# Do cleansing pills work?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-cleansing-pills-work/62607>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [April 20, 2001, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-cleansing-pills-work/62607 "2001-04-20T00:25:09Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![msc75](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bc79bd/32.png) [@msc75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msc75)\
**Post date:** [April 20, 2001, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-cleansing-pills-work/62607/1 "2001-04-20T00:25:09Z")

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You see those pills at GNC that are supposed to clean out your urine for a drug test. I have heard so many different stories as to if they work or not.  
Any personal experience?  
Any medical facts?

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**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\
**Post date:** [April 20, 2001, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-cleansing-pills-work/62607/2 "2001-04-20T00:37:27Z")

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The folks who run this board get grumpy over threads dealing with illegal drugs. Please don’t ask questions like this one. Sorry, friend.

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**Author:** ![Equality\_7-2521](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/977dab/32.png) [@Equality\_7-2521](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equality_7-2521)\
**Post date:** [April 20, 2001, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-cleansing-pills-work/62607/3 "2001-04-20T00:48:14Z")

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No. They are diuretics, like caffeine. They make you pee, diluting your urine. Metabolites of marijuana are stored in you fat cells and are relesed slowly over time. Impossible to “clean”. The only sure way to pass is to stop smoking for at least two weeks for occasional smokers, up to five weeks for daily smokers. Do a google search if you need more info. Thousands of sites to fill you in.

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**Author:** ![msc75](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bc79bd/32.png) [@msc75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msc75)\
**Post date:** [April 20, 2001, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-cleansing-pills-work/62607/4 "2001-04-20T02:39:03Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by AskNott \*  
> \*\* The folks who run this board get grumpy over threads dealing with illegal drugs. Please don’t ask questions like this one. Sorry, friend.
> 
> \*\*

Right. That’s why the thread about the munchies went on for weeks. Thanks for the heads up.

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**Author:** ![Chas.E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e99b99/32.png) [@Chas.E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chas.E)\
**Post date:** [April 20, 2001, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-cleansing-pills-work/62607/5 "2001-04-20T04:17:34Z")

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These pills perform their intended function perfectly. Unfortunately, their sole purpose is to separate fools from their money.