From time to time we can get to a point where we feel like we need more and more marijuana to get high. If you're experiencing something like this, it's never a bad idea to take a tolerance break.
Why take a cannabis tolerance break?
Just as we can only watch our favorite movie a certain number of times before it stops being fun or interesting, our brain also builds up a tolerance to some chemicals, such as THC. When THC, the chemical compound found in cannabis that is responsible for its psychoactive effects, enters our system, it binds to receptors in our brain called CB1 receptors. With extensive or continuous use, these receptors can weaken or partially decrease, which leads to a situation where you’ll need larger amounts of marijuana each time to get the same “high” as before. Not only is that bad for your brain, it’s bad for your wallet too! But jokes aside, our endocannabinoid system plays important roles in many of our body’s functions: it helps regulate sleep, mood, appetite, digestion, hormone production, pain and many other functions. To do this, our body produces its own endocannabinoids, called AEA and 2-AG, and these endocannabinoids bind in your brain using the same CB1 receptors that THC uses. This means that extensive marijuana use and the resulting weakening of the receptors can make it harder for our body to regulate the functions mentioned above. In addition, if we’re taking in cannabinoids from external sources, such as marijuana, our own body may start producing less of its endocannabinoids AEA and 2-AG. Have you heard of bodybuilders who take too many steroids and testosterone until their own body stops producing the hormone? Once they stop taking steroids, their body is completely out of balance and can’t produce testosterone at all, which is when they enter the period known as dependence. The same could potentially happen to us with THC if we use the substance for a long time, although that would be a more extreme case. Wherever you feel your tolerance level is right now, it’s never a bad idea to take a break, even if it’s just for the enjoyment of your future self: taking a short break from marijuana can help your body restore its endocannabinoid system, so you can come back later and enjoy the psychoactive effects at full strength.
How do we take the break?
Although two weeks would be the ideal length for a tolerance break, in some cases it may be more difficult to take the break if we have already established a high difficulty level up front. If two weeks seems like an overwhelming challenge you can try starting with taking a single day off, next week taking two days off, and extending the length of the breaks week by week.
Recommendations for a cannabis tolerance break:
Keep your reserve away from you.
If your marijuana is within reach, you'll have a harder time resisting temptation. If you give it to someone you trust and they hold it for you, the fact that you have to drive or take a subway for half an hour to retrieve it will help you resist a little longer. This brings me to my second point.
Tell your friends that you are taking a break.
If people who know you are aware of what you are doing, they will not talk about cannabis or invite you to the weed club, and if they are good friends they will refrain from using in front of you.
Take your break on a busy day.
If you are only going to take one or two days off, you can do it on a work day or on a day when you will be busy or away from home for long hours. This will minimize the time you will be relaxed and looking forward to smoking.
Travels.
Taking a break from tolerance while traveling is much easier. Away from the comfort of your home and everyday life, your mind will be occupied with new things and distracted, taking you away from your old habits. We also have to admit that living in Barcelona, where we have the comfort of our weed clubs and cannabis associations, makes the matter a bit more difficult, and taking a few days off and away from the cannabis club would simplify the task.
In short, if you’re starting to feel that marijuana doesn’t give you the full effect it used to and you need higher doses every time, it’s not a bad time to think about a tolerance break. Even if it’s just for the sake of your future enjoyment, and your wallet too.
You may also be interested in
- Difference between Kush and Haze: What you need to know
- Cannabis Recipe Ideas for your Parties
- Marijuana counseling at Barcelona Cube
Want to get to know us? Discover CUBE, our weed club in Barcelona, see how to get to the club and request your invitation. Access for members aged 18 and over only.
