How to Take a Tolerance Break Without Going Cold Turkey

After bowl number… wait, what was it again? You’ve lost count, but you’re still not feeling the head and body rush that usually accompanies using your favorite cannabis products. When what used to work begins to feel like child’s play, it might be time to consider taking a tolerance break. 

How to Lower Weed Tolerance Without Stopping Smoking

Don’t panic – there’s no need to completely stop smoking to take part in a successful tolerance break. Of course, you can if you’d like to, but many people rely on cannabis to relieve pain, anxiety, or even just the stress of daily life. 

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If you’d like to dial things back without stopping entirely, you can easily limit how much you consume in a day and give your body time to adjust accordingly. Below, we’ll look at some of the best ways to do just that.

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Keep in mind, too, that it’s a good idea to check in with your doctor before starting or stopping any medication plan, including one that involves cannabis. 

Method 1: Wean Off

An easy way to slowly lower your tolerance level is by tapering the amount of THC you consume daily or weekly. As you get used to less and less of it, you’ll likely feel significantly different if you return the dosage you used previously. 

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This method can also make it much less likely that you’ll break your T break by still allowing you to consume something regularly. You might even find that achieving your desired results takes fewer hits or doses than you expected.

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For example, if you’re used to smoking two joints daily, try switching from two to one and a half for a few days. Then, repeat the process with smaller and smaller doses until you feel comfortable taking a proper break. 

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Even if you don’t want to stop consuming cannabis entirely, maintaining a very low dose level for a little bit can help refresh your tolerance.

Method 2: Mix it Up

You can simultaneously lower the amount of THC you’re taking in and still enjoy your favorite smokeable by mixing your flower and something else. This way, you’re sort of “diluting” your THC product without having to halt use entirely.

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There are a couple of straightforward ways you can do this:

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• Add CBD to the Equation: CBD can intensify the feelings that THC gives you, helping you feel stronger effects even with a smaller amount of bud. You can’t build a tolerance to CBD the way you can with THC, either, so feel free to up the amount of CBD flower you include as you cut back on THC.

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• Try Adding Aromatics: Some people may be fans of adding tasty and yummy-smelling herbs to their bowl, including things like lavender or thyme. These additions can help you keep things exciting and make your smoking experience unique while also helping you use less actual flower.

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• Create a Custom Blend: Many hemp-based strains out there contain little to no THC but tons of other powerful cannabinoids and terpenes. You can shop for products that offer unique benefits and create a personalized smokeable blend that’s easy on the psychoactive properties but still heavy on the therapeutic results.

Method 3: Use Less Potent Products

Many THC-based cannabis products on today’s market are designed to get you as sky-high as possible, with some strains clocking in at levels as high as 30-35% THC or more. Suffice it to say that these options can pack a real punch and quickly put your tolerance in the stratosphere. 

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To bring your brain back to planet Earth, try switching to products that have a lower percentage of THC. This can be especially effective when combined with the method above, which might help you dial things back even further.

You may want to stick to less potent products in the future, too, at least if you’d like to keep your tolerance level at a lower baseline.

Why Take a Tolerance Break (Or “T Break”)?

What’s the big deal about having a high weed tolerance anyway? Sure, it might take more product to get similar results, but many options deliver intense doses of THC with minimal effort. Plus, the act of smoking, vaping, dabbing, etc., can feel like a ritualistic part of many people’s day.

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The answer is simple: a high tolerance won’t go away on its own. You need to take some sort of a break every now and then to ensure you don’t completely cut off your ability to benefit from your cannabis products. 

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Below are some important reasons you might want to consider taking a T break now and regularly in the future.

Give your brain a reset

The reason your tolerance to THC and cannabis can build is that the cannabinoid will slowly deplete your CB1 receptors, which are parts of your body’s endocannabinoid system. These receptors, found in the brain, central nervous system, and other body parts, are the “lock” a cannabinoid “key,” including THC, fits into.

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But when your tolerance is high, the key suddenly isn’t enough to open the lock anymore – there may be two locks, then three, then the door might be impossible to open without a steamroller. 

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And while research shows that THC does deplete CB1 receptors, it also has demonstrated that they can recover over time and return to their previous states. But you have to give your brain time to help it heal itself, even if you can just manage a few days.

Get the most bang for your buck

Having to smoke more and more to get the same results can be, if nothing else, a massive drain on your wallet. You’ll blow through product much faster, which might lead you to spend more on cannabis. 

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Before you know it, you might be forking over hundreds of dollars a week just to maintain the habit.

Avoid building a crazy high tolerance

Taking regular T breaks can help keep your tolerance at a manageable level that works for your needs and budget. 

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In other words, this isn’t a one-and-done type of situation; your brain can continuously adapt to THC use, so you’ll need to keep it on its toes by taking breaks when you can.

Keep cannabis use in moderation

Using cannabis, particularly products high in THC, regularly and heavily can increase your risk of developing a marijuana use disorder or withdrawal symptoms. Even if you’re okay with daily use, no one wants to feel agitated, shaky, or nauseous simply because they’re not able to smoke their daily blunt. 

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A big part of practicing healthy moderation, especially if you want to smoke for years to come, is knowing when it’s time to dial things back and let your body recover. 

Weed Tolerance Break Chart

There isn’t much solid science that suggests that a certain tolerance break length is necessary for any particular THC dosage level, but anecdotal evidence tells us that a few days or weeks are usually necessary to do the trick.

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Of course, this is only a general statement. Your tolerance can depend on a lot more than just how much you smoke, including your:

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• Age
• General health and well-being
• Body size
• Other health conditions or factors

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Still, it might be helpful to have some idea of what to expect so you can plan a tolerance break that makes sense for you. 

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Below are some general details about common T break lengths that can help you decide when and how to reduce your THC use. This chart assumes that your goal is to completely or almost entirely reset your tolerance level.

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Final Thoughts

It’s possible to take a successful T break without quitting cold turkey, but you might need to be a bit strategic about it. It’s an effort that’s likely well worth your time, though, because a mounting tolerance can mean trouble for your wallet and mental health. 

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After all, too much of any good thing can begin to cause harm. Try your best to practice regular tolerance breaks to maximize the value you get from your products. You’ll probably be surprised to see just how much you grow to appreciate them after taking some time apart.

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Whether you decide to turn to other non-THC options or take some time off entirely, The Green Dragon CBD has the products you’ll need to return from your T break with a bang. Contact us today for a consultation or to learn more about the best products for your needs.

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