What is Cannabis Tolerance?
If you've ever smoked, vaped, or eaten Cannabis, chances are that your tolerance for the drug has changed at some point in your life. Cannabis tolerance can be a scary thing to experience if it's the first time it's happened to you. This could be even more concerning if no one explained what was happening. That being said, it is important to understand what causes cannabis tolerance and how to reduce or eliminate it, both in the short term with a tolerance break and in the long term by staying consistent with your dosage.
Cannabis Tolerance: What Does It Even Mean?
Cannabis tolerance is the body's ability to adapt to a drug over time, with progressively higher doses required to produce the same effect. The body adjusts to the effects of Cannabis and can become less sensitive to them over time. If you are using Cannabis frequently, you may find that it takes more and more before you feel the same high as before. In extreme cases, this pattern of ever-increasing use can lead to dependence on Cannabis (also known as marijuana).
How Cannabis affects your body
Cannabis affects the body in many ways. Cannabis affects the brain, which consists of millions of nerve cells communicating through electrical signals. When you consume Cannabis, THC binds to cannabinoid receptors on those neurons and stimulates them. This causes a cascade of psychological effects, including euphoria, hallucinations, and altered senses of time and space.
Cannabis also affects your body's endocannabinoid system (ECS), which comprises receptors all over your body. These receptors include your brain and central nervous system, that bind cannabinoids like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or cannabidiol(CBD). When a toxin enters your bloodstream, these receptors release cortisol (the stress hormone), which travels through the lymph nodes before reaching its target. Macrophages are white blood cells responsible for killing foreign invaders such as bacteria or viruses.
THC has the potential to overstimulate the EC system by rapidly binding to cannabinoid receptors throughout the brain and body. This can have various side effects, ranging from slowed movement to memory loss.
Cannabinoids bind tightly with receptors when marijuana enters your bloodstream via inhalation or ingestion. They influence activity levels by altering biochemical signaling pathways within various regions throughout our bodies, such as areas involved with pain perception control centers located within our brains' central nervous systems.
Tolerance Breaks
When you consume too much Cannabis, you might want to take a tolerance break. Tolerance breaks are a great way to reset your tolerance, but knowing how long they take is essential. If you're taking a tolerance break, you'll need to wait until your body's cannabinoid receptors return to normal.
How long this takes depends on the person; some people can take a tolerance break and return to their usual dosage, while others may need more time or even have to take breaks every few months. The best thing about tolerance breaks is that they're completely safe.
Signs You Might Need A Tolerance Break.
There are a few indicators that you may require a tolerance break. If you spend too much money on Cannabis, you might need a break. You should consider taking a break if you notice:
You have less symptom control with your regular dose
You rely on it too much
It becomes more important than your responsibilities
People frequently report feeling less high while consuming higher quantities of marijuana because they have grown accustomed to its effects. An increase in the negative effects of marijuana can also indicate that your tolerance has increased. When this happens, it starts with lower doses or less potent strains and gradually increases their consumption over time until the body becomes accustomed to higher levels of THC.
If these scenarios sound familiar, it's time to take a break from marijuana.
Dosage for a Tolerance Break
A tolerance break is a period of cannabis abstinence that allows you to re-sensitize your cannabinoid receptors and experience Cannabis in a new way. It can be beneficial if you have been consuming high doses of THC or other cannabinoids for an extended period, it's recommended that you take breaks periodically while consuming Cannabis as part of your routine.
In general, several factors will determine how long it takes for your tolerance to drop during a tolerance break:
The amount of Cannabis consumed: If you consume large amounts regularly, it may take significantly longer than someone who only smokes once or twice weekly. However, even if you smoke large quantities daily (or multiple times per day), the time required depends on how often they are smoked and the strain used.
The type(s) used: Each strain produces different effects—some may provide more relief from pain while others provide more energy—so using one type over another could affect how quickly tolerance develops. Use an array of strains when possible so as not to become dependent on any kind. However, before changing your medication, you should consult with your doctor.
How Long Does It Take To Normalize Cannabinoid Receptors?
The first time a person uses Cannabis, the brain's cannabinoid receptors are flooded with THC and CBD. Over time, this can lead to tolerance. This means that more of the medicine is required to achieve the desired effects. A tolerance break is when you stop using Cannabis for a certain amount of time, which allows your body time to reset its cannabinoid receptors so that you can feel high again upon re-introduction.
While many factors influence how long it takes for THC or CBD levels in your bloodstream to return to normal after a period of regular use. Some people have reported that their cannabinoid receptors returned to normal in just three weeks after taking a long break from smoking marijuana or vaping products containing THC or CBD oil concentrate like hashish oil.
According to experts, the suggested amount of time a user should take for a Cannabis break is 3-4 weeks. The reason for this number is the fact that it usually takes three weeks for THC to leave the body. Cannabinoid 1 receptors start normalizing two days without marijuana and resume normal function within four weeks.
What Is Considered High Tolerance For Edibles?
The tolerance of edibles depends on the person. What one user may consider high, another user may not. Starting small and waiting before consuming more is the best way to determine how much you can consume.
For a more concrete number, it is generally okay for newer users to consume products that have up to 5mg. For moderate users, that number can go up to 15mg. Experienced users can consume up to 100mg.
Tolerance Breaks Can Help.
Tolerance is a natural phenomenon that happens to every person who regularly consumes Cannabis. It's important to remember that it's not something you need to fear or worry about but rather embrace it as part of your relationship with the drug. You can learn how to manage tolerance effects and avoid becoming dependent on edibles to enjoy all their benefits without any adverse side effects
