We’ve all been there: you’re wrapping up the interview for your dream job, and it’s going perfectly. Until—record scratch—the interviewer says something like, “We’d like to extend the offer pending a required drug screen. Please report tomorrow for your drug screen.” You smile confidently and agree, but on the inside—yikes! Fortunately, you have options available to you.

If you have longer than just 24 hours to beat a drug test, then your options become a lot wider and more accessible with a little more time. Some methods we’ll discuss below, like how to pass a drug test in 24 hours, are less damaging when you have a wider window for detoxification.

While it’s true that no cleansing program can cleanse all the fatty tissue of your body within 24 hours (the primary goal for passing urine test), one of the most common drug screens), there are products available that can provide you with a small window of time during which you’ll test clean. And hey, the best part is – you don’t have to bank on cranberry juice doing the trick.

testclear powdered urine

If you’re taking an unsupervised urine test, the solution is even simpler: use this kit to provide a guaranteed clean sample. There are even options for short-notice hair testing, which we’ll discuss in detail here. No matter what test you’re being subjected to, there’s a way to get clean in time!

How Long Does Weed Stay In Your System?

  • Saliva: If you’re a daily smoker, marijuana will most like stay in your saliva for only 1-7 days
  • Urine: If you’re a daily smoker, marijuana will most likely stay in your urine for anywhere between 30-45 days.
  • Blood: If you’re a daily smoker, marijuana will most likely stay in your blood for 45-60 days.
  • Hair Follicle: If you’re a daily smoker, marijuana will most likely stay in your hair follicles for 90-120 days.

Step 1: Know What You’re Up Against

In order to effectively detox the part of your system being tested, you’ll need to know what kind of test you’ll be subjected to. After all, clearing your blood won’t help you pass a urine screen, and flushing your system won’t save you from a hair follicle test. You’ll need to know what type of screening you’re up against before you can cleanse your system properly.

Sometimes it can be difficult to determine what type of drug test your potential employer plans on having you take. The majority of major businesses use the tried and true standard piss test to determine if THC is lingering in your body. A urine drug test is typically administered for a new job 75% of the time. After that typically comes hair follicle drug tests, blood tests, and at the bottom of the list, saliva drug tests.

With any of the detox methods, we’ll discuss below, it’s important to stop consuming cannabis immediately. It may seem obvious, but you want to keep from introducing any more THC molecules to your system, which could recontaminate you and lead to a positive result.

The unthinkable has happened: you’re being subjected to a urine drug screen with practically zero notice, and you’re panicking. You know that THC sticks around for ages in urine compared to other substances, and you’re scared of what will happen if you fail. How are you supposed to pass a urine drug test in 3 hours?

Take a deep breath, then another. All is not lost, and you can pass a drug test with very short notice beforehand. Here, we’ll cover two methods to help you pass a urine drug test within three hours: the substitution method and dilution/adulteration using a detox drink.

We should note that we’ve experienced success with the dilution/adulteration method for moderate THC consumption (meaning a bowl or two twice a week or so) using both Mega Clean and XXtra Clean detox drinks, available from TestClear. If you choose to use this method, it is imperative that you use a reliable detox drink — this is not the time to pick up the cheapest thing at the smoke shop and go!

We don’t mean to imply that a passing result is impossible with another product, but we do recommend making every effort to use a reliable, consistent, potent detox drink. We highly recommend MegaClean or XXtra Clean (XXtra Clean is our favorite for more frequent consumers), and your results will depend on how closely you follow the instructions. Don’t get creative with your detox, and try to minimize your risk of failure wherever possible.

How to Pass A Drug Test in 3 Hours

Beat A Drug Test

General Guidelines for Passing A Drug Test

Since short-notice tests like this tend to be pretty high-stakes (like for employment, insurance, or legal purposes), it’s in your best interest to have a substitution or cleansing method on hand just in case. We recommend having at least a powdered urine kit on hand at all times, with a detox drink as well if you suspect you might be subjected to a supervised test (unlikely, but super stressful!).

This might sound a little excessive, but if you work for a company that routinely or randomly drug tests their employees (or in an environment where a workplace accident is more likely, such as a warehouse or distribution center), being prepared can really save your proverbial bacon. If you have the product you’re using to pass on hand, you won’t need to waste valuable time tracking down a bag of fake urine or a cleansing product — and if you’re using the dilution/adulteration method, time is of the essence.

In that spirit, we strongly recommend choosing the substitution method wherever possible, especially if you smoke, vape, and/or take edibles more than three times per week. Substitution with powdered human urine (as opposed to synthetic stuff)  is the most reliable way to ensure a passing result in every situation. If you can use the substitution method, we highly suggest you do so, as it’s the surest way to pass a urine drug test in 3 hours.

That said, all may not be lost if you have to take a supervised drug test. We’ve had good success with detoxing quickly — provided our use was light to moderate (for our purposes, generally 2 or fewer times per week). We don’t mean to imply that passing is impossible for heavier users with the dilution/adulteration method, but we do encourage you to be realistic about the capabilities of even the best detox products and plan for your drug test accordingly. If you smoke every other day or more, we strongly advise you to go for substitution over a detox attempt.

Gather Your Tools

First, you’ll need to get your hands on the materials you’ll need for your chosen method, and soon. If you’re using the substitution method, a powdered urine kit from TestClear will contain everything you’ll need to mix and use your substitute sample. This includes the powder itself, a vial to mix your sample in, adhesive warmers to bring the sample to body temperature and maintain its warmth, and a precise temperature strip that changes color to indicate when the sample is in the right range for testing.

testclear powdered urine

If you’re using the dilution/adulteration method, get your detox of choice as quickly as possible. Hopefully, you have a bottle of Mega Clean or XXtra Clean on hand and ready to use, but if not, we suggest looking for a cleansing drink that contains plenty of fruit pectin, lots of B vitamins, trace minerals, and a hefty amount of creatine to give you the best chance possible. You might consider adding a dose of fruit pectin (available at the grocery store) to your detox if you have doubts about its efficacy.

Hour 1: Start the Process

During the first hour, you’ll want to get the ball rolling as quickly as possible if you’re planning to use your own urine. For discretion, you can either remove the label from your detox drink or place it in a bottle of your choosing, such as a large sports bottle or something with opaque or colorful sides. Adapting the container you use for your detox will help you blend in and avoid suspicion while cleansing.

When you’re ready, drink the entire bottle of your chosen detox drink in one go, aiming to finish the bottle within about 15 minutes of starting it. Once you’ve downed it all, refill the bottle with water and, again, try to get it all down within about 15 minutes.

After you’ve drunk the first bottle of water, go ahead and refill the bottle again with water, but drink this one at a bit more leisurely pace, finishing within 30 minutes of starting it. If you feel the urge to go, do it! The more you are able to urinate before your test, the better off you’ll be, since eliminating as frequently as possible before testing will help flush your system more effectively.

This strategy will help set you up for success if you’re using a detox product by hydrating your body in preparation for the diuretic effects of the cleansing drink. All that extra water will help flush residual THC from your system, providing you with a window during which you’ll test clean. If you’re using Mega Clean or XXtra Clean, you’ll be at your cleanest about 3 hours from testing — be sure to read the directions if you’re using a different product!

If you’re cleansing first thing in the morning, it’s okay to have a cup of (black, possibly sweetened but with no creamer) coffee or tea in addition to the detox drink and the water after. That said, don’t overload yourself with extra caffeine, which can combine with the diuretic effects of the detox to produce dehydration, discomfort, and potential health consequences. This is especially true if you’re sensitive to stimulants. When in doubt, reach for water over other drinks during this time.

If you’re using the substitution method, you can relax during this first hour. Make sure you have all your equipment and a bottle of water (we’ve used tap in a pinch with success, but we prefer something filtered for substitution purposes) to mix your sample with. We’ll put everything together and start preparing in earnest in the second hour.

Hour 2: Enhancing the Effectiveness of Your Detox Products

When using a detox product to produce a clean sample of your own urine, you’ll want to use this second hour to keep yourself hydrated, using the restroom whenever you feel the urge, and re-hydrating frequently. We recommend drinking about two of your detox bottles refilled with water during this time, but if you feel the desire to drink more, go for it.

Steer clear of coffee, tea, or energy drinks during this time; if you really need to have something other than water, try drinking some juice (we like apple or cranberry best for these purposes). Keep away from caffeine — after all, your kidneys are already working overtime and putting them through extra stress with more diuretics than necessary just isn’t advisable.

If you’re substituting your urine, you’ll need to mix up your sample at this time. This is simple and pretty foolproof: add some of your bottled water to the powdered human urine in the vial, fill it up to the line, and shake well to dissolve all of the powder. If any clumps of powder remain, try rolling the vial to allow these particles to dissolve properly. You should be left with a vial of liquid that looks, feels, and smells indistinguishable from urine (because it is).

Next, you’ll need to apply the temperature strip and warmer to start bringing your sample to body temperature. Simply adhere the temperature strip along the side of the vial, then apply the warmer so that it envelops the bottle in a cozy little hug. Once everything is mixed and the warmer is applied, stash the vial in a pocket (make sure the lid is tightly sealed to avoid accidents!), checking the temperature every 15 minutes or so.

Hour 3: Preparing For The Drug Test

As the big moment draws closer, it’s time to finalize your preparations and get ready for the test itself. Regardless of which method you’ve chosen, this hour will mostly be spent in maintenance mode—keeping hydrated if you’re using your own urine, and holding your sample at temperature if you’re substituting it.

If you’re using your own urine, keep up with your water intake (about 12-16 ounces every 30 minutes or so) and continue to flush your system by eliminating whenever you feel the urge to go. If you’ll be supervised, it helps to have some urgency so that you don’t suffer from “stage fright,” so drink up!

If you’re substituting your sample, check to ensure that your sample is at or near body temperature (if it’s a little warm, you might remove the heater about 15-20 minutes before testing to allow it to cool a few degrees). It’s also a good idea to drink some water during this time, to ensure that you are able to urinate while pouring your sample into the specimen cup (not being able to go could draw suspicion).

When it comes time to test, you’ll be ready. If using your own urine, collect your sample from midstream (as opposed to at the beginning or end of the stream) to take the cleanest possible sample for testing. When substituting, pour your sample into the specimen cup while you are urinating to avoid arousing any suspicion. Then, you’re done! Hand off your sample cup (after cleaning up any splatter, of course — don’t be that guy!) and walk out of the testing center with your head held high.

While passing a urine drug test at extremely short notice is stressful and difficult, it isn’t impossible. A little preparedness can go a long way toward ensuring a passing result, so pick up a urine substitution kit and/or detox product to keep on hand in the event of a sudden test, especially if you work in an environment where workplace accidents are a semi-regular occurrence. When used correctly and appropriately, a detox product or substitution kit can help you pass your drug test, saving your job or your legal status.

How To Clear Weed from Your Saliva

Since the window of detection for mouth swab tests is relatively short, it’s a good idea to simply hold off on smoking for a few days leading up to when you suspect the test. Edibles reduce the risk of detection a little bit, but it’s better to just abstain for a couple days rather than take the gamble. You might also consider an organic, non-GMO hemp flower strain or in the interim. Researchers are working on a test with lower ranges, so it’s a good idea not to put yourself at risk for a nasty surprise!

Sometimes, however, you don’t have an advance warning, requiring you to find a quick solution to help you pass the swab. For these time-sensitive instances (like a police checkpoint or a surprise test at work), there are two reliable ways to pass the test.

How to Pass A Mouth Swab Drug Test With A Few Hours Notice

As far as surprise drug screens go, the best-case scenario is that you’re going to be tested, say, at work, but you have a few hours before the swab. First, start drinking lots of fluids. Vigorously swish water around in your mouth, and use a non-alcoholic mouthwash if you have some on hand. If you can brush your teeth, absolutely do, and be thorough!

It’s also a very good idea to get a helping or two of some fatty food. Remember, THC is lipid-soluble, meaning it bonds to fat, so eating something with a high-fat content can help remove lingering THC from your mouth quickly and effectively.

How to Beat a Mouth Swab Drug Test With No Notice

In the worst-case scenario, you get pulled over and don’t have a moment to spare. Don’t freak out just yet: you’ll be prepared after reading this guide. It’s time for some adulteration!

You might have heard of the adulteration method if you’ve been researching how to pass a drug test: adulterants are chemicals that interfere with a drug test’s ability to read the sample, and there are new and improved ones coming out constantly. This is because there’s an arms race of sorts between drug testing companies and the people trying to beat them: an adulterant works and beats the test, only for a new test to come out that can detect the adulterant’s presence, and the process starts all over again.

For mouth swabs, the general adulterant of choice is hydrogen peroxide. You can swish some vigorously around in your mouth quickly and adulterate your saliva enough to fool the test. This trick only works for a short period of time, so you have to use it just minutes before you’re swabbed. For this reason, it’s not ideal, but it does work in a pinch.

toxin rid rescue mouthwash

We recommend keeping a bottle of Toxin Rid in the glove box for such instances, as it works quickly and reliably, and certainly tastes better than hydrogen peroxide (ick). Swish with one-third of the bottle at a time, spitting between, and pop in a couple of breath mints for good measure.

How to Pass A Drug Test in 24 hours

Beat a Saliva Drug Screen In 24 Hours

A mouth swab is one of the easiest drug tests to pass, especially on short notice — some mouth swab tests don’t even test for THC! But, don’t ask your administrator what the specific mouth swab drug test you’re taking takes into consideration. That would seem a little suspicious, no?

Abstain from Consumption: Abstention for a day or two clears THC from saliva naturally and easily (provided you brush your teeth like normal!), but you can accelerate this process in a few ways: first, consume high-fat foods. THC is lipid-soluble, meaning it binds to fat molecules so fatty foods can help make THC make a quicker exit from your mouth.

toxin rid rescue mouthwash

Second: brush brush brush! You’ll want to combine good oral hygiene with vigorous mouthwashes (alcohol binds to THC as well, but be careful not to use an alcohol-based mouthwash right before the test!). To make sure you pass on short notice, use this detox mouthwash a few minutes before your swab for an extra layer of protection; it cleanses any lingering undesirable chemicals in time for a short-notice mouth swab.

How to Pass a Blood Drug Test In 24 Hours

Blood drug tests also have a fairly short window of detection, as traces of THC usually only last for a few hours in the bloodstream. It’s also quite expensive and the sample needs to be sent off to a lab for testing, so for these reasons, it’s not a very popular drug test. That said, some companies do still use it (especially immediately following a workplace accident), and there’s a chance you could have to take one.

Using a 10 day Detox program can help clear your system more quickly, though it helps if you have more than 24 hours to prepare. As long as you have a full 24 hours to abstain, your blood will likely test clean—blood tests take a “snapshot” of the last few hours, but they don’t indicate habitual cannabis consumption. However, if you’re subjected to a blood test, you might be asked to take a urinalysis in conjunction with it (read on).

How to Pass Urine Drug Tests In 24 Hours

Short-notice urine tests are enough to rattle any cannabis consumer, and it’s easy to see why: urine drug screens test the urine sample not just for THC, but also its main metabolite, THC-COOH, an inactive form of THC. Using an antibody designed to bond with THC and THC-COOH, the immunoassay detects the chemical that gets you high, as well as its main metabolic byproduct.

The bad news is, THC and THC-COOH can linger in the body’s fatty tissue (they’re lipid-soluble, remember?) for months in heavy cannabis consumers. This means that cleansing your tissue of all THC completely within 24 hours is, unfortunately, impossible. That said, there are two reliable ways to beat a urine screen with little to no notice. The first way to beat a urine test is the substitution method.

testclear powdered urine

To use this method, purchase a synthetic urine kit (shown in the image above) and keep it on hand for a surprise urine test. Then, on the day of your test, mix the powdered urine with water and use the included heater to warm it up to body temperature. The reusable temperature strip will let you know when your sample is between 90 and 100 degrees. Then, use this sample when it comes time for your test! While this method only works for unsupervised drug tests, it is a surefire way to test clean every time.

If you have to take a supervised drug test, don’t fret: there’s still another option. You may not be able to totally cleanse your entire system, but you can give yourself a window of time during which you’ll test clean.

Take a drink in its entirety about three hours before you’re scheduled to take the drug screen, then fill the empty bottle with water and drink that as well. If you have time the day before, take the included pre-cleanse pills with 16 oz of water each over six hours. However, avoid taking them within twelve hours of your test.

Keep drinking fluids in the hours leading up to the test (don’t overdo it, overly diluted samples are also a red flag, but do keep safely hydrated) and make sure the sample you provide for your test isn’t the first pee after drinking Mega Clean. Urinate as many times as you need to beforehand. It’s effective for five hours after consumption, with its peak effect after three hours, giving you a moderately flexible window during which you can test clean.

How to Pass Hair Tests in 24 Hours

Since hair tests go back so far (the period tested is only about 90 days worth of hair, but it could theoretically be tested all the way to the ends of the hair shaft) and have such a low threshold for detection, they’re notoriously hard to beat. That said, you do have some options, though we should warn you that your hair will hate you for what we’re about to recommend.

zydot ultra clean shampoo

First of all, you’ll need to get a cleansing shampoo like Old Style Toxin Rid or Zydot (we highly recommend the combination of both: Toxin Rid before, and Zydot to finish). The three-part cleansing system of Zydot makes for a good final deep clean before the test and restores some strength and shine to the hair, which will be quite dry after all is said and done.

We recommend washing your hair at least 10-15 times with the shampoo, perhaps supplementing with Zydot every 5 washes or so, before you’re due to test. It sounds extreme, but it works. You’ll need to let the shampoo sit on your scalp for about 15 minutes each time before vigorously scrubbing to remove oils and other molecules from the hair shaft. Focus on the scalp, where oils tend to remain.

You can also supplement with vinegar rinses, salicylic acid acne treatments, even detergent washes (your hair won’t like it at all, but it will help). You can also use a bleach or box dye that includes peroxide developer to help remove excess THC, though it would take multiple processes to remove everything through this method. It’s important to avoid re-contamination by contact with things like hairbrushes, linens, and hats that were used on your un-cleansed head. Change all your linens, wash hats, and perhaps get a new hairbrush just for this purpose.

A Drug Testing Arms Race

We need to note something about the drug testing industry and its relationship with cleansing companies. The two fields are locked in a sort of arms race with one another: as drug cleansing companies create products that can fool the tests, more advanced tests are created.

This spurs the creation of more advanced cleansing and substitution products, and so on in a self-sustaining cycle of enhanced precision and more detailed formulas.

In some ways, this is a good thing — all that competition between the two industries spurs advancements in both of them. Furthermore, research into the development of new products enhances our understanding of the science of drug testing, improving our access to empirical information on the subject.

However, it puts consumers in a bit of a bind, making it so that the product that worked last year might not work next week. When choosing a cleansing or substitution product, it’s crucial to make your decision based on the most current information available.

Does CBD Show Up On A Drug Test?

Much of the data we have about CBD is anecdotal, and its potential impact on drug testing is no exception. There are very few peer-reviewed studies on the subject, and the ones available paint a rather murky picture: avoiding full-spectrum products containing traces of THC can reduce your risk of a false positive, but that may not eliminate the risk entirely. A single study (as yet unconfirmed) suggests that even isolate-based products may not be completely risk-free under certain circumstances.

If you are concerned about passing a drug test, you’ll need to consider this potential risk when deciding whether CBD is right for you.

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