Did Dry January Work For You? Why Cannabis Tolerance Breaks Are So Effective

This article was originally published on Cannabis.net and appears here with permission.

Taking a break from THC can have many benefits when you get back on the train later!

Welcome to the end of January 2024.
The new year gives us a clean state, a chance to start fresh especially when it comes to our health. It’s a time for us to make resolutions for mental and physical health, and it’s a time to reflect on the habits that we should change or adjust for better well-being. As it’s also the month following the holidays, most of us reflect on eating, smoking, and drinking habits that may not be good for us.

Along with that comes the chance for many weed consumers to ask: Should I go on a tolerance break?

How Tolerance Breaks Work

A tolerance break is useful for heavy or frequent cannabis consumers. Whether you smoke, take oils, consume edibles, vape, or use concentrates, any form of cannabis taken on a regular basis will cause you to increase your tolerance to it. This means that you’ll need higher quantities of the same amount over time to feel the same benefits or high, hence the term, tolerance break.

Tolerance will build up in the body with all substances you consume regularly. From coffee to alcohol, weed, and other recreational drugs, anything you consume a lot of on a frequent basis will cause the body to get used to it and require more for the same effect you desired in the beginning.

Going on a tolerance break will give your body’s cannabinoid receptors an opportunity to reset by abstaining from THC for a certain period of time. It can be useful whether you are consuming it for recreational or medical benefits. You can go on a tolerance break for anywhere from one week to a month; there’s no standardized duration or definite period for one.
That said, it’s widely recommended to go on a tolerance break that’s at least 21 days long. This is because it takes around 3 weeks for the human body to detoxify itself of THC completely. However, if you consume pot multiple times a day for months at a time, you may find it useful to go on a tolerance break for much longer.
How often should you go on a tolerance break? That also depends on your consumption. If you want to prevent your tolerance from increasing regularly, you can abstain from THC for 48 hours every 30 days. This has been shown to effectively reduce dependence in the long run.
Benefits Of Going On A Weed Tolerance Break

There are many benefits to going on a cannabis tolerance break. These include:

• Saving money: When you need higher amounts of weed to satisfy your needs, you’re going to spend much more money. This habit can become extremely expensive. However, going on a tolerance break can give your body the reset it needs to become satisfied with using smaller amounts.
  For example, with a higher tolerance developed over time, you need to smoke a total of 2 joints a day to get high or enjoy the same anti-anxiety benefits. After a 30-day tolerance break, you can begin to experience the same benefits after just half a joint.

• Giving your receptors a break: The phytocannabinoids in cannabis, such as CBD and THC, interact with the body’s cannabinoid receptors, resulting in therapeutic or psychoactive effects. This interaction is what helps us treat a wide range of symptoms with weed, ranging from pain, nausea, or stress.

When we consume CBD, it interacts with other receptors such as serotonin, dopamine, and opioid receptors as well. This is what enables CBD to reduce depression and anxiety. Using any of these phytocannabinoids too often can flood our receptors over time, overwhelming them and even causing dysregulation. When the receptors are flooded, we can experience some mild side effects such as insomnia, and even anxiety or other symptoms.

Going on a temporary break instead of increasing the dose of cannabinoids can help restore the body’s balance. This can greatly help with anxiety, sleep, and pain.

How Do You Know If You Need To Go On A Tolerance Break?

Developing a tolerance to weed isn’t actually bad. However, many medical cannabis users may wish to reap the benefits of THC medications, such as pain relief and better sleep, without getting too intoxicated that it becomes difficult to function. Recreational users can also benefit from getting the same pleasure out of THC without having to spend too much on pot.

There are some things you should look out for that will tell you it’s time to go on a tolerance break. For one, it’s clear when you no longer feel the same effects as you used to. Some people, for instance, may know that they are already stoned but don’t feel it – this is a good indicator that it’s time you should go on a break. Another sign is that you notice you’re taking the same dose of your medication while getting less symptom control.

Other signs include increased dependence and most of your money and free time goes to consuming weed.

Supporting Your Endocannabinoid System During A Tolerance Break

Since the endocannabinoid system and receptors can be flooded with phytocannabinoids from excessive consumption leading up to a tolerance break, it helps to support your body with some easy and accessible habits you can do during your break.

These tips below can support your endocannabinoid system to help restore balance and homeostasis:

• Consuming Omega-3 fatty acids

• Vitamin C through food intake or supplementation

• Getting enough sleep

• Reducing your exposure to stress

• Reducing or eliminating alcohol intake

• Exercising regularly

Conclusion

If you think you should go on a T-break this January, it could be a good way to start the year. T-breaks may be challenging at first especially if you have become dependent on weed for any reason, but you’ll come out of it stronger mentally and physically. And your endocannabinoid receptors will thank you!

This article is from an external unpaid contributor. It does not represent Benzinga's reporting and has not been edited for content or accuracy.