According to the latest study, 23% of the Adult American population have used cannabis in the past year of which 7% were diagnosed with cannabis use disorder (CUD). That is why it is reasonable to worry about how long does weed stay in your system and how it is going to affect you.
Detoxing mitigates this risk even if you are an avid marijuana user. People often opt for detox to pass drug tests, especially urine or saliva drug tests. Saliva testing has become a preferred drug testing method due to its ease, rapidness, and accuracy.
Saliva drug testing is more common in roadside checks, pre-employment drug screening, or legal cases. You ought to know how long does weed last in your body even if you don’t have a CUD.
To understand the detection window of weed or marijuana and proceed from there you need to figure out what influences it. In such a way, you can manage the associated risk regarding drug tests and go from there.
This article offers insights about saliva drug tests, their weed detection time, some unique ways people try to avoid detection, and discusses the strategies you can use to pass a saliva drug test.
Understanding Saliva Drug Tests
Employers and authorities prefer saliva drug tests over others because they can detect recent drug use. Urine drug tests can reveal if you have used drugs in a couple of days though not as accurately as saliva drug tests while follicle drug tests can’t detect recent use.
Saliva or oral swab drug test works by testing saliva to check if it contains a trace amount of toxins or drug metabolites.
Immunoassay techniques are initially used in saliva screening. It looks for the metabolites of a certain drug or its by-product. Afterward, for a positive test result, the sample saliva goes for a confirmatory test called GC-MS.
Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry assures the reliability of the first test averting the chances of a false positive.
How Does A Lab Tester Collect A Saliva Sample?
- A cotton swab is positioned inside the mouth;
- The swab then gets scoured along the cheeks and gums;
- The swab stays in the mouth for a few minutes to absorb the saliva;
- To avoid contamination, the sample is kept in a sealed container and sent to the lab;
- On-spot saliva drug tests can produce test results in a couple of minutes;
What Type Of Drugs Get Detected In A Saliva Drug Test?
Before we explore how long does weed stay in your saliva, let’s find out the kinds of drugs it can detect. Oral fluid drug tests can trace a wide range of substances including:
- Cocaine
- Marijuana
- Alcohol
- Benzodiazepines
- Opiates
- Amphetamines
- Methamphetamines
Situations Where Saliva Drug Tests Are Widely Administered:
- Roadside drug testing. To check if individuals are driving under the influence;
- Random employee drug tests. To ensure a safe work environment;
- Pre-employment drug test. To decide whether a candidate is eligible to join a specific workforce or not;
- Post-accident inspection. It helps uncover if the accident happened due to being under the influence;
- Legal issues; Parents fighting for custody or prisoners on probation often need to clear scheduled saliva drug tests;
The time it takes to get saliva drug test results may vary on two factors. First, if the sample is sent to a lab, it can take up to 24 hours. In an on-site drug test, it can take a few minutes. In case of a test with positive results, authorities can send the sample to another lab to confirm the accuracy of the saliva drug test.
What Does A Saliva Drug Test Result Mean?
Most U.S. labs test a sample for drug residues and compare its quantity with a substance’s cut-off level. A cut-off level depicts the minimum quantity of drug metabolites needed in a sample to get a positive result.
Every drug has a standard cut-off level and they can vary on the test type. You can get 3 types of test results in any kind of drug test:
| Positive | Negative | Inconclusive |
| The result is positive when a test sample has more drug metabolites for a specific drug than the cut-off level. | The result becomes negative if the amount of drug residues found in the sample doesn’t go beyond the cut-off level. | It happens when you neither get a negative nor a positive result. Technical issues can cause this problem and you may get a call for a second test for a proper screening. |
Factors Influencing How Long Does THC Stay In Saliva Glands
The mouth swab drug test weed timeline can vary depending on several factors. Below we have listed the most common factors for your understanding.
- Frequency of use. Saliva glands can store THC metabolites for several days if you use cannabis daily whereas irregular users can get rid of the metabolites within 24 hours. It is the main factor during the mouth swab drug test for weed;
- Consumed quantity. Like regular users, heavy weed users too retain drug residues in their saliva for many days which might not be the case if you use marijuana in a smaller portion;
- The potency of cannabis consumed. If your cannabis product has a higher THC concentration the saliva gland will hold the metabolites longer;
- Individual metabolism. People with better metabolic function flush THC faster than those with a low metabolic rate;
- Oral hygiene habit. Although not a science-backed method, it is believed that good oral hygiene can reduce the amount of THC residues in the mouth. Thus, brush your tongue and teeth thoroughly and use mouthwash;
- Level of hydration. Dehydration can prolong the detection window. So, hydrate properly siping on fluids from time to time;
If people use THC with drugs such as antidepressants or alcohol, it can influence the detection window. Liver enzyme inhibitor drugs can affect the body’s metabolism rate. So, if someone is taking these drugs, it can cause THC to process slower and stretch the detection time longer.
How Long Does THC Stay In Saliva?
Saliva doesn’t hold toxin residues for a long time. THC can take a few hours to a few days based on the above-mentioned factors.
Saliva Drug Test THC Detection Times
| Type of user | Detection Window |
| Single-use | Up to 24 hours |
| Occasional Use | Up to 2 days |
| Regular use | 2-3 days |
| Heavy Use | Up to 8 days |
How Long Can Mouth Swab Drug Test Detect THC Depending On The Usage Technique
- Vaping. The puff from vaporized cannabis takes no time to enter the mouth. The detection time can range from 1 day to 3 days for an irregular user. But if you are vaping THC in a heavy concentration, it can prolong the detection for longer;
- Smoking. Weed is often taken in this method and usually persists for up to 72 hours;
- Edibles. It takes longer to flush out THC when it goes through the digestive system. Though saliva doesn’t hold edible THC for longer. It typically takes up to 48 hours;
Mouth Swab Drug Test For Weed Vs Other Drug Tests
| Testing method | Detection window | Pros | Cons |
| Unine | Up to 30 days | Larger detection window | Can’t detect recent use |
| Saliva | Up to 3 days | Easy to conduct, non-invasive method that is cheap | Short detection window |
| Blood | Up to 24 hours | Produces the most accurate results and can measure recent drug use | Expensive method with a short detection window. |
| Hair | Up to 90 days | Largest detection window | Can’t detect recent drug use |
How To Pass Saliva Drug Test For THC – Getting Rid of Weed Residue
People often prefer natural ways to get rid of THC metabolites. Below you will find the ways how to get rid of THC in saliva, but keep in mind – that the best method is time abstinence.
- Maintaining saliva production. Newly secreted saliva has a lower concentration of THC so when you keep producing new saliva, it should get a negative test result. Chewing sugar-free gums triggers saliva secretion and hydration helps in this aspect;
- Hydration. Drinking liquid from time to time helps cleanse the inside of the mouth lowering the level of THC. It also creates new saliva which increases the chances of getting a negative result;
- Time of abstinence. It is a surefire way to pass a saliva drug test. Just stop using weed for 24 to 72 hours if you are an irregular user. Abstain longer if you are a heavy or regular weed user;
- Oral hygiene. Using good quality mouthwash and brushing your teeth thoroughly can lower THC concentration;
- Gargling. Gargling with mouthwash or water can cleanse the mouth. It may not remove all the drug residues but can lower the metabolite count;
Home Remedies To Pass A Saliva Drug Test
- Hydrogen Peroxide. A solution made of hydrogen peroxide and water is believed to help cleanse THC. It can mask the presence of THC at best but cannot be a permanent solution;
- High-Fat Foods. People rationalize that since fat molecules tend to trap THC metabolites thus eating high-fat food will minimize THC absorption;
- Sour Candies or Chewing Gum. This remedy works for a short time. Gums and sour candies can increase saliva production cleaning the mouth;
All these methods have their limitations. The most they can do is reduce the THC count in the mouth but can’t offer total cleansing. Abstinence from cannabis is the best way that work and get you the result you want.
Natural detoxing takes time. If you do not have that much time at hand, you can go for detox mouthwashes that take a couple of minutes to work. After reviewing many solutions, we have come up with two products that can help pass a saliva drug test.
Toxin Rid Rescue Wash
The mouthwash is designed to be a last-minute rescue attempt. The all-natural formula of the mouthwash removes toxin metabolites faster than any other similar product.
Active Ingredients
- Witch hazel – cleans the oral cavity;
- Ascorbic Acid – supports metabolite oxidization and removes them;
- Aloe Vera – the alkaline from aloe vera helps expunge toxins;
- Glycerin – supports in burning drug residues;
- Magnesium – increases the production of saliva-generating enzymes to clean the mouth;
How to Use
- Take one-third of the mouthwash in your mouth
- Swish and hold it there for three minutes
- Spit the mouthwash
- Repeat the whole process two times
Manufacturer and Price
Rescue Wash is a product of Toxin Rid and they are its only manufacturer. The official site of Toxin Rid sells it at $ 29.95.
| Pros | Cons |
| Natural detox brand | Expensive |
| Comes with a money-back guarantee | |
| Highly recommended saliva detox brand on different sites | |
| Last-minute solution to pass a saliva drug test |
Stinger Detox Mouthwash
The mouthwash acts and works like a detox drink. This product also uses natural ingredients to cleanse THC from saliva. It increases the body’s natural detox process and removes drug metabolites via urine and stool.
Active Ingredients
- MSM;
- Taurine;
- Niacin;
- D-Ribose;
- Lysine;
How to Use
- Take a small portion of the liquid;
- Swirl it for a minute;
- Swallow the liquid;
- Do the whole process till you have swallowed the whole liquid;
Manufacturer and Price
The maker of the mouthwash is Stinger Detox. It costs $ 34.95 on its official site.
| Pros | Cons |
| A potent blend of natural ingredients | Short effect time |
| Detoxs the body from toxin residues | Expensive |
| Comes in different flavors |
Debunking Myths About Saliva Drug Test Cheating Methods That Do Not Work
Aggressive brushing before saliva testing removes THC
When you consume weed, the THC reaches your cheek, teeth crevices, gum, tongue, and saliva. Brushing can only reduce THC residues from teeth crevices not from oral tissue or saliva.
Charcoal tablets entrap THC and help pass the saliva test
Activated charcoals can entrap drug metabolites and clean the digestive system. But the method doesn’t work when you use it to pass a saliva drug test. It cannot clean THC stored in oral tissues.
Nicotine gums or tobacco masks THC metabolites
Nicotine gums or tobacco are unable to detox THC. They can mask the smell of weed but they do not have the potency to fast-track THC metabolism.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do edibles last?
According to the research, edibles take around an hour to show effects but their metabolites can be detected in saliva for over 6 hours.
How long does smoking stay in saliva?
Typically, drug metabolites from smoked weed can last up to 72 hours.
How long does it take for a daily smoker to be clean?
Regular weed smokers may need to abstain for 8 or more days to detox THC from the saliva gland.
How long will one hit of a cart stay in your system?
Usually, THC residues can stay in your body for 24 hours if you have one hit of a cart.
How long does weed stay in your saliva after a couple of puffs?
The detection window can range from 24 to 48 hours depending on the concentration of THC.
Conclusion
Mouth swabs or saliva drug tests have become a popular choice among employers because of their cost-effectiveness, quick results, ease of administration, and non-invasive nature. Saliva drug test has the shortest detection window compared to other types of drug tests. However, none of them can detect recent use of substances with 90% accuracy.
Out of desperation, drug users often choose detox methods that do not work to pass a saliva drug test. Some of these methods are even dangerous to the body. If you want 100% results use the mentioned products in the article.
Follow the directions precisely to get a negative result. Don’t just believe whatever people say or suggest. Do your research and make an informed decision.