How to Pass a Drug Test Today [5 Hacks]

Drug testing is a reality endured by many employees, and as unfair as it is, a positive test could cost you your job. Sadly, this is the case even for those who only enjoy the occasional toke.

On the up side, most companies have to give you sufficient notice of a drug test. This should give you enough time to detox either by using a natural method or a detox product.

But what if you need to pass a drug test today? Is it even possible? Let’s find out.

How Long Does THC Stay in Your System?

Passing – or failing – a drug test can depend on numerous factors. Primarily, how much weed you use and how often will influence how long THC and its metabolites stay in your system. First-time users could have a clean system in as few as five days. However, heavy users may have THC metabolites present for up to 90 days.

The speed at which your body metabolizes THC also depends on body weight since cannabinoids are stored in fat cells. More factors include lifestyle, diet, and the potency of the bud.

Different drug tests can pick detect THC metabolites for differing time periods, too. For example, saliva tests can detect THC for around 24 hours, while blood tests can detect it for a week after smoking. Urine and hair tests can show up THC metabolites for anywhere between 5 and 90 days depending on usage.

How to Pass a Drug Test at Short Notice

If you get hit with an on-the-spot drug test, there may not be much you can do to pass it. This is especially true if the test is done on your saliva, blood, or hair. Urine tests may be slightly easier to pass, providing you have at least a little advance notice. Luckily these are the type of tests most commonly used by employers as they are cheap and practical to perform.

There are numerous detox products on the market, and some of them claim to work in as little as 24 hours. If you don’t have time to order online, you could always try your local head shop, which may stock certain detox brands. Be sure to ask for their best detoxifier, but don’t mention why you need it. Stores aren’t technically allowed to sell drug detox kits, so the less information you offer, the better.

Failing that, there are a few other tricks and tips you can use to try and pass a drug test in one day. However, you should note that none of these are guaranteed to work. The only way to pass a drug test for sure is to abstain for the appropriate length of time.

5 Hacks to Pass a Drug Test Today

Since urine tests are the most common and easiest to ‘cheat,’ our hacks will focus on those. So, without further ado, here are five ways to pass a drug test today:

1. Drink Plenty of Water

Diluting your urine is one way to cheat a urine test and make it hard to detect THC metabolites. However, do not simply add water to your urine sample as labs will be able to tell. The temperature of your sample when you hand it over is a dead giveaway; it should be between 91 and 97 degrees Fahrenheit (32-26˚C).

You can dilute urine by drinking extra water (around 4-6 pints) on the day before your test. If possible, try to schedule your test for the afternoon so you can continue to drink a further 2-4 pints beforehand. Plus, your first urination in the morning will contain the most metabolites, so it’s something you want to avoid.

The key to this hack is to take a vitamin B supplement alongside the extra water. This will ensure the urine has a more natural yellow hue and avoid arousing suspicion.

2. Use a Diuretic

Diuretics are substances that stimulate urination and help you to flush out toxins. Everyday diuretics include caffeine and cranberry juice, but you can also buy over-the-counter remedies designed to help women with premenstrual water retention.

Stronger diuretics are available on prescription and may be the most reliable option if you need to take a drug test at short notice. However, these are not readily available and may be dangerous for people with certain medical conditions. For this reason, natural and over-the-counter options are much safer.

3. Avoid Exercise

Some research suggests exercising can increase the amount of THC in your urine by releasing it from fat cells. Although the evidence is not conclusive, it is a good idea to avoid exercise in the hours leading up to your test. Even if doing this doesn’t help, you won’t have lost anything by trying, so it has to be worth a go.

Ironically, some forums also suggest exercising more, in general, to get rid of body fat and THC metabolites. The exact course of action remains unclear. However, it’s probably best to avoid exercising on the morning of your test.

4. Don’t Stress

Being hit with an unexpected drug test is bound to make your stress levels spike. However, you should try and stay as calm as possible before your test. A 2009 study found that THC is released by fat cells in the presence of adrenocorticotropic hormone, a hormone involved in the stress response.

Do your best to chill out by listening to some relaxing music, breathing deeply, or doing a quick meditation before your test.

5. Fake It

If you want to be completely sure that no THC metabolites are found in your urine test, you could consider faking it. You can buy powdered synthetic or human urine online. These products come in kits that are designed to be mixed with water and heated to the right temperature using a special pad. The downside here is that if you need to pass a drug test today, you may not have time to prepare.

Another option is to get a clean sample from a friend and switch it for your own. The problem here is that smuggling it into the test and heating it to the right temperature can be tricky. You should also note that within a few hours, urine starts to change pH and grow bacteria, meaning that the lab could well catch on.

Admittedly, this is one of the riskiest methods. If you’re caught, then the consequences could be severe.

Myths About Passing a Drug Test Today

There are also many different myths surrounding how to pass a drug test at short notice. One involves ‘masking’ the toxins in your urine using other substances such as bleach, vinegar, salt, or even soap. While this may have worked in the past, analysts are now well-aware of this tactic. These days it is not unusual to test for other contaminants alongside THC.

Another myth which is actually partially true surrounds using aspirin to pass a drug test. Some research suggests taking a high dose of this medicine a few hours before your test may work. However, it only applies to a particular type of test known as an EMIT test. You could ask what kind of test you will be undertaking to see whether aspirin could help you, although you might just cause suspicion.

In addition to aspirin, several other substances have been reported to help you pass a drug test. These include vitamin C, vinegar, niacin (vitamin B3), and an herb called goldenseal. However, there is no real scientific evidence to support their use.

Finally, don’t be tempted to use your pet’s urine to try and pass your test. The difference between animal and human samples is obvious to analysts, and you are unlikely to get away with it.

How to Pass a Drug Test Today: Final Thoughts

If you get sprung with a short-notice drug test, you would be forgiven for panicking, but remember to stay calm. There are several hacks to increase your chances of passing, especially if you only use cannabis occasionally. Drink plenty of water, and if you have time, try a detox product or diuretic to help speed up the process. Failing all else, you could attempt to fake your results, although this is risky.

Unfortunately, the only way to guarantee that you pass a drug test is to be drug-free. If this is not an option, try and delay your test for as long as possible. This will give you more time to get any toxins out of your system and increase your chances of passing.

It is always worth familiarizing yourself with state laws and your company’s policies regarding drug testing. By being aware of your rights, you will know whether you can refuse a last-minute drug test and possibly save your job.