
How Long Does THCP Stay in Your System?
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Cannabis is more diverse than the average person realizes. Sure, delta 8 and delta 9 get most of the hype - but there are more obscure cannabinoids that have their place, too. THCP is one of these.
It’s a recently discovered cannabinoid structurally similar to THC but with a longer alkyl side chain. That leads to a whole lot more potency, which is why our selection of THCP for sale here at MUNCHIES is so popular.
That said, how long does THCP stay in your system? You might be stressing about an upcoming drug test, wondering if you’re in the clear or have reason to worry. We’re here to help you get to the bottom of it.
Let’s be clear, THCP will show up on a drug test - it’s broken down to the same metabolites these tests screen for. How long it lingers in your system is a bit less black and white, though. It depends on your metabolism, usage habits, and of course, the type of drug test in question.
What is THCP?
THCP is a lesser-known cannabinoid, but that’s quickly changing as people realize what it can do. So does THCP get you high? Big time!
That extra carbon link we mentioned above lets THCP bind more tightly to CB1 receptors in the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is how it produces much stronger effects in comparing THCP vs delta 9, or THCP vs delta 8 for that matter.
Researchers first isolated THCP in 2019 from Italian cannabis cultivars, and interest has surged because of its potency and distinct pharmacological profile. We don’t know a ton about it yet, as cannabis research is notoriously slow.
However, it’s an exciting innovation in the market - one we’re eager to help you tap into through our world-renowned THCP vape pen collection here at MUNCHIES! Explore our catalog today. In the meantime, we’ll get into THCP detection windows below.
Does THCP Show Up on Drug Tests?
So does THCP show up on drug tests? The short answer is yes. They’re designed to flag THC and its metabolites, which THCP will produce as well.
More specifically, drug tests screen for THC-COOH, the primary metabolite of delta 9 THC. But since THCP undergoes similar metabolic pathways, it’s looked at the same on drug tests - the tester wouldn’t be able to distinguish between delta 8, delta 9, or THCP usage.
Different Types of THCP Drug Tests
One of the first things you should do if you’re worried about THCP drug testing is figure out how you’ll be tested, as this matters more than anything else. These are the most common styles:
- Urine Tests: The most common drug screen to detect THC-COOH and related metabolites. Labs often follow up positives with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), which can differentiate specific cannabinoid breakdown products.
- Blood Tests: These measure active cannabinoids in plasma. THCP concentration peaks quickly after ingestion, so blood tests within hours of use will likely return positive. Residual levels may persist longer than THC because THCP has more binding power.
- Saliva Tests: Oral fluid testing captures parent cannabinoids rather than metabolites. A saliva test within 1-2 hours of THCP use can detect unmetabolized THCP, but detection windows are shorter - you’re typically in the clear after 24 hours.
- Hair Tests: These tests can detect cannabinoid exposure over months. Although less common for routine screening, hair assays flagged for THC-COOH may also report THCP use if standards don’t distinguish side chains.
If you have a hair test and have used THCP in any form over the past few months, your fate may be sealed. Saliva and blood tests are much less of a concern as they’re typically reserved for roadside screening to figure out if you were driving under the influence.
Where there’s a bit more nuance is in urine tests, and this is the most common test. So how long does THCP stay in your system?
How Long Does THCP Stay in Your System?
THCP elimination depends on how quickly your body metabolizes and excretes its byproducts. Like THC, THCP first peaks in blood within 15-30 minutes of inhalation or 2-4 hours after edible consumption.
From there, it converts into several metabolites that can linger in fatty tissues and blood plasma. That’s where the nuance comes into play. So let’s look at a few factors impacting THCP detection.
Dosage and Frequency
This is the most important factor. The more THCP you introduce into your bloodstream, the more saturated fat cells become with those pesky metabolites, thus extending the elimination timeline.
Occasional users process small amounts quickly, while heavy consumers accumulate metabolites that may be detectable for weeks - if not months.
Consumption Method
Inhalation delivers THCP directly to the lungs, producing a rapid spike and faster initial clearance. It can still take a few days to a few weeks, though.
Edibles or tinctures have to be metabolized by the liver, converting a larger fraction into long-lasting metabolites. Those components linger longer, so someone who uses edibles rather than vapes or flower will probably have a longer detection window.
Metabolic Rate
Everyone’s liver enzyme activity varies. A faster metabolism breaks down THCP more quickly, shrinking detection windows. People with slower metabolic rates retain metabolites in their system longer. Age, genetics, and overall liver health all influence this process.
Body Fat Percentage
THCP and its metabolites dissolve in fat rather than water. So, people with higher body fat store more cannabinoid byproducts in adipose tissue, where they slowly leach back into circulation over days or even weeks. Leaner individuals often clear these compounds more swiftly.
Hydration and Kidney Function
The kidneys filter metabolites into urine after they enter the bloodstream. Staying hydrated supports efficient blood flow and urine production, helping lower the concentration of THCP metabolites in a single sample.
Be clear, this isn’t about “getting clean” as much as it is “testing clean.” You’re essentially diluting the sample, which can work sometimes or get flagged for alteration in other cases. Impaired kidney function or dehydration concentrates metabolites, prolonging detection.
Diet and Exercise
While no diet or workout routine can flush THCP instantly, regular exercise may mobilize fat stores, temporarily releasing stored metabolites back into blood plasma before they’re eliminated.
Similarly, a high-fiber diet promotes faster intestinal transit, which helps excrete THC metabolites via bile. This is something we’ll talk about in a moment, but going into fat burning mode leading up to your drug test is the best way to get clean faster.
Co-Administered Substances
Certain medications, especially those influencing cytochrome P450 liver enzymes, can speed up or slow down THCP metabolism. For example, some antiepileptics induce enzyme activity, accelerating THCP breakdown, while others inhibit those enzymes, extending retention.
Average Detection Windows for Different Users
So how long does THCP stay in your system? While it’s impossible for us to give you a straightforward answer without knowing your usage habits and other specific details, we can help you narrow it down a bit:
- First-Time or Infrequent Users: A single smoke or THCP edible may register in a urine screen for up to 3-5 days. Occasional users rarely test positive after a week if they abstain.
- Moderate Users: Consuming THCP two to four times weekly can extend urine detection to 7-10 days. Blood or saliva tests typically clear within 24-48 hours after last use.
- Regular Users: Daily inhalation or edible intake saturates metabolite levels, keeping urine tests positive for 10-15 days. Hair tests can reveal usage for up to 90 days.
- Heavy or Multiple-Times-A-Day Users: Those who ingest THCP several times daily may carry detectable metabolites in urine for 30 days or more. Blood screens could remain positive for up to a week, while hair assays detect use across three months.
Let’s make another thing clear - is THCP safe to consume if you know you have a drug test coming up? Definitely not! Steer clear, and then celebrate your negative test with a nice vape or edible. In the meantime, can you get THCP out of your system faster?
Can You Get THCP Out of Your System Faster?
Time remains the only guaranteed method to eliminate THCP metabolites. No detox drink or supplement can reliably accelerate this process. However, you can support your body’s natural clearance with these simple tips:
- Hydrate Consistently: Drinking water won’t flush metabolites instantly, but it prevents urine concentration spikes, which can skew immunoassay thresholds.
- Maintain Regular Exercise: Cardio and strength training mobilize fat stores, temporarily releasing stored metabolites to be filtered out by kidneys and liver.
- Eat a Balanced Diet: Fiber-rich foods encourage bile production and intestinal transit, supporting metabolic waste removal.
- Avoid Further Use: This one should go without saying. Every extra dose resets detection timelines, putting you back to square one. Even a small puff or gummy can restart the clock entirely.
Don’t fall for those kits or cleanses promising rapid detox. They usually overpromise and underdeliver, failing third-party testing and can trigger false positives by diluting urine samples. Ultimately, patience and abstinence are your safest paths to a clean result.
Final Thoughts on THCP Detection
So how long does THCP stay in your system? We hope this THCP detection guide has cleared the air and left you with a bit more confidence in when you’ll be able to pass a drug test.
Factors such as dosage, metabolism, and body composition all shape how long metabolites linger. While hydration, exercise, and diet can marginally support your body’s clearance mechanisms, only time truly clears THCP from your system.