Many companies conduct oral swab tests to identify drug use among their employees. These tests are often easier to pass than urine or blood tests since they typically can’t detect drug use from more than a few days ago. Nevertheless, as the technology evolves, it’s prudent to take necessary precautions. Much of the online advice may be ineffective or even harmful, but there are a few reliable strategies to improve your odds. Ultimately, the most dependable way to ensure you pass a swab test is to avoid drugs for at least 2-3 days before the test.
Hydrogen peroxide has been suggested as a solution for passing a mouth swab drug test. But does it work? Yes, scientific studies confirm that hydrogen peroxide can reduce THC levels in your saliva to undetectable amounts. However, studies also indicate that water can have a similar effect. Given the potential side effects of excessive hydrogen peroxide use, opting for water is a safer alternative.
Here’s a guide on passing a mouth swab drug test using peroxide and the scientific explanation for its effectiveness.
Steps to Clear a Mouth Swab Drug Test Using Peroxide
When you consume marijuana, millions of THC molecules coat the inside of your mouth. The goal is to remove these molecules swiftly.
Abstain from Cannabis
First, refrain from using cannabis for at least 48 hours before your test. THC can be detected in your saliva for 24 to 48 hours, so avoiding marijuana increases your chances of passing, especially if you’re a heavy user.
Maintain Oral Hygiene
Next, brush your teeth several times before the test. This helps keep the fluids in your mouth moving and removes THC from the surfaces inside your mouth.
Use Hydrogen Peroxide
Just before your test, rinse your mouth with hydrogen peroxide. Take a sip of peroxide, swish it around in your mouth for 30 seconds, and then spit it out. Be careful not to swallow any peroxide as it can be harmful if ingested. Repeat this rinse 3-4 times to help reduce the THC levels in your mouth to below detectable levels.
Why This Method Works
Detection of Marijuana in Mouth Swab Tests
A mouth swab drug test detects delta-9 THC, the psychoactive compound that causes a high. A single cannabis joint contains millions of delta-9 THC molecules. This compound is heavily present in the saliva almost immediately after consuming marijuana or hashish because it coats the entire surface of your mouth, which is why it shows up on the swab test. This makes it difficult to pass a surprise saliva drug test, especially if you’ve smoked marijuana a few hours earlier. Most drug testing companies currently use a cut-off of 25ng/ml when testing for marijuana use in saliva.
Duration of THC Detectability in Saliva
The good news is that THC does not stay long in your mouth. A study published on researchgate.net investigated how long THC remains in the saliva after controlled administration of smoked cannabis. In this experiment, the first specimen collected from one of the subjects showed a THC concentration of 5800ng/ml using a GC-MS test 12 minutes after smoking. At around the 20th minute, another experiment showed that the concentration had fallen to 81ng/ml. 12 hours later, the concentration had declined to below 1ng/ml.
While the study shows that THC concentration in the saliva falls below detectable levels within 12 hours, it’s worth noting that most saliva tests used today can detect marijuana in your saliva 48 hours after consuming it. Therefore, to increase your chances of passing the test, it’s best to avoid weed for at least 48 hours (72 hours is even better) before the test.
THC Metabolites and Saliva
Many heavy and long-term smokers worry about THC moving from their bloodstream back into their saliva, even after not smoking for up to 72 hours. Studies have found that THC gets trapped in the oral cavities right after use. Over time, the amount of THC decreases as it is absorbed into the bloodstream. Furthermore, although there isn’t much research on this, it seems clear that THC does not move back into the saliva once it enters the bloodstream. Researchers analyzing drugs in saliva for the Federal Office of Road Safety observed that THC is very lipophilic, meaning it doesn’t easily return to the saliva after it has entered the blood. This is why someone who uses cannabis might fail a blood or urine test but pass a saliva test if they haven’t used cannabis in the last 48 hours.
Scientific Evidence of Hydrogen Peroxide’s Effectiveness
A 2014 study published in the Journal of National Institutes of Health aimed to assess the effects of different mouthwashes on cannabis oral fluid concentrations. The study explored the effectiveness of various substances, like water, whole milk, and a hygiene product named Kleaner, in reducing THC levels in saliva. This is crucial for drivers, as many places check a driver’s saliva for drug use.
The study spanned four days and involved 11 regular cannabis users who smoked their usual amount each day. Researchers collected saliva samples multiple times each day, before and after smoking, to measure THC levels. On the first day, participants rinsed their mouths with water before each test. The next day, some used Kleaner and others used whole milk. By the third day, they returned to using water.
Results indicated that rinsing with water significantly lowered THC levels immediately after rinsing. However, the THC levels post-smoking were still well above the police threshold for drivers. This means to effectively reduce THC to undetectable levels, multiple rinses are necessary. From the study, it appears that any mouthwash can help reduce THC levels. You could use hydrogen peroxide or water, with water being the safer option.
Conclusion
Hydrogen peroxide can indeed help if you are warned about an upcoming saliva drug test. However, as the study proves, water yields the same results. Therefore, if you don’t want to subject your gums and tongue to the stinging effect of hydrogen peroxide, water is a good alternative. Besides, water will also save you some money.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I avoid cannabis ahead of a saliva drug test?
Time is always your best ally when facing any drug test. The 2014 study mentioned above indicates that 15 minutes after consumption, the concentration of THC in the saliva samples was still significantly high regardless of the type of mouthwash used. This means that while rinsing and brushing your mouth helps to scrub most of the THC molecules that might be stuck on your mouth surface, direct absorption of THC through the oral cavity into the bloodstream also plays a significant role. Therefore, the longer you abstain from the drug, the fewer molecules you’ll need to brush and rinse off. Consequently, you’ll increase your chances of passing the saliva test.
Will hydrogen peroxide help when alerted to a saliva test due in less than 24 hours?
This might be a challenging situation, and you’ll need a lot of swishing, gargling, and brushing to improve your results. Some suggest that eating a lot of fatty meals might also help minimize the concentration of THC molecules on the surface of your mouth. While this is yet to be verified, it seems like it could work, considering that THC is extremely fat-soluble. If you are in a tight spot and need to pass that test, add pizza and ice cream or any other fatty food that comes your way to your regimen.
Should I swallow the hydrogen peroxide solution when using this method?
It is not advisable to swallow the hydrogen peroxide solution. Swish it around your mouth and spit it out.
How do I pass a mouth swab test in 3 hours?
For a job-related test, I once used a combination of peroxide, sour skittles, toothpaste, a toothbrush, cinnamon gum, and mouthwash (mine contained alcohol). Thirty minutes before leaving, I brushed my teeth with toothpaste and peroxide, rinsed with water, and repeated the process multiple times. I also used mouthwash and kept rinsing with peroxide and water on the way to the test site. Additionally, I used sour skittles to affect the acidity in my mouth and chewed cinnamon gum for saliva production. Ultimately, I passed the test by minimizing contact with the swab and following this rigorous routine.
