Cannabinoids Marijuana Enzyme Immunoassay Random Urine

This test is used to measure the levels of cannabinoid in the urine. The cannabinoids are the important chemicals in the marijuana which gives the cannabis plant its medical and recreational properties.

Effects of Marijuana:

Marijuana plant produces more than 113 different cannabinoids and among them, THC tetrahydrocannabinol and CBD cannabidiol are well understood. THC has psychoactive properties and CBD is non-psychoactive cannabinoid. CBD also has anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties.

The human body also produces cannabinoids naturally and known as Endocannabinoids. Endocannabinoids and cannabinoids from marijuana share the same effects and properties as they interact with the cannabinoid receptors in the brain and the body.

How marijuana effects occur?

Endocannabinoid system is a system in the human body where cannabinoids and its receptors are present. There are CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors. CB1 receptors are found mainly in the brain and responsible for psychoactive effects. CB2 receptors are found in other parts of the body. When marijuana is smoked CBD and THC enter the body and attaches to the cannabinoids and binds to its receptors and causes euphoria, increased appetite, relaxation, dry mouth, sedation, dizziness, increased socialization, reduce pain and inflammation etc. Marijuana metabolites can be detected in the blood for up to 7 days and in the urine up to 3-4 weeks. This period can be changed on how frequently you use marijuana. Someone who smokes it daily will carry its metabolites for longer than who smokes infrequently.

Why this test is performed?

You may have to take this test as a condition of your employment, to participate in organized sports, as a part of a police investigation or court case. This test is used to find whether an individual is a drug abused or not. The doctor may recommend this test if an individual is having symptoms like paranoia (intense anxious and fearful thoughts of threat), blurred vision, seizures (disturbance in the brain nerve cell activity), heavy sweating, slurred speech, agitation (nervous excitement), delirium (disturbed state of mind), hallucinations (experiencing something which is not present in reality), difficulty in breathing and irregular heartbeat. This test is performed in order to check whether you are taking the required amount of opioid medications like morphine, buprenorphine etc.

Generally, if an individual is diagnosed with drug abuse and on treatment, then the doctor may recommend this test to evaluate the cannabinoids level in the urine and the effectiveness of the treatment.

If you are a healthy individual and not taking or smoking the marijuana then the test results will be negative and no need for medical intervention.

Precautions:

Drugs such as morphine, dronabinol, ketoconazole etc. may affect the results of this test. Hence, all medications should be reported to the doctor before undergoing this test.

If the test results are above the normal range, it may be positive and an indicative of the drug abuse, frequent usage of marijuana.

If the level of cannabinoids is below the normal range, then it may be negative and an indication of no drug abuse, not smoking marijuana and taking opioid drugs in the required amount. Sometimes even though on marijuana the results may be negative as the drug may present below the cut-off.

If you have been diagnosed with drug abuse, your doctor may advise you to undergo this test once every 3 months to once a year based on your clinical condition.