{"id":3355,"date":"2019-10-30T17:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-10-30T21:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/blog\/?p=3355"},"modified":"2023-11-03T14:46:38","modified_gmt":"2023-11-03T18:46:38","slug":"what-are-tolerance-breaks-and-how-to-use-them-to-your-advantage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/blog\/what-are-tolerance-breaks-and-how-to-use-them-to-your-advantage\/","title":{"rendered":"Tolerance Breaks: How to Use Them to Your Advantage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many people use cannabis frequently to treat diseases and conditions, especially those involving pain. Due to such frequent use, it is perfectly normal and natural to develop a tolerance to cannabis. This means that frequent consumers of cannabis eventually need to consume more to feel the same effects as before the development of their tolerance.<\/p>\n

In relation to cannabis, tolerance is the brain’s adaptation to the continued presence of psychoactive cannabinoids like THC, but not non-intoxicating cannabinoids like CBD. Consumers of THC-containing cannabis, therefore, become resistant to the effects of cannabis resulting in the consumption of larger amounts. Tolerance increases are not limited to cannabis and include a wide number of substances and stimuli such as caffeine, alcohol, painkillers, and many routine prescription medications. Note the important distinction that developing a tolerance is not the same as having a substance use disorder<\/a> or addiction.<\/p>\n

Tolerance Build-ups Explained<\/h2>\n

Tolerance build-ups are caused by what is called downregulation and desensitization where the receptors for THC reduce in the brain. It has been proven that frequent users have 20% fewer CB1 receptors than those who do not consume cannabis frequently. CB1 is the receptor that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) binds with. However, the variety of receptors that cannabis reacts with can be regenerated through the effective use of tolerance breaks.<\/p>\n

It only takes two days to four weeks of abstinence to regenerate those receptors. A study has shown that it does not matter how much cannabis you consume; the receptors start to grow back after just two days<\/a>. However, this study was conducted using males only, and cannabis is widely believed to affect women differently.<\/p>\n

THC is known to activate the CB1 receptor, which is what causes euphoria and eventually tolerance in humans. Other cannabinoids, like CBD, do not directly activate the CB1 receptor, which is why they do not cause a high. According to the WHO<\/a>, CBD does not cause a tolerance effect in humans the same way THC does. Thus, there is no dependence potential with CBD, and in fact, CBD may even reduce the psychoactive rewards and effects of THC<\/a>. Other minor cannabinoids are still under investigation in this regard.<\/p>\n

Taking tolerance breaks and other measures to reduce the tolerance build-up will ensure that you will continue to achieve the same benefits and effects you\u2019re after without increasing your consumption.<\/p>\n

Tips on Reducing Tolerance Build-ups<\/h2>\n

The following are some suggestions for maintaining a comfortable tolerance to cannabis.<\/p>\n