If you’ve followed us along our Beta Caryophyllene journey, you know we like to discuss everything BCP.
One question we get asked a lot: Will BCP trigger a positive result on a drug test?
The straightforward answer is a big NO.
And we’ll go ahead and explain why, too, so you don’t have to worry about being tested while using BCP.
We get it. Whether it’s your job, the fear of getting pulled over, or just not wanting to feel “out of it,” there are plenty of reasons to steer clear of anything that might show up on a drug test. That’s why a lot of people prefer BCP today. It’s completely natural, FDA-approved, safe and effective—and it doesn’t leave you feeling high.
So you might ask, how is that even possible if it works in a similar way CBD does?
That’s a fair question. To answer it, let’s go back to basics for a second. Your body has this amazing network called the Endocannabinoid System, or ECS for short. It’s like the master regulator, keeping all your other systems in check.
The ECS has two main types of receptors: CB1 and CB2. BCP only interacts with the CB2 receptors, which are found throughout your body.
Okay, so what about those CB1 receptors and the whole feeling high thing? That’s where THC comes in. Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is the main compound in cannabis that gets you high.
It binds directly to those CB1 receptors, mostly concentrated in your brain. When that happens, it triggers some effects, including that feeling of euphoria or altered perception that people associate with cannabis.
THC also increases blood flow to the prefrontal cortex, the part of your brain responsible for decision-making and focus. The more THC you consume, the more pronounced these effects become.
So, to put it simply, that “high” feeling you experience is basically THC affecting the normal activity of your CB1 receptors. Once the THC is out of your system, things go back to baseline.
Now, for the good news: BCP comes from several plant sources that do not have any THC. You can learn more about where BCP comes from here!
Plus, the key takeaway is that BCP does not interact with the CB1 receptors at all, and there’s absolutely zero THC in BCP products that come from black pepper or clove plants and not cannabis.
And what about CBD? It’s similar to BCP, so I should be fine taking it as well, right? Well, that’s more complicated as CBD itself should not show up on a drug test; however, most CBD products are derived from cannabis, so they can contain some THC, which can lead to a positive test.
There are CBD products that are made from isolate (essentially, pure CBD, which is a white powder when purified) and will not contain any measurable THC. These can be safely consumed without a risk of testing positive for THC; however, CBD products that are ‘broad spectrum’ or ‘direct extracts’ should be treated carefully.
If you have any concerns that you need to take a drug test, then it’s best to stay away from CBD, as even CBD products which are advertised as THC-free have been tested to contain THC.
For more information about how CBD differs from BCP, see our comparison of CBD and BCP.
The bottom line?
With a BCP product that does not contain cannabis, you get all the benefits of BCP, including support for your ECS, reduced inflammation, improved mental health, and more, without worrying about failing a drug test.
There’s more; unlike products with THC, BCP is entirely legal in the US and has the FDA’s seal of approval so that you can use and travel with it safely.