How To Use Hydrogen Peroxide To Pass a Mouth Swab Drug Test

Daniel Miller avatar
Daniel Miller, Ph.D, Drug Testing Specialist

Last updated on Jan 13, 2024

Hydrogen Peroxide has been touted as a remedy for passing a mouth swab drug test.

Does it work? Sure.

Scientific research proves that hydrogen peroxide helps minimize the THC in your saliva to below the detectable levels.

However, research also shows that water works similarly.

Considering the side effects of using too much hydrogen peroxide, I would advocate the use of water.

All in all here is how to pass a mouth swab drug test with peroxide and the scientific rationale behind its working.

How mouth swab drug tests detect marijuana

Contrary to most people’s claims, a mouth swab drug test is not a modified urine test. These two tests screen for entirely different compounds.

In a urinalysis, the lab technician looks for THC-COOH, also known as 11-COOH-THC.

This is the metabolite formed after the body has metabolized delta-9 THC in a bid to remove it through urine.

On the other hand, a saliva test is calibrated to detect delta-9 THC, the psychoactive compound that gets you HIGH.

A cannabis joint has millions of delta-9 THC.

This compound is massively found in the saliva almost immediately after consuming marijuana or hashish since it coats the entire surface of your mouth, thereby showing up on the swab test.

On the contrary, it takes several hours for THC-COOH to reach detectable levels in the urine.

This is what makes it hard to beat a surprise saliva drug test, especially if you’ve inhaled marijuana a couple of hours back.

Most drug testing companies currently use a 25ng/ml cut-off when testing for the use of marijuana in saliva.

How long is THC detectable in the saliva?

THC in saliva concentration chart

The good news for you is that THC does not stay for so long in your mouth. A study published on researchgate.net aimed at investigating how long THC takes in the saliva in the 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 was done and showed that the concentration had fallen to 81ng/ml. 12 hours later, the concentration had declined to below 1ng/ml.

While the study above shows that the THC concentration in the saliva had fallen way below the detectable level within 12 hours, it’s worth noting that most saliva tests that the labs use today can detect marijuana in your saliva 48 hours after firing up a joint.

Therefore, if you want to skirt through the test, it pays to keep off weed for at least 48 hours (72 hours would be much better) to the test.

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Can the THC metabolites in your system be diffused back into the saliva?

Heavy and long-term smokers do fear the probability of THC seeping from their blood system back into the saliva even after abstaining for up to 72 hours.

Studies show that THC is sequestered in the cavities after consumption.

Fortunately, as the study above proves, the concentration declines with time as the THC molecules are absorbed into your blood system.

Also, while not much research has been done around this, it’s almost evident that THC never diffuses back into the saliva from the system.

Researchers doing an Analysis of Drugs in Saliva for the Federal Office of Road Safety noted that THC is so lipophilic. As such, it cannot be absorbed back into the saliva upon entering the blood system.

This explains why a stoner will fail a blood or urine test but pass a saliva test provided he’s not inhaled or eaten cannabis in the last 48 hours.

On this note, it’s important to mention here that the presence of THC in the saliva shows that the individual has used cannabis in the recent past.

For this reason, the mouth swab drug test is commonly used by employers, companies, and road safety enforcers who want to minimize the risk of accidents at the workplace or on the roads caused by smoking at work and when driving.

Can you pass a saliva test using hydrogen peroxide?

Yes. It’s very much possible. There are so many people who have used this technique to pass the test successfully.

While different online sources have varying ways of using this solution to beat a drug test, the version below is the most commonly used.

How to Pass a Mouth Swab Drug Test with Peroxide: Instructions

Abstain from cannabis for at least 48 hours

As I have just told you, the detection window for THC in your saliva is 24-48 hours.

That being said, the first thing that you want to do is to keep off ganja at least two days before the test.

Abstaining for a longer time, let’s say 72+ hours, ups your odds of beating the test, especially if you are an everyday weed-lover.

Eat, drink, and brush your teeth as usual (3-4 times a day)

After consuming marijuana, millions of THC molecules are left lingering all over the surface of your mouth.

Some find their way into your oral cavities and are either released into your saliva or absorbed into the blood.

Therefore, the trick is to get rid of these molecules as fast as possible.

One sure way of doing this is to eat, drink, and brush a lot during the days leading to the test.

Doing this keeps the fluids in your mouth moving, thereby boosting the THC molecules removal that are stuck on your mouth surface and in the cavities.

You could also rinse with mouthwash. But you’ll need this on the day of the test.

Day of the test

On the day of the test, you want to focus all your energy on brushing your entire mouth as you’ll never do it again.

This is your last shot to remove even the minutest THC molecule that might have evaded the brush since you started preparing for the test.

So brush that tongue and the gum line as if your life depends on it.

Throw Hydrogen Peroxide or Listerine into the mix (VERY IMPORTANT)

As you continue invading the leftover THC molecules in the saliva, swish a solution of hydrogen peroxide or Listerine vigorously in your mouth 3-4 times to help you get rid of more molecules.

Sure, this will burn and sting your gums like hell, but that’s just one of the ‘perks’ that come with this method.

So, man up if you really need to pass that test.

Head to the test venue

You should be certain that lots and lots of THC molecules have been removed from the saliva by now.

Don’t be so sure, though. As you head to the test venue, take along a travel-size mouthwash and a bottle of water.

Gargle one last time, some minutes before you are ushered into the collection point, and drink lots of water.

Does Water Help in Passing a Saliva Drug Test? Scientific Evidence

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.

This experiment used water, whole milk, and Kleaner mouthwashes.

At the end of the study, the researchers observed two key things.

First, regardless of the type of mouthwash used, the THC concentration in the mouth was 3-fold higher than the 25ng/ml cut-off mark used by the Spanish police 15 minutes after inhaling marijuana.

This clearly explains why you need to abstain for at least two days before the test.

Second, the researchers noted statistically lower concentrations after the subjects rinsed their mouths with water than with other mouthwashes.

Conclusion

Hydrogen peroxide can indeed save the day if you are warned about an oncoming saliva drug test.

However, as the study above 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 way to go.

Besides, water will also save you some bucks.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I avoid cannabis ahead of a saliva drug test?

Time is always your best friend when faced with any drug test.

The 2014 study that we’ve just seen above clearly indicates that 15 minutes after consumption, the concentration of THC in the saliva samples was still significantly higher 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 huge role.

Therefore, the longer you abstain from the drug, the fewer the molecules that you’ll need to brush and rinse off.

Consequently, you’ll have up 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 difficult situation to be in, and you’ll really need a lot of swishing, gargling, and brushing to game the results.

I’ve heard 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 would work, keeping in mind that THC is extremely fat-soluble.

If you are in a tight position and need to pass that test, go ahead and 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?

Well, I’ve come across several sources that suggest that you should swish and swallow the hydrogen peroxide solution some minutes before the saliva sample is taken.

In my opinion, this isn’t necessary. It could be dangerous, especially in high concentrations.

When ingested in high amounts, the National Capital Poison Center says that hydrogen peroxide could trigger an episode of vomiting and a lot of stomach irritations.

The convenient and guaranteed solution to pass mouth swab drug test
Stinger Detox Mouthwash

  • Removes alcohol, nicotine, marijuana (THC), cocaine (COC), amphetamines, methamphetamines, opiates, etc.
  • Works in 2 minutes
  • The effects last for 30 minutes.
  • Alcohol-free
  • FDA registered & USA made
  • Legal
  • Not detectable
  • Small and discreet

Disclamer
The information on this website about detox products and synthetic urines is for educational purposes only. We do not endorse or condone their illegal use. Always consider the laws in your area and the potential legal consequences. Consult with a healthcare professional before using any products. Your responsibility and well-being are paramount.