What amount of poppy seeds (Papaver somniferum) needs to be consumed to produce a positive urinalysis for opiates?

From the Guidelines

Consuming as little as a single serving (1-3 tablespoons) of poppy seeds can potentially trigger a positive urinalysis result for opiates. This effect typically occurs because poppy seeds used in food can contain trace amounts of morphine and codeine, which are naturally present in the Papaver somniferum plant 1. The detection window is generally short, with positive results possible within 2 hours of consumption and potentially lasting up to 48-72 hours, depending on the individual's metabolism and the sensitivity of the test. Some key points to consider include:

• The concentration of opiates in poppy seeds varies widely based on harvesting, processing, and washing methods, making exact predictions difficult.
• Modern drug tests have increased their cutoff thresholds to reduce false positives from poppy seed consumption, but the risk remains.
• If you're subject to drug testing, it's advisable to avoid poppy seed products entirely for at least 3 days before testing to prevent potential false positives that could have serious consequences in employment or legal situations. The potential for false-positive results due to poppy seed consumption is a significant concern, as highlighted by the fact that substances such as poppy seeds, pseudoephedrine, and dextromethorphan have been reported to cause false-positive results 1.

From the Research

Poppy Seed Consumption and Urinalysis

The amount of poppy seeds needed to produce a positive urinalysis for opiates is a topic of interest due to the potential for false positives in drug testing.

• Studies have shown that consuming poppy seeds can lead to positive results for opiates in urine tests, with the amount of seeds ingested and the type of seeds consumed playing a role in the outcome 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
• The concentration of morphine and codeine in poppy seeds can vary, with some studies reporting ranges of 17-294 micrograms of morphine and 3-14 micrograms of codeine per gram of seeds 3.
• Ingesting 11 grams of poppy seeds has been shown to result in detectable levels of thebaine, a marker for poppy seed consumption, in urine samples 2.
• Other studies have reported that consuming 1-3 poppy seed rolls, each containing 2 grams of seeds, can result in positive urinalysis results for opiates, with maximum concentrations of morphine and codeine ranging from 100-1000 ng/mL 4, 6.
• The duration of detectable opiate levels in urine after poppy seed consumption can vary, with some studies reporting positive results for up to 24-48 hours after ingestion 3, 4, 6.

Factors Influencing Urinalysis Results

Several factors can influence the results of urinalysis tests for opiates after poppy seed consumption, including:

• The amount and type of poppy seeds consumed
• The method of preparation and cooking of the seeds
• The individual's body weight and metabolism
• The sensitivity and specificity of the urinalysis test used
• The presence of other substances that may interfere with test results 5, 6.

Implications for Drug Testing

The potential for false positives in urinalysis tests due to poppy seed consumption has implications for drug testing in various settings, including:

• Employment and medical screening
• Forensic analysis
• Clinical diagnosis and treatment
• It is essential to consider the possibility of poppy seed consumption when interpreting urinalysis results and to use additional testing and evaluation methods to confirm or rule out opiate use 2, 5, 6.