Ever since its discovery, THCP has become popular among cannabis users because of its elevated potency, even in small amounts. With the new THCP-infused products, many wonder how long THCP stays in their system. Is there a way to flush it out faster? These are questions for users who might be up for a drug test and need guidance. You’re lucky because we’ll answer all these questions in this article.
Key Takeaways
- THCP stays in your system for 2-30 days, depending on several factors, including individual metabolism, consumption method, dosage, and more.
- Current drug tests are designed to detect metabolites like THC-COOH, which is produced when the body processes compounds like THC and THCP.
- The detectability of THCP in the body also depends on the specific drug test, which can include saliva, urine, or blood tests.
- Hair follicle tests offer the longest detection window, and saliva tests offer the shortest.
How Long Does THCP Last in Your System?
THCP (tetrahydrocannabiphorol) can remain detectable in your system for 2 to 30 days, depending on various factors. This broad range accounts for differences in individual metabolism, frequency of use, amount of dosage, and other factors.
There are generally two categories of THCP detection:
- Short-term detection – THCP will likely be detectable in blood and saliva shortly after use, typically within hours. Blood tests tend to have a shorter detection window for cannabinoids, usually up to a few days.
- Long-term detection—In urine, the standard matrix for drug testing, metabolites can be detectable longer. THCP may be detectable for occasional users up to several days to a week. However, for frequent or chronic users, THC and its metabolites can be detected for several weeks to a month or longer.
Learn more about what THCP is.
How THCP is Metabolized in the Body?
THCP is metabolized mainly in the liver through a series of enzymatic reactions. The process starts with the hydroxylation of THCP, which is mediated by cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, particularly CYP2C9 and CYP3A4.
Upon initial metabolism, THCP is converted into 11-hydroxy-THC (11-OH-THC), an active metabolite that retains its psychoactive properties.
This transformation is followed by further oxidation to form the inactive metabolite known as 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC (THC-COOH). THC-COOH is the primary metabolite detected in drug screenings, underscoring its significance in assessing THCP usage.
Different Ingestion Methods Can Affect Your Detection Time
Vaping and Smoking
How you consume THCP crucially impacts how long it is metabolized in the body. When THCP is inhaled, such as by smoking or vaping, it enters the bloodstream rapidly through the lungs. It leads to a quick onset of effects but a shorter duration of action.
This rapid metabolism means that the psychoactive effects are felt almost immediately, but they may not last as long as compared to other consumption methods. When users are tested using saliva, THCP can be detected 1-3 days after consumption.
Edibles
In contrast, when THCP is consumed orally, such as through edibles, it must first pass through the digestive system and be metabolized by the liver before entering the systemic circulation. This process is more prolonged and leads to extensive metabolic changes, resulting in a delayed onset of effects that can last much longer—typically between 8 to 16 hours.
For this reason, the effects of THCP from edibles are often more intense and prolonged than those from inhalation. When consumed through edibles, THCP may be detectable in urine for several days to a week for occasional users and even longer for frequent or chronic users.
10 Factors Affecting How Long THCP Fully Exits Your Body
Several factors influence the duration of THCP staying in your system. When you’re scheduled for a drug test, these factors will determine the length of time that THCP metabolites will take to leave your body. We’ve mentioned three factors earlier, and there are seven more to complete the list.
Your Metabolism Rate
The individual metabolism rate is a major factor in determining how long THCP remains detectable in your body. Age, genetics, diet, activity level, and overall health influence metabolic rate. A faster metabolism generally leads to quicker processing and elimination of THCP metabolites from the body.
How Often Do You Take THCP
The frequency of THCP consumption significantly impacts its detection time. Regular or heavy users may find THCP and its metabolites accumulate in their system, extending the detection window. Occasional users, on the other hand, might clear the compound from their bodies more rapidly.
Dosage and Potency
The amount of THCP consumed and the product’s potency directly affect how long it stays in your system. Higher doses or more potent THCP products result in a greater concentration of metabolites, potentially leading to longer detection times. The milligram strength and dosage of THCP products are crucial factors to consider.
Body Composition
Your body composition, particularly body fat content, influences your detection time. THCP and its metabolites are fat-soluble and stored in fat cells. People with higher body fat percentages may retain THCP metabolites for longer than those with lower body fat.
Method of Consumption
The way THCP is consumed affects its metabolism and, consequently, its detection time. Smoking or vaping THCP leads to rapid absorption through the lungs, resulting in a quicker onset of effects but potentially shorter detection times. Oral consumption, such as through edibles, involves a slower metabolic process, which can extend the detection window.
Hydration Levels
Proper hydration can influence how quickly the body eliminates THCP metabolites. While hydration alone cannot guarantee faster elimination, it may help dilute urine and lower the concentration of drug metabolites. However, excessive hydration immediately before a drug test can raise suspicions and possibly lead to a retest.
Physical Activity
Regular exercise can potentially speed up the metabolism of THCP. Physical activity may help release stored THC from fat cells into the bloodstream for processing and elimination. However, intense exercise right before a drug test might temporarily increase the concentration of THC metabolites in the bloodstream.
Individual Health Factors
Overall health, including liver and kidney function, can affect how efficiently the body processes and eliminates THCP. Certain medical conditions or medications might interfere with the metabolism of THCP, potentially altering its detection time.
Type of Drug Test
Different drug tests have varying detection windows for THCP. Urine tests, the most common method, can detect THCP metabolites for 3 to 30 days after use. Blood tests have a shorter detection window, typically up to 36 hours. Saliva tests can detect THCP for up to 48 hours after use. Hair tests have the most extended detection window, potentially up to 90 days.
Product Quality and Purity
The quality and purity of THCP products can influence detection times. Higher-quality products with greater purity may contain more THCP, potentially leading to longer detection periods. It’s vital to source THCP products from reputable brands that provide transparent lab analysis.
Unsplash Photo by Tobias Tullius
THCP’s Detectability Also Depends on the Type of Drug Test You’re Taking
The detectability of THCP in drug tests depends on the type of test administered. Different tests have distinct sensitivities and detection windows, which can impact the possibility of identifying THCP metabolites. The most commonly administered drug tests are urine, blood, saliva, and hair follicle tests. Each drug test has its own detection time, cost, and sample requirements to detect traces of THCP use in the body.
Find out if THCP can show up in drug tests here.
Medication & THCP
More data is needed about the safety of THCP when it interacts with other medical prescriptions. People with existing medication routines, whether prescription or non-prescription, must seek advice from a medical professional before taking THCP.
General advice says users should wait at least 24-48 hours after consuming THCP before taking any type of medication, particularly prescription drugs. This waiting time allows most THCP and its active metabolites to leave the system, minimizing the risk of interactions and side effects.
The same caution applies to non-prescription medications. Many over-the-counter drugs, including pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen, can pose risks when taken shortly after consuming THCP due to potential liver strain and altered efficacy. Therefore, waiting at least 24-48 hours is advisable to avoid adverse effects.
Final Thoughts
Users should be aware that THCP, along with THC, produces a metabolite called THC-COOH, which current drug tests can detect. THCP stays in your system for around 2 to 30 days and will depend on factors like personal metabolism, consumption frequency, amount of dosage, and other things to consider.
The choice of test can significantly impact the likelihood of detection, with hair follicle tests offering the most extended window and saliva tests the shortest. Always ask for advice from a medical professional before taking THCP, especially if you have an existing medical routine. It’s safest to wait 24-28 hours after consuming THCP before taking any type of medication. The most reliable way of eliminating THCP is to abstain from using it, especially when you have a drug test coming up.
(Disclaimer reminder: This article is not medical advice. It is based on anecdotal user experience alone. If you are thinking about incorporating cannabis (delta-8 THC, delta-9 THC, CBD, etc) into your medicinal routine, please consult a healthcare professional. Do not stop taking any prescribed medications without first consulting your doctor.)
Disclaimer: This article reflects the laws of the United States at the time it was written. Because cannabis laws in the United States laws are subject to change at any time, please make sure that you are always staying up to date on your federal, state, and local county’s cannabis laws. Additionally, we are NOT encouraging anyone to break the law––we are simply showing people ways to legally and discreetly bring their cannabis products along with them on their travels so that they may have access to those products when they reach their intended destination.
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