More and more people use CBD these days to manage a wide variety of health issues, which is not very surprising considering the wide-range of ailments it has been shown to improve. There are tons of studies suggesting how effective it is in reducing pain, managing anxiety, acting as a sleep aid, and so much more.
But, here’s the thing:
Despite offering a lot of health benefits, there are still some people who feel uncomfortable about using CBD due to the trace amounts of THC many popular products contain. If you are about to undergo a drug test, such as when you are applying for a job, you’re probably one of them.
Does CBD show up in drug tests?
If you are subjected to an average drug test, it probably won’t. This is because average drug tests aren’t designed to detect CBD and other compounds present in cannabis besides THC.
If your potential employer really wants to know if you’ve been using it lately, then he’ll have to request for a specific type of test. That means covering additional charges, too.
Now, considering that CBD doesn’t really impair one’s ability to properly and safely perform a job, that’s not likely to happen. Most companies don’t favor spending extra money for something that has no value for them.
A word of caution:
Even though average drug tests can’t pick up THC metabolites, it doesn’t mean that you won’t ever fail your drug test when you’re using CBD. There’s still a very small risk.
Because CBD products aren’t strictly regulated, there may be differences and inconsistencies in manufacturing them. You’ll never know what other components your CBD product may contain. Worse yet, your products may not even have CBD in them at all.
Apart from that, people also metabolize CBD products differently, and in large quantities the THC could become detectable in some users. Researchers have found that even after taking a massive amount of CBD (1000mg-2000mg) individuals still only have an 11-23% chance of failing a urine drug test. For those taking average amounts of CBD, this risk plummets to a 0.2% fail rate.
How to avoid getting a false positive reading
Since the minute risk of getting a false positive reading in your drug test is affected by the components in your products, it’s best to get them from a known and reputable dealer. Avoid buying them from truck stops and convenience stores, particularly if you don’t know the person selling it to you.
Now, if you do get a positive reading and you are completely sure that you have no drugs in your system, then the next step is to ask what type of urine drug screening was used. If you get the results right away, it’s probably an immunoassay test so be sure to ask for a second screening. This time, ask for Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. It can detect traces amounts of chemicals- even for as low as 0.000000000001 gram.
If you are sure that the traces of THC in your system is due to the CBD product you used, talk to your employer and be open about your condition.
Conclusion
CBD is creating a louder buzz in the healthcare industry. Offering tons of benefits, it’s something you have to consider if you’re dealing with chronic pain, depression, and other types of health issues.
For your safety, however, you might want to be extra cautious about the CBD products you plan on using. Make sure to buy only from trusted dealers to avoid getting a false positive and putting roadblock towards your dream job.