For some frequent cannabis users, the affects of THC wear off over time. The smoker may even switch strains, but sometimes even this doesn’t work. The last step you can take to increase your tolerance and once again feel the effects of THC whether by smoking, vaping, or with edibles, is to take a tolerance break.
The Cannabis Tolerance Break
Often called a t-break, a cannabis tolerance break is when a user takes a short-term hiatus from consuming cannabis products, particularly those with THC. At this point, you may be wondering whether a tolerance break even works. According to research, we do know for sure that regular cannabis use over time does dissipate a person’s tolerance so it would make sense to take a break to rebuild that tolerance, right? Yes.
According to a study done by the National Institute of Mental Health, you can indeed get back your cannabis tolerance back by taking a break. If you’re not willing to take a break, try switching up your routine. Skip getting high in the morning, for example, and only use cannabis at night or vice versa. You can also consider cutting back even more to only smoking every other day or a couple of times a week until you feel your tolerance build up again.
Should You Take a Tolerance Break?
Having to quit cannabis, even for a short time, is not something some people want to do. However, there are many other reasons people may need to take a tolerance break, such as:
- Flushing your system out before a drug test
- Abstaining from cannabis use has been court ordered
- Going on vacation (don’t take it with you!)
- Saving money
- Clearing your head
- Remembering that cannabis enhances life and if your tolerance is low, you’re not getting the most out of either one.
So, For How Long Should You Take a Cannabis Tolerance Break?
Overall, a t-break time length is an individual choice. Just as THC affects everyone differently, the length of a t-break will also be different for each user. There are variables such as how much you smoke, how often you smoke, what your routine is and more. For some people, just a few days is enough to get back on the tolerance track. For others, you may need to take a week or two off. If you’re not really sure how long you need, just go with the flow and when you feel clear-headed again, resume using THC. If you want to completely flush your body of THC, you should abstain for 30 days.
What to Expect from Your Cannabis Tolerance Break
The first thing you should do during your t-break is hit the gym, the pool, the pavement, the hiking trails, or any other way you like to stay active. Lots of water is also recommended, as is eating a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and healthy grains. Some people use this time to start a new hobby or project, like writing a book, painting, or doing some DIY around the house.
When you start using THC again, remember to not consume as much as you were consuming before the tolerance break. The rule of thumb to consider is that the longer the t-break, the lower your tolerance level. You don’t want to get overwhelmed by using too much after a long break, which could lead to negative side effects, like paranoia or anxiety.