Does CBD show Up in drug tests?
These days it’s difficult to find someone who has not heard of cannabidiol (CBD). And no wonder. CBD is great showing potential to effectively reduce a variety of symptoms - ranging from pain, nausea and inflammation to anxiety, depression and insomnia - all without causing the high usually associated with cannabis and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
However, for many people who are interested in using CBD for relieving their symptoms, the question of drug testing pops up.
Does CBD show up in a drug test?
Right off the bat, drug tests do not test of CBD and as such, generally speaking you should pass most drug tests with flying colors.
Most state departments, drug rehabilitation centres, employers and other institutions that require drug testing use either a 5-panel or 10-panel drug screen. Both of these tests, test for the THC metabolite called THC-COOH in addition to the metabolites for cocaine, opiates, PCP, and amphetamines/methamphetamines (5-panel) as well as barbiturates, propoxyphene, benzodiazepines, methadone, and propoxyphene (10-panel).
However, as with all things CBD, it is not always that simple. There are other factors which may result in a false positive. These include:
- Using a full-spectrum extract that contains THC: Full-spectrum hemp extracts may legally contain up to 0.3% THC which, if taken regularly and in large quantities could trigger a false-positive. However, it is unlikely as this would mean consuming between 1,000 and 2,000 mg of full-spectrum CBD per day
- Under certain conditions, CBD can turn into THC: In a 2016 in-vitro study researchers concluded that the high acidic environment in a simulated gastric fluid can transform CBD into THC. However again, this is unlikely as a 2017 review concluded that in-vitro conditions don’t represent the actual conditions in a human stomach, and as such it is unlikely for a similar transformation to occur.
- Cross-contamination and/or mislabeling: There is potential for cross-contamination during the CBD manufacturing process, that can leave traces of THC in a product even if it is manufactured from a broad-spectrum or isolate CBD extract. Similarly, in products from less reputable brand, the products may also be mislabeled.
- Secondhand exposure to THC: Although unlikely that you will test positive after exposure to secondhand cannabis smoke, it is possible with the potency of the cannabis smoked, the size of the room as well as the amount of ventilation all playing a role in how much THC you are likely to absorb.
- Other everyday substances: Certain medications, cosmetics and foods can also result in a false positive. These include poppy seeds, yeast, ibuprofen, cold and allergy medications containing pseudoephedrine, and even certain solvents in baby soap.
Final Thoughts
If you are worried about testing positive on a drug test when you use CBD, chances are you should be okay. However, if you want to be on the safe side, opt for a good quality broad-spectrum or CBD Isolate products that list the amount of CBD that’s backed up with a third party laboratory test result.