If you enjoy cannabis products regularly, you probably don’t want to hear that you should take a break. Don’t worry; it’s not a total breakup. It’s not a forever thing. It’s just a break for a while, so you can get back to thoroughly enjoying the effects again.
Developing a tolerance to your favorite cannabinoids is part of the experience. Over time, your effects when consuming cannabinoids like Delta-9 THC and Delta-8 THC may diminish. This may cause you to take higher doses to achieve the same impact. That’s why it’s essential you learn how to reset your tolerance.
After all, the money you spend on cannabis products should be put to good use. It’s essential that every penny spent on those products leads to the effects and experience you want. There’s no point in paying for a THC product that doesn’t work well for you anymore.
In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about resetting your Delta-8 tolerance so you can make your products last longer, save some money, and enjoy the effects you’re after.
What is tolerance?
Tolerance is a diminished response to drugs or alcohol throughout repeated or prolonged exposure. After using a substance for a certain period, the body becomes less receptive to the effects. This may occur instantly with certain substances or over a long time.
Having an increased tolerance to cannabis essentially means that your body has gotten so accustomed to the effects that you need to use more and more to achieve the same effects. Increasing dosage frequently can be harmful to both your body and your wallet. Thankfully, there are ways that you can reset your tolerance.
The Science Behind Cannabis-Use Tolerance
Research has shown that regular use of cannabis products leads to the development of tolerance to their effects. According to a 2015 study, this happens because repeated exposure to cannabis may lower the density of CB1 cannabinoid receptors. And it’s the interaction between these receptors and cannabinoids allows us to experience the effects of cannabinoids like Delta-8.
While not many studies have focused on investigating specifically the effects of Delta-8, we know that Delta-8 is a chemical analog of Delta-9 THC. As such, Delta-8 also has an affinity for binding with the CB1 receptors in our endocannabinoid system.
Therefore, it is theorized that repeated exposure of CB1 receptors to Delta-8 THC may lead to the downregulation of these receptors. With fewer CB1 receptors left for Delta-8 to bind with, the less you feel the effects of this cannabinoid.
Whew! That was a bit wordy and scientific. Essentially, we’re saying that there may be fewer receptors available with increased use of THC after some time. So, you’ll need to consume increasingly more THC to get the same response you used to. That’s how tolerance to Delta-8 develops.
The good news is that this tolerance is reversible by applying a tolerance break. The 2015 study found that in 4 weeks of abstinence from cannabis, the density of CB1 receptors went back to its normal levels.
How do I know if I should take a tolerance break?
A cannabis break is simply a period when you stop consuming THC products and give your cannabinoid receptors time to restore.
But how do you know it’s time to take a tolerance break?
Here are three signs it might be time for you to take a Delta-8 tolerance break:
- You’re not experiencing the same intensity of high you used to.
- You’re continuously using greater doses to feel the effects. Even then, your buzz might still feel like a milder version of what it used to be.
- You’re feeling the effects of THC for shorter periods.
If you find yourself relating to the above signs, then it’s time to go on that tolerance break and give your body time to reset. Otherwise, no matter if you take increasingly higher doses, the effects you’re seeking will continue to fade. Plus, that can turn into an expensive habit.
How long should a tolerance break last?
How long that pause should be will mainly depend on your current tolerance level. Nevertheless, there are other factors that are unique to each person, such as your metabolism, that come into play. So rather than an exact science, determining the duration of your Delta-8 or Delta-9 THC tolerance break will require you to take more of a trial-and-error approach.
But rest assured, we do have some guidelines to help you get started.
If you’re a daily THC user, you probably have a high tolerance level. People who fall in this category would need to take the most extended tolerance break to give time to their endocannabinoid system to reset. Your tolerance break may need to be around 3-4 weeks long.
If you’re someone who enjoys Delta-8 or Delta-9 a few days a week instead of daily, you might fall into the category of users with a medium tolerance. Accordingly, your tolerance break may last between 10 days to 2 weeks.
Casual cannabis users with a low tolerance can reap the benefits of a shorter tolerance break. If you don’t use THC products super often but want to increase the effects you feel, try going a week in between using THC products.
How to Reset Your Tolerance
By now, you probably understand the importance of resetting your tolerance for THC and have decided how long your break should be. That was the first step.
The next step is to commit to a tolerance break and see it through all the way. For regular users, this might be the hardest part. People use cannabis products to make them feel good and potentially less anxious. It might be challenging to step away from it, even if it is just for a while. So go back to remembering why you’re doing it in the first place.
Here are a few tips for a successful tolerance break:
● Resist the urge to microdose. Some users might justify taking a small dose, thinking it won’t disrupt their break. However, that’s not the case. Even small quantities during your break can set you back.
● Get rid of the temptation. The easiest way to resist the urge to micro dose or break your tolerance break commitment is to get rid of the temptation. We’re not saying you should throw away your products. Instead, you may have a friend hold onto your products until the end of your break. That friend may also act as your accountability partner.
● Give non-psychoactive cannabinoids a try. In the meantime, you may turn to non-psychoactive cannabinoids like CBD to experience some of the relaxing effects associated with Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC. Since CBD does not bind with cannabinoid receptors the same way as THC, a 2017 review noted that CBD usage won’t lead to the development of tolerance.
We understand it might be challenging to stop using something that makes you feel good, like Delta-8 products. But know that the first THC puff or edible after your break will feel so incredibly good.
Getting the Most Out of Your Cannabis Experience
In addition to taking a tolerance break, you can do a few other things to ensure you get the best experience from your cannabis products. Here are a few suggestions:
- Try different types of products. If you’re a regular vape user, consider giving Delta-8 edibles a try. The effects are very different between the two. You may find that using gummies for a while can help you get a better high. Or, if you typically buy edibles, using a Delta-8 vape pen may help you achieve the effects you want even faster.
- Choose high-quality products. Make sure that you only purchase cannabis products from safe and reputable companies. Some companies are dishonest with their labeling and may not have as much THC in their products as they claim. To avoid this, look for products with a certificate of analysis that states the actual concentrations of THC and other ingredients. At Eighty Six Group, all of our products are tested by a third-party lab for safety and efficacy.
Ultimately, taking a short break from your favorite THC products will only help in the long run. Before you know it, you’ll be right back to experience the high you used to.