Will CBD Cause You to Fail a Drug Test?
CBD-based products are taking the world by storm. Everyone wants to try it, and there's no blaming them. The prospect of CBD oil treating a host of human disorders and illnesses is the reason why it's becoming a hot debate on whether to accept it as a mainstream treatment. For those who are familiar with it, there's a concern that taking CBD, which comes from cannabis, could lead them to fail a drug test.
So, will CBD cause you to fail a drug test? The answer to this question depends on certain factors, but the most notable of which is the type of CBD product you're taking. If it's pure, then you wouldn't worry about a failed drug test.
A recent study revealed that cannabidiol does not react with two widely used commercial drug tests for marijuana. The researchers of the study, however, said that the two tests did find out that another compound from the same cannabis plant, cannabinol, had an opposite result.
There is no cause for concern with regards to testing positive for drug use when you take CBD because it does not have a psychoactive effect. CBD indeed comes from the same cannabis plant where THC is extracted. THC is the psychoactive component that makes one feel "high" when taking marijuana. It makes sense that cannabinol reacts to a marijuana test because it is a THC derivative.
Why Use CBD?
CBD is raising a lot of eyebrows in the medical community, but there are quite a handful of reasons why it is making a lot of noise. For example, there is proof that it is an effective treatment for anxiety, depression, and sleeplessness. There still is no universally accepted scientific evidence that supports the claim. But one good sign though is that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved a drug called "Epidiolex". It is made of pure CBD and is marketed as a treatment for rare and severe seizures.
CBD oil contains not just cannabidiol, but a host of other active compounds. Although there are several available products and modes of delivery, i.e., capsules, tinctures, edibles, and sprays, the objective of using every product remains the same. However, there are varying concentrations of CBD from one product to another.
CBD is thought to have a constructive effect on the body's endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoids produced by the system are responsible for regulating certain body functions like sleep, memory, emotions, mood, and energy use. Because CBD reacts with the endocannabinoid system, it is believed to influence the body by treating common ailments as well as chronic conditions such as anxiety, insomnia, anxiety, chronic pain, epilepsy, glaucoma, and even cancer.
The Link Between Unregulated CBD Products and Failed Drug Tests
Remember the research we talked about earlier about pure CBD not reacting to commercial drug tests for marijuana? Well, the biggest concern for you on using CBD products is that if you buy something that isn't pure CBD, then there's a chance that you could test positive. The reason is that many CBD products out there are unregulated, which means they may contain other compounds aside from CBD. In other words, the result of your test may depend on the purity of the CBD product you're taking. If you bought something with a considerable trace amount of THC, then you're in trouble.
Implications of a False-Positive Drug Test
You don't want to get a false-positive on a drug test since there could be costly ramifications, including your job as well as in getting medical care. Various health care organizations won't allow patients to use opioid painkillers if they test positive for marijuana. Your employer or organization may also have a strict policy on employees who are tested positive for controlled substances.
The best approach to avoid the consequences is being upfront about the use of CBD. So, if the result comes in positive, there's a chance it could be interpreted based on your disclosure.
