The human body is great at keeping everything in balance and doing everything it can to keep all our systems working at peak performance. But, when we might consume a lot of a certain plant, we may find that it takes more and more of this healing plant to reach the same expected result we achieved in the past with the same dose. If this happens to you, it might be time for a tolerance break.

Tolerance breaks, or T-Breaks, are when you give your body a break from cannabis that contains THC in order to reset your cannabinoid receptors. There is no scientific evidence that explains exactly how long to abstain from cannabis, however, there is evidence that suggests taking a break helps to reset your receptors.

Our brains also adapt so that we can function properly with the consistent presence of cannabinoids. Some people build tolerances faster than others, but everyone’s body seeks to achieve one main goal – homeostasis or balance. By taking a break from cannabis, you can allow your body to lower its tolerance to cannabis. Then, when you’re ready to start back up, you’ll enjoy results similar to what you felt when cannabis was first introduced into your treatment plan.

In fact, you can take a tolerance break from sugar, caffeine, and alcohol. The same physical results occur whether it’s cannabis or sugar. Your body gets to reset and start fresh.

How do tolerance breaks work?

When you feel like you can’t get enough, that means your tolerance is too high. CB1 receptors aren’t as responsive to THC as they were when you first started. The receptors become desensitized over time and, eventually, a process called internalization occurs. Internalization actually removes the receptors from the cell’s surface, as if they had gone into hiding. This is when you may feel like consuming more will create a better result. But the best course of action is to consume none for a short time. Take a tolerance break.

When we abstain from THC, our CB1 receptors come out of hiding and regain sensitivity. The good news is, that it doesn’t take that long to reset your receptors.

How important is a tolerance break?

The endocannabinoid system (ECS)comprises a vast network of chemical signals and cellular receptors throughout the human body and is extremely important in the maintenance of homeostasis (balance) in the body. The ECS is essential in multiple systems and functions in the body such as sleep, regulating pain, stress, digestive, and many others. 

Some believe that most chronic disease states are a result of a deficiency in the ECS and its functions. CBD and THC can be beneficial in improving the body’s own EC function. But, since THC works directly on cannabinoid receptors, it can overwhelm the system. Tolerance breaks are a way to improve ECS, which means not only will the tolerance for THC be lowered and make the medicine more effective, other systems may function better as well.

Some tips for taking a successful tolerance break

Besides giving your cannabinoid receptors a restart, there are other benefits to taking a tolerance break from THC. However, for those who depend on cannabis for medical reasons, taking a break can be especially intimidating. Here are a few tips to help you get through those days of abstinence.