Beware false science from online articles claiming how to pass an oral saliva drug test

Written by Lucas Kibby, CleanFleet

When a “news source” for marijuana users advises you to break the law that could bring you thousands of dollars in fines if caught in Oregon, let alone potentially losing your job, you better hope the science they are suggesting is accurate.

In a recent article about cheating an Oral Swab “Saliva” Drug Test, the science has no bearing and is a word of caution for those trying to cheat the system.

We agree with the article that abstinence from marijuana for several days could prevent a positive Saliva Drug Test, but how many times are these drug tests known days or weeks in advance?

The article claims “There are two reliable ways to pass the swab test” when you have little or no warning of an oral drug test.

“Let’s start with the best-case scenario. You’re going to get a test at work, but you have a few hours before you get swabbed. Start drinking lots of fluids. Vigorously swish water around your mouth. Rinse and repeat!”

“And get yourself a helping of the fattiest food you can find. Remember, THC bonds to fat, so eating fatty foods could help pull lingering THC out of your mouth.”

We hear that drinking lots of fluids works for urine drug tests, though it tends to cause more problems then actually help you pass a drug test, but for oral swab tests? Here is where real science comes in. Your saliva equilibriate every 10 minutes and is why nothing is allowed in your month 10 minutes prior to an oral drug test.

Our partners at OraSure, who manufacture oral swab kits and are experts in oral drug testing, put it this way.  “With our oral drug test, the donor must have nothing in their mouth a minimum of 10 minutes prior to collection. This allows the mouth to equilibriate, naturally removing any residual substances or debris from saliva/oral fluid so that a fresh sample is collected.”

So, flushing your mouth does absolutely nothing to “pass” a drug test.

Now, “eating fatty foods could help pull lingering THC out of your mouth” might sound like science, but even the writer of this article cannot commit that this will work… and this is their “best-case scenario”!

Although it is true that THC bonds to fat, and is why after much use years ago and going to a chiropractor could release the store THC giving you a high feeling years later, there is no scientific proof that shows THC bonding to fatty foods in your mouth so instantaneously.

“Yes, THC is a fat soluble drug; however, I’ve never heard that ‘eating fatty foods could help pull lingering THC out of your mouth’ as you’re preparing to take an oral fluid test,” said OraSure.

Learn More About The Benefits Of Oral Saliva Testing For Your Company Drug Testing Policy

Now we come to the part where writer of the article advises readers to alter their drug test, which is against the law and, if caught, would be considered a positive drug test anyway.

“Now for the worst-case. Time to commit some adulteration… of your saliva! For mouth swab drug tests, hydrogen peroxide is the adulterant of choice.”

“Keep in mind adulterating your saliva will only keep you clean for a half hour, tops. But since this is a last-minute solution, hopefully, that’s all you need.”

As we previously mentioned, the real science is the mouth needs 10 minutes to equilibriate, naturally removing any residual substances or debris from saliva/oral fluid, and this is required before an oral drug test. That is why mouthwashes, rinses, or gums are not a guarantee of anything.

Last, and most importantly, let’s address one last sentence in the article: “In fact, these tests are so unreliable, you might even pass a swab test a few hours after you smoke.”

Our friends at OraSure pointed out the latest data from Quest DTI.  “It clearly shows that the oral fluid positivity rate for marijuana is 7.5% compared to urine at 2.4%.  This is published data from a SAMHSA certified lab. If the test is “so unreliable”, why do we see this positivity rate?”

Please be careful what information you read online and research the science. If you don’t, you could face civil fines or get fired from a good job. Is it worth it?

Is your company interested in adding Oral Savila Testing to their pre-employment or random testing program? Fill out the form to learn more today…