# Donating blood; How are drugs in your blood for? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 21, 2007, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donating-blood-how-are-drugs-in-your-blood-for/427313 "2007-11-21T12:28:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![tonedef](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f05b48/32.png) [@tonedef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tonedef)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2007, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donating-blood-how-are-drugs-in-your-blood-for/427313/1 "2007-11-21T12:28:58Z")
I was planning on going to donate blood again in a few weeks and a friend of mine mentioned she would come along and donate but she is unsure how long she needs go without smoking weed befor we go donate? I realize that pot is detectable for up to 6weeks cause it stores in your fat cells or something like that, But how long is it in your blood for? last time i donated the women asked me some questions regarding taking headacke tablets and said they are in your blood for a few days and thats what makes me wonder how long weed will be in there for. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2007, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donating-blood-how-are-drugs-in-your-blood-for/427313/2 "2007-11-21T13:10:49Z")
[QUOTE=tonedef] I was planning on going to donate blood again in a few weeks and a friend of mine mentioned she would come along and donate but she is unsure how long she needs go without smoking weed befor we go donate? I realize that pot is detectable for up to 6weeks cause it stores in your fat cells or something like that, But how long is it in your blood for? last time i donated the women asked me some questions regarding taking headacke tablets and said they are in your blood for a few days and thats what makes me wonder how long weed will be in there for. [/QUOTE] The length of time pot stays in your blood is a function of how much you use. Typically, I beleive it’s between two and about six or eight weeks. However, I’m not sure they care. I’ve had plenty of pot head friends donate blood without any problems. ---
**Author:** ![bbs2k](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e495f1/32.png) [@bbs2k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bbs2k)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2007, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donating-blood-how-are-drugs-in-your-blood-for/427313/3 "2007-11-21T13:22:35Z")
[QUOTE=tonedef] I was planning on going to donate blood again in a few weeks and a friend of mine mentioned she would come along and donate but she is unsure how long she needs go without smoking weed befor we go donate? [/QUOTE] IANAD, but from here: > [@](#): > > Acute Allergic Reactions > > Allergic transfusion reactions range from mild itching and urticaria (hives) to generalized reactions with bronchoconstriction (wheezing), hypotension and shock. > > Mild Allergic Transfusion Reaction: Mild allergic transfusion reactions are frequently observed with transfusion and thought to result from an allergic, antibody-mediated response to donor plasma proteins. They are characterized by pruritis and urticaria, during a transfusion. Antihistamines are generally effective in treating and/or preventing these reactions. > > Generalized Allergic & Anaphylactic Transfusion Reactions: \*\*Generalized allergic reactions occur less frequently and, in rare cases, can progress rapidly to full-blown anaphylactic shock. Symptoms include: wheezing, GI upset and hypotension with no fever. Occurring primarily as an isolated episode to a particular donor, the causative allergen is seldom identified. These reactions can occur with as little as 5 mL of blood component transfused. \*\*Antihistamines, steroids and, in severe cases, epinephrine are useful in treatment/prevention of these reactions. When these measures are ineffective, the use of washed red blood cells and platelets may be necessary. Rarely, anaphylactic reactions due to anti-IgA antibodies in IgA-deficient recipients are seen. This should be suspected in previously untransfused patients. In such cases, specialized blood products � double-washed red cells/platelets and/or blood products derived from IgA-deficient donors � are required, in addition to steroid premedication. [cite](http://www.itxm.org/tmu2002/issue6.htm) (Bolding mine) I don’t know the specific answer, but tell her to wait a similar amount of time that she would wait before taking a drug test if she were applying for a new job, so it is subjective. ---
**Author:** ![PaulParkhead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@PaulParkhead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PaulParkhead)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2007, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donating-blood-how-are-drugs-in-your-blood-for/427313/4 "2007-11-21T13:29:13Z")
When I worked at a blood bank in Glasgow, we didn’t ask about illegal drugs. I suspect, though, that this was not so much because there was no possible risk to transfusion recipients, but more to do with the low probability of getting honest answers to our questions. Oh, correction - we did ask about IV narcotic use, for obvious reasons. ---
**Author:** ![tonedef](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f05b48/32.png) [@tonedef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tonedef)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2007, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donating-blood-how-are-drugs-in-your-blood-for/427313/5 "2007-11-21T13:55:00Z")
So how long do you guys think its worth waiting? ---
**Author:** ![Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swallowed_My_Cellphone)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2007, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donating-blood-how-are-drugs-in-your-blood-for/427313/6 "2007-11-21T15:09:31Z")
I’m a regular donor. I called one of the nurses at the center where I always go. She said pot is fine as long as you’re not under the influence at the time you go in for the donation. And I don’t think she believed me when I said I was calling on behalf of a “friend”. The rules vary a bit depending on who the authrority is that governs blood donations where you are (like U.S., Canada, UK, etc). Generally, the stuff that will get you temporarily deferred is anti-inflammatory drugs (24-26 hours), aspirin and related products (36-48 hours), alcohol (12 hours). ---
**Author:** ![Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swallowed_My_Cellphone)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2007, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donating-blood-how-are-drugs-in-your-blood-for/427313/7 "2007-11-21T15:13:03Z")
[QUOTE=PaulParkhead] Oh, correction - we did ask about IV narcotic use, for obvious reasons. [/QUOTE] Some blood donation orgainizations also have rules for cocaine that was “snorted through the nose”. That can also get you a year long deferral. Is it higher risk or something? (Actually, I can probably look that up myself.) ---
**Author:** ![Chez\_Guevara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/aeb1de/32.png) [@Chez\_Guevara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chez_Guevara)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2007, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donating-blood-how-are-drugs-in-your-blood-for/427313/8 "2007-11-21T15:18:08Z")
[QUOTE=Joey P] The length of time pot stays in your blood is a function of how much you use. [/QUOTE] It’s also a function of metabolism. The slower the metabolism the longer the weed stays in the system. Whatever, **Joey** ’s guesstimate of 6 to 8 weeks should do the trick if the OP is really concerned about this. However, it should be noted there is no definitive answer to the question. _Apropos_, it’s a good thing people don’t donate hair. Scouting around various websites it seems that weed is detectable in hair for between 2 and 5 years. ---
**Author:** ![tonedef](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f05b48/32.png) [@tonedef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tonedef)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2007, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donating-blood-how-are-drugs-in-your-blood-for/427313/9 "2007-11-21T15:25:54Z")
[QUOTE=Swallowed My Cellphone] I’m a regular donor. I called one of the nurses at the center where I always go. She said pot is fine as long as you’re not under the influence at the time you go in for the donation. And I don’t think she believed me when I said I was calling on behalf of a “friend”. The rules vary a bit depending on who the authrority is that governs blood donations where you are (like U.S., Canada, UK, etc). Generally, the stuff that will get you temporarily deferred is anti-inflammatory drugs (24-26 hours), aspirin and related products (36-48 hours), alcohol (12 hours). [/QUOTE] Thanks heaps for that, much appreciated! [QUOTE=Chez Guevara] _Apropos_, it’s a good thing people don’t donate hair. Scouting around various websites it seems that weed is detectable in hair for between 2 and 5 years. [/QUOTE] wow never heard that befor, kinda amazing. You got any links to more info on this? ---
**Author:** ![essell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/34f0e0/32.png) [@essell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/essell)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2007, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donating-blood-how-are-drugs-in-your-blood-for/427313/10 "2007-11-21T15:47:10Z")
[QUOTE=Chez Guevara] _Apropos_, it’s a good thing people don’t donate hair. Scouting around various websites it seems that weed is detectable in hair for between 2 and 5 years. [/QUOTE] I think people do donate hair. I read it on the SDMB. ---
**Author:** ![Chez\_Guevara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/aeb1de/32.png) [@Chez\_Guevara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chez_Guevara)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2007, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donating-blood-how-are-drugs-in-your-blood-for/427313/11 "2007-11-21T15:50:04Z")
[QUOTE=tonedef] wow never heard that befor, kinda amazing. You got any links to more info on this? [/QUOTE] I have a source which gives 3 years but the website gives details regarding how to pass drug tests. I’m unsure whether posting the link will contravene board regulations. I’ll report my own post via yours and either a moderator will step in to advise or I’ll get back to you. Please note that speculation will be rife on any such source because hard and fast information is thin on the ground. ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2007, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donating-blood-how-are-drugs-in-your-blood-for/427313/12 "2007-11-21T16:09:05Z")
The real question that needs to be asked here is: when availing oneself of the services of a blood bank (as in receiving, not donating), is it possible to specifically _request_ blood donated by potheads? _“Give him two units of A+ with a hint of Afghan Sticky…”_ ---
**Author:** ![WarmNPrickly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2007, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donating-blood-how-are-drugs-in-your-blood-for/427313/13 "2007-11-21T16:21:54Z")
[QUOTE=Chez Guevara] Apropos, it’s a good thing people don’t donate hair. Scouting around various websites it seems that weed is detectable in hair for between 2 and 5 years. [/QUOTE] It depends a lot on how long your hair is. Once it can no longer be detected in your blood, it is not being deposited in your hair. Then it is just waiting until you hair grows out. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2007, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donating-blood-how-are-drugs-in-your-blood-for/427313/14 "2007-11-21T16:26:24Z")
No, don’t post the link. We’ll just have to remove it and get all ferklempt and stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2007, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donating-blood-how-are-drugs-in-your-blood-for/427313/15 "2007-11-21T16:34:53Z")
[QUOTE=essell] I think people do donate hair. [/QUOTE] [They do.](http://locksoflove.org/index.html) One of my colleagues donated some of her hair to them a few years ago. Locks of Love doesn’t seem to care about what substances might be found in donated hair, though. ---
**Author:** ![Chez\_Guevara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/aeb1de/32.png) [@Chez\_Guevara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chez_Guevara)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2007, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donating-blood-how-are-drugs-in-your-blood-for/427313/16 "2007-11-21T16:39:05Z")
[QUOTE=TubaDiva] No, don’t post the link. We’ll just have to remove it and get all ferklempt and stuff. [/QUOTE] Your wish is my command. Anyway, on the basis of improved research criteria I’m going to downgrade a speculative 2-5 years to a more authoritative [3 months](http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9400E1DC1E39F937A35751C1A963958260). The link is a New York Times feature from 1995. Apologies to anyone who has been tearing their hair out since my post #8. ---
**Author:** ![Myself](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8491ac/32.png) [@Myself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myself)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2007, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donating-blood-how-are-drugs-in-your-blood-for/427313/17 "2007-11-21T17:42:21Z")
I found the Red Cross page concerning **legal drugs** , for those interested. [http://www.redcross.org/services/biomed/0,1082,0\_557\_,00.html](http://www.redcross.org/services/biomed/0,1082,0_557_,00.html) And I guess we all should be, no? I have an autoimmune disease, so I can’t give anymore, sadly. ---
**Author:** ![tonedef](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f05b48/32.png) [@tonedef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tonedef)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2007, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donating-blood-how-are-drugs-in-your-blood-for/427313/18 "2007-11-22T01:38:36Z")
[QUOTE=Chez Guevara] I have a source which gives 3 years but the website gives details regarding how to pass drug tests. I’m unsure whether posting the link will contravene board regulations. I’ll report my own post via yours and either a moderator will step in to advise or I’ll get back to you. Please note that speculation will be rife on any such source because hard and fast information is thin on the ground. [/QUOTE] Is it ok to pm to me or email? Or is that also against the rules? [QUOTE=Myself] I found the Red Cross page concerning **legal drugs** , for those interested. [http://www.redcross.org/services/biomed/0,1082,0\_557\_,00.html](http://www.redcross.org/services/biomed/0,1082,0_557_,00.html) And I guess we all should be, no? I have an autoimmune disease, so I can’t give anymore, sadly. [/QUOTE] Last time i donated they sat me down and went threw most of teh stuff on that site with me. I felt kinda bad about lying to them when they asked if I had a tattoo in the last 12months. But the woman was more concerned about body peiceing than more of the stuff they went threw.