Detoxing From THC? Here’s What to Expect and What to Avoid

Whether you have an employment drug test coming up, or you’ve decided to quit for good, detoxing from THC can be quite a journey. There are a lot of factors at play, and no matter what anyone on the internet says – there is no magical way to do it. 

In the following article, we will tackle how THC is metabolized (without getting too sciency) and how to start and track your detox. On top of that, we’ll also talk about the strategies that can help, as well as some THC detox myths that you should avoid. 

Let’s get right into it. 

THC Metabolism 101

So, as you may know, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the main psychoactive substance in marijuana. It is metabolized by the liver, and its main metabolite that’s tested for is the THC-COOH, which itself is not psychoactive. 

To put it simply, we can divide the whole journey of the THC through your body into 4 stages:

1. Absorption – this is the process of THC entering the bloodstream, mainly through two different methods: smoking and ingestion (edibles)
2. Liver processing (metabolism) – liver (aka our own detox organ) breaks down the THC, sending it further down the system 
3. Storage – THC is extremely lipophilic, meaning that it dissolves in fatty environments, mostly body fat, brain, and fat deposits around your organs
4. Elimination – In this stage, after a certain time, metabolites are excreted through the body, through the bowels and the urinary tract

For detoxing, the most important step is stopping further intake and supporting elimination. 

How to Start Detoxing from THC

Well, the very first thing you should do is, no two ways about it, stop consuming. Even though THC is on the low end when it comes to drug potency, its metabolites tend to linger around the body for quite some time. 

It’s important to note that the timeframe for eliminating THC metabolites entirely depends on quite a few factors. One way to get a better perspective is to use help, like a THC detox calculator, for a general estimate. It will help you think about your usage while taking multiple factors into account. 

Speaking of detox factors…

Factors that affect THC detox 

A combination of the following factors should come into play when you decide to detox from THC:

• Frequency and the amount of use – logically, heavy users will need a longer time to get the THC metabolites from their system compared to occasional users
• Consumption method – it’s not common knowledge that metabolites from edibles linger for longer than those from smoking 
• Body fat – as mentioned, THC is fat-soluble, meaning that it can stay for longer in individuals with a higher body-fat percentage 
• Lifestyle and physical activity – people who are more active generally tend to process metabolites faster 
• Age – as we get older, it takes longer for our liver and other organs to metabolize THC and its metabolites 
• Hydration – think of it this way – a well-hydrated body flushes metabolites quicker, including the unwanted ones

Strategies That Work When You Quit

Before we get into THC detox strategies that could help you on your path, we have to stress one thing. There is no one sure way that will get you clean quickly. 

However, knowing which factors play the key role in THC metabolism, we can talk about the stuff you can actually do to give you fairer odds.  

Hydration 

Virtually every process in the human body relies on an abundance of water. After all, we are mostly made of it, so it’s only fair to help our bodies maintain healthy hydration levels. Water, in a kind of poetic way, helps flush the body of all sorts of unwanted substances, THC metabolites included. 

That being said, with good hydration, think about including some sort of diuretic to enhance the process even more. The most popular one is, of course, coffee. But you can resort to green tea as well, if the good old cup of joe is not your thing. Another great choice is cranberry juice. Just keep moderation in mind. Mild diuretics are fine in moderation, but excessive use can actually hinder hydration.

Fruits and veggies

Besides being generally healthy, fruits and veggies play a crucial role in excreting metabolites from your body. The keyword here is fiber-rich fruits and vegetables that help with the whole elimination stage.  

On top of that, fruit is a nice way to support your hydration efforts. Additionally, antioxidant-rich foods like blueberries and spinach can help you boost your metabolism in general. 

Physical activity

This is a no-brainer (pun intended). Being active every day, for at least 20 minutes if you’re not into the gym life, is a great way to enhance metabolism. It will also give you motivation to hydrate better, since physical activity causes extra sweating. 

One thing to keep in mind – you cannot sweat the THC out of your system. Contrary to popular belief, sweating does not play a major role in the detox process. So don’t count on it as a primary way to detox. 

Practice mindfulness to defeat the cravings and withdrawal 

A huge part of THC detox is the withdrawal that kicks in. It can happen in different ways for different people, but the cravings are essentially the same. 

While THC withdrawals are not life-threatening, they can affect your day-to-day life significantly. Consider taking a mild sleeping aid, like melatonin or relaxing teas, before bed. Additionally, a lot of people find meditation quite helpful. 

Lastly, it’s important to avoid substituting THC intake with another unhealthy habit. Instead, the THC detox period is a great time to pick up a hobby. 

THC Detox Myths – What to Avoid

Lastly, let’s touch upon some popular THC detox myths that you should avoid falling into:

• Detox time is the same for everyone – this popular myth doesn’t take into account all the factors we talked about. In truth, detox time is quite unique for everyone
• Activated charcoal cleanses the body from THC – this is untrue due to the fact that activated charcoal binds to substances in the gut, but THC is absorbed into the bloodstream way before
• Excessive water/cleansing juices work miracles – as we mentioned before, THC is lipophilic, meaning that it dissolves and absorbs in fat. Hydration helps, but not in that way
• Saunas are a way to THC detox – THC metabolites leave our bodies through the gut and the urinary tract, not through sweat. For long-time users with a higher body fat percentage, extreme sweating can even temporarily increase detectable levels of THC

Good Luck On Your Detox Journey – You Got This!

No matter the reason you picked to start the THC detox, now you have the foundational knowledge to tackle the whole process head-on. 

At the end of the day, there’s no magic pill or supplement that will help you detox quickly. But with a few lifestyle changes, and of course, abstinence from consumption, you will get there sooner rather than later. 

Good luck on your detox journey!