A new saliva test, developed by researchers in the US, can reveal within minutes if anyone has used cannabis in the past 12 hours and even shows the concentration levels of the drug in his body. Rapid, highly sensitive and non-invasive new test can detect cannabis in saliva in just five minutes, much faster than the tests needed so far even days to get results.
The scientists, led by Associate Professor Hako Li of Harvard University School of Medicine and Massachusetts General Hospital, who published the study in the American journal Science Translational Medicine, tested the test on 43 other cannabis users. users (the control group).
The test detects directly in the saliva of users the main psychoactive substance of cannabis, the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). According to the researchers, an accurate and fast cannabis test is needed, as the latter is becoming more widespread and in addition there is a tendency to legalize it for medical or recreational purposes.
Cannabis: Where are rapid saliva tests needed and where are they superior to today?
Cannabis is one of the most widely used drugs, with at least 180 million regular users worldwide. Although it has been banned for decades, in recent years the treatment of it has tended to change. Indicatively, in the USA 36 states have already legalized it for medical uses, while 18 states for recreational use, as reported by ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ.
Many employers in the US and other countries regularly test some of their employees, such as drivers or users of heavy machinery. However, current cannabis tests (Current Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry or GC-MS), based on a blood or urine sample, have several disadvantages, in particular they are unsuitable for immediate detection. In addition, THC may remain in the bloodstream even for weeks after the last use of cannabis, with the result that the existing tests are unable to distinguish the current use from the recent one (days or weeks ago).
The new rapid EPOCH test uses one optical sensor to detect THC in saliva within five minutes, where the presence of this substance “testifies” better (compared to blood or urine) that cannabis has been used in the last 12 hours. THC is detected in saliva either if the user has inhaled the cannabis or if he has consumed it with his food. The test result is not affected by other factors, such as whether the user is a cigarette smoker or has drunk coffee.
Test creators are optimistic that, with its further improvement, EPOCH will be a cheap solution for roadside checks, workplace workers, etc.
Here you will see the relevant scientific publication.
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