How Long Does Delta 8 Stay In Your System?

It is difficult to say how long Delta 8 will stay in your system because it depends on a number of individual factors. Delta 8 is metabolized by the liver, so factors that affect liver function, such as age and health, can influence how long it takes for the body to clear the drug.

In addition, Delta 8 is fat-soluble, meaning that it is stored in fatty tissues and released into the bloodstream over time. This means that Delta 8 can remain in the body for some time after the last use.

It could remain in your system for two days or several weeks depending on a few factors. In this post, you will learn about how these factors affect how long delta 8 will stay in your system.

What is Delta 8 THC?

Cannabidiol (CBD) and Delta 8 Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are the two most well-known, federally legal cannabinoids. But these exist in the plant as their acid forms, i.e., cannabidiolic acid (CBDa) and tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCa). By heating these compounds, they are converted to the active forms of CBD and THC through a process known as decarboxylation. 

THC has the primary psychoactive properties of the cannabis plant and is responsible for the “high” feeling. There are several forms of THC such as THCa, THCv, Delta-9-THC, Delta-8-THC, and Delta-10-THC.

When people talk about “THC”, they are almost always referring to Delta-9-THC as it is the most common form of THC in a hemp plant. D8 is almost the same as D9 in its chemical structure but there is a big difference between the two.

Before we explain the difference, you first need to know that there are two main endocannabinoid receptors in your body – CB1 and CB2. Both THC and CBD bind with these two receptors to produce the physical and mental effects of marijuana. THC actively binds with CB1 to create that heady psychoactive response.

Both D8 and D9 bind to these receptors in your brain but here is where the difference kicks in: researchers have found that D9-THC has a much more powerful attachment to the CB1 receptor compared to D8-THC.

This is why Delta-8 is considered a milder version of D9. So, if you want to enjoy the health benefits of THC but without feeling a strong euphoric high, Delta 8 THC is what you’re looking for. We highly recommend reading this comprehensive post we recently published on how D8 interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system to improve one’s well-being.

How Much Delta 8 THC Should You Take?  

The form of your D8 product (edible, tincture, vape, etc.) and how it is consumed can have a big impact on its effects. Different types of products can impact the onset and duration of the effects.

If you are new to delta 8 and are considering using it for the first time, we recommend taking a lower dosage in the beginning and adding more as you go. We usually recommend a starting dose of 2.5-5mg for novice cannabis users and 5-10mg for someone who has a little more cannabis experience.

How Long Do the Effects Last?

Delta-8-THC products include gummies, oil (vape cartridges), tinctures, flower, pre-rolls, disposables, and more. The way that D8 is being introduced to your body impacts both the onset time of the effects and how long those effects will last.

Inhaled hemp-derived products (flower, concentrates, vape carts) have the fastest onset of effects and the shortest duration. Generally speaking, the initial effects can be felt within 30 seconds with the full effects at about the 5-10 minute mark and a duration of 2-4 hours. A puff on a joint or pipe delivers between 2-3mg of active THC, just to give you an idea. 

Sublingual products (oils, oral sprays) are absorbed through the mucosal membranes of the mouth. These usually take effect within 30 minutes and have a duration of 4-6 hours.

Topical products (balms, creams, lotions) have a similar onset time and duration to sublingual products but are unique in that they only provide localized effects. In other words, you need to apply it where the problem is. If you have a headache and you’re applying the D8 salve on your hands, it won’t help your headache.    

Orally consumed products or “edibles” (gummies, baked goods, chocolates, capsules) typically take effect in about an hour but can vary greatly up to 3 hours depending on the individual. Compared to other forms, the effects last longer and fade more slowly, and have a duration of 6-8 hours. The golden rule to trying a new edible is to start with half a dose, wait an hour or two, and see how you feel before taking more. 

Important Note about Half-Life of Delta 8 THC

Since we are talking about the right dosage, this is perhaps the right time to explain that when you consume D8, not all of it actually goes into your body.

D8 triggers two types of metabolic phases in your body – a slow phase and a rapid phase. When you consume D8 in any form, a certain percentage of it is expelled from your body within 1 minute of taking it; this is the rapid phase. Once that happens, the slow phase kicks in as the metabolic rate starts slowing down.

In the world of cannabis (and other drugs/medications), there’s a concept known as “half-life”. It refers to the time it takes for the amount of the active substance in the body to reduce by 50%. In the case of D8, its half-life has been reported as anywhere from 30 minutes to 7 hours.

This means it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 7 hours for half of the D8 to be metabolized by your body, leaving behind the remaining half. Then in the next 30 minutes to 7 hours, half of this dose is metabolized, leaving only 25% of the original D8 dose. It does this until all traces of D8 are gone.  

How Long Does Delta 8 Stay In Your System?

Remember we said that how long D8 stays in your body depends on a variety of factors? It’s time to talk about those factors:

How old are you?

Our metabolism kind of peaks when we are young and then starts dropping off throughout our adolescence. If you’re in your 20s or 30s, it will take you about 3 days to clear D8 out from your body. But if you’re in your 50s or 60s (or older) the same dosage may take up to 7 days to disperse.  

How often do you take D8?

If you’re an occasional user, your body has no problem clearing out the whole Delta-8-THC dose within a few days. Pertaining to this, if you use it often (every day or every other day), it takes much longer for your body to eliminate it completely. This is actually true for all cannabinoids, be it CBD or THC. 

This happens because cannabinoids are absorbed by the body’s fat cells. When you use cannabinoids like D8 for long periods of time or in high doses, they start to accumulate in the cells. These cannabinoids only flow back into the bloodstream and out of the body when you stop using them. 

If you use D8 once or twice every week, you can expect to completely exit your body within 7 days. Pertaining to this, those using it 5-6 times a week (or more) may have to wait 4-6 weeks before it can’t be traced in their urine or blood.

How do you take it?

The method of consumption plays a big role in how long your body takes to metabolize it. As we explained earlier, inhaled products are metabolized super fast so their effects are noticeable within a few minutes. This means they are stripped from the body just as quickly.

On the other hand, if you’ve taken gummies, cookies, brownies, or any other type of D8 edible, it can stay in your body for nearly 2-3 days – even if you’ve only used it once. If you take it occasionally or a couple of times a week, it may remain detectable via urine/blood for up to 30 days. 

How is your internal chemistry (metabolism and genetics)?

Yes, that’s right, your genetics also dictate how fast your body processes delta-8. We all know people who eat all the junk food in the world yet never put on any weight, and then there are folks who can’t seem to lose weight despite surviving on salads and smoothies. It’s the same with cannabinoids like D8.

Everyone has different body chemistry, and every substance has a different chemical structure. Your liver has many enzymes at its disposal; each is used to break down a specific substance so then it can be processed by the kidneys and finally be eliminated. Think of these enzymes as an assortment of tools, and the right tool is required to do the job (i.e., metabolizing a substance).   

The liver enzyme used to break down D8 is Cytochrome P450 3A4 (or CYP3A4). Some people just have more of this enzyme than others, which means they have the ability to metabolize it much faster than people who don’t have high levels of CYP3A4.

Are you taking any prescription medications or supplements?

If the liver enzymes responsible for metabolizing D8 are also responsible for processing some other substances that you’re taking, it will slow down the whole process. Some medications also tend to interfere with the digestion of other substances, which is why doctors often recommend abstaining from alcohol when prescribing certain drugs.

The same applies to dietary supplements, vitamins, and herbs. The CYP3A4 enzyme actually helps in the metabolism of a wide range of drugs and supplements. So, if you’re taking D8 at the same time as other medications/supplements, your body is not going to be able to get rid of it for several weeks.

How much did you take?

The higher your dose of D8, the longer it will take your body to process it.

What are the Best Varieties of Delta-8-THC?

Now that you know what D8 is and how long your body takes to work through it, you may be wondering where to start. Advances in the breeding and cultivation of marijuana plants have led to dozens of new strains being available today. Which one is the most promising? Let’s find out.

Jack Herer

Named after the prominent cannabis activist, this Sativa-dominant strain was developed in the early 1990s in Amsterdam. There are a plethora of Jack Herer variations and each one has its own unique taste, aroma, and effects. Due to the presence of Myrcepene and Terpinolene – both are types of terpenes – this strain produces a clear, creative cerebral high.

Jack Herer is known to be energetic and uplifting, which is why it is commonly used for depression and stress. In moderate doses, it’s even good for managing pain to a certain degree, thanks to the THC levels of 18% to 22%. If you’re looking for something that can help with pain and nausea with moderate lasting effects, give Jack Herer a try.

OG Kush

OG Kush is high in demand among those looking for an exceptionally potent medicinal effect. It has a high THC concentration, typically from 20% to 25%, along with a wide-ranging terpene profile of Caryophyllene, Myrcene, and Limonene; all of these are known for their powerful anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. This makes OG Kush ideal for treating pain, anxiety, and depression.

Bubba Kush

Bubba Kush was created in 1996, supposedly by crossing the Northern Lights and Afghani but its genetic origins are not certain. The plant produces high levels of Myrcene as well as modest amounts of Limonene and Caryophyllene.

Taking Bubba Kush induces a relaxed state that helps alleviate pain and stress. Many users also report feeling increased focus as their brain fog melts away. THC potency in this plant varies a lot, ranging from 14% to 25% depending on what type of plant it is.  

Sour Diesel

This plant has a unique aroma of diesel and citrus, and its effects are described as energizing, cerebral, and focused. Think how you’d feel if you combined cannabis with caffeine – essentially a booster shot of productivity. Sour Diesel is an incredible choice for people who don’t want to feel the sedative effects of cannabis.

People mostly take it during the daytime for managing pain without having to depend on addictive opiates. In addition to pain alleviation, Sour Diesel is preferred for its uplifting, mood-boosting effects.

Be careful if you suffer from anxiety though, too high a dose of Sour Diesel can be too intense for you. It also contains high amounts of Myrvene, Caryophyllene, and Limonene, with THC levels usually approaching 24%.

Cookies

The Cookies strain was created by crossing Durban Poison with Florida OG Kush giving it high THC potency that’s often more than 25%. 

Unlike most other strains mentioned here, Cookies has low Myrcene levels. Myrcene is known for its ability to reduce inflammation, relax muscles, and cause a sedative-like reaction. Still, the Cookies strain is excellent for people looking for relief from nausea, pain, and loss of appetite. It also produces a happy, relaxed, euphoric psycho-active high that works well on treating anxiety and depression.

And it contains impressive levels of Caryophyllene terpenes, which are known for combating inflammation in the body. If you’re suffering from inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, IBS, gout, or asthma, D8 online products made from Cookies can be a huge help.

Blueberry

Blueberry was developed by celebrity breeder DJ Short back in the 1970s by combining many exotic hybrid strains. It wasn’t long before Blueberry became one of the most sought-after strains in the world, even winning the coveted Cannabis Cup for Best Indica award in 2000. Its THC levels are in the range of 14% to 16%.

Its blueberry aroma and spicy fruit flavor are a delight for the sense while the high levels of Caryophyllene and Myrcene terpenes make it a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. From preventing osteoporosis to reducing pain and anxiety, Blueberry has many healing benefits.  It creates a strong full-body effect that infuses pure energy in the mind as well. In other words, if you’re looking for a dose of creativity to finally finish the pending projects, look no further.   

Super Lemon Haze

This strain was originally created by Green House Seed Company based in the Netherlands as a cross between Super Silver Haze and Lemon Skunk. Super Lemon Haze is considered a salient choice for treating stress and depression, leaving you relaxed and uplifted when taken in small doses.

Super Lemon Haze sharpens the senses instead of dulling them, as is usually believed with cannabis. If you take it in micro-doses, you can actually use it to enhance your focus and creativity. It has about 21% of THC content with Limonene and Caryophyllene being the dominant terpenes. It can also have up to 2% of CBD concentrations.

Is D8 THC Safe to Consume?  

The celebrated actor-comedian Bill Murray once hilariously said, “I find it quite ironic that the most dangerous thing about weed is getting caught with it.”

It’s pretty interesting that there have never been any reported deaths caused by overdosing on cannabis or Delta 8 THC. The worst-case scenarios occur when some people drive or operate heavy machinery after dosing with it, which is obviously something to stay away from. Over-indulgence is also bad as it can result in headaches, anxiety, high blood pressure, and upset stomach. Not to mention the munchies.

If you are careful about the dosing and start slow, you are highly unlikely to experience any of these side effects.

That being said, please consult with an experienced medical professional before you go buying Delta 8 products, especially if you’re taking any prescription medications. As we explained earlier, D8 THC can inhibit the activity of certain enzymes in the liver, which the body uses to metabolize many medications. THC increases the effects of alcohol, opiates (like Codeine), and benzodiazepines (like Valium), so make sure you never mix the two.

Delta-8 THC extracted from hemp and marijuana plants using high-quality extraction processes, like CO2 extraction, is non-toxic. Unfortunately, some manufacturers might use unsafe chemicals to create it in questionable labs, which contaminates it and makes it incredibly harmful. Be very careful when buying online such products. Do your research to ensure you’re getting lab-tested products from the best brands.

Laughing Buddha: Your Trusted Source of Safe D8 Online  

To summarize it all, D8 THC may take somewhere between 2 and 4 weeks to be eliminated from your body if you frequently use it in high doses. If you’ve only used it once or twice, it will only stay in your system for 2-3 days.  

At Laughing Buddha, we have the most extensive collection of Delta 8 THC edibles, disposables, vape cartridges, tinctures, and other goodies – all compliant with federal law. All of our products are created from federally legal hemp plants sourced directly from the best growers in the US, and then undergo thorough testing by independent, ISO-certified labs.

When you buy online a Laughing Buddha hemp product, you can rest assured that it has absolutely no heavy metals, dangerous bacteria, pesticides, or harmful fillers. For any questions, feel free to call us at 877-420-8420 or contact us online.