Should You Take a Tolerance Break?
In the wake of 4/20, “T-breaks” are having a moment. But are they all they’re cracked up to be?
At the time this article is being written, 4/20 is a few weeks behind us. Cannabis enthusiasts everywhere have smoked, dabbed, or eaten as many delicious Wana Gummies as their hearts desired... and now many of them are wondering: is it time for a tolerance break?
A tolerance break, or “T-break,” refers to a temporary hiatus from consuming cannabis with the purpose of reducing one’s tolerance to THC. It’s a pretty familiar concept among weed lovers. But do T-breaks really work?
The short answer is an emphatic YES. But they work even better when undertaken with intention and understanding. Here’s everything you need to know about how, why, and when to take a tolerance break.
HOW DO TOLERANCE BREAKS WORK?
If you’ve ever been a heavy cannabis consumer, you know that the more (and more frequently) you consume, the harder it is to achieve the effects you felt when you first started. You may notice that a 5mg Wana Quick Gummie, or a few puffs on joint, used to send you sailing to the moon... but after a few months of near daily use, you need 15, 20, even 50mg to feel the same effects.
It works like this: you experience THC via specific receptors in your body (called endocannabinoid receptors, if you want to get technical). If you consume cannabis daily, you’re constantly stimulating these receptors. Since your endocannabinoid system’s prime objective is to maintain homeostasis, or balance, your body will eventually try to regulate by producing fewer receptors. So instead of a small amount of THC spread over many receptors, you need a LOT of it concentrated on the few that remain.
To be clear: cannabis is not the only drug that has this effect. Opioids work in a similar (if much scarier) way. Even over the counter meds like ibuprofen can build up in your system, requiring higher and higher doses to effectively relieve pain.
The good news: research suggests that cannabis is not physically addictive in the same way that opioids are. While some people can develop a mental dependency – and may even experience mild withdrawal symptoms like irritability or insomnia – suddenly discontinuing use is not dangerous.
HOW LONG IS LONG ENOUGH?
There’s more good news here! The human endocannabinoid system is remarkably regenerative. Most people can fully reset their tolerance in as few as 21 days. Even if you're a 50mg a day consumer, 3-4 weeks cold turkey can have you feeling like a cannabis virgin, experiencing edibles for the very first time.
Of course, even 21 days may seem like a long time, especially if you use cannabis to medicate for things like chronic pain or difficulty sleeping. MORE good news: just a few days, say 3-7, should be enough to make a notable difference... even if Madonna’s not writing any songs about it.
WHEN IS IT TIME FOR A T-BREAK?
The answer to this is different for everyone. For some people, needing 10, 15, even 20mg to feel high is not a huge deal. But here are some signs it might be good to stop and give your endocannabionid system a little rest.
- When you’re not enjoying cannabis the way you used to.
A heightened tolerance doesn’t always just mean you need more THC to feel effects. It may mean that, even when you do get high, it’s not as fun as it used to be. Want to rediscover that giggly, euphoric experience you had the first few times you tried cannabis? A T-break may help you find your way back. - When your consumption is interfering with daily life.
If you feel like you’re relying on cannabis as a crutch, it may be a good idea to remind yourself how things feel without it. It’s always a good practice to check in with our habits, as it’s possible to develop unhealthy relationships with anything we can depend on to give us a nice dopamine hit – from cannabis to sex to video games. Since there’s no consensus on how much cannabis constitutes too much, and every body is so different, it’s up to each individual to find the right balance for themselves. When in doubt, mental health professionals can have your back along the way. - When you’d like to save some money.
Weed ain’t cheap! A 50mg-a-day tolerance can get expensive fast. Taking just a few days or weeks off can mean you’re exponentially reducing how much cannabis you need to buy... which can give your wallet a much needed break of its own.
TIPS FOR A MORE ENJOYABLE T-BREAK
- Do it with a friend! It’s always easier to withhold when you have an accountability buddy (plus someone to celebrate the end of your break with).
- Find a hobby or a project. Getting into a new routine and focusing on something that brings you joy (aka dopamine) can help reframe the break as an opportunity rather than a punishment.
- Out of sight, out of mind. Putting your stash and consumption supplies somewhere you can’t see them is a helpful practice when you’re actively abstaining from cannabis, whether it’s just for a few days or a full month.
- Start a mini savings fund. Whatever $ you typically spend on weed during the week or month you’re withholding goes into a fund that you can spend on something you’ve been needing or a night out at the end of the month.
At the end of the day, only you know if a T-break is worthwhile for you. But it’s good to know that, no matter how high our tolerance gets, it doesn’t take much to enhance the way we consume our favorite plant.
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