Although cannabis, also known as THC, has been used for medicinal purposes for over 12,000 years, with roots in the Central Asia area, that doesn’t mean it’s problem-free.
For many people, frequent and heavy cannabis use can cause physical and psychological dependency, even leading to addiction. Learning how to detox your body from THC naturally and safely is your first step in beginning to live THC-free again.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about how to cleanse THC quickly and naturally from your system.
How Does THC Impact Your Body?
Learning about how long THC stays in your system is the first step in understanding the cannabis detox process.
Cannabis contains various compounds like cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that attach to your natural cannabinoid receptors, which are a part of the endocannabinoid system (ECS).
The ECS system is an enormous network of cellular receptors and chemical signals that regulate critical functions like:
- Memory
- Emotional processing
- Learning
- Sleep
- Temperature control
- Inflammation response
- Pain control
When we use cannabis, it binds to these receptors and signals the body to build more cannabinoid receptors. Since cannabis impacts these receptors, you’ll experience effects like feeling “high” which is often like having a happy and relaxed sense of well-being, along with heightened senses of taste, touch, and smell.
Ultimately, having cannabis in your system regularly can lead to physical dependence.
How Long Does Cannabis Stay in Your Body?
In most cases, the short-term effects of using cannabis begin to wear off within one to three hours after the last use. However, even once the high wears off, THC can stay in your body for some time.
This is because THC is fat soluble, meaning it absorbs through fat tissue despite only remaining in the blood for a short time. Due to this, THC deposits can remain in the body’s fat tissue for up to 30 days. Chronic heavy users of THC may have THC in their bodies for over 30 days.
Different drug tests for THC can detect cannabis in the body for specific windows of time. Urine tests can detect a single use of cannabis from one to three days, and detect moderate and chronic use from five to seven days.
Blood tests detect more recent cannabis use, typically within 2 to 13 hours after the last use. In addition, saliva tests can detect THC for up to 72 hours, and hair follicle tests can detect THC use for up to 90 days.
Don’t forget that specific factors like your body mass index (BMI), metabolic rate, overall health, and the dose and frequency of THC you take can all impact the length of time it stays in your body. In addition, the potency and method of use (smoking or edibles) also determine how quickly your body processes it.
How to Detox Your Body From THC
Now it’s time to look at the detox process overall and how it can affect your body. There are multiple steps in the process, and these steps are not always straightforward.
The main steps include:
Withdrawal
Remember, using cannabis long-term can cause dependencies, leading to uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms as your body gets used to not having cannabis on board.
Many people respond to cannabis differently, and not everyone experiences withdrawal symptoms. However, in general, you can expect certain withdrawal effects like:
- Headaches
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Vivid dreams or nightmares
- Anger
- Irritability
- Difficulty concentrating
- Night sweats
- Loss of appetite
In most cases, you can expect withdrawal symptoms to last between two and three weeks, but often it’s a shorter period.
Natural THC Detox Methods
Learning natural detox tips is key when you’re ready to stop using cannabis and detox your system.
The most important thing you can do is fuel your body and take the time for extra self-care. Doing this can help minimize withdrawal symptoms like headaches, irritability, and trouble concentrating.
Staying hydrated is one of the best THC-cleansing strategies you can follow. Be sure to drink plenty of water and avoid caffeinated drinks like soda as these tend to dehydrate you. You should also focus on improving your diet and eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and proteins.
Eating and drinking enough will not only keep you hydrated but will also give your body the energy it needs to get through each day. Exercising for at least 30 minutes daily can give your body the natural boost it needs while it works to get rid of toxins.
Don’t forget to surround yourself with close friends and family members who are willing to support you during this time.
Professional Support
Now that you’ve established healthy habits for detoxing, it’s a good idea to reach out for professional support and medical assistance to help you stick to quitting long-term.
Finding a professional detox program is one of the best ways to rediscover yourself while getting through the detox process. Detox programs allow you to safely withdraw from THC with medical support to manage your symptoms.
Once you enter detox, you’ll receive a full physical and psychological assessment to better understand the symptoms you’re experiencing. You may also receive medications to help manage symptoms like insomnia, depression, and anxiety.
Next, entering into a treatment program like the residential treatment program at Reflections will address both substance use and mental health disorders. This is because many people with addiction also suffer from mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, and attention-deficit disorder.
In this program you’ll get a custom treatment plan, individual and group therapy sessions, holistic therapies like nutrition and stress reduction, along with relapse prevention.
Get Professional Help for Your THC Detox Today
Now that you know more about how to detox your body from THC, you’ll feel much more comfortable with the process overall.
Remember, you don’t have to go through a THC detox alone, and turning to the professionals at Reflections Treatment Center is your first step. Here at Reflections, we focus on you as a whole person and not just treating your symptoms.
We’re a private treatment center and a national leader in addiction disorder treatment, offering the best clinical programs for anyone struggling with addiction. We offer residential treatment and intensive outpatient programs, along with specialized tracks for business executives and LGBTQ+ clients.
We work with most PPO insurance plans and strive to make treatment an affordable option for everyone. Make sure you contact us today about our customized treatment programs.
