Ever sip a THC drink and wonder, “How long will this hang out in my system?” You’re not alone. Drinks like SHAKE Glitter Drops from 23rd State offer a discreet, microdose-friendly way to enjoy THC, but your body processes liquid THC differently than smoking or edibles.
Depending on metabolism, frequency of use, and dosage, THC from beverages can linger in your body from a few hours to several days—or even weeks in some tests. Knowing how THC is absorbed, metabolized, and detected can help you plan responsibly, enjoy safely, and sip with confidence.
Understanding THC Drinks
THC drinks combine ease and discretion with cannabis use. They work by delivering THC in liquid form, which your body processes differently than smoking or edibles.
Knowing what these drinks are, how they affect you, and the options available helps you make informed choices.
What Are THC-Infused Beverages
THC-infused beverages are drinks mixed with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main active ingredient in cannabis. These drinks provide a smoke-free way to experience THC's effects.
They often come in small servings designed for controlled dosing. You might find THC drinks in forms like sodas, teas, or flavored waters.
Some brands, like SHAKE Glitter Drops, even add visual sparkle without changing the taste while delivering hemp-derived THC that is legal and microdose-friendly. These drinks offer a practical option if you want to enjoy THC discreetly at social events or while relaxing at home.
How THC Drinks Work in the Body
When you drink THC, it enters your digestive system and is absorbed through your stomach and intestines. This process takes longer than smoking, so effects usually begin 30 minutes to 2 hours after consumption.
The effects also last longer, often 4 to 8 hours, but this can vary. Your body converts THC into different compounds that affect your brain, producing the “high.”
Factors such as your metabolism, body weight, and what you’ve eaten impact how long THC stays in your system and how strong the effects feel. Because THC is processed through digestion and the liver, it can stay detectable in your body longer than smoked cannabis.
Types of THC Drinks
THC drinks come in different forms to suit various preferences:
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Ready-to-drink beverages: These include THC sodas, teas, and sparkling waters that are pre-mixed and ready to consume.
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Drink enhancers: Products like SHAKE Glitter Drops allow you to add THC and sparkle to any drink without altering flavor.
Microdosing options are common, letting you control how much THC you consume. This is great for those seeking mild effects or new to cannabis drinks.
You can easily mix THC enhancers with juice, cocktails, or sparkling water to create a personalized experience. This variety makes it easy to fit THC drinks into different lifestyles and occasions.
How Long THC from Drinks Stays in Your System
THC from beverages can remain in your body for days or even weeks after consumption. How long it stays depends on factors like your metabolism, how often you use THC drinks, and the type of drug test being done.
The way your body processes THC in liquid form also plays a role.
Detection Windows for THC
THC can show up in different tests for various lengths of time.
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Urine tests can detect THC for 1 to 30 days, depending on how often you consume it. Occasional users might test positive for a few days, while frequent users could test positive for weeks.
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Blood tests usually detect THC for 1 to 7 days after use, as THC leaves the bloodstream faster.
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Saliva tests detect recent use, typically within 24 to 72 hours.
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Hair tests can show THC use for up to 90 days, but they are less common.
Knowing which test will be used helps you understand how long THC might stay detectable in your system.
Metabolism of THC in Beverages
When you drink THC-infused drinks, your body absorbs THC differently than when you smoke. THC in liquid form usually enters your bloodstream more slowly because it passes through your digestive system first.
Your liver breaks down THC into metabolites, which can stay in your fat cells for a long time. This means even though the effects may wear off in a few hours, traces of THC can linger.
Factors like your metabolism, body fat, hydration, and how often you consume THC drinks affect how fast your body clears THC from your system.
Differences Between THC Drinks and Edibles
THC drinks and edibles both take longer to kick in compared to smoking, but they do differ.
THC drinks often hit faster because the liquid can be absorbed through your stomach and small intestine quickly. Edibles, like gummies or baked goods, may take longer to digest.
Both forms release THC slowly, which means their effects last longer and detection windows are similar. However, because drinks are absorbed quicker, your body may start processing THC sooner, possibly shortening how long it remains detectable compared to some edibles.
Your drinking habits and dose size also influence how long THC from drinks stays in your system.
Factors Influencing THC Detection Time
THC detection in your system can change based on several clear factors. These details affect how long THC stays detectable after consuming a THC drink.
Frequency of Consumption
How often you consume THC drinks plays a big role. If you use THC drinks daily or multiple times a week, THC builds up in your body.
This makes it stay longer and show up in tests for days or even weeks. For occasional or one-time users, THC usually clears out faster, often within a few days.
Frequent use means your body keeps a steady supply of THC metabolites. These store in fat cells and slowly release over time.
Less frequent consumption allows your body more time to fully break down and remove THC.
Body Fat Percentage and Metabolism
THC is fat-soluble, so it binds to fat cells in your body. If you have a higher body fat percentage, THC can stay longer.
People with leaner bodies usually clear THC faster because there’s less fat for it to stick to. How fast your metabolism works also matters.
A quicker metabolism speeds up the breakdown and removal of THC. Factors like age, activity level, and genetics influence your metabolism.
Drinking water, exercising, and staying active can help boost your metabolism and clear THC more quickly.
Dosage and Potency of THC Drink
The amount of THC in your drink directly impacts detection time. Higher doses or stronger THC beverages leave more metabolites in your system.
Microdose-friendly products like SHAKE tend to produce a lighter effect and clear faster than high-potency drinks. If you take a large dose, it takes your body longer to metabolize and remove THC.
Lower potency drinks produce less THC to break down. Knowing your drink’s THC content helps you estimate how long it may stay detectable.
Hydration and Diet
Staying hydrated can influence the concentration of THC metabolites in your urine. Drinking plenty of water before a test may dilute these metabolites, but it won’t eliminate them completely.
Overhydration can sometimes trigger a retest due to dilution. Your diet also affects how THC moves through your body.
Foods high in fat can slow metabolism, while a balanced diet supports regular bodily functions. Eating well and drinking water helps your body process THC more efficiently, but detection times still depend mostly on other factors like use frequency and body fat.
Drug Testing Methods and Detection Times
Different tests catch THC in your system over varying times. Each test looks for THC or its byproducts in different body parts, and detection depends on how long ago you used the THC drink and your metabolism.
Urine Testing for THC
Urine tests are the most common method for detecting THC. They look for THC metabolites, which are substances your body creates after breaking down THC.
These metabolites can stay in your urine from 3 to 30 days, depending on how often you use THC drinks. For occasional users, THC might be detectable for around 3 to 7 days.
Regular or heavy users can test positive for weeks. Urine testing doesn’t detect active THC but its leftover byproducts, so the timing depends largely on usage frequency.
Blood Testing for THC
Blood tests look for active THC circulating in your bloodstream. THC only stays detectable in blood for a short time — usually 1 to 2 days after consuming a THC drink.
Because blood tests measure current impairment better than urine tests, they're often used in law enforcement. If you only use THC drinks occasionally, it might clear your blood within a few hours, but heavy use can extend detection slightly.
Saliva Testing for THC
Saliva tests detect recent use by finding THC in your mouth and saliva. These tests generally only catch THC for a few hours after drinking.
Saliva testing is less common but useful for quick screenings. THC drinks show up briefly here because saliva mostly contains active THC before your body fully processes it.
It’s less reliable for detecting past use beyond a day.
How to Support Faster THC Elimination
You can help your body get rid of THC faster by making smart choices in daily habits and hydration. These small changes support your metabolism and help flush toxins, including those from THC drinks, out of your system more efficiently.
Lifestyle and Exercise
Moving your body through exercise boosts your metabolism, which speeds up how quickly THC breaks down. Activities like cardio, running, or cycling help burn fat, where THC often stores itself.
However, avoid heavy exercise right before a drug test because it might release THC back into your bloodstream temporarily. Aim for consistent workouts throughout the week.
Muscle-building exercises also raise your metabolic rate, helping you process THC faster over time. Keep in mind that your body fat amount affects elimination speed since THC binds to fat cells.
The more fat you have, the longer it may stay. Balanced nutrition supports your liver, which plays a key role in detox.
Eating fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins helps your body stay efficient in breaking down THC and other compounds.
Hydration Tips
Drinking plenty of water flushes your system and dilutes urine, which can help reduce THC concentration. Staying hydrated also supports kidney function, aiding in toxin elimination.
It’s best to sip water steadily throughout the day rather than drinking large amounts at once. Besides water, you can include herbal teas or natural juices to keep fluids up.
Avoid sugary drinks or alcohol as they may slow detox and dehydrate you. Be cautious not to over-hydrate right before a test to avoid suspicion of dilution.
Instead, focus on maintaining good hydration habits for overall detox support.
Potential Long-Term Effects of THC Drinks
When you use THC drinks regularly, certain effects might show up over time. These do not happen to everyone but are important to know.
Memory and Focus:
Using THC often can sometimes make it harder to concentrate or remember things. This impact may last for days or weeks, especially if you use high doses.
Mood Changes:
Long-term use can affect your mood. Some people notice increased feelings of anxiety or changes in how they handle stress.
Tolerance and Dependence:
Your body might get used to THC, meaning you need more to feel the same effects. This can lead to dependence, where you feel uncomfortable without it.
Effect |
Description |
What You Can Do |
Memory & Focus |
Short-term memory struggles |
Take breaks and use lower doses |
Mood Changes |
Anxiety or mood swings |
Practice self-care and stay mindful |
Tolerance |
Need for higher doses over time |
Microdose to reduce tolerance risk |
Dependence |
Feeling uncomfortable without THC |
Use responsibly and know limits |
Your metabolism, body weight, and how often you use THC drinks affect these outcomes.
Legal Considerations for THC Drink Consumption
When you enjoy a THC drink, it’s important to know the legal rules where you live.
THC drinks are legal in some states but banned or restricted in others.
This means you should always check your state laws before buying or using these products.
Many THC drinks come from hemp-derived THC, which is legal under the 2018 Farm Bill.
However, some states may have stricter rules.
Your safest bet is to confirm that any product you choose, like SHAKE, follows federal and state guidelines.
Here are quick legal facts to keep in mind:
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You must be 21 or older to legally buy and use THC drinks.
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THC drinks are legal in about half the states where recreational cannabis is allowed.
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Some states decriminalize THC drinks but don’t fully legalize them.
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Always verify if your state permits hemp-derived THC products.
Products like SHAKE are tested for safety and feature QR codes so you can confirm quality and compliance anytime.
Legality affects not just buying and using but also transporting THC drinks across state lines.
Make sure you understand these rules to avoid fines or penalties.