As cannabis products continue to gain acceptance among the general population, many individuals are seeking out compounds such as THCA for their perceived health benefits—without the high. However, although THCA is non-psychoactive, concerns abound regarding how long it stays in the system.
Recent studies indicate cannabinoid metabolites, such as THCA, could be traced depending on the quantity consumed and an individual’s metabolism. Whether you’re taking a drug test, monitoring your health regimen, or merely interested in how your body processes cannabinoid compounds, understanding THCA’s timeline in the body is key.
If you’re planning to take an examination for drugs, or you’re looking for information on the effects of THCA, this guide will give you all the information you require.
What’s THCA, and How Does It Work?
It’s a naturally occurring tetrahydrocannabinolic acid compound found in raw cannabis. It’s a non-psychoactive cannabinoid. This means that it does not give you a “high” associated with marijuana. When exposed to temperatures (via smoke, vape, and making food), THCA converts into THC by a process known as decarboxylation.
Although THCA isn’t bound to your brain’s CB1 receptors, it does pose an interesting chemical energy, as drug tests typically don’t discern between THCA and THC. Both are metabolized to the same byproducts within the body. That’s the reason why drinking cannabis raw can result in positive results on tests.
How the Body Processes THCA?
It is important to examine how the body absorbs, processes, and removes THCA to determine the length of time it remains visible.
Absorption
THCA is absorbed into the body via:
- Ingestion (e.g., raw cannabis, capsules, tinctures)
- Topical application
- Sublingual usage (under the tongue)
Vaping or smoking cannabis doesn’t give THCA in its natural form. Instead, the heat transforms it into THC.
Metabolism
THCA undergoes minimal processing within the body. Because of its acidic form, it’s not able to attach to receptors for cannabinoids similar to THC. It is believed that the majority of THCA moves through the system via the bile and urine with minor alteration, until a partial conversion into THC occurs in rare digestive conditions.
Elimination
Being a lipophilic substance, THCA can be stored in fat cells. It could remain in your body for a longer period if you are a person with higher body fat levels or if you regularly consume cannabis.
Does THCA Show Up in Drug Tests?
The majority of the tests for drugs that are commonly used, such as urine and blood tests, saliva tests, and hair tests, do not test for THC directly. Instead, they look for THC components, including THC-COOH.
But it is the case that if THCA gets subjected to heat (through cigarettes, vapor, or cooking), it will transform into THC. After conversion, it can create psychoactive effects, and also be metabolized into detectable substances, making positive results on drug tests possible.
How Long Does THCA Stay in Your System?
The length of THCA in your body depends on many variables, including the type of test you are using. Here’s how:
Urine Test
Urine tests are the most popular method to detect cannabis use because most people are confused and ask, “is THCA detectable in urine?”. THCA compounds may remain inside your urine during the following periods:
- Occasional user: 1–3 days.
- Moderate users: 7–10 days.
- Chronic/heavy users: 30+ days.
Blood Test
The blood tests can identify recent use of cannabis and are commonly utilized in medical or legal contexts. THCA is typically visible in blood for about 1–2 days. However, people who are heavy users could test positive for as long as one week.
Saliva Test
Saliva testing is often utilized for roadside drug tests since it detects use in recent times. THCA is usually detectable in saliva for 24 to 72 hours following consumption.
Hair Test
How long does THC stay in your hair? Hair follicle tests offer the longest detection time because they can detect cannabis use for as long as 90 days. However, they aren’t as popular because they’re costly.
Factors Influencing THCA Detection Time
Many factors influence the length of time THCA remains within your system:
- Metabolism: Faster metabolisms eliminate cannabinoids quicker.
- The Body Fat: THCA metabolites are fat-soluble, which means they’re kept in fat and then released slowly.
- Use Frequency: Occasionally, users remove THCA faster than heavy users.
- Hydration: Drinking enough water helps eliminate the metabolites.
- Type of drug test: Hair tests are detected for months, while blood tests are detected for hours.
THC vs THCA Differences for Drug Testing
Knowing the difference between THC and THCA is crucial for anyone who is concerned regarding cannabis or drug testing usage. Let’s look at the differences:
| Aspect | THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) | THCA (Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid) |
| Psychoactive Effect | Yes, it produces a high | No, non-psychoactive |
| Metabolic Conversion | Converted from THCA when heated | Decarboxylates into THC when heated |
| Drug Test Detection | Yes, detected in most drug tests | Yes, shows up in drug tests after conversion to THC |
| Therapeutic Benefits | Pain relief, appetite stimulation, etc. | Anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, etc. |
| Duration in System | Can stay in the system for 1–30 days, depending on use and body composition | Can remain in the system for days to weeks, depending on metabolism and body fat |
THCA false-positive result?
While rare, however, the possibility of the possibility of a THCA fake positive drug test can occur.
- Certain over-the-counter or prescription medicines can result in an incorrect positive result in a drug test. This includes NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and naproxen, proton pump inhibitors, and Efavirenz.
- Studies have proven that passive inhalation of secondhand smoke from a user of THCA can result in positive drug screens, because the inhaled form could be THC due to heating.
- Foods containing hemp seed oil have been proven to give false-positive results on screening for drugs.
Natural Ways to Detox THCA
If you’re trying to cleanse from THCA, take a look at these suggestions:
- Drinking lots of fluids helps your kidneys rid themselves of the toxins.
- Physical exercise burns fat and releases stores of THCA in fat cells.
- A healthy diet of antioxidants and fiber helps support your body’s natural detoxification processes.
- Do not continue using this, as the most effective way to cleanse is to quit drinking cannabis in all its forms.
Why Seek Professional Help for Cannabis Dependency?
For specific individuals who use cannabis, it can go from enjoyment at a glance to dependence. When you notice that someone else you love is having trouble controlling the amount of cannabis they consume, getting help from a professional can be life-saving at the right time.
We are at our luxury rehab center, “House of Zen” offering:
- Medical Detox Programs: Our program’s professional and trained staff support you in removing THC, THCA, and other chemicals from your system securely and comfortably.
- Therapy and Counseling: To tackle those underlying causes that cause dependence and help develop healthier coping methods.
- Holistic Healing: This includes yoga, mindfulness practices, and nutrition guidance.
- Customized Evidence-based Treatment: Every person needs a unique treatment plan, so our experienced physician sets realistic, personalized recovery goals.
- Aftercare services: For the long-term health and sobriety of your loved ones, our caring team is committed to helping you regain control of your life even after your treatment.
Conclusion
Knowing how long does it take THCA to leave your system is crucial, whether you have a test to take or you are working on getting healthier. Although factors such as weight loss, metabolism, and the frequency of use may influence the detection time, natural detox techniques like exercise, hydration, and a balanced diet can accelerate the process.
If marijuana use has been a problem for you, then the House of Zen can help. We offer individualized treatment plans, alternative therapies, and a focus on achieving recovery to restore peace and balance in your life.
Are you ready to take the first step to recovery? Call us today for an appointment or to learn about your insurance coverage benefits. Then, begin your journey to be a better and more confident person.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: How long does THCA stay in the system?
A1: THC metabolites can be detected for up to 90 days in hair tests and up to 30 days in urine for heavy users.
Q2: How long does it take to detect THCA?
A2: Detection may be detected within hours, particularly when heating converts THCA into THC.
Q3: How long does THCA stay detectable?
A3: The detection window varies according to the type of test, ranging from 1 to 2 days in blood to as long as 90 days for hair.
Q4: How long does THC-COOH stay in your body?
A4: THC-COOH can be identified in urine for as long as 30 days or more, depending on the patterns of usage.
Q5: How long do THCA extracts stay fresh?
A5: If stored correctly in a dark, cool space, THCA extracts can remain powerful for months.
