Does HHC Show Up on a Drug Test? What You Should Know

With all the buzz surrounding alternative cannabinoid, a lot of curiosity also surrounds whether you can use something like HHC in spite of drug tests. So, will HHC cause you to fail a drug test? Here’s an in-depth look.

First, what is HHC?

Before anything else, let’s first define what HHC is.  HHC (hexahydrocannabinol) is a cannabinoid derived from hemp, although most products sold today contain a synthesized version of the cannabinoid. By chemical structure, HHC looks a lot like both delta 8 and delta 9 THC, and the cannabinoid does produce similar psychoactive effects. While there has not been a lot of testing done on HHC, the cannabinoid was first discovered in 1994 by a chemist in America.

Does HHC cause euphoria?

HHC is psychoactive. Therefore, it can cause euphoric effects, albeit those effects can be somewhat different from what you would expect from other psychoactive cannabinoids like the different types of THC. There is not a lot of research into HHC just yet. So, the bulk of what we know about effects stems from anecdotal user reports. Some claim HHC is about as intoxicating as delta 8, while others claim the high is a bit different and more energetic in nature.

How does HHC compare to delta 8 or delta 9?

All three cannabinoids come from the same family of plants: cannabis. However, HHC is hydrogenized whereas delta 8 and delta 9 THC are not. Delta 9 is the most psychoactive cannabinoid, with delta 8 THC often reported to be roughly half as potent. HHC is also only found in tiny amounts in cannabis, which can make it extremely difficult to isolate. For this reason, most producers use dealt a8 or delta 9 to synthesize HHC through a hydrogenation process.

Does HHC show up on a drug test?

Will HHC fail a drug test? Yes, it will. To expound further, while HHC is not technically the same thing as delta 8 or delta 9 THC, this cannabinoid can also lead to drug test failure. Therefore, if you are facing a drug test for any reason, it will be best to avoid HHC products.

Rather than asking does HHC show up on a drug test, it’s more of a “when will HHC show up on a drug test” question, to be honest. Because HHC has a similar chemical structure as delta 8 or delta 9, the cannabinoid can metabolize the same way. When you are given a drug screen, the test is designed to analyze blood, urine, or saliva for these metabolites. Most will be analyzing specimens for THC-COOH metabolites.

Unfortunately, because HHC does not share the same “THC” designation, there is a rumor that it won’t be picked up on a drug test. Yet, there is no evidence to support these claims. Actually, due to the chemical makeup of the cannabinoid and how it metabolizes in the body, it is far more likely that it will cause a drug test failure.

How long will HHC stay in your system?

Currently, there is no clear answer to how long HHC will linger in your system simply due to lacking research. Will HHC show up on a drug test after a week? A month, perhaps? It’s really hard to answer the question “how long does HHC stay in your system” but what can be logically assumed is that HHC will stay in the system for about as long as the most similar cannabinoids, or forms of THC. The consensus is that THC metabolites could be present in your system anywhere from 1 to 30 days. Therefore, you should expect HHC to be much the same.

Several factors influence how long cannabinoid metabolites hang around. Take a look below at a few of the most influential factors to consider if you want to take something like HHC Gummies but are anticipating a drug test.

1. Frequency of use

How often you use HHC could be a major factor in how long the metabolites stay in your system. With THC, more frequent use can mean metabolites are detectable for 30 days or even longer. People who use cannabinoids more than four times weekly may have detectable metabolites in their urine for up to a week, possibly more. This is because cannabinoids are absorbed by fat cells

If you only use HHC one time, and it has been a while since you’ve used any cannabinoids at all, the metabolites may leave your system a bit faster. You will likely be safe in about a week.

2. Your age

The metabolism slows as you get older, which means substances that are metabolized by the body can also break down slower. Therefore, your age can be a determining factor when it comes to how long HHC stays in your system. For example, a 30-year-old adult may use a Galactic Grape HHC disposable once and the metabolites will be gone within a few days. Whereas, a 60-year-old adult may use the same product and amount and still have metabolites lingering for longer.

3. Your metabolism

Everyone’s metabolism differs, and not just because of age. Factors like weight, levels of certain enzymes in the liver, and general activity levels and diet can all affect your overall metabolic rate. In addition, if you’ve tried delta 8 gummies or delta 9 gummies recently, this may have an impact on the effectiveness of HHC gummies.

4. How the HHC was consumed

Whether you opt for HHC edibles or HHC vapes can also make a difference in how long the cannabinoid takes to leave the body. In general, edible HHC is more likely to hang around for longer because it must go through the digestive process before it gets to your bloodstream. By contrast, vaping HHC means it enters the blood system through your lungs within a few minutes and is processed much faster. This not only means a faster onset of effects but may also play a role in how quickly the metabolites leave the body.

5. How much HHC you use

Larger doses of HHC are also likely to mean metabolites linger in the system for longer. For example, if you only consume one 15mg HHC gummy compared to four, you may be ready for a drug test faster. Can HHC make you fail a drug test even with just a small bite of a gummy? Yes, it still can, but it can also be out of your system quicker.

How to clear HHC from your system?

If you think you can beat HHC drug test results just by sheer luck, think again. Just like delta 8 or delta 9, this compound needs to be metabolized and this could be somewhere between 1 to 30 days. Are you feeling lucky and would go ahead with your drug test? You already know the answer to the question “can HHC make you fail a drug test,” so you shouldn’t take any risk, especially if your career or credibility is on the line. Currently, there is no clear answer to the question, “how long does HHC stay in your system” but many users are looking for ways to flush them out of the body faster. Some resort to drinking lots of water, a typical approach to flushing toxins the natural way. Will HHC fail a drug test even after this? Unfortunately, yes, it still can, as there’s not a lot of research about supercharging your body’s metabolism to quickly flush out these compounds. Some have tried and succeeded, but a lot have also failed. Your mileage may vary, but if it’s your job or reputation on the line, it’s best to err on the side of caution.

Final Thoughts on HHC and Drug Tests

Even though HHC is not well-researched just yet, it is easy to assume that it can cause a failed drug test much like delta 8 or delta 9 THC. Rather than focus on the question “will HHC make you fail a drug test,” you should instead plan accordingly if you intend to consume HHC products for a certain period. HHC drug test results will most likely be positive, just a day or two after consumption, so be careful. Now, if you don’t have anything planned and you’re just after a good time on a weekend break without worrying about any HHC drug results, you can take a look at our full collection of HHC, delta 8, and delta 9 products at Galaxy Treats.