THC tolerance: How to avoid and reset your cannabis tolerance

Have you noticed the difference between the first time you consumed cannabis and how you’re feeling when you consume it lately? Likely, if you’re a regular cannabis user, you might be noticing that you need higher doses of THC to get the same effects. This could be an indicator you are building a THC tolerance.

What Is THC Tolerance?

Also known as cannabis tolerance, THC tolerance is your brain adapting to the cannabinoid THC due to consistent use. When you regularly consume cannabis, your brain starts to become resistant to the active components in it, like THC. As your tolerance increases, you gradually need to increase your dose to feel the same effects.

Let’s dive a bit deeper into the chemical reason why THC tolerances happen. Cannabis compounds such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) interact with cannabinoid 1 receptors (CB1) in your endocannabinoid system to produce euphoric, analgesic, and mood-altering effects. Research has shown that frequent activation of CB1 receptors over a few days or weeks can lead to desensitization, which results in a lowered receptor response when activated by THC.

Furthermore, CB1 receptors may move from the plasma membrane on the cell’s surface to the inside of the cell in a process called internalization. The brain will remove CB1 receptors to lower the abnormally high activity and maintain balance. These overactivated CB1 receptors die off and are replaced with new receptors over time after decreased cannabis use.

While THC tolerance isn’t necessarily permanent, it can be frustrating, especially when you use cannabis for various ailments or needs. You may be wondering how long and how much cannabis it will take to build a THC tolerance. The answer to that is complex. There are many factors that influence your THC tolerance, including:

• Number of CB1 receptors in your ECS to start with
• Your individual susceptibility to THC
• The strain or product formulations you consume since some are higher in THC content than others that might be more balanced or incorporate other cannabinoids and terpenes.
• Your genetics can also play a role. The National Center for Biotechnology Information revealed that individuals have inherited variations in the initial response and rapid tolerance to THC and that females might build a THC tolerance faster than males.

Preventing THC Tolerance

It’s much easier to prevent THC tolerance than it is to recover from it. You can maximize the efficacy of the cannabis you consume with the right knowledge in your corner. Here are some helpful ways to prevent and slow down a THC tolerance:

• Higher CBD-THC Ratio: Choose strains that have a higher CBD ratio. This means a lower THC content which could mean less of an impact on your CB1 receptors, but the CBD can support your need for fighting inflammation or anxiety.
• Control Doses and Frequency: Reduce your dose or frequency. When you combine a high frequency with a high dose of THC, you’ll end up with a THC tolerance much faster. Instead, try microdosing.
• Different Methods of Consumption: Varying your method of consumption may slow down the rate of THC tolerance. Instead of just smoking, try an edible. If you usually vape, consider smoking or tincture.
• Decrease Your Stress Levels: By reducing your stress, you can improve the release of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). This encourages the release of stored THC.
• Switch Up Strains: If you rotate which strains you use, some cannabis users say it can prevent THC tolerance. This is also known as cannabinoid cycling. While there isn’t much in terms of scientific evidence of this, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence. The key is experimenting to see what works for your body.
• Eat Mangos: There’s no conclusive science revealing why eating mangos increases the effects of THC. However, the cannabis community seems to agree that it must be the large amounts of myrcene, a terpene that is also found in cannabis, that interact to support the effects of the cannabinoids. This is called The Entourage Effect.

Resetting The Tolerance

Your best bet for resetting your THC tolerance is taking a tolerance break. you can reset your tolerance and there is a study that describes the upregulation, an increase in the number of receptors, replacing those lost during internalization of CB1 receptors after taking a tolerance break.

What Is a Tolerance Break?

A tolerance break is exactly what it sounds like: a break from THC to reduce your tolerance. It’s one of the fastest and easiest ways to improve your THC tolerance.

This can happen quickly, so long as the CB1 receptors are just desensitized (a reduction in sensitivity), not internalized. If internalization occurs, you may need a much longer tolerance break. Typically, you can plan on between two to four weeks if your CB1 receptors are internalized and only a few days if they are simply desensitized.

How To Do A Tolerance Break

A good rule of thumb for your tolerance break is to stop your cannabis consumption for at least two days. Research shows that chronic cannabis use led to reduced CB1 receptor availability. As you halt your cannabis use, your receptors can start repairing themselves quickly, sometimes as fast as 48 hours. Then, your tolerance should start improving, so long as those receptors are simply desensitized.

Instead of quitting cold turkey, many find that tapering down is a more realistic way of approaching a tolerance break. It’s less extreme and easier for regular, moderate users. If you consume cannabis a few times a day, you may need a longer tolerance break to feel the benefits of it. Plan on about two to four weeks.

If you are a regular user, we recommend you completely abstain for two weeks to try and cleanse the system of cannabis to get a new baseline. Once you reintroduce THC, your body can start to respond to low doses again. Note that a four-week tolerance break is likely to be more effective than a two-week break for heavy cannabis consumers.

If taking a two-week break seems daunting or is not possible for your situation, try taking a 48-hour break from cannabis. Once the two days are up, try a microdosing method, where you take one puff off a joint or vape, wait a few minutes to feel the effects, and take another, but only if necessary.

Another helpful way to work through a tolerance break is by replacing your THC with CBD. Anecdotal evidence claims this can help with withdrawal symptoms.

Benefits of a Tolerance Break

The most obvious benefit of a tolerance break is that it will improve the effectiveness of cannabis once you resume consumption. You’ll feel that your cannabis is more potent and you may feel more symptom relief if you’re using cannabis for medical reasons.

A tolerance break can also reduce your risk of developing cannabis use disorder (CUD) and cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), both of which are your body’s response to a physical dependency on the cannabinoids. The reduced risk happens because of the disruption to that physical dependency.

During your tolerance break, you’ll also save some money. While this isn’t necessarily a health benefit, it’s definitely an incentive.

Possible Side Effects of a Tolerance Break

Typically, a regular cannabis user will experience some withdrawal symptoms. Reportedly, these are similar to the side effects you might experience if you quit smoking:

• Irritability
• Decreased appetite
• Depression
• Restlessness
• Anxiety
• Insomnia

CBD and THC Tolerance

While both CBD and THC are cannabinoids and function in a similar way, they have a different impact on the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Cannabinoids are naturally present in the body. When you consume large amounts of THC, you meet your body’s cannabinoid level requirements, thereby hindering your body’s natural cannabinoid production. CBD, however, does the opposite.

CBD stimulates the production of endocannabinoids, especially when it detects an imbalance. Described by Dr. Ethan Russo as an endocannabinoid modulator, CBD demands equilibrium, binding to receptors that regulate pain, mood, and metabolism to help bring these systems into balance.

Takeaways

As great as THC is, it still has an effect on an important system of your body. When that system is out of whack, regulating it back to homeostasis can improve your health and overall wellbeing. The key is finding what works for you. Listen to your body and be patient as you experiment with various methods.