To avoid testing positive for THC in urine drugstests, some athletes and certain industry's employees turn to ‘THC-free’ Broad Spectrum or even Pure CBD oil. Though while this is far less effective than ‘raw’, full spectrum CBD oil including undetectable (but present) amounts of THC. These products might also still give a positive result in THC-urinetests. Discover how this works and why full spectrum is always the better choice:
Full Spectrum CBD Oil
CBD Oil is made from the extracts of the hemp plant. However, Cannabidiol (CBD) is not the only substance naturally found in hemp. In the often used and unprocessed ‘raw’ or ‘full-spectrum’ hemp extracts, you’ll also find a large number of other cannabinoids and aromatic terpenes. As the name suggests, ‘full’ spectrum contains the full spectrum of active ingredients naturally present in the plant.
Cannabidiol might be the main active ingredient in full spectrum hemp extracts. Though all these other cannabinoids and terpenes greatly support CBD’s efficacy in the body. We call this synergy the ‘entourage-effect’, a very important reason behind CBD’s success.
In short, the entourage effect is the result of combining CBD with other cannabinoids (and terpenes) from hemp. Think for example Cannabigerol (CBG), Cannabichromene (CBC), Cannabinol (CBN) and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). And the latter is our subject of discussion today. Considering THC is naturally a psychoactive substance, which could cause a ‘high’ or ‘stoned’ feeling when consumed on its own.
In hemp oil however, THC exists in such low concentrations (<0,05%), that it merely supports the entourage effect. Moreover, CBD is known to counteract THC’s psychoactive effects. Meaning that in this ratio, you will not experience any unwanted side-effects; while the useful substance guarantees the best results with CBD oil.
Broad Spectrum CBD Oil because of sports or work?
On the other hand, there are hemp extracts from which all THC is removed after extraction. This is called Broad Spectrum (broad, not ‘full’ spectrum of available cannabinoids); and it's used for so-called ‘THC-free, broad spectrum CBD oil’. The idea behind this, is that you end up with a more potent entourage effect compared to Pure CBD oil - made with CBD Isolate crystals - but don’t ingest THC. As is the case with full spectrum CBD, where it supports the entourage effect.
This broad spectrum CBD oil is becoming very popular in the United States and is increasingly sold in Europe, too. This might be due to the enormous surplus of hemp extracts in the US, which are now being ‘dumped’ here. Broad Spectrum seems to be especially popular among fanatic and professional athletes. Though people who undergo mandatory drugtests at work also seem to prefer THC free broad spectrum oil over Full Spectrum CBD products.
As it is presumed that the undetectable amounts of THC in full spectrum CBD oil (<0,05%); could result in a positive THC-urinetest. Considering it could in some cases cause the loss of one’s job or sports career, a positive drugstest is the last thing you want. But is broad spectrum the best choice, to avoid testing positive for THC when using CBD oil?
THC in urine with full spectrum or broad spectrum
Because our experience tells us that it’s almost impossible to test positive for THC using an urinetest; after using proper full-spectrum hemp oil. After all, the ingested amount of already undetectable THC is so low, that the even more minimal amount of its breakdown product becomes even less detectable. Moreover, the presence of THC increases CBD’s effects and that of other cannabinoids in full spectrum oil. Meaning you need far less cannabinoids to reach the desired effects.
In broad spectrum though, the lack of THC results in a need for more CBD and other cannabinoids for a similar effect. Something that’s even more the case with ‘Pure’ CBD oil, considering the complete lack of an entourage effect there. But that’s not the only disadvantage. Because research shows, that CBD can convert to THC in the stomach!
Isomerisation of CBD to THC in the stomach
The process where CBD converts to THC in the stomach is called isomerisation. This is a considerably complex process, where the CBD molecule changes under acidic circumstances. You could in fact compare it a bit to ceviche - where fish is cooked in citric acid - for example. Because in theory, CBD and THC molecules are almost the same. They carry the same composition and molecular weight - the only difference is that CBD has an open ring and THC a closed ring. See the picture below:
However, under acidic circumstances (pH < 2.5) - like with stomach acid in this case - isomerisation happens. This causes the ring of the Cannabidiol (CBD) molecule to close, converting it to THC. In short, CBD is converted into THC in the stomach. But no need to worry, as not all CBD you ingest turns into the psychoactive cannabinoid. According to research, only a part of the total amount of Cannabidiol ingested will turn into Tetrahydrocannabinol.
This also means, that the risk of finding THC in the body using ‘Pure CBD’ oil or Broad Spectrum hemp oil is bigger than when you use full-spectrum hemp oil. Considering the fact that you need more CBD for the desired effects with those first two products; providing more CBD to turn into THC in the stomach. However, with regular use this will still not generate enough THC breakdown products for a positive urine-drugstest.
Positive THC-test after using CBD oil
Still, there are cases where consumers say they’ve received a positive THC-test result back after using CBD. Though our experience teaches us, that this is often due to a joint smoked. Or that the consumer has also tried THC-rich cannabis oil instead of legal CBD hemp oil, on one or more occasions in the weeks or even months prior to the test.
Because cannabinoids like THC and CBD are stored in the body’s fatty tissue; where they can stay put for months. This way, it might happen that an athlete who smokes a joint every now and then in between games or tournaments. Suddenly stops smoking and starts training for three months for an important competition; and still tests positive for THC. As the training has caused the fatty tissue to burn, releasing any stored THC right back into the bloodstream.
If you’re certain that you haven’t smoked weed or used THC-rich cannabis oil however. It is the police / your employer / sports- or anti-doping league’s responsibility to prove the positive THC-test is caused by CBD oil. At least in countries where CBD oil is legally sold and used, that is.
Doubts? Ask us for a THC-urinetest!
At the end of the day, to measure is to know. So are you still having doubts about using full-spectrum CBD oil; and want to make sure it won’t cause a positive THC-urinetest? Request a free THC-urinetest when you order CBD oil at Dutch Natural Healing. When there’s a reasonable doubt, we’ll include a THC-urinetest to your order, free of charge. Now you can test if you get a positive THC-result after using our full-spectrum CBD oil. This way we guarantee that our full spectrum hemp oil is safe, even if you are a (semi-)professional athlete or have mandatory drugtests at your workplace.
Please note that laboratory drugtests might be more sensitive or use different techniques which could provide a different outcome compared to the urinetests we provide. No rights can be derived from this text; and it is everyone's responsibility to consider the potential impact of the use of our products on drug testing results.
