Saliva tests are becoming more common in order to screen for narcotic substances. These tests are also habitually used in some workplaces. When consuming weed, the most quality compound that usually shows up in the results is the THC, which is also the one that stays long in our bodies. However, it’s hard to exactly know how long THC stays in our saliva, since it depends on multiple factors as we explain in this article.
How is THC metabolized?
To better understand how long THC stays in our saliva, we must know how it is metabolized. When tetrahidrocannabinol enters the body, it is absorbed through some tissues and organs, being metabolized in your liver, and forming metabolites: 11-hydroxy-THC and carboxy-THC. These metabolites can be easily flushed out in the form of urine.
With time, THC is stored in our body tissues to be released into the bloodstream, where it’s metabolized again. In usual smokers, this compound builds up quicker than it’s flushed out. This is the reason why it is possible to test positive, even days after consumption.
How long does THC stay in your saliva?
Cannabis is composed of hundreds of different compounds that are metabolized by the endocannabinoid system at different rates. When smoking, the THC enters the bloodstream directly, which means that it reaches the climax between 3 and 10 minutes after. On the other hand, when consuming edibles, it can take 1 or two hours till it crosses into the bloodstream.
Different researches had shown that individuals tested positive in the THC test, 13.5 hours after smoking regardless of how often they consumed cannabis. After this time, in the case of casual users, THC levels decreased, while in usual users they remained high.
In a similar way, CBD and CBN levels also started to slowly decrease among usual marijuana consumers, even if these compounds are barely undetectable after 6 and 10.5 hours, respectively. Generally, any trace of THC disappears after 8-12 hours, when it’s absorbed into the bloodstream. Thus, saliva tests lose their effectiveness after 24 hours.
Factors that determine how long does THC stay in your saliva
- The amount and quality of the consumed marijuana.
- Each user metabolism and consumption frequency.
- How much time has elapsed after consumption.
- User’s weight and physical activity.
These elements may change between every user’s waiting time before taking the test. Thus, when we exercise daily while maintaining a healthy diet, the waiting time is reduced. Regular users must wait 2-3 days to test negative, while occasional users must wait around 12 hours.
Saliva test: what is it and how does it work?
For a saliva test, users are required to take a sample of saliva by spitting it into a tube or collecting it with cotton swabs for a couple of minutes. This test is less invasive and quicker than blood tests and urinalysis. This way, this test can be taken anywhere. That’s why this is one of the most used ones either on the road or in the workplace.
Saliva tests need a great amount of saliva, so it can take from 1 to 3 minutes to obtain it. The production will depend on different factors such as anxiety, hunger or the use of medicines. This test can detect the presence of alcohol, weed, amphetamines and other narcotics, as well as some prescription medicines.
Normally, the initial immunoassay screen is positive above the regulatory cutoff for THC metabolite of 50 ng/mL, but the confirmatory test has a THC metabolite concentration below 15 ng/mL.
How to reduce THC content in your saliva?
There aren’t many ways to quickly remove the THC in our saliva. However, one of the most widely used products are toxin cleaners that work in a simple way. Simply use them as mouthwashes rinsing your mouth with the product for a couple of minutes. These products have proven to be very effective when facing routine controls. Some of these toxin saliva cleaners are:
Magnum Mouth Wash
Magnum Mouth Wash is an instant cleaner that eliminates all toxins from the mouth with a mouthwash for 45-60 minutes. How to use it:
- Rinse your mouth with the product for about 3 minutes.
- Do not swallow the liquid under any circumstances.
- Do not drink, eat or brush your teeth before taking the test.
Magnum Detox Instant Flush
Magnum Detox Instant Flush is a blood, saliva, or urine drug cleaner. This toxic cleaner lasts up to 6 hours after its ingestion. To use it, you must:
- Drink 500 ml of water, shake the bottle and drink its whole content.
- Urinate 2 or 3 times before taking the test.
- Don’t drink more than 250 ml (one glass) of water per hour for the next 6 hours.
Kleaner (Saliva Cleaner)
Kleaner is a saliva cleaner that lasts up to an hour and it’s supplied in two forms: the liquid or spray. Just spray 2 or 3 times, or add 4-5 drops in your mouth and rinse the product for a minute. You can find it in different forms, 30 mL and 100 mL, for different uses.
Despite it’s hard to exactly know how long does THC stays in our saliva, we must take into consideration some factors that affect its elimination or accelerate the process through different products such as saliva cleaners.
