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How Long Does THCA Stay in Your System? Detection Times Explained

You are definitely not the first to wonder how long THCA really lingers in a person’s system. Many are curious about its detection windows since it’s kind of a special compound in cannabis. Let’s dive into details of THCA metabolism and elimination to present you with a clearer picture of what to expect.

Chris Dorcey
Inheal Editor
Post date
Time to read
3 mins 4 secs
THCA Detection Times in Your System

Key Takeaways

  • THCA is a non-psychoactive compound of raw cannabis that can appear in drug tests
  • Detection times vary based on factors like frequency of use, dosage, metabolism, consumption method, and body fat percentage
  • Urine tests have a larger detection window compared to blood and saliva tests, while hair follicle tests can detect THCA for up to 90 days
  • Staying hydrated, exercising regularly, eating well, and abstaining from cannabis use can help eliminate THCA faster

What is THCA?

One of the non-psychoactive compounds found in the raw Cannabis plants is tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, or THCA. It is the precursor to THC, the well-known cannabinoid responsible for the “high” associated with the use of marijuana. Through a process called decarboxylation, cannabis is heated when it is smoked, vaped, or cooked; this turns the THCA into THC.

While THCA itself doesn’t exert psychoactive effects, it is still detectable in drug tests. That is why it is important to know the extent of time it dwells in the body.


Factors Affecting THCA Detection Times

Several variables are at work in determining how long THCA will remain in your system:

  • Frequency of use: Chronic users of cannabis will have longer detection windows than infrequent users.
  • Dosage: Higher doses of THCA will take a longer time to get flushed out of your body.
  • Metabolism: Everyone’s metabolism is different. Things like age, weight, and health in general tend to personalize how fast you’re able to process and clear THCA.
  • Method of consumption: When you smoke cannabis, your body absorbs it, then clears it out faster than with edibles that pass through a longer route along the digestive system.
  • Body fat percentage: THC and its metabolites accumulate in fat cells. Thus the greater a person’s body fat, the longer detectable levels of THCA may persist.

THCA Detection Windows by Test Type

Variable lengths of time during which THCA would remain detectable depend on the kind of drug test applied. These include:

Urine Tests

A urine test would be the most common method to detect cannabis use. The following is a general breakdown of how long a urine test may detect cannabis, depending on the frequency of use:

  • Single use: 5-8 days
  • Moderate use (4 times per month): 11-18 days
  • Heavy use (daily): 30-60 days
  • Chronic heavy use (several times per day): 60-120 days

Blood Tests

The blood tests have only a tiny window of detection compared to urine. In most cases, THCA can only be traced in the blood for some hours or, at most, a few days after use.

Saliva Tests

Saliva tests detect THCA for about 24-72 hours after last use. This type of test method is less common compared to either urine or blood testing.

Hair Tests

Hair follicle tests have the longest detection window, yet they are less common. THCA showed in hair up to 90 days after the last use.

How to Accelerate THCA Elimination

There is no sure way to accelerate this process of eliminating THCA from the body; however, there are a few strategies that may help:

  • Stay hydrated: Water will help ensure flushing out as many toxins as possible from the body and provide for increased, timely urination.
  • Exercise: The physical activities could serve in the burning of fat cells where THC metabolites are stored.
  • Well-Balanced Diet: A healthy diet will ensure proper metabolism and overall good health.
  • Abstinence from Cannabis Use: The best way to clear THCA out of your system is quitting cannabis products consumption entirely .

Conclusion

Knowing how long THCA can last in your system is important information to anyone who may be undergoing drug tests, whether employment-legal or personal. Setting aside the widely varying detection windows from individual to individual and type of test applied, staying clear of cannabis use definitely will be the surest way to avoid a positive result.

Remember, everyone’s body chemistry is different; hence there is no one-size-fits-all answer in terms of ascertaining THCA elimination. If you are concerned about a drug test that is going to be taken, the best thing would be to be cautious and allow yourself enough time to clear off all detectable traces of cannabis from your system.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Does secondhand cannabis smoke make someone fail a drug test?

    Though the possibilities are much less as compared to direct exposure, the passive smokable guided exposure of cannabis smoke in an enclosed environment for a longer period can lead to a positive test result.

  • Will the consumption of CBD products result in a positive drug test for THCA?

    Most of the common tests for drugs will not pick up CBD. However, the case may be that some CBD products could contain trace amounts of THC or THCA that might trigger a positive result. It's best while choosing CBD products that are third-party tested to ensure purity.

  • Are There Any Detox Products to Beat a Drug Test?

    Be wary of any products that will absolutely guarantee that you'll pass a drug test. In fact, most of the detox drinks/supplements are just Snake Oil and aren't backed by real science. The best way to pass a test is abstinence.

  • Do Different Marijuana Strains Really Have Different Detection Times?

    While not exactly a major variable, it is not really the strain of cannabis that has much bearing on detection time, but rather the frequency and amount used. That being said, remember that higher THC content in strains translates into a larger window for detection.

  • Can you request a retest if you believe a positive result was inaccurate?

    In some cases, one can ask to be provided with a confirmatory test using a more sensitive method, such as GC/MS. This is not always possible, though, and it may be costly.

Disclaimer

The statements on this blog are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent any disease. FDA has not evaluated statements contained within the blog. Information on this website or in any materials or communications from Inheal is for educational/informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your healthcare provider before making any healthcare decisions, correct dosage or for guidance about a specific medical condition.

by Chris Dorcey

A connoisseur of cannabis creativity and true contemplation with more than 20 years of experience, Chris extracts deep thoughts from getting lightly baked and shares his wandering mind. He blends cuisine and cannabis culture into nutritious, delicious recipes and insights for other hemp lovers.

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