ByWondering how long THC is in your hair? Fear a drug test? One day, while sitting with my friends, we were discussing ways that authorities could potentially catch us using drugs. I was surprised when someone mentioned the existence of hair drug tests, as I was familiar with urine tests, blood tests, and saliva tests, but had never heard of a hair test before. This revelation made me realize that it is important to be aware of all the different methods that can be used to detect drug use, as it can help individuals make informed decisions about their drug use and potentially avoid detection. Many ask if marijuana can be detected in hair follicles after consumption. Read this blog to learn more! We’ll dive into the science of THC staying in hair and how to protect yourself.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Marijuana is a recreational drug that can be detected in one’s hair for up to 3 months. A hair follicle drug test identifies the presence of its psychoactive component, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). It’s important to understand how drugs are documented in hair and how long they stay in the system.
Hair follicle tests are becoming more popular. They not only reveal if drugs have been used, but can also trace back drug use over a period of time. THC metabolites embed themselves in the cortex layer during hair growth. This allows detection of drugs taken several months ago.
Different people’s metabolisms vary and THC remains detectable in some people up to 90 days after its initial consumption.
What is Marijuana?
Marijuana, also known as cannabis, is an illegal drug. It is thought to be from Central Asia and is widely used today. Its active part is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. When smoked or taken in, it binds to cannabinoid receptors in the body’s central nervous system. This leads to a range of effects, like relaxation, happiness and increased appetite.
Marijuana can be consumed in various ways:
- Smoked using a pipe, joint or bong.
- Added to food such as brownies and cookies.
- Made into tinctures or oils and taken orally or applied on the skin.
How Does Marijuana Get Into Your Hair
When marijuana is consumed, the active ingredient THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is metabolized by the body and then enters the bloodstream. From there, it can be absorbed by the hair follicles and incorporated into the hair shafts. The hair shafts are made up of a protein called keratin, and the drug compounds can become trapped within the keratin fibers.
It is worth noting that marijuana can only be detected in hair if it has been absorbed by the hair follicles and incorporated into the hair shafts. This means that simply being in the same room as someone who is smoking marijuanawill not cause the drug to be detected in your hair. However, if you are in close proximity to marijuana smoke or vapor and the smoke or vapor is inhaled, there is a possibility that the drug could be absorbed by your hair follicles and detected in a hair drug test.
How Long Does Marijuana Stay in Your Hair?
How long marijuana stays in your hair depends on many things. These include how often it’s used, the potency of the strain, and how much is taken. Metabolites can last up to 90 days. Infrequent users may show positive results up to 7 days after consumption. If a lot is taken, it could stay in the hair for longer. Strains with higher THC content and components like CBD could remain in hair longer than weak ones.
External substances, like bleach or dye, can also affect permanence rates. To be sure of accurate results, it’s best to avoid these before a drug test.
Factors That Affect the Duration of Marijuana in Hair
Marijuana’s detectability in hair follicles can be impacted by several factors. Weight, frequency of use, amount and type of drug used, and recent shampoos or treatments are all individual characteristics that can affect it. Here are the key factors:
- Metabolism: How quickly THC is broken down and converted into metabolites affects detectability. Those with a higher metabolic rate clear it faster.
- Body Weight: Fewer fat cells mean less tissue to store THC metabolites. So, those who weigh less will eliminate marijuana faster.
- Frequency of Use: If you use it more, it’ll stay in your hair longer. Infrequent users may clear it faster.
- Amount & Type of Drug Used: Heavier doses and stronger strains mean more detectable THC. Oils and edibles can contain more THC than other forms.
- Recent Shampoos & Treatments: Some shampoos can remove traces of marijuana before tests. Dye jobs and treatments can also affect results, so ask testing authorities.
How to Remove Marijuana from Your Hair
Worried about traces of marijuana showing up in your hair? There are several steps to reduce detection. The fastest and most effective way is to use a clarifying shampoo. Read the label carefully! It may take multiple treatments to get rid of all traces.
Also, to avoid a positive test:
- Don’t smoke cigarettes or other drugs which could transfer onto your hair;
- Limit long-term exposure or contact with people who use marijuana;
- Use protective gear like hats or scarves if attending events with smoking;
- Shampoo often with a non-clarifying product;
- Look into alternative ways to consume medical substances like CBD oil.
These steps will reduce contact down to one area – your scalp and hair. That way, it’s easier to keep clean and free from toxins. With these tips, you can lessen the chance of marijuana lingering in your hair or testing positive.
How to Avoid Marijuana in Your Hair
A hair follicle test can detect marijuana in your hair. But, there are ways to reduce the risk of testing positive. How long THC stays in your hair depends on the type and length. It can be up to 90 days after it is ingested or smoked.
To avoid testing positive, avoid products with marijuana, and clean your hands if you touch cannabis products directly or indirectly. Regular haircuts are helpful, as well as washing your scalp with shampoo and conditioner.
Additionally, a deep detox – consuming lots of fluids and natural remedies – may help with the particles in your system. It’s best not to use or be exposed to illegal substances. But, if you find yourself in a situation, these steps can help you avoid testing positive:
- Avoid products with marijuana
- Clean your hands if you touch cannabis products directly or indirectly
- Regular haircuts
- Wash your scalp with shampoo and conditioner
- Consume lots of fluids and natural remedies
What are the Other Drug Tests
Urine Tests
A urine test involves collecting a sample of the individual’s urine and sending it to a laboratory for analysis. The laboratory will then look for the presence of drug compounds in the urine sample. Urine tests are relatively inexpensive and easy to administer and can detect marijuana use over a relatively short period of time (typically up to a few days after the last use).
Saliva tests
A saliva test involves collecting a sample of the individual’s saliva and sending it to a laboratory for analysis. The laboratory will then look for the presence of drug compounds in the saliva sample. Saliva tests are relatively non-invasive and can detect marijuana use over a relatively short period of time (typically up to a few days after the last use).
Blood Tests
Same as the saliva test, in blood tests they collect a sample of the individual’s blood and send it to a laboratory for analysis. The laboratory will then look for the presence of drug compounds in the sample.
Conclusion – How Long Weed Stays in Your Hair
Overall, how long marijuana stays in your system depends on many factors. Body composition, THC content, and frequency of use all play a role. To avoid testing positive for cannabis, the only sure way is to not use it.
Hair tests for marijuana are reliable for up to 3 months. This makes them the preferable choice for obtaining accurate results.
Resources
Hair tests have been found to detect extremely small amounts of Marijuana and its metabolites for up to 90 days after usage. This makes it one of the longest-lasting substances that can be detected by drug testing, behind alcohol and nicotine. A 1.5 inch sample from the scalp is said to give an average 90 day window for detection.
Blood and urine tests can detect marijuana use up to 10 days after ingestion or inhalation. Sweat testing is a different method, but it requires direct contact with sweat on the skin and can only detect marijuana use within the last 3 hours.
It is important to remember that test results can vary depending on how much marijuana was used prior to testing, as well as any other drugs used in the past 30 days. Factors such as weight, frequency, and age of usage can all affect the accuracy of the results. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS) is the laboratory analysis procedure used, according to U S Food & Drug Administration standards.
