Businesses continue to perform THC drug testing on a regular basis, despite the growing popularity of legal marijuana. As a result of these developments, new testing techniques have been made available to the general public. Saliva testing is becoming increasingly common.
These tests are brand new, and they aren’t the same as a standard urine drug test. Some believe that they are more accurate, while others contend that they are far simpler to pass. In any case, it’s expected to become more popular in the workplace as a rapid, low-cost, and simple form of testing. As a result, it’s more vital than ever to understand how saliva tests operate and what you can do to reduce your chances of failing.
Unfortunately, when it comes to how long THC remains in your saliva, there are no hard and fast rules. The precise amount will be determined by a variety of factors, including BMI, metabolism, and age. The most essential factor to consider, though, is how often and how much you smoke.
What is saliva drug testing?
The bulk of drug tests utilize urine or blood samples. Some firms, on the other hand, are resorting to less expensive and faster procedures, like testing saliva for THC. Employers, police units, and sports teams utilize this screening procedure to detect the presence of illegal drugs.
In the same way that blood and urine are tested for drugs, saliva can be used to screen for drug usage. A spit sample or a mouth swab must be provided for a saliva drug test. Testing saliva for THC is quick, easy, and non-invasive, and it can be done almost anywhere without violating the subject’s privacy.
Saliva testing for THC is superior to urine testing because it can be completed in the presence of another individual, thereby eliminating the chance of cheating.
How does saliva testing work?
Three saliva glands in your mouth generate several milliliters of saliva per minute. Throughout the day, your saliva production changes due to a variety of variables. Emotions such as stress, hunger, prescriptions, and illicit drugs can all play a role.
In most cases, collecting a sufficient sample to complete an accurate saliva test for THC takes 1–3 minutes.
Because many people are anxious before undergoing a drug test, which can induce dry mouth, obtaining the right amount might be difficult. As a result, collecting enough saliva for reliable findings becomes more difficult.
Saliva can be analyzed for traces of THC, alcohol, cocaine, amphetamines, opioids, anabolic steroids, and certain prescription medicines once a significant sample has been obtained. These chemicals are present in saliva in comparable amounts to those detected in the blood throughout the elimination phase.
The most common marijuana component found in saliva is 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This is the psychoactive component of cannabis that gives you a buzz. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has set a cut-off level of 50 ng/L for the first testing and 15 ng/L for confirmatory testing for the presence of THC.
How long does THC stay in your saliva?
According to the study, THC may be identified in the saliva of infrequent users for up to 72 hours and chronic users for up to 13 days.
This is a very brief amount of time when compared to urine testing. To put things in perspective, THC can be detected in urine for up to a month after ingestion, depending on your body type and how often you smoke. For frequent smokers, this detection time might take up to twice as long.
Cannabis is made up of hundreds of distinct chemicals, each of which is digested at a different pace by the body. After smoking cannabis, THC enters the circulation nearly instantaneously and peaks 3-10 minutes later.
The effects of cannabis can continue for hours while the liver breaks down strong chemicals called phytocannabinoids. THC is converted into a multitude of metabolites during this complicated process, the most prevalent of which being THC-COOH (11-nor-9-carboxy-9-tetrahydrocannabinol).
THC detection in oral fluid following frequent cannabis smoking was found to take up to 8 days in one research. According to the study, THC-COOH levels in urine did not match THC levels in saliva; although THC-COOH levels in urine declined consistently with time, testers found saliva samples that were THC negative mixed in with positive ones.
Throughout the next couple days after consuming cannabis, THC levels may fluctuate, suggesting that they can change.
Which jobs do saliva tests for THC?
Keep in mind that drug testing is commonplace at many large corporations while you are seeking for work. Your company will want to know that you will complete the work securely if you are in control of heavy equipment, sensitive information, or other valuable assets.
Weed may be legal and safer than many other drugs, but it is still a narcotic. Use and misuse can nevertheless have an impact on a person’s ability to perform at work and, in certain circumstances, put them in danger. Almost all government positions need you to be tested before to hiring, and you will almost definitely be tested on a regular basis after that.
Drug testing may be required before and after employment in the healthcare business, especially if you work with patients or handle medications. If you work in the service or retail industries, you may expect to be examined. This, however, varies based on your employer and the position you’re looking for.
How to clean THC out of your saliva
You may need to clean and floss your teeth three times each day if you undergo a saliva test. This has previously been mentioned as being quite beneficial. Particular attention should be paid to the gums, cheeks, and tongue. Drink plenty of water to keep your mouth and system clean. This will dilute the saliva as well.
Another option is to disguise the presence of weed using mints and other breath suppressing items. Just before the exam, eat a high-fat meal. This will aid in the absorption of THC. Try lemon juice, hydrogen peroxide, or vinegar if you are desperate.
Buying specialist items like detox mouthwashes like Ultra Wash or Stinger Detox are other options for getting rid of cannabis residues in your saliva. If you work for a company that has a reputation for surprise you with a random exam, have this with you at all times.
These solutions are the most effective on the market for removing THC from your lips using a small, compact, and quick-acting therapy. Aloe vera, peppermint, magnesium sulfate, potassium chloride, and witch hazel are among the active components. You should finish this at least 15 minutes before your examination. If you utilize these items, you might be able to get rid of marijuana scents straight immediately.
Do saliva tests check for CBD?
Because CBD is a non-psychoactive component, it is not tested in the United States or Europe. There is presently no method for detecting CBD levels in the body that is widely recognized. Furthermore, hemp-based CBD products on the market must contain no more than 0.3 percent THC, as mandated by law.
If you only use CBD, a drug test would be extremely unlikely to find THC in your system. The quantity of THC in a high-CBD strain, on the other hand, fluctuates considerably when smoked. You may fail a THC urine test as well as a saliva test depending on how much you smoke.
