Have you noticed that it takes more cannabis than it used to for you to achieve the same results? The build-up of cannabis in your system can cause your tolerance to increase and is a common concern for regular cannabis users. Keep reading to learn more about cannabis tolerance.
What Causes an Increase in Cannabis Tolerance?
To understand cannabis tolerance, it is important to have some basic knowledge of how cannabis works in the body. The cannabis plant contains over 120 known “cannabinoids.” These natural plant compounds all have different reactions in the body. The most well-known cannabinoid is THC.
The Endocannabinoid System
The body contains an internal matrix called the endocannabinoid system (ECS) which is designed to engage with these, and other natural compounds. The ECS is made up of endocannabinoid receptors. The most well-known are CB1 and CB2.
The ECS exists to help regulate balance in the body and works on functions like sleep, pain, appetite, and mood. THC engages primarily with CB1 receptors, which cause the psychotropic effects of cannabis known as a “high.”
Internal Regulation
The body is largely a self-regulating system and will limit the effects of THC if regularly exposed. Your brain desensitizes CB1 receptors to reduce the response to cannabis use. It also retracts these receptors to make the experience of cannabis use less intense. This is how tolerance is built over time.
What is a T-Break?
A “T-Break” is the casual term for a cannabis tolerance break. The purpose is to reset your ECS so that you do not have to consume as much cannabis to get the results you are looking for. This intention period of cannabis abstinence allows CB1 receptors to return to their previous level of sensitivity.
How to Take a T-Break
The length of time for a cannabis tolerance reset can vary between individuals depending on factors like their cannabis use, metabolic rate, and general response to cannabis. It is true that some people have a naturally higher or lower tolerance to cannabis than others.
A 2015 study found that CB1 receptors can reset in as little as 48 hours. This implies that for most people, a two-day T-break may be enough.
Should You Take a T-Break?
Abruptly stopping cannabis use can seem like a bad idea, especially for medical cannabis users. Take into consideration what you are feeling and what you want to feel. If you are still experiencing pain relief, but a less cognitive response to medical cannabis, you may not need to take a tolerance break. That only works if pain relief was the intention of your cannabis use. This is different for everyone.
If you are finding that you are not getting the relief you need, whether it is better sleep, mood boost, pain response, or something else, it may be time to take a T-break. Lowering your tolerance can also reduce the amount you are spending at your favorite Connecticut marijuana dispensary (Fine Fettle, of course). Not that we don’t want to see you, but we are serious about our commitment to putting your health and wellness first.
T-Break Side Effects
Regardless of how long you abstain from cannabis use, a tolerance break may have mild withdrawal symptoms, as your body has become accustomed to the additional cannabinoids. Though withdrawal may be mildly unpleasant, it is not dangerous or life-threatening. The most common side effects of a T-break include:
- Irritability
- Restlessness
- Mood changes
- Decreased appetite
- Sleeping difficulties
- Cravings
Tips for Lowering Your Cannabis Tolerance
Aside from taking a T-Break there are a number of things you can try. Cannabis use is different for everyone. The staff at our Fine Fettle dispensaries can help you determine what options might be best for you. Here are some quick suggestions:
- Use a lower-strength cannabis product. Try to find the lowest effective dose, so you only take what you need.
- Decrease the amount and frequency of consumption. Try going longer between doses to determine what your body responds best to.
- Use a higher CBD to THC ratio product. CBD has a lot of similar benefits to THC. Finding the right ratio may help reduce overall THC consumption.
- Try different strains of marijuana. Our Connecticut marijuana dispensary has a wide variety of medical cannabis strains to choose from.
The knowledgeable staff and pharmacists at Fine Fettle are happy to help you determine the correct amount of cannabis to meet your needs and answer any other questions you have about cannabis tolerance.