Home remedies for passing drug tests sound good, but do they really work…? Well, it depends on the remedy you’re considering. Some are definitely effective to one degree or another, but some are only urban legends gone horribly, horribly wrong. Here’s some information to help you sift through all the myths about home remedies for passing drug tests.
Any discussion about how to pass a drug test should start with the basics, which is that THC metabolites are stored in your body’s fat cells. Over time your body just naturally cycles them out, and they get flushed out in your urine. Every time you smoke you’re putting more metabolites into your fat cells, but at the same time they’re always leaving your body when you pee. Remember this, because these basic facts help to explain how some of the most persistent myths about home remedies for passing drug tests got started in the first place.
Home Remedies for Passing Drug Tests That Actually Work (More or Less)
1. Water
No doubt you’ve heard about dilution for passing a urine drug test. It’s true that it will help you pass, but probably not the way you think it will. The information you’ll see being passed around about dilution is that you have to start drinking as much water as you can for days, or even weeks, before your drug test. WRONG. What you really have to do is drink as much water as you can during the few hours right before your test. By overloading your kidneys in a short time frame, you dilute your urine to the point where there aren’t enough THC metabolites in it to register on a test.
Dilution is the method by which commercial detox drinks work, but I included it here because it’s so easy to do the same thing at home. You just have to take some common supplements that make your urine appear to be undiluted. These are the same supplements that are in detox drinks, but they’re much cheaper (and usually more reliable) if you buy them yourself. Of all the home remedies for passing drug tests that are out there, dilution is by far the one that’s most likely to actually help you pass a drug test (assuming you’re getting a urine test, that is).
2. Diuretics
Diuretics by themselves are useless for passing a drug test. But when you combine them with dilution, then you’ve got a winning combo. In order to really get your urine clear of THC metabolites you’ve not only got to drink a lot of fluids, you’ve also got to pee a lot to flush them out of your system quickly. Diuretics aren’t necessarily a requirement for how to pass a drug test using dilution, but they can be a big help.
3. Cranberry Juice/Capsules
Cranberry is a mild diuretic, so it can be helpful for the same reason as any diuretic is. Somehow it’s reached a legendary status as the Big Daddy of home remedies for passing drug tests, but believe me – there’s nothing magical about cranberry juice. If the only thing you do to pass a urine test is take cranberry capsules or drink cranberry juice, it just ain’t gonna be enough. But – combined with dilution, cranberry can be very helpful.
4. Exercising
To get rid of fat you exercise, right? And since THC metabolites are stored in fat cells, losing weight (real weight, not just water weight from taking diuretics) helps you cut down on the amount of metabolites your body stores at any given time. The problem with this, though, is that it takes a long time to lose a significant amount of weight. If by some wild chance you have so much advance notice that you could work on losing weight in order to pass a drug test, why put yourself through all that stress? You could just quit smoking pot altogether for 4-8 weeks and you’d be clean anyway. But one really good argument for losing weight is that the less body fat you have, the less time it takes for THC metabolites to leave your system after you quit smoking.
Whatever you do, don’t go overboard with exercising in the week just prior to your test – losing weight at that time will work against you, since it means more metabolites are being flushed out of your system than you might want on your test day. However, if you already work out regularly then you don’t need to stop. Exercise won’t cause you to lose weight (and fat cells) if you’re already pretty fit to begin with.
Home Remedies for Passing Drug Tests That Definitely DON’T Work
1. Niacin
This myth seems to have started as a result of a book written in the ’70s by L. Ron Hubbard, called ‘Clear Body, Clear Mind’. In case you don’t recognize his name, L. Ron Hubbard was the founder of the controversial Church of Scientology. In his book, Hubbard (who didn’t have any medical or nutritional training, by the way) laid out a detoxification program that he claimed would help people get rid of all the toxins in their bodies, including prescription and non-prescription drugs, and pesticides. Niacin was one of the things he recommended. Somewhere along the line, someone trying to pass a drug test probably just thought Niacin = Detox, and the legend began.
Of all the home remedies for passing drug tests you’ll hear about, taking massive doses of niacin is by far the most dangerous. Our bodies only need about 15mg per day. People trying to pass drug tests commonly take 50-100 times the recommended daily dose, which can cause permanent damage to your liver. Just google ‘niacin poisoning’ to read about people who have ended up in emergency rooms from a niacin overdose.
If you’re thinking about using niacin to pass a drug test, here is the bottom line: small doses help to detox your liver – but since THC metabolites are stored in your fat cells, not your liver, that means niacin is absolutely useless for passing a drug test for marijuana.
2. Vinegar
The only thing vinegar does is change the PH of your urine, if you add it to your urine after you pee. I’m not too sure how this one got started. At any rate, it’s one more home remedy that’s totally useless for passing a drug test, since current testing methods routinely check for this adulterant.
3. Bleach
Another adulterant that labs routinely test for. Maybe this one got started when someone had the bright idea of ‘cleaning’ their urine. I’m going to guess that many years ago (before drug testing labs got savvy) someone passed their test this way, and even though modern test methods can detect common adulterants like this today, for some reason it’s a myth that just won’t die. Whatever you do, don’t be stupid enough to actually drink it. Miniscule amounts are safe for purifying drinking water in an emergency, but it’s easy to go overboard.
4. Phenylpropanolamine
Phenylpropanolamine was the active ingredient in an over-the-counter appetite suppressant called Dexatrim. You can’t get phenylpropanolamine without a prescription any longer, since it apparently made your heart beat erratically and increased your risk of stroke. The dangers aside, it isn’t any good for passing a drug test anyway. Vets use it today to help prevent incontinence in aging dogs. In other words, it’s used to help dogs stop peeing. The exact opposite of what you want if you’re going to flush THC from your urine. Another one of those home remedies for passing drug tests that are not only useless, but dangerous.
5. Goldenseal
Goldenseal was never effective for helping anyone pass a urine test for weed, however it was somewhat effective for helping people pass tests for other classes of drugs, like opiates. Which is why labs routinely test for it now, so don’t even go there.
6. Certo (Also Known As Sure Jell)
I saved the best for last: the ever-popular Certo Method For Passing a Drug Test. Certo and Sure Jell are brand names for pectin, which is a gelling agent made from plants and it’s used to make things like jam (so you can spread jam on your toast with a knife, instead of pouring it on like syrup). Pectin is technically a dietary fiber, and it passes through your intestines more or less intact (in other words, your body doesn’t absorb it).
The legend goes like this: Certo coats your stomach, which is somehow supposed to prevent THC metabolites from getting into your urine. This theory falls apart when you realize that metabolites are cycled out of your body through your kidneys, when you pee. Last I checked, your stomach isn’t in any way connected to your kidneys, so as far as home remedies to pass a drug test go, I give this one the award for being the silliest.
I can see why people get fooled into thinking this works, though. If you read on a forum where someone is giving instructions on how to pass a urine test this way, they ALWAYS include drinking lots of water along with the Certo / Sure-Jell. So if you pass, it’s because you diluted, not because you used Certo. And if you’re lucky enough to be tested in a lab that doesn’t perform authenticity tests for dilution, I can see why someone would think that Certo helped them pass their drug test. Problem is, most labs do check for dilution, so more people fail using this method than are actually helped by it.
There are definitely home remedies for passing drug tests that will help you, but the reality is that most of what you’ll hear about is based on rumors and myths passed around by people who either got lucky, or are just repeating something they heard. It is absolutely possible to pass a drug test, but you should gather all the information you can and use your common sense before deciding on which method to use.
March 10th, 2010 at 9:30 pm
I smoke weed daily I stop today so I can find a job Im 6’0 ft 280 how long will it take to clean out my system?Do cranberry pills work?
June 15th, 2010 at 11:54 pm
with your weight i would say 2 months or so do not believe when people tell you that 30 days is plenty. For most it might be but if you weight 280 pounds im guessing its mostly fat not pure muscle since your a stoner. it will take about 2 months maybe more for it to go out of your system naturally not working out doing same thing that got you to 280 just not smoking.
i weight 230 pounds fat ass i know. anyhow i tested every 5 days and spent 69 bucks per test for personal reasons just to see what it will take to get clean if i smoke everyday for over a year. i did not work out just went about my days as usual some physical activity due to work but not much at all. I dropped dirty for 2 months 1 week (about i have total calculations somewhere) 2 months 2 weeks or so i had my first clean drop. Test i took was pre-employment equivalent not a personal but a real lab test with dilution checks adulterant etc…. So i came to conclusion if your 230 and up and you are a real smoker everyday no 2 puffs bull. It will take 2 months and up to NATURALLY CLEAN OUT. not sure if you do crazy ass stuff to help but ya theres a guide for all you lost souls. It will still depend on your body type and system and how fast your works as an individual but more or less…. Stop smoking for 2 months then apply for jobs same yourself cash and energy. For those with Probation well…. what can i say.
thanks!
June 23rd, 2010 at 11:32 am
are you smoking now?
June 27th, 2010 at 12:46 pm
No they dont work
March 15th, 2010 at 9:06 pm
Dee,
I bought your ebook and it looks like a good plan for my test this week. Question I normally take ritalin, but stopped for this test because I don’t want my sample to go to the lab because of the THC. If I follow you procedure in the future: 1) If the instant test only shows positive for the ritalin, which I have a perscription for, would the lab also retest for THC, and 2) would the alteration part still pass a full lab test? Thanks, Jim
March 19th, 2010 at 7:35 am
Jim,
I just saw this comment you left, 4 days late. I don’t check my blog comments all the time because there’s just too many of them every day, so sorry about that. Please send your questions to the email address on the first page of my e-book, okay?
Dee
March 19th, 2010 at 4:36 am
i weigh abbooouyuuuttt 130 and im 5’5” … how long? lol
March 19th, 2010 at 3:52 pm
Im 5ft 127lbs what is the best way to clean my system and how long
March 24th, 2010 at 5:27 pm
I’m 5’5 5’6 and around 120 if I drink a lot of fluids and exercise and I’m getting a test around april 11th how long do you think it will take to get clean
April 3rd, 2010 at 2:33 pm
I way 320lbs and I’m 6’5 I heard to just drink alot of water and OJ and exersize
April 13th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
im 5’2 and weigh 113. how long?
April 14th, 2010 at 6:39 pm
i am 5’0 n weigh 190 what is the fastest way to clean my system???
April 19th, 2010 at 11:53 am
braaa you got to drink your water..and alot of it the morning before your test…
April 23rd, 2010 at 10:53 pm
I need to get another job but they do drug test there… I am 5ft 2in and around 105 lbs. I have been smoking at least a bowl a day for the last 3 months. Does anyone know how long it might take to get it out of my system?
May 1st, 2010 at 8:45 pm
Two weeks the most but if you take a test drink water a couple hours before it a good amount and pee atleast six times you will pass I take test lab test and I always pass if your taking a dip cup test you have nothing to worry about there so easy to pass it’s stupid just drink water pee six times.
June 15th, 2010 at 11:59 pm
yep if its not a lab test this will work! If your PO doesnt send it anywhere for tests just dips stick. THIS WILL WORK DRINK YOUR ASS OFF AND PEE OVER AND OVER THIS WILL MASK YOUR THC AS STATED IN ARTICLE ABOVE. If its pre-employment test it will not work since they check for dilution of your pee.
June 6th, 2010 at 3:52 pm
at least a monnth
April 24th, 2010 at 9:13 pm
IM 126LBS AND 5^4 HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?
May 1st, 2010 at 6:15 pm
I’ve smoked every day for almost 4 years, am 5ft 5in and weigh 145 lbs….. how long will it take to get it out of my system and do I really stand a chance?
May 24th, 2010 at 8:39 am
does cranberry juice really help on a weed piss test.
June 16th, 2010 at 12:00 am
umm read up top duhhhhhhh. READ ARTICLE LLOLOLOL
June 10th, 2010 at 9:09 am
Im a teenager and my dad is home drug testing me with tests he ordered offline, what can i do to help clean out my system faster ?
June 12th, 2010 at 12:35 am
Hey dude above, if it’s just one of those cheap hot or not tests, then go buy a 10 or 15 dollar bottle of synthetic urine and use it instead of your real piss. If he’s supervising you, then forget about synthetic urine. About 2-3 hours before the test drink around 48 ounces of water or so to dilute your urine to the point where THC byproducts is below trace amounts (50ng/ml). Also, don’t forget to ingest some vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) to color your urine yellow so that your dad isn’t suspicious of you diluting. Good Luck.
June 16th, 2010 at 12:03 am
hahaha how is his dead gona be suspicious of dilution? naked eye will have hard time determining that besides pee is whiter than usual still arguable that “Dad i dont know what you mean you ask me to pee so i have” LOL people crack me up
Also home tests are good to go to lab everything you need is included in test AND its even included in the cost of home test so no extra expense.
June 16th, 2010 at 12:04 am
umm meant to say ‘Dad’ not Dead rofl the kid is dead most likely
June 14th, 2010 at 8:46 am
sweetie mayb ur dad is tryin 2 teach u not 2 b an addict…it may not b kwel but sweetie neither is bein a washed up drug addict!
July 1st, 2010 at 10:47 am
just because he smoked does not make him a addict
June 12th, 2010 at 12:45 am
Dude also urinate 4-6 times before taking the test. Then drink more water.
June 16th, 2010 at 2:23 pm
kinda urgent…. weight = 143, height 5’10″… i exercise… do physical work allday everyday. pee in the morning! freakin random but i have the inside word when it comes to shit like this. messed around 5 days ago.. should be ok,right? jus wanna make sho!!!
June 23rd, 2010 at 12:39 am
JoJO dancer you should be completley fine if you don’t mess around alot especially with all the physical activity but if you are using mor than just 5 days ago drink lots of watter it will clear out even quickers
June 23rd, 2010 at 11:24 am
What will clean your system for good?
June 23rd, 2010 at 12:42 pm
The answer to your question is… nothing. Unfortunately it just doesn’t work that way.
Diluting will temporarily make it appear that you’re clean. But because THC cannabanoids are stored in your body’s lipid tissue, there’s nothing that will significantly hurry the natural detox process enough to help you pass a drug test in a hurry.
If you want to be genuinely clean, you just have to stop smoking and wait it out – depending on your cannabanoid levels and metabolism, could be anywhere from a week to two months.
June 24th, 2010 at 2:07 pm
I am a female weighing approx. 110-115 lbs and 5’2″. I am 27 and have been smoking about an 1/8 or more everyday for the last 13 years. I have only been smoking 1 bowl for the last 2 days and nothing today. I may have to drop for a new job in a couple days. I am worried they will test for dilution so what should I do? I am not going to continue smoking until after the test but what can I do besides dilution that helps kinda fast? Please, Please help!
June 26th, 2010 at 7:51 pm
your screwedi was a daily smoker stoped for two months and am still dirty
July 1st, 2010 at 10:50 am
its different for every body type
July 15th, 2010 at 4:26 pm
I’ve taking naicin did bleach and only smoked maybe two days inthe last 2 weeks and I’m still dirty
June 26th, 2010 at 8:25 pm
I’m an A1C in the Air Force and have a fiancé who does smoke on the rare occasion that it is offered to her. She has for a while now been wanting to get me high for my very first time since my job is a high stress type job. She and I have been very careful however only because of the random drug testing that is done. Since it is required of us to pt, “workout”, at least three times a week and maintain good physical shape is it possible for me to smoke and not get hit by one of the random pee tests? If so what would I need to do? I am 6’2 and 220 lbs, almost all muscle. I also have a high metabolism and sweat like there is no tomorrow when I work out. Can this be done? Thank you for your time.
A1C —–
June 26th, 2010 at 9:26 pm
> is it possible for me to smoke and not get hit by one of the random pee tests?
If you only smoke rarely, like maybe once every two weeks, then it should only take you a few days to get clean (up to a week if that ‘one time’ is a real smoke-fest). Any more often than that, then you run the risk (however slight) that cannabanoids will start to accumulate in your system to the point where it could take weeks, instead of days, to get clean.
Metabolism isn’t as reliable a way to determine how long it takes to get clean as people think it is. It helps, but I’ve seen cases that just defied all the odds in both directions, so don’t let that lull you into a false sense of security.
My advice is to wait until right after your next random drug test, then go ahead and have a big smoke out for a few days. Many people don’t even feel high their first time, so that would give you a chance to really indulge if you want to. And then stop until you’re clean again (you should probably always keep a test kit on-hand).
After that, only smoke when you know you’ll be off work for a few days and will have a chance to get clean before you go back to work, just in case they hit you up. For people who have truly random tests with absolutely no time to prepare, unfortunately that’s the only guaranteed way to avoid a fail.
June 26th, 2010 at 10:09 pm
Thanks. I really appriciate your advice. I think I might just give it a shot.
July 1st, 2010 at 5:16 pm
I’m 6’2″ – 245 lb, 30yr guy. I run 2 miles every other day, 3 days a week and lift weights the other 3 days. (sundays off) I drink 2 – 4 (12oz)bottles of water everday. I was smoking everday for a month until a week ago. I havent smoked in 1 week. I anticipate a drug test within 2 weeks for a job offer. Any suggestions???
July 3rd, 2010 at 12:50 pm
will your system work on method b testing
July 4th, 2010 at 11:35 am
I DROP 3 TIMES A WEEK AND I USUALLY SMOKE A FEW HOURS BEFORE OR THE NIGHT BEFORE I DROP ANY SUGGESTIONS?
July 5th, 2010 at 8:21 am
i am 5’11″ and 162 pounds. i am not a frequent user… i smoked yesterday and i was wondering 2 things. how long will it take for it to pass through my system and if there is any way to speed up the process of passing it through. thanks
July 5th, 2010 at 6:14 pm
i have a p.o. test tomm i hadnt smoked for six months but on the 6th of june i took about 4 hits off of a joint and done the same on june the 13th am i gonna pass my test i take neurontins regularly that make me piss quite frequently also
July 6th, 2010 at 1:59 pm
i think a lot of u just want to hear from someone that yes ur gonna be fine, read this website and it will help u understand how this all works, and make ur own decision on whats best for u. but the only way to be sure is just dont smoke for a few weeks and drink lots of water thats all u can do, to be sure. my husband is an everyday smoker, and he works at a hospital and the only time they random test is when they have a suspicion, so if u have the type of job that gives random test, just dont give them a reason to suspect u of anything. luckily for my husband he knows when his test are and he just stops for about 3 weeks and drinks lots of flavored water with antioxidants in them and also cranberry juice with lots of water!!! cant stress that enough, and he has always passed. B-12 does help give color to your pee so it doesnt appear diluted but does nothing to help pass the actual test.
July 7th, 2010 at 1:32 pm
Yo I smoke every day all day. I’ve been clean for 24 days now and I have court tomorrow where I’ll have to take two piss test. I have sure jell and been drinking water. Will
I pass both?
July 8th, 2010 at 3:03 pm
Hey every one, Im 5’10 264 lbs. Im chubby, I smoked a 20 dollar bag on the days of Jun 17-19 well it was basically a dime cause i smoke every thing with a friend. Ive been expecting this test for a while and have managed to post pone since like the 28. I have the test monday, Its for a job placement agency, I think its going to be a dip stick test, atleast i hope it is. What are my chances? I will have been clean for 23 days.
July 11th, 2010 at 9:06 pm
Truthfully you should be good if you havnt smoked 4 23 days just drink hella water and piss five times b4 ur test
July 8th, 2010 at 11:30 pm
so how can i prevent my piss from being too dilluted
July 12th, 2010 at 3:37 pm
Tried to order your book would not take either of my credit cards?
July 15th, 2010 at 12:20 pm
5’11, 150. my parents are testing me soon but idk when, its a home test i think just the one u dip a stick into. ive been drinking water a ton for like three days now and i think the last time i smoked was three days ago, usually i smoke everyday or every other. wat can i do?”
July 18th, 2010 at 8:58 am
I don’t smoke often, but i had a week of smoking straight. the last time was a few hits 1 week ago. I have been taking Saw Palmetto, Golden Seal,Cranberry tablets, and water. I bought a home testing kit and was still pos. My test is tomarrow, what can you tell me that will help?
July 19th, 2010 at 7:38 am
I have to go take a test for work, but I always diluted my urine with water, and drank some lifewater or gatorade on the way to give it some color. I will let you know how I did. I smoked this morning and last night. Should be ok though. Also to whoever said they drank bleach, you an idiot…. Dont ever drink bleach that shit will kill you
July 19th, 2010 at 10:09 am
Well how did you do on your test? I take mine at 2pm today. I have been drinking a whole shit load of water, from early on this am.
I’m a CDL license driver. the above note is from me. hopeing to get a response, but nothing yet.
July 20th, 2010 at 9:27 pm
I’m 5’10 about 160 I smoked almost everyday last week but that’s all and I have a job interview in a week what should I do to pass the drug test
July 26th, 2010 at 11:54 am
what about Chinese Detox Tea?
July 26th, 2010 at 9:33 pm
i need a way to pass a drug test but also so my parnets dont find out that ive been smokin im afraid that if i buy detose that they will c it
July 28th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
ok so im 110 lbs and 5’7…dont have a whole lot of body fat, but dont have alot of muscle either lol…prolly more fat even though im only 110 lbs…i got caught by the laws of course on 420 the day of celebration. ive smoked ever single day just about for the last 10 years but have slowed down alot and than finally didnt smoke at all for about 2 or 3 weeks so far and than yesterday i took 3 hits and i have a probation drug test in about 6 days. i have prescription AZO’s that make my piss orange with iodine that they use for urinary tract infections, i also have water pills that make you puke and than piss alot, also chugging water and cranberry juice, heard vinegarworks…if i dont pass than i dont get trust on a first hand basis from my new P.O which sucks ass so help?