Does CBD Oil Show up on a UK Drug Test?
Do you know what one of the worst nightmares is? It's the drug test results to be positive. Everybody knows that performance-enhancing drugs exist, which can root problems for sportspeople. CBD (cannabidiol) is also increasingly becoming a part of supplement regimes of many athletes.
It doesn’t take long to feel the effects of CBD oil and the substance remains in your system for longer than we think. The increasing popularity of CBD entails many concerns for many, among which the most important is, does CBD make a drug test positive?
While the short answer to this question is ‘no, there is more to this answer. Certain circumstances can lead to positive test results, which will be described in this guide. So make sure to read on:
What Is CBD Oil?
Cannabis contains more than 100 cannabinoid compounds, among which the two most important are CBD and THC. CBD is mainly obtained from the hemp plant, whereas THC comes from the marijuana plant.
CBD is a main cannabinoid that brings no psychoactive effects; however, THC is the cannabinoid responsible for euphoric effects.
Cannabinoids interact with your endocannabinoid system when they enter the body. As follows, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is the innate network within your body. The ECS has receptors that return to cannabinoids or endocannabinoids (endogenous cannabinoids).
The main tenacity of the ECS is to uphold the body's internal functions, so when you consume CBD oil, it stimulates the ECS hence improving your bodily functions.
Besides CBD, THC also bring numerous benefits since it is also interacts with ECS. However, it also activates the receptors of the brain that are responsible for psychoactive functions.
Does CBD Oil Show Up On A Drug Test?
The straightforward answer is NO. Since CBD is not the psychoactive cannabinoid classified as a scheduled drug, the CBD alone cannot make results against you during the drug test.
However, that is not the end of the story because some CBD oils do come with slight amount of THC, so your drug test might become positive if you consume CBD oil that has some level of THC.
Drug Testing in the UK
In the UK, CBD products that contain less than 0.2 % of THC are legal. This implies if you consume CBD oil with less than 0.2% THC, you will not be detected positive for the drug test. So for that, you must choose CBD oil or other CBD products that come from an authentic seller and are high quality.
Moreover, you can also ask for third-party testing to know the exact amount of THC in CBD products.
Does CBD Oil Comprise THC?
Simply put, CBD oil does have trace amounts of THC in its ingredients; however, it is not that high to result positive test results.
According to law, the legitimate CBD oil should come from a hemp plant's root, stem, and fibres, not flower and leaves, since it has low THC. In addition, it also has to be less than 0.3% THC in the USA while in the UK it needs to be less than 0.2%.
The THC levels in CBD oil differ depending on the method of extracting oil. The CBD oil can be categorised into three different types based on the THC present in it:
1. Full-Spectrum CBD oil
The full-spectrum CBD oil contains all the cannabinoid compounds present in the cannabis plant, including the psychoactive THC. However, the THC is present in trace amounts or within the legal threshold.
The full-spectrum CBD oil is beneficial for its entourage effect. The entourage effect suggests that the cannabis chemicals interact synergistically with THC to regulate the plant's ultimate euphoric effects.
2. Broad-Spectrum CBD oil
The broad-spectrum CBD oil contains a few cannabis compounds since THC and some other psychoactive cannabinoids are removed during the extraction process.
Broad-spectrum oil can yield health benefits; however, it might be slightly less effective than full-spectrum CBD oil.
3. CBD Isolate
The CBD isolates have only one cannabinoid, and that is CBD. It is the purest type of CBD oil since it does not have any other compound of the cannabis plant, hence you cannot cherish the benefits of the entourage effect.
How To Avoid THC When Taking CBD?
If you consume full-spectrum CBD oil that contains more than the legal limit of THC, your drug test might cause problems for you. There are many controversies where the CBD oil manufacturers mislabel the products with wrong information. So for that, you need to be careful while consuming full-spectrum CBD oil.
The best action you can take is to educate yourself about CBD terms. Study different extractions methods, interpret laboratory findings and be careful of statements that seem too authentic but are not. Below are some main recommendations to follow: :
Look for Trustworthy Brand
The most critical factor to check before purchasing a CBD product is the company's reputation and reliability. Considering the absence of uniform law across the globe, many CBD manufacturers have taken the necessary steps to verify the integrity of their products in different ways.
If a business is fair in its procedures, it will have nothing to hide and provide all essential details to customers. However, if a CBD manufacturer fails to provide product information, do not go for a purchase.
Read the product label
While choosing CBD oil, read the label to know the source and types of CBD oil. Moreover, look for the THC levels in CBD oil. Since 0.3% THC is allowed in the USA and 0.2% in the UK, you need to select the CBD oil according to your residence carefully.
Look for third-party lab test results
Many CBD vendors provide independent third-party tests which assure their product's genuity. If a CBD manufacturer has failed to provide third-party testing, then you should consider other sellers.
The Source of CBD
In the UK, the flowers and leaves of hemp plants are not allowed for CBD extraction, so you should look at the source of CBD. Ask the manufacturer about their CBD production journey from seed to bottle.
The Takeaway?
The CBD alone cannot lead you to fail the drug test. However, if a CBD oil contains THC in its ingredients, it might lead you to fail the test. In the UK, more than 0.2% of THC is illegal, so you are safe unless your CBD product contains the legal threshold of THC. We recommend always checking the manufacturer's authenticity, product label, and source to understand CBD oil better.