Posts Tagged ‘Types Of Tests’

Marijuana: the Harmful Impacts and the Testing Methods

Marijuana is one of the commonly used illegal drugs. Marijuana is made from the plant called Cannabis sativa. There is a chemical called “delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol” or “THC” in the drug. This THC is the chemical that makes the person using the drug to feel high. The consumption of marijuana is usually done through smoking.

Impacts of marijuana: Marijuana has a very negative impact on the human beings. It has its effect on the human beings both physically and mentally.

Effects on brain

· Marijuana is a very powerful drug that initially causes pleasure. Its consumption then affects the brain cells that control the thinking, emotions, mood and the memory. The drug even has its effects on the pituitary gland and thereby regulates hunger, thirst and the release of sexual hormones.

· The drug has its effect on the synapses i.e. the brain connections and there by cause the person to get addicted to the drug.

· Long term use of the drug can even cause the brain to stop producing the chemicals which will be responsible for making the person feel good and then the person gets chemically addicted to the drug.

The types of tests for marijuana: There are different types of tests for detecting consumption of marijuana in the human body. They are

· Hair testing: The detection of marijuana consumption can be done by testing the hair. At the roots of the hair, it shows the symptoms of marijuana consumption. The marijuana can be detected from through the hair test even after fifty to ninety days.

· Blood testing: The blood test is a costly test for detecting the marijuana consumption which could be a long procedure which may last for about four to six days.

· Saliva drug testing: This method is a short-term procedure that can detect the consumption of marijuana that has been used recently. Detection of marijuana can be detected in a person’s saliva 1 hour after ingestion, up to 14 hours.

· Urine drug testing: The detection of the marijuana consumption by testing the urine sample is one of the inexpensive ways of detecting the presence of marijuana in the human body. Marijuana can be detected even after five to six days of consumption through the urine test.

Urine Testing for Cocaine

A Cocaine drug test is the method or the technique used to know the presence of cocaine in the body. The testing is done by examining various specimen of the human body like the urine, hair, saliva and even sweat.

Types of cocaine Drug Testing: The different types of testing and quantifying of the cocaine content in the human body are

Hair Testing: Hair testing is one of the effective ways of testing for the cocaine content in the human body over a long period of time. Whenever any substance enters the human body, it deposits a residue in the hair shaft, which will show its presence till the hair is cut.

Blood Testing: This is one of the expensive testing for the detection of the cocaine in the human body. This may involve a four to six day program, which may involve us to go for a special diet, regulated fluids and a final detoxifying solution.

Saliva Drug Testing: This method is a short-term procedure which can detect the drugs which are been use recently.

Urine Drug Testing: The analysis of urine is most common and inexpensive method of testing for the presence of cocaine in the human body.

Urine Testing for the Cocaine Detection: Urine testing is mostly preferred when compared to other types of tests for detecting the presence of cocaine in the human body. This is mainly because of the following factors:

· These tests are considered to be the most inexpensive tests.

· These are intrusive methods of testing.

· This test can be done at home.

Cocaine (COC) Dip strip Drug Urine Test: This test is a very simple test for detecting the cocaine content in the human body by testing the urine sample. The qualitative detection of the cocaine content is done with the benzoyelecgonine as the metabolites in the urine sample. The cutoff for the test is 300 ng/ml.

Procedure for the test:

1. Remove the test strip from its foil pouch.

2. Holding the strip vertically, carefully dip it into the specimen. Do not immerse the strip past the maximum line

3. Interpret test results at 3 to 5 minutes.

The result of the test can be interpreted by the colour bands that are visible after the test. If two colour bands are observed then the result is negative where as if only one band is visible then the tests are giving a positive result.

Detection Periods and the factors influencing the tests: The detection of the cocaine content in the human body depends upon various factors. They are

· The amount that is been taken and also the frequency of the usage.

· The metabolic rate also influences the outcome of the tests.

· The body mass also may influence the results of the tests.

· The age of the person who is undergoing the test has the influence on the tests.

· The drug tolerance levels also may vary between person to person and this variation in the tolerance will have the effect.

Detection Period: It takes approximately six to eight hours for detecting the presence of the cocaine in the urine sample. Whatever may be the effects of the above factors, the ideal time period for the clearing of benzoyelecgonine is three to five days so the urine sample collected should be not older than three days.

Urine tests for detecting of the cocaine content is certainly the most cost effective and a simple method for testing. These urine tests have made it easier for detecting the cocaine content in the body, as there are even some methods for doing the tests at the home.