Best THC Detox Methods

Do you rely on full-spectrum CBD products but need to take a mandatory drug test to detect THC? You may not think you’ve got anything to worry about, but unfortunately, that isn’t true.

Though an increasing number of states are legalizing medicinal or recreational cannabis use, federal law still prohibits it, and employers — even in states where it's legal for recreation — still have the power to demand a drug test. If you’re one of the many Americans using full-spectrum CBD products, you likely have enough THC metabolites in your body to test positive.

In the past, if you were worried that THC or another drug might appear on a mandatory drug test, there weren't a lot of scientifically valid approaches to cleansing your system. Methods like drinking extreme amounts of water, water purified with iodine, strange teas, and other concoctions were passed around among friends and family like magic potions. Sometimes they worked; often, they didn't.

That's where these THC detox methods come in. They contain ingredients with scientific backing that support their ability to remove various toxins from the body or support the body's mechanisms for natural detoxification. THC just so happens to be one of those toxins. That gives you various means — drinks, pills, etc. — to ensure that you're THC-free when your test comes around. This is a great way to ensure that the full-spectrum CBD you use for pain relief doesn’t hamper your career pursuits.

If you don't have enough time to enjoy our comprehensive breakdown, here's a quick summary of our findings. And don’t worry, our top picks are effective enough for people who consume THC recreationally, so they should also be effective for folks using any CBD products.

Effectiveness

Winner: PassYourTest

While it would be nice to have a cleanse with only a few targeted ingredients that are sure to work, the reality is that quick THC detoxification is still a bit of a gamble. There are ingredients whose mechanisms of action should aid in THC detoxification, but studies specific to their relationship to THC are all but non-existent. That being the case, we think it's wise to throw a generous amount of natural ingredients at the detox process, especially considering the minimal side effect risk of most of these herbal elements.

PassYourTest's Total Body Cleanse includes pre-cleanse supplements you take before your cleanse technically begins, followed by specific blends you consume in the morning and evening. And all three contain unique proprietary blends totaling around two dozen detoxifying components. There's even a shampoo dedicated to cleansing your hair of toxins.

Cost

Winner: Green Gone

At the low-cost end of detox solutions, competition is tight. For what you get for your money, Green Gone's edge comes from the fact that their two-day detox comes with five THC test strips for a total of $60. That same price ($60) can get you TestNegative's Clear Choice 17 oz. Rescue Cleanse and a single THC test.

At the high end of detox programs, Green Gone also wins out over the next best competitor, PassYourTest. Each company has a 10-day program with free tests, but Green Gone's is $10 cheaper and comes with two more tests.

Convenience

Winner: TestNegative

The most convenient detox systems are one-time drinks you consume an hour or so before a test. Even with these solutions, some added guidelines can help maximize your chances of success, though they make the experience less convenient. TestNegative has the simplest instructions and product lineup for detox drinks.

Privacy

Winner: PassYourTest

While many detox companies have reasonable privacy policies outlining their use of cookies and their opt-out clauses, PassYourTest opens their policy with a pledge never to sell your information to any third party. They also go into much more detail about their relationship with Facebook as an advertising partner, including links to Facebook's privacy policy to further your understanding.

PassYourTest is also committed to your privacy in the real world. They use only non-identifiable packaging materials and labeling, so no one who handles your package will know what's inside.

Tetrahydrocannabinol is the substance that causes most of the psychoactive effects associated with marijuana use. The human body produces cannabinoid chemicals naturally, and there are specific receptors in the brain designed to utilize them for memory, pleasure, time perception, and more. One prominent effect of THC in the brain is the stimulation of dopamine release, which contributes to a sense of euphoria.

The positive feelings associated with THC kick in relatively quickly after consumption and last for only about two hours at their peak. This short-lived experience is one of the things that makes THC so popular.

But THC is also associated with various negative effects. For example, there is some evidence that frequent marijuana use can speed the onset of schizophrenia symptoms in people who would likely have developed those symptoms eventually. There’s also the notion that marijuana is a "gateway drug," though that has mostly been debunked as an issue of correlation without causation.

CBD and THC

So, if you use CBD products, what’s your risk of testing positive for THC? Well, CBD is derived from the same plant that produces marijuana. Depending on the type of CBD product you use, you may regularly expose yourself to trace amounts of THC.

If you’re unsure whether your CBD product contains any THC, just check the label. The company likely lists its manufacturing method as one of the following three:

• CBD isolate
• Broad-spectrum CBD
• Full-spectrum CBD

If it says “full-spectrum,” then there is almost certainly THC in it. It’s not enough to trigger the chemical’s psychoactive properties, but it can appear on a drug test.

That’s not a reason to switch to broad-spectrum or CBD isolate. From a wellness standpoint, full-spectrum CBD offers the widest range of helpful components that make up CBD. You might see a dropoff in efficacy if you switch. The better path would be to keep these cleanses in mind if you ever have a test on the horizon.

We also have a comprehensive CBD guide that can give you even more information about the host of CBD options and their relative THC content and potencies.

Most drug tests look for specific metabolites of a given drug. In the case of THC, the tests don't detect THC itself. Instead, they detect compounds into which your body breaks THC down before elimination in the urine and feces. The concentration of these compounds will result in a positive or negative test and can even give test administrators insight into your potential use habits.

But you can have urine devoid of drug-related metabolites and still fail a drug test if the urine itself doesn't meet other parameters, including:

• Creatinine concentration
• pH level
• Color
• Temperature
• Gravity

When one or more of these measurements is off, it often indicates that the individual has tried to flush their system of toxins by drinking copious amounts of water. Significantly diluted urine will not read as a positive test, but you will have to retake the test in most cases. Some organizations may use this as a justification not to hire you or to deny you certain services.

The THC detox methods we cover in this guide aren't old wives' tale recipes, and they don't require that you do anything strenuous. Often, they're either a pill, a drink, or a combination of both that can ensure your next few urine samples won't contain any THC.

Depending on your THC exposure, the specific detox method will differ, but many detox methods rely on a similar set of ingredients to help cleanse your system.

Yes, THC detoxes are almost always safe. Many detoxes contain diuretics, so you must do all you can to stay hydrated (within a product's guidelines). Dehydration is likely the biggest risk you'll face. There are often vitamin complexes — particularly B vitamins — in THC detoxes. These can sometimes cause flushing or digestive discomfort, but those are the kind of mild side effects you might experience. Taking your cleanse as directed, usually with food, should help.

Best overall, best same-day cleanse, and best guarantee

PassYourTest is a focused detox company offering THC and nicotine detox kits and tests. The simplicity and quality of their offerings make them our top overall pick, and their money-back guarantee is the best in the business.

You can get a same-day cleanse that can prevent most toxins from appearing on a test just an hour after you use the kit. You can also take a more thorough approach with their permanent and total-body cleanse kits.

The ingredients in each kit differ somewhat in contents and quantity, but you'll find the following in most — if not all — of their cleanses:

• Creatine monohydrate
• Riboflavin
• Dandelion extract
• Milk thistle
• Echinacea
• Psyllium husk
• Electrolytes
• Marshmallow
• Sodium bicarbonate

Which kit is right for you depends mainly on your exposure levels, body weight, and body fat content.

Here's a breakdown of PassYourTest’s cleanses to help you decide:

PassYourTest also offers a cleansing shampoo that can give you same-day results if you have a hair-based test approaching. The shampoo is part of their two Total Body Cleanses, but you can buy it on its own for $99.95.

Home testing kits

PassYourTest has a trio of home testing kits you can use to ensure your samples don't contain enough toxins to register a positive result. Two kits are geared toward THC metabolites, and the other tests for nicotine.

Total Body and Permanent Cleanse kits come with home tests. You can also buy home tests on their own. Here's how they price out:

• Single-panel THC home test: $19.95
• Five-panel THC home test: $24.95
• Nicotine home test: $19.95

The difference between the one- and five-panel THC tests is that the one-panel tests for the industry-standard metabolite concentration. The five-panel test also tests for four lower concentration levels that some stricter companies or agencies may prefer. These tests are ideal for CBD users whose levels might not be high enough to meet the industry standard for a positive test but could still trigger a positive result in some instances.

Best budget pick

For some users, the handful of ingredients in Green Gone may be enough to detoxify you effectively. For others, they might not cut it. Our testers found the longer kits to be more effective than the two-day detox, but there are many other variables like diet and exercise that we did not consider.

Green Gone uses the following five ingredients in all of its detox products:

• St. John’s Wort (240mg)
• Sodium bicarbonate (1,000mg)
• White willow extract (408mg)
• Horsetail extract (400mg)
• Psyllium husk (1,000mg)

These doses reflect the contents of four capsules, which you'll consume three times daily. The doses don't change from one detox program to the next. The only difference is how many days you spend consuming them.

Green Gone offers three detox kits, each of which comes with five free THC testing strips:

• 2-day Detox: $59.95
• 5-day Detox: $89.95
• 10-Day Detox: $139.95

You can also get THC test strips in packs of five ($14.99) or ten ($24.99).

Theoretically, the heavier your exposure, the longer the kit you'll want to buy. This might remove Green Gone from consideration for a heavy user with a test coming up in a few days, but for people who use full-spectrum CBD products, it should work well. And you can use a convenient detox calculator to input things like height, weight, and habits to determine which kit best suits your needs.

Easiest to take

TestNegative offers a variety of products to help you pass your drug test, but their most effective is their Clear Choice Rescue Drinks. These drinks come in two sizes: 17oz and 32oz. The larger bottle isn't necessarily more effective. It's designed for heavy users or those over 200 lbs.

Both rescue drinks contain identical ingredients, just at roughly twice the dose in the 32oz serving. Those active ingredients include:

• B vitamins (2, 3, and 6)
• Creatine monohydrate
• Juniper berry extract
• Dandelion root extract
• Turmeric root extract
• Cornsilk extract
• Milk thistle seed extract
• Echinacea
• Licorice root extract
• Uva ursi extract
• Ligustrum berry extract

Other ingredients include water, fructose, and artificial colors and flavors.

The biggest downside to these drinks is their sugar content. The 17oz bottle contains 55g of sugar, while the 32oz bottle has a whopping 110g of sugar. That's the equivalent of nearly three cans of soda.

Here's how the Rescue Drinks prices compare:

• 17oz: $45
• 32oz: $55

You can also order testing strips to ensure the cleanse is working properly before your actual test.

• Single-panel test (THC or Cocaine): $15
• Five-panel test (THC, cocaine, meth, opiates, and PCP): $30

Best for at-home testing and most detox options

TestClear sets itself apart by the breadth of detox options available on their site. Those include seven supplement-based programs, three drinks, and a gum designed to work on saliva tests. They also offer more testing options than anyone else, with nearly two dozen tests available, most of which give you results within minutes.

TestClear's detox programs have the longest list of ingredients of anything else we've reviewed. That doesn't necessarily mean they have the best product out there, especially when you get into the depths of the ingredient list.

The biggest issue is that the ingredients in these programs are mostly minerals that the body loses during a full cleanse. They're there to support your overall health as you rid the body of components both toxic and essential to health. But that means most of the work to detoxify your system is being done by 1,250mg of alfalfa, 150mg of kelp, and 125mg of calcium carbonate.

Here's a look at the full Toxin Rid ingredients list:

The length of detox you choose depends on your exposure over the last 30 days. If it varies, then a 30-day average over 90 days should be your guide.

Here's a handy chart that will break down Toxin Rid's pricing and tell you which program you should choose based on your exposure level.

TestClear detox drinks

Testclear also offers a trio of detox drinks by Detoxify. They come in various sizes based on your exposure to toxins. These drinks minimize toxin levels starting about one hour after consumption. The effects should last up to six hours, but everyone's metabolism is different, so you should try to time your use accordingly.

Detoxify's cleansing drinks contain a wide variety of vitamins and minerals, all at or below daily recommended values. The proprietary herb blend used for detoxification includes

• Burdock root extract
• American ginseng root extract
• Guarana seed extract
• Milk thistle seed extract
• Stinging nettle leaf extract
• Taurine
• Uva ursi leaf extract

Here's how each bottle prices out:

Based on the descriptions throughout their website, TestClear envisions you using their detox program for a set period followed by a detox drink on the day of a test. Unfortunately, they don't seem to offer any bundles combining the two products to save you any money.

TestClear at-home testing

TestClear boasts one of the largest catalogs of at-home drug tests of any detox company. For $9.95, you can get urine tests that can screen for any one of the following:

• Amphetamines
• Barbiturates
• Benzodiazepines
• Ecstasy
• Methamphetamine
• Nicotine
• Oxycodone
• Cocaine
• Marijuana
• Opiates
• K2/spice

You can also get tests that look for various markers in blood, hair, or urine for the following prices:

• 5-panel saliva test: $13.95
• 10-panel multi-drug home test: $15.95
• Steroid testing kit: $145.99
• Hair Confirm home hair test: $59.99
• Hair Confirm Express: $159.99
• Hair Confirm Prescription: $159.99
• Hair Confirm Business: $145.99

TestClear calculates shipping by your location and the weight of the package.

Best organic option

The product from EpicOrganic is a clean one — the only product on our list made from 100% organic ingredients. That said, EpicOrganic appears to be a skincare company first and a THC detox company second, which may be why they only offer one detox product and testing solution.

Unfortunately, the 1,200mg dose of their proprietary blend is about half of what other companies offer. Here's a look at EpicOrganic's THC Detox ingredients:

• Magnesium (from magnesium citrate) (10mg)
• Milk thistle 80% extract
• Dandelion root extract
• Creatine monohydrate
• Yellow dock root
• Agave organic inulin
• Ginger root extract
• Beetroot
• Cranberry 25% extract
• 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
• L-theanine

EpicOrganic's THC Detox is a seven-day program that costs $34.95. But that only applies to people who weigh 120 lbs. or less. When you carefully read the instructions, you find that you need more bottles the heavier you are. And you don't just double or triple your daily dose. Instead, the length of your cleanse extends according to the number of bottles you must consume.

Here's how it works out:

With a system like this, someone weighing 205 lbs. would likely have to start cleansing while still on the job hunt if they were worried a prospective employer would ask for a drug test. If EpicOrganic could formulate stronger detox recipes that work in less time and sell them at a lower cost, they'd be a serious contender because of their organic ingredients.

EpicOrganic also sells a 14-panel drug screening test. These can identify metabolites of the following in urine:

• THC
• Cocaine
• Amphetamines
• Barbiturates
• Benzodiazepines
• Buprenorphine
• Ecstasy
• Fentanyl
• PCP
• Methamphetamine
• Methadone
• Oxycodone
• Morphine
• Propoxyphene

EpicOrganic's 14-panel drug tests cost $14.95 each, but you can save a little money by buying in quantities of up to five.

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Additionally, like all health-related content on this website, this review was thoroughly vetted by one or more members of our Medical Review Board for accuracy.