What Are Cannabis Tolerance Breaks, and Should You Consider One?

Tolerance is when the body no longer reacts to a medicine or substance as it did initially. The person now needs more of the substance to get the same effects that they used to with smaller doses. With a high tolerance, much larger doses are needed.

Tolerance breaks, or short t-breaks, let your body have a brief respite from cannabis so you can reset your endocannabinoid system (ECS). By doing this, the cannabinoids will be more potent when you start consuming cannabis again.

Having some THC tolerance is not necessarily a bad thing. For example, it can help a person stay functional and able to do everyday tasks. But if someone builds too much of a tolerance, the effects of THC will lessen.

Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about tolerance breaks, from why they can be helpful to how you make the most of your cannabis medication.

What Is a Cannabis Tolerance Break?

The science community does not fully understand the complex phenomenon of tolerance as it is unique to each individual’s body and cannabis use. However, some studies chronic cannabis users havebrain imaging that show a decreased number CB1 receptors in the brain.

The body’s ECS is constantly adapting, so it only makes sense that when overwhelmed with THC, it would make itself less sensitive to the chemical. With this in mind, if you want to maintain the same effects of cannabis use, you’ll eventually need more THC.

If you frequently use cannabis, know that developing tolerance is normal. However, the rate at which this occurs varies for everyone and depends on other individualized factors like THC doses, consumption method and patterns, etc. A good way to tell if you’re building up a tolerance is if you find yourself needing to consume more cannabis overall to achieve the same effects as before.

To ensure safety and other benefits, be sure to take t-breaks regularly. These short cannabis breaks allow the body to moderate its THC intake, which in turn helps reduce risks associated with consuming too much of the substance. Some possible dangers of overusing weed include cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome or cannabis use disorder; however, by having a break from smoking weed you may help prevent developing either issue.

T-breaks protect your tolerance levels so you don’t have to consume as much weed to get high. This also means that T-breaks save you money in the long run.

How Cannabis Tolerance Breaks Work

A marijuana tolerance break is easy to do–just stop using cannabis for a couple of days. According to recent studies, CB1 receptors return to normal after only 48 hours without weed. Therefore, your tolerance should be back to its original level within two days of taking a t-break.

You may find it helpful to tell your friends and family that you’re taking a break from drinking, and ask for their support in avoiding situations where you might be tempted to drink.

Though researchers have not focused on cannabis tolerance breaks, below is a proposed plan that may help manage tolerance and lessen physical dependence. This step-by-step guide recommends taking a 48-hour break every 30 days.

Depending on how much cannabis you consume or how frequently you use it, you may want to consider taking a break for anywhere from two weeks to a month. This is entirely up to your discretion; experiment with tolerance breaks and see what works best for you. Remember that there is no perfect solution for everyone – everybody is different.

Cannabis Tolerance Break Risks and Precautions

Withdrawal

Approximately half of all long-term, heavy cannabis users reported experiencing withdrawal symptoms when they quit, according to a recent study.

Quitting cannabis typically comes with few withdrawal symptoms in comparison to other substances, such as nicotine. Though you may experience a decrease in appetite or have trouble sleeping, these effects are usually mild and don’t impede your ability to go about your day-to-day life. In fact, many people find it easier to give up cannabis than nicotine products.

Returned symptoms of qualifying conditions

If you use cannabis for medical purposes, the symptoms that it was treating may come back when you take a tolerance break. This is temporary, and switching to another medication or alternative therapies might help during the transition. You should consult your healthcare provider before making any changes to your medication routine. Talk to your doctor about how best to work t-breaks into your therapeutic routine.

Alternative Methods for Reducing Cannabis Tolerance

Although it benefits your quality of life, if you use cannabis regularly, it’s essential to monitor and limit your intake to ensure that your endocannabinoid system stays functioning properly. However, giving up cannabis completely is not necessarily the answer.

Use Cannabis Less Often

If you frequently use cannabis several times a day, try reducing your intake to one or two sessions and see if you still achieve the desired relief. Gradually weaning yourself off frequent usage may improve your overall experience.

Control Dosing

If you are carefully measuring your cannabis consumption, it will help prevent using more THC than is necessary and safeguard against the intoxicating effects. Tinctures, pre-made serving-sized edibles from dispensaries and other like methods of consuming cannabis provide an accurate dose every time.

Use Cannabis Products with More CBD Than THC

CBD inhibits your body from absorbing THC, which then allows CBD to stop THC from overworking the system and prevents CB1 receptors from being depleted.

Utilize Other Cannabinoids and Terpenes

You might want to use strains or products with a lower THC content but diversify your cannabinoid and terpene consumption. For example, rather than choosing a strain rich in THC, myrcene and pinene, you could go for one higher in CBN, beta-caryophyllane and linalool.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 3 days enough for a tolerance break?

Based on research, the average person becomes cannabis-naive again within two days of not partaking. So, for those looking to just see some benefits from a t-break, three days should do it. But if you’re trying to get THC out of your system entirely, you may need to go without cannabis for around a month.

How long does a tolerance break need to last?

The average person should be able to adequately tolerate cannabis within 48 hours. However, if you are a chronic or heavy user, you may want to consider a longer break depending on your personal needs. Everyone develops tolerance differently, so it is important to experiment with different timeframes in order to understand what works best for you.