Delta 10 THC is a relatively new cannabinoid that is chemically similar to Delta 9 THC, the main psychoactive compound in cannabis. Delta 10 provides mild psychoactive effects and is federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill. However, Delta 10 could still cause you to fail a drug test. Here’s a look at how long Delta 10 stays in your system and how to pass a drug test.
What is Delta 10 THC?
Delta 10 THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is a minor cannabinoid found naturally in small amounts in hemp and cannabis plants. While Delta 9 THC is the most abundant and potent cannabinoid, Delta 10 occurs in trace quantities and has milder psychoactive properties.
Chemically, Delta 10 THC differs from Delta 9 by the location of its double bond in its molecular structure. Delta 10 can be derived from either CBD or Delta 9 THC through isomerization, a chemical process that converts CBD into Delta 9 THC and CBN.
Since the 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp and derivatives containing 0.3% Delta 9 THC or less, Delta 10 THC from hemp is federally lawful. Many states have legalized Delta 10 products derived from hemp, allowing its inclusion in vapes, edibles, tinctures and more.
Does Delta 10 THC show up on drug tests?
Yes, Delta 10 THC can cause you to fail a marijuana drug test. Standard urine tests (analyzed via immunoassay screening) detect metabolites of THC but cannot distinguish between Delta 9 and Delta 10.
Therefore, Delta 10 is likely to trigger a positive result for THC on a standard workplace drug screening.
How long does Delta 10 THC stay in your system?
Delta 10 THC is metabolized similarly to Delta 9 THC, so it has a comparable detection window in urine tests. However, few studies have specifically analyzed how long Delta 10 stays in your system.
Here’s a look at what we know about how long cannabis metabolites can be detected with urine, blood, saliva and hair tests:
Urine Tests
Delta 10 metabolites are likely detectable in urine for:
- Occasional users: 3-7 days
- Moderate users: 7-14 days
- Frequent users: 14-30 days
- Chronic heavy users: 30-90 days
The wide detection window for urine makes it the most common testing method. Factors like dosage, frequency of use, body fat and metabolism can influence how quickly you excrete Delta 10.
Blood Tests
Delta 10 THC is detectable in blood for:
- Occasional users: 1-2 days
- Chronic users: 7 days
Blood tests can only detect very recent cannabis use since THC rapidly clears from the bloodstream. Blood testing is rare outside of DUIs and medical cannabis evaluations.
Saliva Tests
Saliva testing detects Delta 10 use within the past:
- 1-3 days
Oral fluid testing mainly looks for parent THC compounds rather than lingering metabolites, providing a relatively short window of use.
Hair Testing
Delta 10 can be detected in hair for:
- Up to 3 months
Hair follicle testing isn’t common but has the longest detection window, capturing months of cumulative use. Hair color, volume and growth rate affect results.
Factors affecting how long Delta 10 stays in your system
Several factors influence how quickly Delta 10 THC metabolizes and leaves your body. These include:
- Frequency of use – More frequent consumption results in accumulation of THC and metabolites.
- Dosage/potency – Higher doses lead to more THC stored in fat cells.
- Method of use – Inhalation leads to faster absorption and clearance than oral use.
- Metabolism – A faster basal metabolic rate processes THC more quickly.
- Body fat – More body fat can prolong storage of lipid-soluble metabolites.
- Exercise – Physical activity and sweating can help burn fat and excrete metabolites.
- Hydration – Adequate fluid intake dilutes urine and speeds elimination.
- Medications – Some antidepressants and antibiotics affect drug metabolism.
Due to the variability in Delta 10 excretion, it’s difficult to predict precisely when you will test clean. Home marijuana drug tests can help estimate if you will pass your upcoming screening.
Tips for passing a Delta 10 drug test
Here are some potential strategies to help you pass a urine, blood, saliva or hair follicle drug test for Delta 10 THC:
1. Abstain from use
The simplest way to pass any cannabis drug test is to abstain from Delta 10 use for as long as possible beforehand. If you have at least 7-90 days before your test, avoiding Delta 10 gives your best chance at testing negative.
2. Dilute your urine
Drinking extra fluids before your urine test dilutes metabolites below cutoff levels. However, labs often check diluted samples, so don’t overdo your water intake. Take B12 for color and creatine for specific gravity.
3. Substitute synthetic or clean urine
Bringing synthetic urine or clean real urine allows you to substitute a negative sample. Use current batch Quick Fix or get clean urine from a drug-free donor.
4. Try a detox drink
THC detox drinks claim to flush out drug metabolites through diuretics and dilution. Detox drinks work best for light marijuana users with adequate time before a test.
5. Take activated charcoal
Some people take activated charcoal capsules leading up to their test, aiming to absorb drug toxins. However, studies show limited effectiveness for charcoal detoxing THC metabolites.
| Method | Overview | Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|
| Abstinence | Avoid Delta 10 use for as long as possible before the test | Most effective strategy |
| Dilution | Drink extra fluids to dilute urine | Can help light users pass |
| Substitution | Use synthetic or clean urine | Nearly 100% effective if done properly |
| Detox drinks | Claim to flush out metabolites | Questionable effectiveness |
| Activated charcoal | Absorbs toxins in GI tract | Minimal evidence for THC detox |
Are there ways to cheat a Delta 10 drug test?
While detox remedies may help marginally lower your THC levels, they aren’t reliable ways to cheat a drug test. The only surefire method is bringing clean urine from someone else.
However, using fake or altered samples constitutes test tampering under federal drug testing laws. If caught, you could face serious consequences like loss of employment, legal penalties, or probation/parole violations.
Adulterants
Some people try to cheat tests by adding adulterants like bleach, vinegar, salt or eye drops to laboratory samples. However, labs widely use adulterant strips to detect these tampering attempts.
Synthetic urine
Pre-mixed synthetic urine can be substituted for your own pee since it contains urinary parameters like creatinine, pH, specific gravity and temperature. High-quality synthetic urine like Quick Fix has balanced biomarkers to evade suspicion.
Urine additives
Spiking your urine with additives or “urine luck” is risky since labs can detect unbalanced samples. Additionally, additives aren’t reliable for eliminating THC metabolites for heavy marijuana users.
Best ways to get Delta 10 out of your system
To summarize, here are the most effective tactics for getting Delta 10 THC out of your urine, blood or hair before a drug test:
- Abstain from Delta 10 use for as long as possible
- Drink plenty of fluids and urinate frequently
- Exercise and sweat to burn calories and release toxins
- Consider taking creatine and B12 for dilution
- Substitute your urine with synthetic or borrowed clean urine
- Shampoo and cut hair if hair follicle testing
Avoid relying on last-minute detox remedies, which are unpredictable and often ineffective for heavy cannabis use. The foolproof way to pass any drug test is to have drug-free urine ready for your screening.
How long does Delta 10 stay in your system: Key takeaways
- Delta 10 THC can cause you to fail a standard marijuana urine test.
- Delta 10 is detectable for 1-90+ days depending on test type and frequency of use.
- Urine tests have the longest detection window of up to three months.
- Detox drinks, diuretics and charcoal have limited effectiveness for passing marijuana tests.
- The only guaranteed way to pass is abstaining long enough or substituting synthetic pee.
Given the extended detection period for cannabis, abstaining from Delta 10 use for as long as possible before your test date gives you the best chance at a negative result. For chronic heavy users facing an upcoming screening, substituting synthetic urine may be the only surefire way to pass and avoid detection of Delta 10 metabolites.
