Weed Effect - Know the Detection Window

What Is Weed?

Weed is a drug that affects mental processes like perception, consciousness, cognition, mood, and emotions. The psychoactive drug is produced by the Cannabis sativa plant and has over 480 constituents, with THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) as the main ingredient. Weed can also be called marijuana, pot, dope, or grass and is mainly used for intoxication. It is used in various forms, including smoke in hand-rolled cigarettes, blunt water pipes, or sometimes as vaporizers.

What Are the Effects of Taking Weed?

The effects of using weed may vary for everyone and appear immediately after use. However, It may take one to three hours for the effects to peak when ingested. Some of the side effects of using marijuana may include:

• Feeling of well-being.

• Distorted sense of time.

• Giggling or Chattering.

• Altered perception.

• Inability to focus.

• Increased appetite.

• Sleepiness.

• Coordination problems.

• Confusion.

• Dry mouth and eyes.

• Rapid heart rate.

• Restlessness.

• Learning problems.

• Memory issues.

• Mood disorders.

How Is Weed Metabolized?

When weed is smoked or vaporized, the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) enters the bloodstream through the lungs. Tetrahydrocannabinol is pumped by the heart throughout the body, where it binds to the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the brain, central nervous system, certain organs, spleen, and immune system. Tetrahydrocannabinol is broken down into its metabolites in the liver. The inactive metabolites are gradually eliminated through urine and feces. When taken orally, tetrahydrocannabinol enters the bloodstream through the walls of the stomach and intestine and travels directly to the liver. Large amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol are eliminated, and the remaining metabolites are sent to the brain.

What Are the Factors That Influence How Long Weed Stays In Your System?

Weed is usually detected in body fluids for one to thirty days after the last use.

The length of time weed stays in the system or continues to show in the drug test depends on many factors. These factors may include the following:

1. Dosage - Higher doses tend to increase the amount of time the body will take to eliminate weed from your system.
2. Frequency of Use of Weed - People using marijuana regularly is more likely to have a buildup of tetrahydrocannabinol in their system. This will take longer for weed to get eliminated from the body.
3. Metabolism - This relates to how weed is processed and metabolized in the body. Exercising, eating healthy, and staying hydrated may enhance metabolization.
4. Body Mass Index (BMI) - Tetrahydrocannabinol metabolites are stored in the body's fat cells. People with more body fat will retain tetrahydrocannabinol for longer as compared to skinny users.
5. Route of Administration - If weed is smoked, the tetrahydrocannabinol levels drop within a few hours or days after use. However, when weed is ingested, the chemical is broken down slowly and may remain in the system for a longer time than smoked.
6. The Potency of Cannabis - Different weeds have varying levels of THC. If the weed has higher THC potency, the chemical traces will remain in the body for longer.
7. Level of Hydration - When you are dehydrated, there is more concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol in the body. A large intake of water may dilute the concentration of THC and result in a negative result.
8. Sex - Women tend to metabolize tetrahydrocannabinol slower than their male counterparts.
9. Genetics - People carrying the CYP2C9 gene metabolize tetrahydrocannabinol slower than normal and are more likely to experience increased duration and intensity of intoxication, especially when taking THC in oral form.
10. Presence of Other Drugs - Certain drugs can affect how fast your body can remove THC as they may alter the concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol in the body. Drugs that can increase tetrahydrocannabinol levels include:

• • Ketoconazole.
  • Clarithromycin.
  • Erythromycin.
  • Cyclosporine.
  • Verapamil.
  • Itraconazole.
  • Voriconazole.
  • Boceprevir.

Some drugs, such as Rifampin, may decrease the amount of tetrahydrocannabinol in the body. Also, THC can alter the effectiveness of drugs like Warfarin, Theophylline, and Chlorpromazine.

How Long Does Weed Stay In Your System?

Tetrahydrocannabinol and its metabolites can be detected in blood, urine, saliva, and hair.

• Blood - When inhaled, the active THC can be found in the bloodstream within seconds and may be detected in plasma for several hours. The plasma concentration of THC peaks three to eight minutes after inhalation and decreases quickly with a half-life of about 30 minutes. Tetrahydrocannabinol can be detected in the blood within 2 to 12 hours. In case of heavy use, it can be detected for up to 30 days.

• Urine - Chronic heavy weed users can have tetrahydrocannabinol metabolites detected in their urine for more than 30 days after the most recent smoking session. However, for one-time users, the THC metabolites were found in the urine for up to three days.

• Saliva - Tetrahydrocannabinol and its metabolites can be seen in the saliva on the same day of use and may be detected for up to 72 hours for frequent smokers.

• Hair - The tetrahydrocannabinol metabolites reach the hair follicles through small blood vessels as well as from sebum and sweat surrounding the hair shaft. The presence of THC and its metabolites can be detected in hair for up to 90 days after use.

How Can We Test the Presence of Weed in the Body?

Several tests are used to detect the presence of marijuana. They include:

• Saliva Test - Weed can be detected in saliva only within 24 hours of use.

• Urine Test - Testing urine is one of the most common and preferred methods to detect weed use. Most urine tests can detect weed several days or weeks after the last use.

• Hair Test - Hair testing can detect traces of tetrahydrocannabinol in the body after it passes from the bloodstream to the hair follicle for up to three months. The hair test can be positive for people with physical contact with marijuana users. The test can be positive for up to 90 days after exposure.

• Blood Test - Blood tests have a narrow window of time to detect weed use as it works only within three to four hours or when THC is still in the bloodstream. The test can only show current intoxication and does not indicate the level of impairment.

• Weed in Breastmilk - Marijuana can get into the human breastmilk of the nursing mother. Babies who are exposed may test positive for it in their urine and may have symptoms like poor muscle tone.

It is advised to avoid alcohol, coffee, tea, tobacco, and strenuous exercises for 24 hours before drug tests for weed.

Conclusion:

There are a variety of factors that can affect how long weed or marijuana stays in the body system. The psychoactive drug can have very serious side effects. It is important to be aware of these risks when choosing to use weeds.