey or ease into it, the process of detoxification cannot truly begin until cannabis is fully out of the picture.

Exercise

First and foremost on the list is to get up and move. THC is stored in fat cells of the body. For those who have more fat, it will take longer to detox. Exercise such as cardio and weight training will help burn fat and increase metabolism, thus speeding up the detox process.

A happy bonus to exercise will be an increase in production of anandamide, which is the body’s natural “bliss” molecule. If you’ve ever experienced a “runner’s high,” you know the euphoric sensation this endocannabinoid provides. Exercise will help decrease detectable cannabinoids in your body while simultaneously smoothing the transition with endocannabinoids.

Drink water

Drinking plenty of water during this period will assist with cleansing the body. Don’t overdo it—drinking excessive amounts will not speed up the process, but staying well hydrated will increase health and help your body expel toxins of all kinds.

Practice a healthy diet

Avoiding foods that are high in sodium, sugar, and fat will aid in the weed cleansing process. These types of foods, such as red meat and junk food, increase water retention and slow metabolism, which is in direct opposition to the body’s ability to shed THC metabolites. Instead, opt for a nutritious, healthy diet of vegetables, lean meats, fruits, and plenty of leafy greens.

Many greens increase metabolism as they are high in iron and other essential vitamins. Incorporate more spinach, kale, and other greens into your diet to assist the process of flushing out your system. Healthy fibers will also be beneficial during this period, so incorporate beans, legumes, peanuts, unenriched whole wheat, and other good fibers for an added boost.

These key detox foods will also have the added side effect of assisting in stabilizing mood and even sleep, helping ease possible negative symptoms.

Drink more tea

Opt for teas with high levels of antioxidants, or liver-cleansing teas such as dandelion or milk thistle. This is a simple, enjoyable way to help the body along with the marijuana detox process.

Take care of your mental health

If you are suffering from depression, anxiety, or irritability while detoxing, it’s important to be gentle with yourself and take care of your mental health. This may mean different things for different people: For some, exercise or activities such as yoga and meditation may be valuable to help stabilize mood.

For others, it may mean putting less on your metaphorical plate and allowing the detox time to be a vacation from usual stresses and agitations.

You may also consider taking advantage of resources such as therapy. Whatever the reason, be kind to yourself during detox.

Nurture yourself

On the note of treating yourself kindly, be sure to nurture yourself during detoxification. The process of detox is already a very nurturing, healthy journey, with improvements to diet and exercise.

Consider the experience a chance to take care of yourself and you may find your entire perspective of detox shift. Think of this time as a vacation, where you give yourself permission to worry less and pamper more.

Buy a fancy bath bomb and take a relaxing soak, spend more time with your closest friends, visit your favorite parks or nature centers for picnics or light strolls, garden, read, dance, or pick up an instrument. Whatever healthy habits make you happy, give yourself permission now to enjoy them fully.

How to detox THC with products

The following products are not all aimed specifically at removing THC, but instead at detoxifying the body in general by removing impurities and toxins. Some of these may be considered in conjunction with natural detox methods.

Note: We have not tested these products and cannot guarantee their efficacy in reducing THC and THC metabolites. Use them at your own discretion.

Bentonite clay

A popular clay made of aged volcanic ash, bentonite clay has many detoxifying properties as it’s known for absorbing toxins, chemicals, impurities, and heavy metals. It has external and internal uses and can easily be incorporated into a detox regime. Use a bentonite clay detox in a bath, on the skin, or even in a glass of drinking water.

Detox drinks

Refreshing beverages full of detox friendly ingredients like lemon, mint, and watermelon are easy to assemble and enjoy. There’s a plethora of recipes available on sites like Pinterest.

In addition, there are plenty of pre-assembled detox drinks for weed available on the market. That said, as mentioned previously, there aren’t many quick fixes for the detox process, so use discretion and mind ingredients if you opt to try this route. If the goal is to find a marijuana detox drink for a drug test, remember to weigh the pros and cons before choosing this method.

Detox kit

Detox kits for THC often include various items such as herbal capsules as well as instructions about how to properly use the kit’s system to rid the body of toxins. Bio Cleanse Detox, for example, can be used as a THC detox kit and includes “90 herbal vegan capsules of Digest Power formula to stimulate the bowels and organs, 300 grams of Toxin Remover powder, to absorb the released toxins and carry them away safely, and also 30 veggie caps of vegan probiotics.” The kit also comes with instructions and a choice of either a 9- or 14-day cleanse.