How long does thc oil stay in your system?

THC oil is a concentrated liquid form of THC that is most often made by extracting the compound from cannabis plants. There are various methods used to make THC oils, but most involve using a solvent like alcohol or CO2 to pull out the THC and other cannabinoids from plant material. This produces a potent THC-rich oil that then be vaporized and inhaled or incorporated into foods, tinctures, topicals, and more.

THC oils allow for precise dosing and provide stronger, faster effects than other forms of cannabis. Oils also last a long time, making them cost-effective for medical use. However, the high THC concentration also means you test positive for THC for longer compared to other methods.

How long does thc oil stay detectable? 

Most drug tests are looking for the presence of THC metabolites, which are created when the body breaks down THC. It does not take long for traces of THC to disappear. How long metabolites stick around depends on various factors:

• Dosage/Frequency of Use – The more THC oil someone consumes, the longer it will remain detectable. Frequent use results in a buildup of metabolites.
• Metabolism – A faster metabolism process THC metabolizes faster. Age, genetics, diet, and lifestyle impact metabolic rate.
• Body Fat Percentage: THC metabolizes store in fat cells, so it stays in the system longer for those with higher body fat.

Given ideal conditions of infrequent, low-dose use by someone with low body fat and fast metabolism, CBD oil only produces a positive drug test for 1-3 days. However, under less ideal conditions with frequent, high-potency use, THC metabolites cause a positive drug test for 1-2 months after the last use. Chronic heavy usage produces positive tests for over 90 days. Hair tests look for metabolite buildup over longer periods and detect cannabis use for up to 90 days. 

What factors impact how long thc stays in your system?

Many variables affect how long THC oil stays detectable in the body, including:

• Liver and kidney function – The liver breaks down THC while the kidneys filter out metabolites. Those with liver damage or chronic kidney disease retain THC longer.
• Hydration levels – Staying hydrated helps the body filter out THC metabolites faster through urine while dehydration causes metabolite levels to concentrate.  
• Physical activity levels – Exercise helps burn fat cells containing metabolites while leading an inactive lifestyle leaves more metabolite-storing fat cells untouched for longer periods.

Does thc oil usage lead to long-term effects?

While thc oil itself clears from the body relatively quickly, there are some potential long-term effects of THC oil usage, especially with frequent or prolonged use. 

• Changes in memory, learning ability, attention, and concentration that may persist for days or weeks after last use.
• An increased risk of developing cannabis use disorder or addiction with consistent exposure over time.
• An association with the early onset of psychotic disorders like schizophrenia in those predisposed to it.

While these factors impact how long THC stays detectable, it’s impossible to provide definitive timelines. Testing facilities use threshold cutoff levels to determine positives, but residual low levels are often present without triggering positives.